What card should I get?

[oddling]

Howdy. I have 121$ U.S.D., and I'm looking into a new card.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...37;E2%8C%A9=en

That is my computer. I have: Expansion slots
Slot type Quantity
PCI Three (two available)
PCI Express One (available)

I was looking into a new card a while back, and from what I remember, I have the PCI Express (as opposed to whatever the other thing would be...), which I remember as being the common kind of slot thing?

Expensive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102022
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150202
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125025

Affordable: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143049
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062




I found these cards on NewEgg. Of the cards roughly 120$, which is the most desirable? Finally, of the more expensive cards, which is the best, and are any of those cards worth saving the extra cash for? I won't be employed for another month or two, or thereabouts, and when I get a job (my first) I have many things which need attention before a computer upgrade, but this is something I've put off for a while and now that I have some cash on hand, I'm springing for it. Thanks, and cheers

 

[Nukem]

Links don't work, not even the HP link.

 

[Trotter]

None of your links work.

Your main limiting factor will be your PSU. Once you find out what it is wattage wise, you will be able to see what cards it can support, or if you need to upgrade the PSU before you buy a better card.

 

[oddling]

^ Hold on

 

[oddling]

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Category.asp?Category=38&name=Video-Cards-Video-Devices

Anything under 200$ with or without a rebate. The computer is a HP a1230n http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/welcome.html You can find it through the search bar at that site. They have statistics for it and whatnot. I have no idea what PSU is or what I have. Thanks

 

[Nukem]

it's probably a 350W psu... most of those HP's are 350 or less.

you should be able to get away with this one...

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

Maybe even this one...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121008

 

[Trotter]

Open up the side of your case and see what the wattage is. it will be on a sticker on the side of the PSU facing out.

Nice system to ad on to, though.

 

[oddling]

Thanks!

I take it 350watts isn't very much? Which of those cards is preferable? Finally, upgrading to one of these cards, what kind of performance can I expect in pretty, older games (Doom 3, Far Cry etc.), pretty newish games, and pretty games in the future? I get maybe 30 FPS in Counter-Strike/HL2 and Far Cry, but many things now chug along or won't even run. Thanks again, much appreciated.

 

[oddling]

It says 300 watts. Mhmm.

 

[Nukem]

after chatting with the HP tech. it is in fact a 300W psu... that will change things...

you might be able to get away with something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814170106