So my graphics card went out about a week ago and I've decided to get around to replacing it now that I'm not sick. Anyway, I was using a GeForce 8800 GTS and I am looking for something decently price that is at least as good as that card.
Now, I already found something that looks like it may fit the bill (not set in stone), but would just like help to make sure that it will work with my computer and that I'm not buying more than my computer can handle (if that makes sense).

The card I was looking at was http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-HDMI-Graphics-01G-P3-1556-KR/dp/B004S5CCP4/ref=sr_1_8?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1324602361&sr=1-8

Used http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=475&card2=647 to compare the two and it looks better to me.

First of all, http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?pn=01G-P3-1556-KR under requirements it only has a 400 watt listed, which I have. Am I reading that right? Or am I missing something? My current card had a system memory requirement, but that one doesn't have one listed. Kinda weird.
Also, says it is a "PCI-E 2.0 16x" now I have a PCI-E, but I don't know if it is 2.0. I heard that PCI-E 2.0 cards work in PCI-E 1.0 (though it does not work as well), but how would I know what I have? And if I don't have a PCI-E 2.0, is it worth paying that or could I get a cheaper card that would run in PCI-E 1.0 as effectively as that?
Also the dimensions of my current card are "12 x 3.2 x 9.5 inches " with the other card at "12 x 2 x 8 inches" I figure that since this card is not bigger in any direction it will fit in my computer. Am I right?
Also, how do I know if my current monitor will work on this? The ports look like what is on my current card. My current card uses VGA and my monitor uses DVI. At least I am pretty sure, might have them mixed up. I have to use the adapter it came with and it is a DVI to VGA adapter. The monitor plug in is blue if that helps. According to the amazon page it comes with "1 DVI to VGA adapter" so I am assuming it will work since it uses the same adapter. Though a confirmation would set me at ease.

I have no idea what information may be useful for this, so if you want to know any information about my computer just ask. I will go ahead and say that I'm on a Vista 32.bit with 3 gigs of ram (btw, is that good or bad now?).

First time changing out a graphics card and don't want to screw this up. >.> Thanks in advance for any help.

Edit: My current card's HDCP capable, is that something that I should look for?

HDCP only matters if you're playing blurays and aren't willing to crack them. Otherwise it's not really something to worry about.

Well since I don't have a bluray drive, guess that doesn't matter. Thanks.

Personally, I'm using an AMD HD 4670, which is fine for most things, at least up until 2010 or so. I have a hard time with TW2, but that's probably related to the processor.

In general though a $100 to $150 card ought to be fine unless you're really insistent upon maxing out all the settings and playing something particularly strenuous.

PCI-E 2.0 has more bandwidth than 1.0 did, I don't think it's going to be a problem, but I'll defer to somebody else that's more current.

Thanks for that. Apparently what I was looking at was much lower than the either of those. And for about the same price. Might ( edit: probably will) go with one of those instead. Yeah, I was looking up those cards on Amazon and noticed the same sale. That's reassuring.

I've used a 2.1 card both in a 2.0 slot and 1.0 slot before with no problems....PCI-e is usually good at being backwards compatible like that. You will get a slower speed than with a 2.0 or 2.1 slot though, but with the better card it will hardly be noticeable.....unless you run something like the new Arkham City game with that fancy(but inefficient as hell) FXAA option turned on.

Yeah, I had read elsewhere that 2.X cards work in 1.0 slots.

Stupid question.
Do those cards come with a manufacture warranty?
Clicked on the warranties and services thing thinking it would tell me, but it lists warranties I can buy from Newegg.

Most cards come with a 1 year manufacturers standard warranty against defects in manufacture/etc....how good the companies are at working with you if you have to call upon said warranty varies from manufacturer to manufacturer though.....so save those UPC codes on the box, your packing slips, etc in case something happens, and if it does find the manufacturer's website/email address, etc and find out how to RMA the card if it's defective.

Also check the reviews for each card on newegg as some of them list how good or bad a company is at helping those with a warranty claim, as well as how good the hardware performs out of the box.

If you want though you can also pay 10 bucks more and get like a 1-2 year newegg warranty which some say is worth it.

They charge different prices. ;)

:P :D

I know i'm a smart arse.....sorries. :)


Also Sapphire card has more reviews listed to peruse through(and usually when a card or piece of hardware has more reviews it's easier to gauge it's usefulness and maybe even gauge if it sold better or not.), and it seems a bit better than the HIS card quality-wise.

Addition: Both cards are nice in that they have a nice fan enclosure which dumps hot air out the back of the case, which is nice. Be AWARE though that the size of the card, while not massive, will cover the slot(usually regular PCI on most mobos) next to it though. Also i'd recommend making sure you have at least a 450 watt PSU if you get either of them......and it seems to require a spare 6 pin connector from your PSU to plug in as well as drawing power as per normal from the mobo via it's slot, but if you have the right wattage PSU it should have a connector/plug to spare(Open your case if in doubt and look for one.....they are usually the same as the ones that power the DVD drive and HDDs).

How much better is "a bit better"?
Thanks for all your help. =D

The one I had been using does the same thing, so that wont be a problem.

450 watt PSU? Is that the power source or something else? Power Source Unit? If so I should have enough. Old one required 400 watts and I think I had one better than that.

As for that six pin collector...what is that exactly. I had to plug in this rectangle thing with separate pegs into the old one, is that it or is it something else?

1. A bit better as in those that get more reviews(and also have most of them giving 4 or 5 eggs) usually provide a better quality product(that doesn't break down or cause other problems & which last longer...etc) & have better customer service as well.

2. Check the edits about the power needs for the cards as well. ;)

Was editing my post to include those when you posted. So they are in my previous post lol.

The PSU is the power supply. It's the big brickish thing that all the wirse come from inside the PC which power the various bits and bobs. If you check the sticker on it it should tell you what it's rated at watt-wise. And yes the rectangleish thing is the plug/6 pin(names for havin', well, 6 pins in it.).

Chances are if you had to plug your old card in with a 6-pin connector before then you should have enough power....it doesn't hurt to check though.

Edited to not sound greedy for solves....;)