graphics card

Well lately i have notice i can barely run cs;s and hl2 and guildwars with my direct x 7 graphic card so I thought why not upgrade. Then i was like it cant be as easy as plugging in card or two for ram or graphics so now Im confused what all the stuff means so heres what my ram and graphics card specs are maybe one of you can help me pick a graphics card or some ram(looking to get another 512 so ill have 1 gb instead of 768) also Im willing to spend about 150 tops for a graphics card not to extreme just wanna upgrade that'll last a year till i get a job and some cash.

Graphics-
Current Card- Nvidia Geforce 4 MX 420
Expansion Bus-
Bus types - PCI,AGP
BUS Speed - PCI; 33 mhz AGP;66mhz
AGP connecter-one
AGP connection size- 172 pins
AGP connector data width(max)- 32 bits(im confused here)
AGP bus protocols - 4x/2x modes at 1.5 v


Memory-(currently 768mb one 512 and one 256)
Architecture - DDR SDRAM
memory connectors- two(i swear i saw more in my comp)
Capacities - 128-,256-,512-MB non-ECC DDR SDRAM
min mem- 128
max mem- 1 GB
memeroy typ- DDR 333(non-ECC) only on computers with 533-MHz
system clock
DDR 266(non-ECC) on computers with either 400- or
533-MHz system clock speed
BIOS adress f8000h

Processor -
Pentium 4 2.53ghz


well there yah go also under graphics in my owners man it says

Video controller- AGP 4x

well thanx in advanced

what processor is in that pc?

pentium 4 2.53

agp 4x sounds not so good
you might need to step up to a new mobo

well i guess ill jsut deal wiht what i got till i can pay 1000 for a new comp well thanx

Im runnin gw on a 3.2 pc, and have 4x agp that runs a ati radeon x1600pro on it. Maxed out gfx. No problem

Altho if u wanna look forward, a new mobo or even whole system culd be a moneysaver in the long run.

would this card work in my system http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814125168R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814127164R

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814190004

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814102666R

if so im running down stairs and getting my gift card out hehe

if all or more then which one?

i think ill buy the 5500 or the 6600 which ever i see at a store (6600 most likly)

Be sure it's compatible.

maybe something more like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150163

open box is not really a wise move with a video card . . . .

do i have to worry about that card being GDDR3

i agree with nedm, go for the 6800

Go for one of the more recent geforce 7x models.

No because the agp bandwith being maxed is not the issue. Even with the 7x-modells its enough. (8x-modells could be an issue).