Best bet for a Mid-High Graphics card?- Upgrading

[zx matt]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums so bear with me. I have an Acer Aspire T180 (not exactly epic, I know) so first of all, here are main specs:

2 GB Ram
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Integrated
Vista Premium
PSU=250W
MiniTower

I'm looking for a good graphics card, mid-high range and I have about £50-70 ($100-$140) to spare. I'd like to play games such as Medieval Total War 2, Mercinaries 2, Supreme Commander, Oblivion smoothly on mid settings (right now I can get 15 fps on all low settings on Obliv- not really playable). So I figured a new graphics card was in order...

My friend has recommended a 8600gt, 9500gt and Ive seen an ATI hd3850 getting good reviews and all have been fairly within my price range. But I'd like some expert help.

Based on what games I like to play, how much I've got to spend and what my pc can physically handle, can you recommend me a graphics card?

Will I need another/better power supply? If you do recommend a card how much memory should it have? Are there any good threads that I dont know of that might help me? Are the cards I have in mind a little overkill? Could it be something other than a graphics card that I need?

I have a spare full tower if a new PSU is needed as miniTowers are more difficult to upgrade, apparently.

Thanks,
matt

 

[rangers]

i think youll have to upgrade ur PSU maybe this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

i would go with the antec 500w give's you a bit of head room

and i would stay away from 8600gt, 9500gt, go for a 9600gt or a 3850, better still the 4670. and under no circumstances go for the 8600gt its crap

 

[zx matt]

The antec 500w looks great, thanks for your advice!

 

[nrnx]

for $140 you can pick up a good 420 W PSU and a Radeon 4670. Its a discreet card (not passive) Requires no additional power other then PCI-E. Runs just shy of a Radeon 4850.

I have one in my second rig, it works great.

 

[zx matt]

Yea the 4670 looks nice, I'm not sure where you get them from at that price though, links would be nice

Thanks!

 

[bobbknight]

8800GT and a new PSU

 

[nrnx]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102792

$80.00 new at newegg.

 

[zx matt]

Thanks, Ill get a new PSU and I'm leaning towards a 3850 or an 8800gt, just need to decide on which one.

 

[NewLCD123]

You definately need a new psu. 250 watts? Thatll die on you with any upgrades. Get something like 500w. As for video card, buy a used one cheap. x1950pro appears to be the best for $50 or less. If you have $100, theres hd3850 or hd4670.

 

[nrnx]

zx, you can get the 4670, performs better then the 3850 check the link I put above less then $100...

 

[NewLCD123]

^^^^^^ Both cards should perform equally

 

[mopman]

go for 4670

 

[zx matt]

newegg doesn't ship to the UK unfortunately. Im sure I can find a UK alternative somewhere..