Big Video card compatiblity question + power question

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Shootaz

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Ok so, I've got a Dell Dimension 3000, 2.8GHz Pentium 4, 512mb ram.

Im doing an upgrade due to my lack of a video card and sufficient ram for games. *I'm upgrading strictly for gaming*
I'm adding ram, going to have a total of 2gigs. Did it on crucial and it should work fine.
Now as many of you already know the Dimension 3000 only has PCI video card slots. So, I did some research and found the best possible card for my mobo. (At least I think) The x1550:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103031
And just recently I saw this:
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=8982
But can't find it anywhere in stores, could someone show me where that is available? To my knowledge that would be better than the x1550, right?
Also, what kind of Shaders and Vertex shaders do these have?

Well assuming I'm getting the x1550 how do I determine if the video card is compatible with my monitor? *This is my main concern*

Another question, again assuming I'm getting the x1550, I see the recommended PSU is 420W. Now, my original dell PSU is a 250W. So I'm convinced theres no way I'll be running this card without a PSU upgrade. I went to pcpower cooling's site, went to the compatible PSU's for my dimension 3000 and found this:
http://www.pcpower.com/Dell/Dimension/Dimension-3000.html

I've read about alot of PSU's falsely stating the wattage due to some rubbish about the ampage on the 12v rail or something, can someone notify me if this is a legit card for my system?
Also do I absolutely need the PSU upgrade or should I get the video card and see if it will run without it first? Thanks to whoever reads this and can answer my questions.
 
Google your PC and said you have a 250 Watt power supply (may be true or not but hey..its Cnet that said it) On Newegg it said that the 1550 needs a 420 watt or greater...From those numbers well...You'll need a new power supply. Or you can just upgrade =D
 
Sorrow said:
Google your PC and said you have a 250 Watt power supply (may be true or not but hey..its Cnet that said it) On Newegg it said that the 1550 needs a 420 watt or greater...From those numbers well...You'll need a new power supply. Or you can just upgrade =D

Thanks, figured as much. Upgrading isn't an option for me =(

Anybody know how to see if a monitor is compatible with a video card?
 
Umm..A monitor isn't really a problem with Videocards...They just have different cables to plug in and many videocards come packed with a conversion thingy D:...And if it doesn't I guess you can just visit your local hardware store
 
Thanks a bunch sorrow, thats the last kink I had to work out before I bought it. Except the newegg version doesn't state that it comes with a converter in the packaging contents. Any idea what the converter is called, and if it is expensive?
 
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