Need a little advice on a graphics card

[Professor Brensec]

I've scored myself a very good buy on a 2 year old Dell system but it has Intel integrated graphics (850e I think).

I want to pop a GeForce or similar card in but don't want to have to start updating anything else (i'm in the process of buildinga 3.0Gb system).
I know this specific model came with optional GeForce graphics, so I know that it can be done, but I need to know what card to go for. Or at least, find out what is the maximum I can install, that will run OK without further mods.

I also want to try and get the GeForce (or similar) card on eBay (as it's just a temporary measure till my new one is finished in 12 months or so), so I again, need to know exactly what I'll need, or can settle for.

The system is as follows:

Dell Dimension 8100 P4 1.7 Gb
512 DR Ram (also what is DR ram as opposed to SD and DDR)
SoundBlaster Live
40 Gb HD
17" VDU Monitor
JVC 200watt speakers
Windows XP Home or Me (take your pick - does one or the other work better with CFS). I prefer Me, but will use XP if it will improve CFS performance.

I believe this particular system in Australia came with a 350 watt power source because of our 240 volt power. I've also read that even the standard 200 watt that it was released with in other countries was rated (in some way) to be more than capable of handling any possible mods, like graphics, sound etc

There you have it. What is your opinion as to what graphics card I should pop in. I know that it is only a 'mid range' PC and is not going to be the 'bees knees' with CFS3. But I'm hoping to be able to get a reasonable crack at it. I've had CFS3 for 18 months and haven't been able to run it on my old PC and my new one (which I'm slowly building bit by bit) is far from ready).

Thanks

[Gixer]

As long as you have an AGP port you can near enough put any graphics card in there you want as long as your PSU is up to scatch.

If you want a card to just tie you over I would go for either a GF4 Ti4600 128ddr (Seem hard to get hold of though)

[Professor Brensec]

Thanks for the advice Gixer.

I'll have a look in eBay for what you suggest.

It is kind of a 'tide me over' type exercise, although it could go on for a while, so I suppose maybe shelling out for something a bit better may even be an option. It's just that I was told by someone that if I put a card in that's too big and powerful, it may not run properly at all. I don't know how much this bloke knows, so I figured I'd come here. I know the people here are in the know when it comes to this stuff.

The 'work in progress' in my sig has changed to 3.0 gig PCU, bigger motherboard, Series 6 GeForce and 1 gig ddr @ 3200. The trouble is, as I buy the separate bits, the technology gets better and cheaper, so I keep deciding to upgrade (I've bought and then re-sold the motherboard once already - didn't lose any money either!!). So yes, it's changing all the time. That's why it's taking so long. That and money  ;D

Anyway, thanks for the advice again. I know what to go for now.

Up till now I've been using a Compaq Pressario 700 Mhz with Intel (11 mb shared) graphics. So I know that whatever I do. I'm going to notice a big difference.  :D

Thanks

[Professor Brensec]

PS. I pick this PC up tomorrow. How do I know if it has the appropriate AGP input? If it doesn't, is there much involved in having one installed?

I know the 8100 came out with optional GeForce 2 and 4 graphics (32 and 64 mb I think) - Does this mean that it must have one?

Does it matter if the card is 4xAGP or 8XAGP (whatever that means?

(Sorry, but I'm not very well up on graphics stuff).  ;D

[Professor Brensec]

Sorry, just another quick question.  :D

There seems to be alot of GF Ti4200 128mb ddr cards for sale on Australian eBay for really cheap prices.

What is the 4200 like. Is it a viable option for my needs, compared to the 5200 or 4600 that has been suggested. Remembering that I'm not expecting miracles, just want to try and get the best out of the available PCU and RAM etc that I now have access to.  ;D

[Gixer]

I believe the 4200 was a good card too, and if your adventurous a lot of them over-clocked quite good (They aould almost reach 4600 speeds) you can use a program called riva tuner to do this and it can be got at www.guru3d.com

If there is no AGP port it is not somthing that can be fitted.