Help needed figuring out graphics card

[NinaMarie80]

Hi! I am *very* new in computer hardware, but I need to upgrade my graphics card so I can run some Autodesk (Mudbox & Zbrush) software for my major. Here is what I have (please let me know if I am missing pertinent information):

Gateway Dx4870
Processor i5-2320
RAM: 12GB
Monitor: Acer (1600x900)

When I look at my motherboard this is what is labelled next to my graphic card slot: PCIE_X1_1.

I know it's not that great, but I'm trying to get it up to snuff on a *very* limited budget. I can do up to $200.

Any assistance/advice is very appreciated.

 

[Termie]

Are you sure that's the only PCIE expansion slot in your system? There should be a longer slot labeled PCIE X16 for use with a video card.

Assuming this model is very similar to your computer, the pictures would indicate that you have a blue PCIE X16 slot:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113296

The label PCIE X16 is visible just below the slot.

As for the best card for 3D modeling, I'm really not sure, but something like the Radeon R9 270 would probably be sufficient and within your budget. It will also work with your low-wattage power supply, although I'd probably stick to $100 cards like the GTX 650 or HD 7770 to be extra safe.

 

[Sable]

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?id=18844534&siteID=123112

 

[Termie]

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/syscert?id=18844534&siteID=123112

Interesting, but the cards it lists are almost exclusively workstation cards. He may not find many for under $200.

This one is actually on the list: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814195109

I really have no idea whether it's a good buy or not. Looks to be roughly equivalent in specs to an $80 HD 6670.

 

[NinaMarie80]

Sable - thank you for the link. I've utilized this per my professor's instruction, however the sticky wicket is me figuring out what my mobo is compatible with. When I say I'm new, I mean I am *painfully* new just learned how to open up my tower four months ago.

Termie - I do have a long slot just above that label. Here is the thing. I'm 99% sure it's PCIE x16. However! I got a PNY NVIDIA Quadro 600 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133354), changed out the bracket to fit my tower, got it all installed, inserted the disc to get it going. Nothing. I would attempt to run the disc and nothing would happen. So I've packaged it back up and am sending it back to Newegg. Did I order an incompatible type of graphics card?

You're all fantastic. Thank you for the quick responses.

 

[Termie]

OK, let's take this step by step. You had asked about a PCIE x1 slot, but in fact what you needed was a PCIE x16 slot, and indeed you have one.

So next step is looking at the card you actually already bought to try to figure out what's wrong. The issue is most definitely not the slot, as you had originally thought.

You say you inserted the disc to get it going, but does that mean you were already in Windows? And what do you mean by "nothing." Nothing ran, or the screen was blank?

I have a feeling there's nothing wrong with the card, in fact, so don't ship it off yet. The easiest way to get the card "going," or properly supported by the operating system through drivers, is to download them from the Nvidia website right here: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us