Does anyone know why the graphics run so slowly on my newly built PC? :eek:

I've installed the drivers for the motherboard, but there is still a big problem with graphics; when I open a folder and then drag the window around the screen, it leaves a 'trail' of windows - like when the system is about too crash or is out of memory. Also, videos from my old hard drive and CD's won't play correctly; they have horizontal lines of 'static' all over the screen. But strangely, when I play streamed videos on websites, those play with no problems.

I'm tempted to buy a budget graphics card in the hope that it might cure the problem, but I'm sure that my onboard graphics should be up to the job. :confused:

I just got a reply on another website (Build Your Own PC - great site that):

"My onboard graphics does exactly the same, and I get that effect of window trails, and scrolling is painful! Also, videos in media players were impossible to watch..

A budget card (I'm using a GeForce FX 5200) although a 128MB card from Scan (Such as the GeForce 6200) is only £25.84 Inc VAT, which should solve all your problems - provided that you don't use the computer for games. "


I think he's probably right, but does anyone disagree?

Have you checked device manager to ensure there is no yellow exclamation beside the video card ? Sometimes you might have to manually install the video card driver.

How about increasing the VGA frame buffer size in the BIOS?

I have two pc's using on-board video, Nvidia 6150 and Intel GMA3000. They both play HD videos very smoothly (with the right codecs of course).:)

Yes, I would also advice you to buy a new graphics card for even a cheaper that would do the job.

Thanks HVAC and Benn, yes I have installed a new driver but it has only made a very slight improvement. I've ordered a graphics card now which I hope will solve the problem.
I find it very strange though that my old Optiplex 110 Pentium III which only has onboard graphics gives much better results.. I mean, it's over 15 years old!