Video card Suggestions

[darkie0000]

Hello!
BUDGET: Up to $100.

I'm looking to add a good graphics card into this system I was given and I fixed (Hence it was given). Its an HP Pavilion Slimline S5120F PC. Obviously this would have to be a Low Profile video card. My sister's computer went up in smoke and she'd like to play her games again. Skyrim being at the top, this would have to be a pretty good graphics card. I have been looking at NewEgg and although I am techy, I've never dealt with low profile video cards.

With that said, if I purchase a PCIe 2.0/2.1 or 3.0, knowing its backwards compatible, surely would give me a performance boost over a regular PCIe 1.0? There may be a 10-15% loss somewhere in there (I think).

Any other suggestions would be very helpful, like ram, CPU (I know the upgrades are limited to certain CPUS and ram sticks). But should I upgrade what the computer is compatible with if I am going to play Skyrim or a graphics intense game?

Thanks a lot guys/girls
EDIT: Could an AM3+ Processor be compatible in this case? I think I read somewhere that it is compatible. At least most of them are backwards compatible with AM2+ which would explain why I can't find any AM2+ processors around.

I think this card would be of significance as it has 1 more GB of ram than what was suggested by Ego Dest. Is this card worth or because its PCIe2.0 its nerfed to 1.0?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127690

But I was suggested this by Ego Destinatum.
ATI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161409
Nvidia
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127694

 

[AMD Radeon]

what is the rig spec you have currently?

 

[darkie0000]

Here are the specifications. I really don't know how to find out if the slot is PCIe 1.0/2.0/2.1/3.0, but I think its 1.0 if I took a good guess.

 

[Ego Destinatum]

From what I can see in

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=es&lc=es&dlc=es&docname=c01701270#N299

It seems a PCIE 1.0
You can fit any PCIE to it, just limited by budget. The better the card, the better you will have when upgrade the motherboard. Bad side is that almost everything you put in, will be working at the best at only it's 25% capability. And the more coin you put the more time it will take to gain the coin for the motherboard in the future.

If budget is tigth and no comming motherboard for short term

ATI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161409

Nvidia
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127694

both for 49.99 your chose, there are some more cheaper and there are better ones too.

 

[darkie0000]

Hey thanks, very helpful information.
I am not gonna upgrade the motherboard. I merely want to upgrade so that games can be played on it. Skyrim/BF3, even on its lowest settings without lag. Or preferably medium settings. Later, i will get a whole new computer but for now this is what i'm working with. Thanks! This will probably be a hand me down to my little sister once I establish a new computer for my sister.

From what I can see in

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=es&lc=es&dlc=es&docname=c01701270#N299

It seems a PCIE 1.0
You can fit any PCIE to it, just limited by budget. The better the card, the better you will have when upgrade the motherboard. Bad side is that almost everything you put in, will be working at the best at only it's 25% capability. And the more coin you put the more time it will take to gain the coin for the motherboard in the future.

If budget is tigth and no comming motherboard for short term

ATI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161409

Nvidia
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127694

both for 49.99 your chose, there are some more cheaper and there are better ones too.

 

[darkie0000]

Best answer selected by darkie0000.