Wondering about a new vid card

[anarchyintheua]

I have a dell 2400, with 512mb of ram, a blaster audigy se sound card, and i was told that a new video card would be a great upgrade for my comp. I was wondering what is a decently cheap video card that will work with just a regular computer moniter. I want one with a s video connection, and a fan built in. Im just starting to get into computers so im kinda lacking in knowledge of compatibility with my comp so any info would be great.

[Kov-Ice]

Do you currently have a video card, or does that Dell use onboard video?

[anarchyintheua]

it has an onboard video card

[Kov-Ice]

I may be wrong, but if that's a Dimension 2400, I don't believe you have a lot of options for a video card. I don't think those come with an AGP graphics card slot or a PCI-Express slot. That means you're limited to one of THESE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201069609642&bop=And&Order=PRICED) standard PCI cards (not including the PhysX card at the top of the page). I dunno if you'll get a great deal of bang for your buck this route...

What are your complete systems specs? BTW, welcome to PCMech!

[anarchyintheua]

I may be wrong, but if that's a Dimension 2400, I don't believe you have a lot of options for a video card. I don't think those come with an AGP graphics card slot or a PCI-Express slot.
What are your complete systems specs? BTW, welcome to PCMech!

Are card slots the spaces where audio card and things like that go? Im pretty much a newbie when it comes to comp lingo. The whole comp is stock except the audio card and i have 512 mb of ram instead of 256mb

[anarchyintheua]

How are these two cards ? Im not planning on doing any heavy gaming or anything like that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814145136
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131082

[Kov-Ice]

Yes, the PCI slots are the ones you would use to add sound cards and the like. Yes, either of those cards would work, as long as you still have an extra slot available. Powercolor is a reputable brand, I believe.

If you aren't doing heavy gaming, what will you be using the computer/video card upgrade for mostly?

[anarchyintheua]

better video quality, moderate gaming, and digital output capability, i have like two slots open. Everything in my computer is integrated.

[anarchyintheua]

O and another thing is there a limit to how much ram a computer can handle?

[shadowpr]

For ram, go to www.crucial.com and let it scan your computer. It will tell you what you can have.

[anarchyintheua]

If i use a video card that needs 512mb will it slow my computer down

[Alaron]

The video card RAM on a separate card will not steal from system ram and potentially slow down the system. That is one of the big upsides to adding a card instead of onboard graphics.