Upgrading ATI Xpress 200?

Question

Right now i have a HP Pavilion a1230n with an Integrated ATI Xpress 200 Graphics. It has a 3700+ AMD Anthlon 64 Prcessor with 1.0 GB memory and 200 GB Hard Drive. I want to get a new graphics card or video card I don't know what is the difference. I play counter strike source and i get like 20-40 FPS on high settings and 40-80 on low settings. i wanna be able to get around 100 FPS on high settings. What kind of chipset should i get.

i was recommended the BFG GeForce 7600 GT 256 MB by my good buddy which one would u recommend out of that one and the EVGA GeForce 8600GT 256MB

Answer 1

Your computer has a PCI-Express X16 slot meaning that you can get the newest graphics cards for it.

For the $50 range I recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130270

For the $100 range I recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

For the $150 range I recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

For the $200 range I recommend
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130086

If you want close to the top of the line then get this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082

Any of these would be an improvement over your current integrated graphics card.

If you are aiming for 100 FPS steady on high settings in Counter-Strike Source I recommend you buy the $150 one but you will probably want to upgrade within the next two years with that one to stay high performance although it should run fine for quite awhile, it will simply not be top of the line for long.

To be fairly future proof while saving money go with the $200 one.

If you want it to be the most future proof then go with the 8800GTS listed at the bottom. It is $300 but it gets over twice the performance of the $200 one above it so in terms of value for money it is the best.

Answer 2

Your power supply unit (PSU) could limit your options. The Nvidia 7300 series might fit your PC w/out unduly stressing your PSU. Faster or more powerful graphics card would require you to upgrade your PSU or they would not run at all.