Recommend me a video card

When it comes to graphics cards I'm baffled. I try looking at video cards and reading up on forums and it's all a foreign language. 210 sucks, but 240 is gread, get fermi, or cuda, or more streams or more cores or..... what the heck is PhysX?

Anyways, I'd like to spend $120 or so.
My Mobo is http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Pr...?DetailID=1139&CategoryID=1&MenuID=19&LanID=0
Would it do any good to get a PCIx16 2.0 or 3.0 card?
My current video card is http://www.msi.com/product/vga/N8400GS-MD1GD3H-LP.html
Currently my card is dual slot, covering my only PCIe slot. I'd like to avoid covering any more slots as they're all being used, but it looks like I'll be getting another dual slot card.

I don't play many games, but I'd like to. My current card is pretty meager, and judging by what I can get for $40 my current card is pretty slow.
I'd like to have two monitors and HDMI out as well to run things to the TV.
It would be nice if it could handle Folding At Home as well.

Thanks in advance

 

If it helps I'm thinking about either one of these two cards:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7917675&CatId=7387
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4809392&CatId=7387

 

See Toms Hardware, Best Graphics Card for the Money October 2013.

However, before buying any new graphics card, it is important to understand that graphics solutions are often the most power hungry devices in our systems so you MUST ensure your current power supply can support the increased demands, or plan on buying a new supply to support it.

Cards that consume or cover two slots are actually better because they vent hot air directly out the back. Single width cards dump the heat from the GPU back into the case putting a greater demand on case cooling.

Folding has nothing to do with your graphics performance.

 

Thanks for the reply. I just wish I could make heads or tails of it. The two cards that I've linked to are evenly matched according to Toms Hardware. Should I just flip a coin? Do you have any opinion on Nvidia vs AMD?

As for the two slot thing I've seen cards that are too big for two slots (somewhere, can't find one now). I just want to keep it to 2 slots.

Folding At Home has a GPU engine (or at least they used to). If I can't find a card that would be any good for that in my price range I won't throw a fit, I just said that in case that made one card look better over another.

Thanks for the warning on the power supply. I was however aware of that because of the many posts here on Major Geeks stating the same and I am mindful of the situation.

 

Sorry - I don't use folding any more and forgot they added a GPU component - but in any case, either card will work.

The problem is typically due to small cases and long cards, not wide (or should I say thick) cards. So if your current double wide card fits, a new double wide card should fit with no problem.

That said, you said your current card is dual slot. No it isn't - not if that MSI N8400 is your current card. That said, if the heatsink is tall, it may take up the same space as a dual slot card - which is what I suspect is what you meant.

The VisionTek is a "true" dual-slot as it uses two slot in the back of the case, and is secured with two mounting screws. I like that better to ensure it stays securely mounted in a perpendicular position even, minimizing strain on the motherboard slot.

Of those two, if me, I would go with the 7790 for several reasons. It has more outputs, it exhausts heat directly out the case, it has a more stable mounting system (being true dual slot) and 7790 offers better performance in 3 reviews I looked at.

You say you are mindful of the PSU requirements but did not say what you currently have. Note both cards require a 400W supply as a minimum. That said, those are pretty much guesses because the makers don't know what PSU, how much RAM or the number of drives you have - nor do the know the quality of your PSU. So if me, to ensure my PSU was not running near capacity full time (thus generating a lot of heat and causing the PSU fan to spin at full speed/loudness), I would want at least a 500W 80 PLUS certified PSU from a reputable maker. I prefer Corsair and Antec PSUs.