Video Upgrade

[Tigger29]

Hey guys!  Wanting to upgrade my video.  Just thought you could steer me in the right direction here.

Here's what I currently have (self-built):

Intel Core-Duo E6300
ASROCK Dual-VSTA MB (With both AGP and PCI-e slots, although I think PCI-e is only x4 - Maybe someone can confirm this)
2GB DDR2
XFX GeForce 6200 256MB (AGP)
XP HOME
250 Watt Power Supply

Now I'm averaging about 45FPS at 512 textures (1280X1024).. sliders about half way... varying from about 30FPS in combat with flames and several planes, to 75 cruising at 15k.

Now I'm wanting to upgrade the video card to a PCI-e... I'm not looking for the latest technology, but I'd like to find something decent for under $100, as I'm also going to have to upgrade the Power supply (I'm surprised my wimpy supply is holding up so far!)

I'd like to be able to max the sliders.  1024 (hi-res) textures would be nice, but i'd rather max out with 512 then have to adjust sliders down at 1024.

I used to love ATI back in the day, but switched to Nvidia a while back as the ATI drivers were just getting rediculous.. of course this was several years ago.. things might have changed since then.

Also.. if my motherboard is in fact only PCI-e x4, will it prevent me from being able to use an x16 card?  (even though it may not perform at 100%)

Also I'm seeing what appears to be the same exact card, but from different manufacturers, and at very different prices... are there any manufacturers I should avoid completely?

Thanks for the advice!

[Tigger29]

What do you think about this 7600GT?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062



And as far as the numbers go.. is higher necessarily better?  I've heard the 7600 is actually better than the 8600?

And GS vs GT?  What's the difference?

[hyster]

250 Watt Power Supply

get yourself a new psu before u get a gfx card.
if you home build all the time get at least 350w or as large as you can afford.
if you dont have enough power your system will have problems and proberly damage componants.

[0thehero]

^ He's right.

You'll need a real PSU to power any modern graphics card today.  This FSP unit is an inexpensive option.

And yes, for the same money, I'd choose a 7600GT over the 8600GT.  They also overclock pretty well.

[Tigger29]

Yes, as I stated I am going to upgrade the power supply along with a new video card.  I'm not new to computers, just not real up to date with video cards, as the most gaming I do is AH2 and my wife's WOW and Sims2.

I have the power supply covered... don't worry about that.  The only reason I mentioned it was so I wouldn't get pounded with replies that only state "UPGRADE YOUR POWER SUPPLY"...  well too late for that, huh?

Any more advice on the video card would be greatly appreciated.  I don't want to spend $150 on a card that won't do my much better than what a $80 card will do.

Nor am I worried about later upgrading.  I've read that AGP is actually better than PCI-e 4x.  Perhaps I'd be better off finding an AGP card.  I'll worry about upgrading later on if/when I get a PCI-e 16x MB.