Question about Video Card for SC2 and Mobo

[jwfc]

I have an old video card and wanted to update to support Starcraft 2. I watch TV shows and movies on my PC sometimes, but don't typically do anything graphic intensive. I don't play other games on my PC so I'm just looking for something that will play SC2 that is compatible with my motherboard. I have an Abit IP 35 pro. Looking at some cards online, some say 2 x 16 PCI-E. Looking at the picture of the abit ip 35 pro, I can't tell if my Mobo supports these types of cards. Does anyone know? I wasn't sure if I needed a different Mobo for those cards. Or should I be looking for a 1x16 PCI-E video card? Also, I don't know if it's possible since video cards do alot of processing, especially for intense games, but I'd rather have a card that would be more quiet, or at least quiet when I'm just surfing the web and not playing Starcraft 2. Thanks!

 

[mosox]

You can use any PCIe card. You can get a Radeon HD4650, HD4670, HD5570 or HD5670, I don't know your budget.

 

[jwfc]

I'd prefer to spend $150 or under.

 

[jwfc]

Will this fit with my Mobo? I cannot tell if my Mobo (abit ip35 pro) supports 2 x 16 pci-e. Also, will this allow me to play Starcraft 2 at full resolution? My other parts are:

2 x 250 seagate barracuda (raid0)
3 GB ram
3.0 GHz Qx6850 processor

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

 

[mosox]

This one is very good for its price, it's supported by your mobo like I said above:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102854

The Startcraft 2 system requirements are well below that card so you shouldn't have any problem.

 

[jwfc]

Since Blizzard will be releasing 2 expansion packs for SC2 in the future, will I ever need support for DirectX 11? I saw that one of the cards you listed is a little more but has that option:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874&cm_re=sapphire_5570-_-14-102-874-_-Product

What do you think? Thanks.

 

[mosox]

From what I know SC is DX9 now I don't know about SC2, if you want DX11 get this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102871&cm_re=radeon_hd_5670_512mb-_-14-102-871-_-Product

 

[jwfc]

How is the 4550 comparable? I noticed the first one you recommended does not have free shipping so it's double the price. Will I need it compared to this card? And is this card compatible? thanks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102819&nm_mc=AFC-SlickDeals&cm_mmc=AFC-SlickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA

 

[jwfc]

Best answer selected by jwfc.