Buying a graphics card

[Poomanchu3]

Hey guys, I'm thinking of buying a new graphics card since my old one is fairly crap.

Currently using a Nvidia 7500 LE (Integrated), and I'm kind've new to buying computer parts. Would any graphics card work with my computer, etc.

I'm not looking for a super high end graphics card, since I only really want to spend around $100 AUS, but pretty much anything would be better than this current one.

Any suggestions?

[Rook]

Do you have a computer model number and brand and all that, depending how old or new it is it may take AGP or PCI-E

[Poomanchu3]

Mine's a pre-built computer

HP Pavillion Media Center m8070a

I'm probably going to buy it at this MSY, here's their "best price" product listing.

http://www.msy.com.au/Parts/PARTS.pdf

Edit: Would like to run TF2 or even L4D2 at medium/high graphics with 60 or so FPS if possible. Tired of these 900 hours of 10-30 FPS.

[Satsumomo]

512M 9600GT Inno3D /Gigabyte /ASUS
99 / 102 / 99

1GB 9600GT ECS / Gainward / Gigabyte /ASUS
101 /103 /128 /128

That's the best one according to your price range, according to that PDF. Will run very nicely.

[Poomanchu3]

Is there any real difference between the brands?

Also, installing it is just simply plugging it in and installing drivers for it right?

Edit: Just read up on the card, people are saying that the 1gb on this card is particularly useless and in some cases can affect the performance compared to the 512mb.

[Satsumomo]

If the 1GB card is DDR2, it's crap. If it's DDR3 then it's good, can't tell because that site doesn't give specific models.

[Poomanchu3]

Also do I need to worry about power supply and such

[Satsumomo]

I'm not sure, the 9600GT isn't too power hungry.

However, the HD4670 doesn't even require an external power connector and is slightly less powerful than the 9600GT.

[Poomanchu3]

So I bought the 9600gt, I opened my computer to find out my PSU is only 250w

Guessing I need a new one? :(

[Satsumomo]

Uhh yeah... why would you buy it without opening it up first :|

Based upon that list, you should get any one of these:

Antec EarthWatts 500W
Seasonic S12 II 430W
Seasonic PSR550+
Coolermaster Extreme Power+ 460/500/550 (Make sure it's an Extreme Power Plus and not just Extreme Power, those suck)

My personal favorites there are the Seasonic units.