Upgrading Video Card

[Scoris]

Hey guys,

Let me first say that I'm not exactly a computer expert, although I feel comfortable enough to install basic components (i.e. ram, etc.). Basically, I'm looking to upgrade the graphics card on a new Gateway GT5656. I had been planning on upgrading to this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130082 , but I'm worried that it will be either 1) too big 2) too high maintenance for my 300W power supply. So, I'm wondering if you guys can help me out by giving me some advice on a good card that I could run Age of Conan with medium to high settings.

By the way, here are a couple images I took of my computer's insides:

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/2139/img00072ae4.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00072ae4.jpg)
http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/9310/img00075rj0.th.jpg (http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img00075rj0.jpg)

Sorry for the poor quality, but my camera's battery had died and I had to use my Blackberry's camera. If you guys need any more information I'd love to give it to you.

Thanks!

[Heartborne]

Hello Scoris, and welcome!
It looks like you've got a pci-e 16x slot there. That long red slot - that is exactly what you need to install a modern video card.
It is true, your 300w power supply might come up a little bit short. You should consider upgrading to at least a 400w psu before installing the 8800 gts.
However, I have some advice for you.
That video card is actually outdated now. You don't want the 320 mb 8800 gts at all. You are much better off getting the 8800 gt (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3427124&CatId=1826) for the same price. It is smaller, has a greater amount of video RAM, a more modern GPU and is all around better than the guard you were looking at. It also has lower power consumption, but I still advise you to upgrade to at least a 400 watt power supply before installing a video card upgrade.
the proof is in the pudding. (http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=137&Itemid=1)

[Scoris]

Thanks for the quick reply! I had actually been looking at the 8800 GT but was worried that the PCI-e 2.0 wasn't backwards compatible -- at least until I found out otherwise online. So, my next question is, how much would a quality 400W power supply cost? Also, do you think having a computer store install it for me would be worth the cost? I'm worried that I would screw something up by replacing the supply myself, and would basically render the only computer I have useless. Thanks again.

[Heartborne]

Check out newegg.com and see what kind of prices you can get there. I don't see why a decent 400 watt psu should cost you more than $100, you can probably go even cheaper and be okay. manufacturers I can recommend are thermaltake, cooler master, ocz, pc power and cooling, zalman and raidmax. Browse newegg and see what you can find. Just make sure it is the right type for your motherboard - an EPS 12v/ATX 12v is your best bet, since it has all the cables you'll need no matter what your board wants.
I'm sure a computer store will install these components for you. It's just a matter of if you want to spend the money or not.
For a beginner, you might want to go ahead and spend the money since it is a bit complex in that every component in your computer is connected to the psu and if you're not familiar with your computer's guts it's easy to not know what needs to be connected and how.
If you want to give it a shot yourself, however, there are a ton of guides on this website to help you out with that.
The actual installation of the power supply is easy; it's four screws on the back of your computer - but then you have to connect power cables to the motherboard, cpu, hard drives, optical drives and video cards as well as case fans if you have them.
Take a look at the pc building guides here and decide for yourself whether you think this is a job you can do.

[Variable]

Look here and see if you can find your old Video card and compare it to what is required for new cards.

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354