Help with new video card and distinguishing motherboard AGP

Hello.

I have two computer-related issues I need help resolving.
The first is concerning my video card- I want to upgrade it from my currently crappy NVIDA GeForce 4 MX420, and I am also looking to spend $100 maximum (the card will serve more as a temporary until my birthday comes around). Some suggestions on good graphics cards would be appreciated, or comments on the one I was planning to buy here.

Secondly, I need help figuring out what the AGP is on my motherboard, to make certain it is compatible with a new graphics card. I looked on the motherboard and it said
SMSC
LPC47M534-NC
B0222-C935
8H111738
I looked for a LPC47M534-NC on SMSC's webpage but I could not locate one. Is there a way to look at it and tell if it is 2x, 4x, or 8x?

Thank you.

 

please read the following
http://majorgeeks.com/vb/announcement.php?f=22

welcome to Major Geeks.

 

Can graphics card RAM be incompatible with a computer the same way memory RAM is?

 

no, Video Card RAM on periphal cards (PCI, AGP) are independent of the computer as whole and have no effect on compatibility.

 

Alright, considering my motherboard can only run up to 4x AGP video cards, this looks like my best bet.

Thanks.

 

actucally,
take a look at this one.. it's a new chip core than the 9000; has higher core speed. It does have lower mem speed, but it has double the memory and is 4x compatible. It's also less expensive.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-324&depa=1

 

That looks good, thank you.

 

Well, one last stupid question about the graphics card compatibility and game I just purchased (main reason I'm upgrading, heh).

Thief: Deadly Shadows

It says "[font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Unless you are running an Nvidia GeForce 3 ti, 4 ti, or FX, or an ATI Radeon 8500, or Radeon 9200, 9600, 9800 series card, this game will not run. Please remember, none of the Nvidia GeForce MX, or GeForce 2/GTS/GO video cards are supported."

[/font][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Is 9600SE considered a 9600?
[/font]

 

Yes

 

Can never be too careful

 

when in doubt, ask away..