Asking for Video Card Advice, Please

I have two (fairly identical) computers, refurbished Dell Dimension 4700s, upon which I have made a number of upgrades. Recently, the video card in one of them gave up the ghost, and I'm looking for a replacement/upgrade. What I replace in the one I will likely replace in the other, as I try to keep them about equal in performance. Here's a few details:

Dell Dimension 4700, with this motherboard
Windows XP SP3
4GB DDR2 RAM (3.00 recognized)
GeForce 6600 video card in PCI Express x16 slot (256MB, IIRC)
305W power supply

Please ask if you think further information would help you give better advice.

Obviously, these are aging computers. I'm not looking to run Ultra-Mode at all of the highest settings, but since I'm upgrading the video cards, I'm hoping to get improved performance in that area while I'm at it. I realize that the power supply and the motherboard itself may limit my choices as far as upgrading the cards go.

I've looked at this chart, so I have a vague notion of the "level" I should start at, but looking at hundreds of reviews for dozens of cards has me cross-eyed and no further along than where I started in trying to find a card.

Lastly, and not to put too fine a point on it, I'm not wanting to spend a great deal of money. Again, old computers, and this will likely be the last upgrade I do before breaking down and saving for new ones. Ideally, I'd like to get video cards better than the ones I have for $50 (or less) each, but I can be a bit flexible. $100 per card is my limit, however. Beyond that is not worth it for these dinosaurs.

Thanks in advance for any and all help, guidance and advice.

Yea, it can make your head spin. Upgrading from the basic 6600 to even today's low end cards should be a major kick in performance.

First a question, do you have room for a double wide video card. Most video cards now assume the slot next to the video card slot is empty so they can use a large heatsink/fan.

If that's not a problem, your next is the power supply. It's rather small for today's video cards, even the low end ones. While the Dell 305 watt PSU is rather hardier than the PSUs found in a lot of PCs found in stores today, it's still on the low side. Also most video card manufacturers specify a minimum 400 watt PSU to cover their butts, even on very low wattage video cards.

Taking that into consideration I would look for either the GT 430 or the HD 5550/5570 GDDR5 in a 512MB configuration, to save on power. They are 40 watt cards, the 6600 was a 27 watt card, hopefully that 10ish extra watts won't break the power "bank" so to speak. These cards also use less power than their previous generation counterparts, the GT 220 or the HD 4650, or even the 9400GT. Also going to a 1GB card will likely reduce the amount of system memory available, you may even lose some with the 512MB card.

I believe the Dim 4700 can take a standard PSU due to the full cutout in the rear. With that option, replacing the PSU with something a tad beefier in the amps at 12 volts department like this can open up all sorts of video card options but I can understand not wanting to spend a lot of money on an old system.

I'd start saving now. Single-core old P4 isn't going to do a great job running CoH on high-end settings these days no matter what video board you put in it. There's no reason to throw a better card in the working one. Especially when nvidia's drivers are going to be identical for both cards if they're close enogh in age so you could consider them "matched" anyway.

I certainly wouldn't spend $200 for two cards for both when that's starting to become "real money" for buying a new system.

PS: Xmas... that low-end rig in your sig is down to <650 from what newegg is telling me right now. (only 15 of that in 'instant savings')

Problem with adding newer cards is you'll most likely need more power to run one. There are quite a few to choose from in that price range, but if you need to stay with the current power supply, that will narrow down your choice.

Have a look at this one, looks decent, EVGA GeForce GT 240 SuperClocked
http://www.evga.com/products/moreInf...family=GeForce

$60 after rebate and free ground shipping.

Also, check for card size. some of the newer cards are quite a bit longer and may have issues in that case. Better safe than sorry.

I would also like to recommend the ATI 5450 it draws very little power. PowerColor makes a "Go! Green" version, and it is only $40 at newegg.com.

But the HD 5450 isn't that much faster than the 6600.

No not at all. But every card listed is going to be bottlenecked and the age of the system it may be ideal to put the least amount of pressure on the power supply as possible... along with spending a minimal amount on the up grade.

My second choice would be the 430 you recommended just because it would probably be the most beneficial to keep in the long run.

The op mentioned replace or upgrade so I am just keeping the door open for a not much, but slight improvement for minimal price.

Any choice will work its just another option.

Thanks to everyone who replied; these are all great suggestions for potential cards, not to mention the information and advice. I expected nothing less from this community, of course.

I'll be eyeballing all of your suggestions, and keep you posted on what I decide to do and how well the upgrade works. Feedback is the least I can do.

An aside to Father Xmas: I believe I'm going to put my amateur computer knowledge to the test for my next systems and finally have a go at building them myself. Your advice, seen here and elsewhere, has given me the wild impression that I can actually succeed!