Best graphics card for a Windows Vista Business

[RTMB12]

My friend and I are donating a computer I have to a kid who lost his old computer in a house fire. The computer we're giving him is a little older than his old one, but it should suffice until his family can afford a new one. Its an older computer, but it worked fine the last time I used it about a little over a year ago, so hopefully its alright for him for the time being. We want to put in a new graphics card before we give it to him though because he enjoys computer games. I'll give you the specs of the PC and hopefully someone can recommend a good graphics card for the computer that will run well with it. Also, if you could, is there a better processor you would recommend buying as well?

Specs:
Microsoft Windows Vista Business
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Manufactured by Dell
System model OptiPlex 760
System type X86-based PC (32 bits)
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, E8400 @ 3.00GHz, 3000MHz, 2 cores
SMBIOS Version 2.5
RAM = 2.00GB
Total Virtual Memory = 4.14GB
Page File Space = 2.24GB
PSU is assumed to be 300w, I'm not for sure though but I can check if I have to

Thanks for your help! Price range can be anything under $130!

 

[dontlistentome]

For new cards I'd look at the Nvidia 750 ti, and the AMD RX 460, the 2gb cards. They both come in versions that don't require extra power connectors.

Next week new Nvidia budget cards will come out, but the first one is going to cost $140 or more. The $110 one won't be out for a few more weeks or so I read. I personally wouldn't wait, I'd just pick from the above cards instead.

 

[RTMB12]

For new cards I'd look at the Nvidia 750 ti, and the AMD RX 460, the 2gb cards. They both come in versions that don't require extra power connectors.

Next week new Nvidia budget cards will come out, but the first one is going to cost $140 or more. The $110 one won't be out for a few more weeks or so I read. I personally wouldn't wait, I'd just pick from the above cards instead.

and these cards should run well with the specs i gave? a windows vista business in a optiplex 760?

 

[junkeymonkey]

better check at dell what card can work on that model as well you may find you cant go higher then a 600 series or what ever like I thought the pci-e slot had a 35w limit and not full 75w atx spec??

some models of store bought computers [dell.hp,acer,ect..] may come with a ''locked or fixed'' bios and may not allow you to change certain hardware as a video card.. this is done to protect them from undue warranty claims and refunds .this is not done to hurt you but to protect them. you really need to see if that upgrade has been proven to work in your model first before you invest money in it .. there are a lot of these threads here at toms to look at some models will allow upgrades and some dont.. and a lot of guys here say ya ya ya when is really no no no...it would be sad you spent $200 on a card that wount post after you installed it as most find out. then get told its your psu and you spend more and end up right back where you are now, but its up to you good luck..


you got to know the the boards in these computers are not like the ones we use to do custom builds witch are open to upgrading with in the boards compatibly . the bios is custom made for there design and just for the parts they authorize to be used on there computers there only guaranteed to work as is out of the box as you bought it ,..


also these boards do not have to meet atx standards and there pci-e slot power may not do the required 75w needed for most higher end cards and can be limited to say 45 or 60w that is all thats needed with the low end factory oem cards that it may of shipped with

need to go to dell forums and look things over real good ''BEFORE '' you buy

http://en.community.dell.com/search#q=OptiPlex%20760%20%20graphics%20card%20