video card upgrade advice needed

[bthings_2000]

I'd greatly appreciate some video card upgrade advice. I see there are many threads like this but I have not really been able to glean just what I need to know, so I'm asking directly.

I want to upgrade video cards on two computers. Those computers, which currently have their default components (including video components), are:

Hp pavilion a720n. (Specs: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00232962)

Hp pavilion a1130n. (Specs: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&docname=c00388382)

I play mostly lower-end games (like Starcraft) but some higher-end games like Guild Wars, Halo, and Spore. I want cards that can (mostly) smoothly run standard (default) graphics settings on these games; I do not need perfect rendering on max settings, as I know max settings require heavier-duty cards. I'm thinking 128mb (or 256mb tops) cards will cut it.

I am not a computer tech whiz; I am looking for simple, low-cost upgrades (less than $60 per card) that will not require replacing power supply units, installing fans, worrying about meltdowns, etc. I want to be able to get the cards, install them (I am comfortable doing the installations), and have them work. If that is not possible with these systems, I just won't upgrade them.

And if PSU upgrades are absolutely necessary... are they inexpensive and simple? If that aspect is both absolutely necessary and involved, I'll probably start another thread.

All help is appreciated-- thanks!

[mjc]

For this machine...Hp pavilion a720n you are nopt going to find much, but here you go...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121273

And for the second machine...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121250 (basically the same card, except in PCIe and with 512 MB of RAM)

[bthings_2000]

So for the first computer I have narrowed it down to these:

-ASUS AH3450/HTP/256M Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card (link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121273)

-ATI Radeon X1300 Pro / 256MB GDDR2 / AGP 8x / DVI / VGA / TV Out / Video Card (link: http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1892411&csid=ITD&body=REVIEWS)

-EVGA GeForce 6200 / 256MB DDR / AGP 8x / DVI / VGA / TV-Out / Video Card (link: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1460938&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs)

Which will work the best for my system?

Also: will I have any problem with the AGP 8x vs. AGP 4x settings? That is, is my computer only compatible with one of those?

Finally, I am thinking of sucking it up and upgrading my power supply to this: 350 Watt ATX12V2.2 Power Supply for HP Compaq PC (link: http://www.pcconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=8292124&oext=1038A&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=8292124)

Is a PSU upgrade necessary for these cards, and will it be a hassle? I found a site that seems to explain it pretty well, but keep in mind I am not a tech whiz: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/362

Thanks again.

[mjc]

The HD3450 would be your best choice...

As for the power supply, I'm not too sure that the one you listed is that much of an improvement. HP/Compaq do use standard power supplies, you just need to make sure the external dimensions match, because the case/psu fit is very 'tight' (not a lot of extra room).

[bthings_2000]

350W is not much improvement over 250W?

If that's the case, do I need to upgrade the psu at all? I'd rather not have to do it, anyway, so if there's no need that's the best case. Of course, I don't want my computer to melt itself in three months from powering a new video card with only 250W psu.

[bthings_2000]

bump-- emphasis that the big question is now the necessity and difficulty of a psu ugrade for the first computer.

[mjc]

The wattage, yes...improvement. But the 'brand' of the power supply isn't. It is not a 'high' quality unit so that 350W rating doesn't really mean all that much when it may not provide much more, if any, usable power than the 250W in your machine. On low quality power supplies, the rating is a 'hard' maximum...very near that is when they 'let the smoke out'.

For that machine...something like this would be better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

(notice, that after rebate, it is $24, and Thermaltake is decent brand/better than average quality)