Hoping to get new GFX card, need help.

[InfadaStone]

Hello, I just got the Tomb Raider: Underworld demo and it said it had problems with Direct3D. I assume this has something to do with my GFX card, which is rather old now. I would like to buy a new one but I have no clue which to go for or which my motherboard is compatible with; these are my specs:

Processor: AMD Athlon XP 2800+ MMX, 3Dnow, 2.1 GHZ.
Memory: 2048MB RAM.
Display: NVidia GeForce 4 MX 4000.

I also have Direct-x 9.0 installed.

Can anyone advise me on which GFX card I should get? I want one for best performance.

Thank you!

[Calum]

What's your budget, and your motherboard?
If you don't know your motherboard, please click here and follow the instructions.

[InfadaStone]

Heya, I don't have a budget per say, I am willing to spend good money on a good outcome.

My motherboard name: Kudoz QDI 7x/400A
It must only use DDR RAM
I also know the Bus type; DEC Alpha EV6

Thank you!

[Calum]

OK, one last question - what's your power supply?

[InfadaStone]

How do I check that, sorry?

[InfadaStone]

Can anyone help?

[patio]

There should be a sticker on the power supply...it's the silver box on the upper rear where the power cord goes into...

[homer]

I don't have a budget per say, I am willing to spend good money on a good outcome.

we really need an actual number, graphics cards alone can get as high as $700. also, if your planning on purchasing a high end card, you will need to look at upgrading the rest of your comp to get the most out of it.

[InfadaStone]

Okay, so I DO have a budget, haha! Under £70 I guess, around there.

Okay I checked the powerpack; I don't know exactly what you want so here are ALL the details:

AC Input

115/230VAC  50/60HZ

AC Output

115/230VAC 1a/0.5A 50/60HZ

350 W
230 V

Mind you, another question (I know this is also software related) When I installed my Tomb Raider: Underworld demo it refused to run and told me there was a problem encountered with Direct3D. Is that because my graphics card is too old for the game to be run?

[InfadaStone]

Do Geforce do anything suitable for me?

[patio]

Depending on what card you decide on you will probably need a more powerful PSU...

[XDuelly21X]

I am getting a XFX GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB DDR3 and I have a Dell E520 and the stock PSU is rated 305W and other people iI have talked to say that they have the same card and PSU and it has worked with no problems, so i would say that your PSU should be fine to a point.

[patio]

Who have you talked to that uses that setup ? ?

Requirements
   Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 400 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 24 Amp Amps.)

NOTE: These figures are from EVGA and are minimum requirements. Running at minimum will put more strain on the PSU then on one that has room to breathe.