What Graphics Card Shall I Get?

[Presyden]

Hi All

Got my pc two years ago. It is a good system apart from the graphics card which is a Nvidia Geforce FX 5200.

I want to spend up to £400 on updating the pc to play games on higher settings. I have never replaced a graphics card so I'm not sure what I need to do.

I think I need to change the power supply. How do I find out how much my system uses and how do I go about changing it if I need to.
Here are my stats:

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 8300
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz
Memory: 1024MB RAM
Page File: 276MB used, 2185MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found

[tomo222]

Dont Spend £400 on a graphics Card Get An XBOX360 much better for gaming!

[Presyden]

lol

That's something my bro would say, but I can't play my pc games on that.

[Rainbow32]

Here's a power supply calculator.
http://journeysystems.com/power_supply_calculator.php
Are you going to upgrade to Vista when it comes out as for the recommendation on the video card?

[Gene K]

The best way to get information on graphics cards is to type something like "current graphic card reviews" in Google.
Gene

[Presyden]

Originally Posted by Rainbow32

Here's a power supply calculator.
http://journeysystems.com/power_supply_calculator.php
Are you going to upgrade to Vista when it comes out as for the recommendation on the video card?

Wow! thanks for that.

I don't know how much Watts my current supply is, how do I find out? I know it sounds stupid

Someone at another furom recommended this one:

http://www.gainward.net/products/pro...products_id=29

What's the difference between PCI and APG?

[Presyden]

I will also need to upgrade my power supply to meet the minimum specs for the card. I've been reading that I needd to have a specific one for the 8300, does any1 have any tips for me?

Sam