Upgrading Graphics Card

[SevenVirtues]

I'm wanting to upgrade my graphics card in my old system (I can't afford a full new rig). I've had this quite a while, it's P4 3GHz 2GB Ram and a NVidia 6200 LE card.

As it's a HP model, and I don't want to upgrade the PSU as well, I need a graphics card that doesn't require additional power and draws it straight from the PCI slot.

I don't play new games on my PC any more as I just use my PS3. Mainly I need a new card for older games and running things like Photoshop.

I will need to upgrade my system at some point as I'll be starting CAD at uni but right now I need something to get me through without spending a fortune.

Can anyone help me out?I'll be honest, I'm pretty clueless with graphics cards.

 

[shadow187]

PCI slot or PCI-E?
Do you have an AGP slot?

The best card for the PCI is an x1550, I think. But at that rate you could save up another 170$ and buy a better computer . The improved performance from a PCI-slot upgrade wouldn't even be that much.
AGP would be a 4670. <-- is a huge upgrade.

 

[SevenVirtues]

I have PCI and PCI-E, but no AGP. It's an awful motherboard for after-market parts.

 

[shadow187]

With no extra power required, a 4670 will be your best bet.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125277&cm_re=4670-_-14-125-277-_-Product

Nom.

 

[SevenVirtues]

Would I have any problems switching from NVidia to Radeon?

 

[SevenVirtues]

Or is it easier than switching processors?

 

[SevenVirtues]

I was looking at this one:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Graphics-ATI/ATIHD4600Series/Hightech/H467QS1GH.html

How is that? Like I said,I'm pretty clueless when it comes to graphics cards.

 

[Aneesh@4GHz]

I Recomend u to buy a Sapphire HD 4650 512MB GDDR3,It does not need extra power connectors,silent & perform well too!!

 

[SevenVirtues]

Thanks for the input.