Which graphic card should i get?

Question

i want to upgrade my computer to play high end video games and i need a better graphics card fro my dell dimension 5150 running xp

and how do i know which ones are compatible?

Answer 1

Go to Newegg.com and search for PCI Express video cards. Not PCI Express 2.0! The Dell Dimension 5150 does not support that. And if you haven't yet upgraded the RAM in it you should. The 512 MB that it comes with is not enough to run many recent games well. The processor is also OK but not anywhere near awesome for gaming and is already obsolete.

Answer 2

Try this 8800Ultra-

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...

You just need to make sure that your PSU is over 500W, and it has to have at least one 6 pin pci-e connector, but two is preferable since that is how many it needs.  

Answer 3

Your Dimension 5150 has a vacant x16 PCIe graphics slot, thus you can install a PCIe graphics card. You may have a problem with fast high-end cards that consume a lot of power. You would need to upgrade the power supply and that may not be easy on the BTX format of your PC. Most retail power supplies are based on ATX format.

Your current power supply may just be able to handle cards with less than 50 watts of power draw. The Nvidia 9500GT should be a very significant upgrade to your integrated GMA 950 graphics. And be sure to have at least 1Gb RAM on your PC; 2Gb would be great.