Best video upgrade from on-board NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce3

[wgenglan]

Hi, I have an eMachines ET1161-03 system with an NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430
on-board video adapter. This system has an AMD Athlon64 X2 Dual-core 4400+ 2.30gHz cpu
and 3GB ram, 250GB hd. I have a PCI express slot open, so adding a new video card would be
okay, and I prefer nVidia based.

Anyone know what the best choice is, I have looked at a lot on eBay and I'd even take used,
but prefer new. So many chipsets, etc.

I would like to an SLI capable card, DirectX 11, and at lease 1GB. I can upgrade the power
supply if necessary. I don't wish to upgrade the mobo as i'm satisfied with it. I could, but
prefer just to upgrade video (and power if needed.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[the fong]

What are you planning on using it for? It's hard to recommend anything without first knowing what it is you're planning on using it for. If it's gaming, what sort of games?

 

[jyjjy]

I would like to an SLI capable card, DirectX 11, and at lease 1GB.

None of these things should matter to you on system with an old 2.3ghz x2 CPU. Your motherboard also cannot SLI. A low end single card under $100 is what you should be looking at and those cards aren't capable of properly utilizing over 512mb of ram or the important DX11 features.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Given that I could run an old 8800GTS-640 on my old socket 939 x2-4800 (2.4GHz), I'd probably recommend something newer but equivalent in performance. Something like a GT240 (based on Tom's Graphical Hierarchy Chart).

-Wolf sends

 

[wgenglan]

Wolfshadw, you suggested a GT240, can I even use a GT 430? They are priced reasonable. The 240 sounds good, and I do plan on using it for games, but I don't have to have super performance, just enough to get off of the minimum features in some of the later games (Tombraider: Underworld for instance.)

 

[wgenglan]

P.S. I'm trying to avoid a lot of hassle by asking, just been awhile since I did any major upgrades (4-5 years). So I'm behind on boards and features, etc. Thanks again.

 

[jyjjy]

The GT 240 is much better than the GT 430, especially the DDR5 version, as you can see in the chart.

 

[benski]

The 430 is slower than the 240, but it will play most games in low settings and will be a large step up from your integrated graphics. They still have new GT 240's on newegg though and they are cheaper than the 430s. There is an XFX for 25 bucks after rebate.

 

[wgenglan]

Thanks, all and lastly to benski. I'll go with the 240. I really appreciate all of you
guys making this a simple decision for me! Keep up the fantastic work!

 

[wgenglan]

Best answer selected by wgenglan.

 

[wgenglan]

Also, Wolfshadw, I would have like to pick your answer first; You first suggested the GT 240. I wish I could select multiple answers, 'cause they were all good ones.