How do I know which graphics card to get?

Question

My mother board is from a HP 920a computer. It has been put in a new case because the power supply died in the old case. I now want to update the graphics card because right now it only has the on board graphics card. How do I know which one this motherboard will support? I only have PCI slots. I want to get one that will be able to handle such programs as SIMS 2. I also don't want to spend an arm and a leg because it is for my 6 1/2 year old.

Answer 1

First of all make absolutely sure you don't have any AGP slot, because from the specs I looked up on that computer, you should have one, and AGP would be a much much better option.

If you are in fact stuck with PCI, I would sincerely recommend getting the X1300 from ATI. The SIMS 2 is not a graphics intensvie program, but it does take a decent amount of power to run, more than a lot of people think, so you really should get the X1300, which is the best available for PCI, although still what would be considered a budget card. Here is one with a rebate:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103016

If you do in fact find out you have AGP, send me an email and I can find you something better, probably for around the same price.

Answer 2

No problem. You won't be playing the latest games on it, just make sure the system meets the other requirements of the Sims 2, http://compsimgames.about.com/od/thesims2faqs/f/systemrequireme.htm and you will be rather limited in your choice of graphics cards but...

the nvidia FX5500 should get the job done at $56, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130255

If you can find the 6200 in a PCI version I would pick that up, it's slightly better. I don't like ATi cards but they offer the X1300 in PCI form which will run you $100 and up, you may not want to spend quite that much.

Stay away from the Radeon 9250, it doesn't support DirectX 9 and stay away from any of the Geforce MX4000 series, they also do not support DirectX 9, I believe they top out at version 7. From what I could find it looks like the FX5500 will be your best bet, you can save a few bucks and go with the FX5200, if you want but the FX5500 is slightly faster.

Answer 3

I for one cant understand why they would put your mobo in a new case if the power supply went bad! The number you gave is NOT a mobo number either! Its the model of the PC itself and due to the fact that they could have put different mobos in that particular model you need to do a little more research however, the nice guy that I am, I will give you an easy way to find out what exactly is in your system! Download a program called Belarc Advisor. Its clean of any malware and I have used it for years, run it and repost this info or contact me and I will tell you what you need..

Answer 4

Most any graphics card that is PCI compatable will work. SIMS 2 is not THAT graphically-intensive... read the reviews on cnet.com and choose something in your price range.