Video Card Compatibility Help

[100Coogn]

   I'd like to purchase a video card from Newegg, but I have no idea if my computer supports PCI express 2.0.  I just want to get a good video card for my system.  If I understand correctly, I now have an on-board video chip, so I guess anything will be an improvement.  I'll probably have to get a bigger PSU also, but I won't know what to get until a video card has been chosen.
   Thanks for any advice on this matter.  Here is part of my DxDiag.  If more is needed just let me know.
100Coogn

  ------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/30/2008, 15:32:28
       Machine name: LIVINGROOM-PC
   Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Acer
       System Model: Aspire E380
               BIOS: )Phoenix - Award WorkstationBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ (2 CPUs), ~2.3GHz
             Memory: 1790MB RAM
          Page File: 980MB used, 2849MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
        Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_03D0&SUBSYS_26011019&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 889 MB
 Dedicated Memory: 249 MB
    Shared Memory: 639 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
          Monitor: SAMTRON 96B/97B
      Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
   Driver Version: 7.15.0011.7824 (English)
      DDI Version: 10
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 10/7/2008 13:33:00, 5963776 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4090-11CF-396D-0A0602C2CA35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x03D0
        SubSys ID: 0x26011019
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2

[Getback]

Go to the manufacturers website and look up the model #.

[Fulmar]

From what I've googled, and found some a customer review, the PSU you have is only 250W, but it does have a PCI-E 16x slot.  You'll need to upgrade your PSU if you want to add anything really.

What's your total budget?

[100Coogn]

   I would say $200.00 is about the most I could spend.  I could go over a little if it is for the video card & PSU.  And yes my PSU is 250W.
 
100Coogn

[BaldEagl]

Can you open up the case, pull the PSU plug from the motherboard and tell us how many pins it is?  It should be either 20 or 24.

Also rough dimensions of you're PSU would be helpful so we know we're not recommending an ATX when you need a micro.

[Getback]

Here's what I would do. Grab a 3850 vc for 70 bucks and a PC Power and Cooling PS for around 110. Then when I go to build a new computer I would at least pull that PS out and put the old one back in so that you have 2 comps.

[Masherbrum]

Here's what I would do. Grab a 3850 vc for 70 bucks and a PC Power and Cooling PS for around 110. Then when I go to build a new computer I would at least pull that PS out and put the old one back in so that you have 2 comps.

x2

[drdeathx]

ATI 4830 is due out. Rumor had it under $150

[drdeathx]

Ahhhhh $129!!!


http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/10/23/ati-4830-completes-trio

[100Coogn]

Thank you drdeathx, that looks like the answer I was looking for.  As long as it will fit my MOBO I should be good to go.

 
100Coogn

[drdeathx]

This is insanely cheap and it beats nvidea 9800!

[Rich46yo]

I would avoid NVidia. Actually when I look back Ive probably had far more trouble free service from ATI products. This screamer I bought has an GeForce9500GS loaded onboard and so far no problems. But if I ever have to replace it I'll get an ATI card.

Ive been hearing to much drama about the NVidia's. Everything from heat to driver issues.And after my last go around Im to paranoid to allow Vista to upgrade because I fear video card driver issues.

[Denholm]

ATI is more compatible with Vista. NVidia still has to work out the bugs. However, once they find a way to make it's cards more Vista compatible, you won't be beating them that easily.

[drdeathx]

Denholm.... I believe its the other way around. ATI newer cards were having problems with vista. I read hundreds of forums at ati but haven't researched Nvidea.

[drdeathx]

Rich... It's definitely the other way around. I owned 2 (512) 3870's and crossfired them. Nothing but problems and also hundreds of users. Same with 4870 x 2. Read AMD forums. I brought all cards back, went with Nvidea and perfect. I read a lot of Nvidea forums and they did not have these problems. I am running GTX280 now. ATI was having bios, heat, driver, vista and install problems. They may have fixed them in the last few months but I would highly recommend staying away although the 4870 x 2 series outperforms the GTX280. The GTX 280 is really a great card and unless you are playing a highly graphic intensive card, the 9800 and GTX280 are ample cards. The 9800 is more than sufficient to play AH.


Want to make 1 statement. I spent many nights reading the problems with ATI and there were literally hundreds. I was on the phone with ATI(Diamond and Visiontec) and their engineers were unaware of these problems. Again the may have rectified the problems but I am standing by my experience.

ATI did release the 4830 which is priced at $129 which seems to be a great card and is supposed to outperform the 9800GT Nvidea is most categories. The 3800 series cards have also dropped in price (just want to be fair to ATI). Still highly recommend Nvidea.