Graphics Card Help

Alright, I just got the HP A1130n, and I wanna upgrade my graphics card. I was thinking about buying the ATI X700 Pro, but wanna make sure that its a card thatll last for a while. My system specs are:

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/HP_Pavilion_A1130n_Desktop_Pc/4507-3118_16-31447599.html?tag=tab

AMD Athlon 64 3500 (2.2GHz)
1 Gig RAM
On Board Graphics Card (ATI Xpress 200)
250 Gig HD

Right now, it runs pretty well. The gig of RAM really makes a difference, but it still stutters a bit while playing World of Warcraft, and I dont want it to have any problems playing a graphic intense game, and do NOT want to use the on board graphics card that its using. I have a laptop (HP ZV5000) that has the ATI 9000 on it, which actually handles WoW relatively well, and this was my primary gaming platform. Now Im using a desktop, and want the best graphics, with the least amount of need for an upgrade in the next year or so.

I also dont wanna spend a ton of money. I really would prefer to spend up to $200 and no more, but still want the best graphics card, and if anyone knew where to get one cheap (other than falling off a truck) Id appreciate that too.

Besides, which is better overall? nVidia or ATI?

 

Personal preference, I like ati, i gto the x800 xt pe amazing card with 1gb ram, amd athlon 64 3200+. palys hl2 smooth as with almost all top settings. Had for a year now and still very happy should get another year out of it. tbut the card is quite expensive tho.

 

Is it a PCI/PCI-E? I think the slot I have is for a PCI/PCI-E (I had the a1129n which had a faulty Motherboard, but had the same graphics card slot, and it fit the X700 in it, but was a PCI Express, so Im not sure if I can really use PCI or PCI Express with it) because Im looking to spend the money (just prefer to spend less than $200) and want the best I can get for my computer.

Would there be a way to change the PCI to AGP? I see more cards for AGP, and they seem to run a lil cheaper, and have a much larger selection, or am I stuck with the card slot that came with the motherboard?

 

why not go for eitehr the 6600gt or better yet the x800, you'll notice a way bigger difference, and it will last a lot longer.

 

Im most likely gonna go for the x800. I just saw this on another forum: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127172

That looks like something I cant pass up. I mean, its the best price Ive seen for the x800.

Just to make sure though, its not some lame rip off right? Itll perform just as well as the ATI manufactured one?

 

yeah thats a good card.

 

I just bought the 6600gt off Ebay, it was too great a deal to pass up. I hope I made the right decision over the x800, but I think the deal was really worth it (so long as it works)

http://payments.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?UnifiedCheckoutSummary&itemId=5233472702&transId=0

 

its good card, nvidia does handle opengl better than ati.