I have a 8600 GT (512mb GDDR2) and would like to upgrade the video card but do not know which one to go with given my system components.

I have a new HP Pavillion Elite 9250. It has a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66 ghz processor, 4 GB DDR2 800 mhz RAM, Vista x64. From HP's website support info [url] http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc [...] 02&lang=en [/url] it's hard to tell what power supply is in there but I think I recall somthing in the specs somewhere about it being either 350 or 360 watts.

Thanks for all help.

http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversi [...] 60547.html

That makes me think you'd about be maxing out with a 9600 GT... assuming it works at all. That said... a 9600 GT would be double the card you've got now and should definitely be noticeable in gaming.

Well with that PSU, you might be restricted on your upgrade path, though

3850
9600/3870

For the next ones you'll probly need a bigger PSU:
8800 GT
8800 GTS
4850/9800
4870

360 watt psu and Q6700 QUAD with a 9600GT would be pushing the limits. I believe you should get a new power supply for the HP. I don't think that they use a proprietary power system like dell, so everything should fit in normal if you got a new, more powerful one. If you don't have much cash on hand, just get like a 400-500watt Cheap PSU from a Known good manufacturer such as PCP&C. Don't get some $10 unstable reactor ready to meltdown.

You could get a StealthXStream 600W PSU if you want a really good video card and your PSU holds you back. I'm suggesting it because it's pretty good quality, cheap, and I actually fit one in an HP once. PSUs like 520HX or Silencer 610W wouldn't have worked in that smallish case. Maybe yours is different, I don't know. What size is your current PSU (length, width, height)?

How much clearance do you have now, with the 8600GT? That is, if the card was 4 inches longer, would it still fit? The best video cards available these days are almost 11" long, and IIRC the 8600GT is under 7".

If your looking for a decent PSU for a good price, here is the antec Earthwatts 500watt psu:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

I hear a lot of great things about this psu. Its small and powerful.

Yeah, I've noticed over the past few months that one or another of the Earthwatts PSUs has been available at a good price on Newegg.