Newbie Gamer Needs Advice in Buying New Video Card?

[mystery70]

I've recently gotten into playing games on my pc, but i'm not able to play the most current games because of my graphics card... So I really need everyone who is willing to give adivce as to what video card I should get. I have a 2.6 mhz pentium 4, with 1 gb of ddr 3200 memory, windows xp, and my current video card is a Nvidia Geforce fx 5200 agp. Which a few of people tell me is pretty ancient when it comes to video cards. I'm willing to spend from 150 to 200 dollars on a card, so please I would like to hear what are some of the best video cards for my computer. I'm not sure if i should go ati or nvidia.

[EXreaction]

Welcome to TechIMO!

Well, do you live in the US, if not, where?

[mystery70]

Yes I live in the U.S.

[EXreaction]

Well, this is about the best card you can get for that price:
SAPPHIRE 100136 Radeon X800GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - OEM

But what is the make/model of your powersupply? If you get a new card, and your power suppl can't handle it you could run into quite a few problems.

[mystery70]

I cant see the name on my power supply...but i can see that it is a 250 watt power supply is that enough? what would i need for the x800GT?

[NightRise420]

oh no.... u need atleast quality 350W powersupply for that.

[SoloCamo]

you will without a doubt need a new power supply. 250w is not going to cut it. Are you using a dell, or other manufacturer like that, or is it custom?

[mystery70]

Yes I bought a gateway a couple of years ago. Should I just wait and get a new computer or is it easy to install the power supply and video card?

[EXreaction]

Power supplys are very easy to install...the only problem you could have is if gateway used a custom powersupply in your computer...if they did you probably wont be able to use a normal one...what is the model of your computer?

[mystery70]

it's a gateway 500 XL