How Do I Upgrade My Motherboard Properly and Effectively?

Question

I'm in need of a new graphics card and my motherboard with just a regular PCI-Bus slot can't handle any sufficient cards.

I need to know how to do the following:
*How to find the necessary components on my computer for a new motherboard. (i.e. How to find out if I need to buy an AMD or Intel motherboard)
*Where to buy the necessary motherboard I need+service installation.

Thanks for your time and help!

Processor - x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9 GenuineIntel ~2499 Mhz.
RAM (Memory) - 502 MB
Current Graphics Card - Nvidia GeForce FX 5500.(PCI Bus Slot)

Desired Graphics Card - AGP or PCI-E Slot Graphics that will run any newer games being sold on the market well.

Answer 1

**Update** Ok it appears you have a Pentium 4, but the system information doesn't tell us what socket type your CPU is... In any event, we know you'll need a motherboard for Intel processors, not AMD.

Download the free CPU-Z utility from download.com, it might say (it will certainly tell you what type of memory you've got)
Here's the link:

http://www.download.com/3001-2086_4-10518374.html?idl=n

Your best bet is to take the computer to a shop, so they can open the case and look. When you know what socket type your processor is, you can pick a motherboard with PCI-E video that supports your existing CPU and RAM.

The other issue is your power supply- again, software can't tell anything there, you've gotta open the case to see what's in there. Some of the newer video cards require a 450W power supply and a dedicated connector, which I'm almost sure your existing power supply doesn't have.

It's easiest to just get a new barebones system (with the motherboard and CPU already assembled and installed in a case)

Here's an example of a basic PCI-E motherboard for Intel processors: