Video Card Upgrade help for Newbie gamer on a budget

[Vesh007]

Hi, Im new here so be gentle

I've got a Dell 4600, and I am looking to upgrade my Card from a AGP Geforce 5200

I dont play games often, but when I do it sucks lol. I usually play at 1024x768 and that's fine for me. I'd like to be able to play Civ IV and CoD 2

I have a couple quick questions:

Will my stock power supply be enough for today's vid cards?

What's the best budget card around 100-120 bucks?

Is it worth it to spend 150 or more on an AGP card?

I did some searching before posting and everyone seems to recommend 6600GT, but I dont know if my system can handle it (Power Supply)

THanks for your help.

 

[Nextman916]

how many wattagiggezerrrrss is your psu?

 

[Vesh007]

Ummm... I'm not sure lol. But I've been reading and I think the Stock PSU with this Dell POS is 250W

 

[Eureka]

Well, depends. If you can find a refurb x800Pro from ATi.com for 180, then probably so. Otherwise, 6600GT costs about 126 and is a lot of power for AGP. You'd want a 300w PSU at least, though.

Norm

 

[Vesh007]

Just out of curiosity what would happen if I got a 6600Gt anyway and I didnt had the 250W PSU?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: Vesh007
Just out of curiosity what would happen if I got a 6600Gt anyway and I didnt had the 250W PSU?

I'm not sure I understand..are you asking what would happen if you got the 6600 but stuck with the 250w? If so, your computer might run really really slow do the power constraints put on your system.

 

[Vesh007]

I'm sorry that's what I meant. Thanks.

Is there anyway I can find out exactly how many watts my PSU has? If it's written on it somewhere?

 

[Eureka]

I actually don't know what will happen when your system can't power it, but there's one of two possible scenarios:
1) It won't be powered to maximum, and you'll be running at less than optimal performance
2) Your card uses too much power, and you get fireworks from your PSU.

Norm

 

[Vesh007]

Neither of those sound good lol. So can you tell me how I can find out how any Watts my PSU actually is? If not, I think 250 is a safe bet, what would be a decent video card for it for around 100-150? Thanks for eveyone's help by the way.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Open your case and look at the side of the power supply. After some googling..it sounds like it's a 250w. And I guess those power supplies are notorious for going bad.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums...m_other&submitted=true&q=4600+power+up

 

[Vesh007]

Man, thanks a lot. It looks like I have another purchase on my hands lol. Do you know where I could get a cheap power supply?

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

PC Power and Cooling Expensive!

 

[A5]

I think you can get away with a 6600GT on a 250W power supply. I wouldn't be too horribly concerned - get the card first, then see if you have issues.

 

[Vesh007]

Ok thanks Everyone! BTW, would it be better to get a 256MB 6600 or 128 6600GT?

 

[EightySix Four]

128 GT, you play at low res's anyways

 

[Eureka]

6600GT... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150089 with MIR

Norm