Good card for GA-EP45-DS3 m/b

[doh]

It's been a while since I posted.

I have a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3 motherboard, and like to put a graphics card in it. I'll be using, I think, Win XP 32 or Win 7, at least 4GB of PC2-6400 RAM, Q9400 CPU. I aim to be using the system for General Purpose, including some games. I realise I might have to 'used'.

HD4780 seems a good one, according this thread I found: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/270019-33-radeon-4870-fast
the OP doesn't seem to say what OS is being used. Does it matter ?

The reason I'm posting is because I'm not sure about compatibilities.
I believe that things are upwards compatible. The issues in my mind are compatibility between m/b and card (PCIe version), and DirectX version compatibility with everything.
Is there a simple article somewhere on the subject ?

Doh!
1.November.2015

 

[clutchc]

That board will accept any PCIe x16 gfx card. The HD 4780 is an old, old card 4 or 5 generations old now. It will work, yes. But it is hot running and requires at least a 500W good quality PSU with 2 x 6-pin connectors. And it lacks some of the more advanced capabilities of newer cards. If you must buy used, try to get at least an HD-7xxx series (if AMD) or at least a GTX 6xx series (if Nvidia).

Btw, that link you read from is 6 years old.

 

[doh]

Thanks for the answer, clutchc, it's full of good points and suggestions.
Yes. I saw the thread I read referred to is 6 years old, but it was the only (partly) relevant I could find; it shows which generation the board belongs to.

Doh!
1.November.2015