What pci graphics card should i get?

what graphics card should i get?

i want to be able to play Half Life 2 at at least 30fps (at the lowest)
i can run it now but i can not use the flash light of the sucking power of my integrated graphics and the frame rate goes between 5-40fps (40 when nothing is happening and i am looking at the ground)

i only have pci slots which sucks but that is what i am stuck with

i was looking at ATI RADEON 9250 256 MB PCI Video Upgrade Card on amazon.com for $80 but i can not see what directx it uses.. would this work

i do not want to spend more then $100

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System Information (as of now)
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Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 3000
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A01
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 502MB RAM
Page File: 418MB used, 4148MB available

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Graphics Card info
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Graphics Card: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2572&SUBSYS_019D1028&REV_02
Display Memory: 96.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor

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Sound Card
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Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
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need more info just ask

ps
i would like to have a S-Video port on it

 

Either of these 2 cards would be much better and for nearly the same price.

Radeon X1300:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103016

Geforce 6200:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814139010

However, if you can save up some money, I would wait until you can afford a new motherboard/CPU/RAM/video card/power supply rather than spend $90 on a PCI video card.

 

yeah my pc sucks don't rub it in
this is just to keep me occupied until i get out of school and a good Christmas present

ps
would my system beable to handle vista after an upgrade with one of these graphics cards

 

i like the radeon x1300... what is a Dual-Link DVI-1 port?

 

Dual link, allows two monitors.

HL2, IMO works better with ATI, than Nvidia (unless we are talking PCI-Ex).

 

put that in noob terms i don't know much about any hardware

IMO is what

 

translation: Half-Life 2 in my opinion works better with ATi (video card maker), than Nvidia (another video card maker) (Unless we are talking PCI-Express

and yes, HL2 does run better on ATI cards when compared to a similar Nvidia card. Go with the x1300

 

yes i have been reading about the x1300 and it seems to be perfect for what i want it for

HALF LIFE 2: EPISODE 1 HERE I COME!!!

 

ok so i am geting the x1300 but it says on the system requirments:

System Requirements

* Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD® Athlon® 64 FX
* 300 Watt power supply or higher
* Super VGA or DVI-I compatible monitor
* System Memory of 256 MB or higher
* 483 Watt power supply or higher
* 480 MB available hard disk space
* 2.1 PCI compliant slot
* CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
* Operating System support: Windows XP, Windows XP MCE, Windows 2000, Windows Vista

it says the watt requirment 2 times and they are different?!?! were do i go to see what the watts on my power supply are

also how do i know if my computer has a 2.1 pci slot

P.S.
source http://www.diamondmm.com/X1300PCI256.php

 

im kinda thinking that its the 300W; 483(wtf?) is WAAAY too much for a card like that. To check the watts of ur PSU, remove the left case panel and look at the sticker in the upper left on the PSU. It will have a small chart and should say the maximum watts on there sumwhere.

 

it says 250watt... should i go ahead and upgrade (if so to what) or will the card work fine on 250watt?

what about the pci slot?

 

make sure u have the pci-e not pci...or the other way around, from wut i remeber the best pci card was the fx5500 (i have a feeling im gonna get corrected) and if you dont have a psu sufficient enough for the gfx card, simply your computer will not boot


EDIT: i hate dell.

 

yes but how will i know if i have it or not.. i would like to know before i get it

Edit:
this computer is only 2years old (i think) maybe 3... is there anyway to check what version i have

 

yea we checked a while back, he only has PCI. the best card WAS an FX5500 until about a month or 2 ago when they released the x1300 in PCI.

I think 250W should be able to run an x1300, its not a very power hungry card like its beefier siblings. The clock speeds arent outrageous so i cant see why you'd need any more than about 300W, maybe even 250 like u have. Give it a shot; if it dosent work u can always return it and get an FX5500

 

yes but do i have a pci 2.1 slot?
how do i check

 

im pretty sure that all pci slots are 2.1 that have been made recently. not sure how to check, i couldnt find anything in Everest. You shouldnt have to worry about it

 

Yeah, PCI 2.1 is a fairly old standard. (1995 to be exact)

 

well my computer is not that old... can't wait to play some Half Life 2 and WoW with my new card... no more 25fps for me ... that is max by the way (without looking at the ground... 45fps)