My computer is an Emachines T3958 2.93 GHz Celeron D Desktop

I need a new video card for it, something that is fast and something that is straightforward to install. Straightforward means - unscrew/open up computer, pull out old card, replace new card into the newly opened slot, install updated drivers, finished.

It needs to be compatable with DirectX 9.0.

Can even I upgrade the video card on my computer?

I don't want to spend more than $90 or $100 for a card, but if I can get something for a little over $100 that is just amazing, I'll spend the extra money.


In case it matters I'm trying to make Age of Empires 3 run better than it is now. I've got all the settings as low as possible for the best performance and the game goes SLOW.


Any help you can offer is much appreciated. Thanks.

What video card is currently installed in your computer?

A "really" good video card will more than likely cost over 100 dollars unless you can find one on eBAY or a likewise site.

This is the information I just pulled up about my computer:

Video Card Type: Integrated Intel 3D Extreme Graphics
Video Card Interface Type: Integrated
Video Card Memory: 64 MB



Over $100? Does that mean I can't cheap out? Any suggestions? Will $175 get me something nice?


Thanks again.

While looking on the internet AFTER I posted a reply to your first thread, I found this video card online at tigerdirect.com:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1058672&CatId=318

Keep in mind the specifications that are required: AGP slot on motherboard, processor type, etc...to make sure that it is compatible with your computer before you buy.

Browse the internet and I'm sure you can find a great deal. I found everything at tigerdirect.com when I built my computer a few months ago, but there are many other great computer parts sites on the web.

One more thing, how much RAM do you have? My old computer had only 512mb of RAM and it ran quite sluggish running WoW. I bought another 512mb stick of RAM, and it boosted gameplay significantly. Although it isn't necessary, I would recommend anyone interested in a gaming machine to have atleast 1gig of RAM.

Good luck, and if you have any more questions, I will be more than happy to help if I can.

Right on!

Thanks alot for your help. There is a tigerdirect pretty close to my house. I never even thought to go there.

Thank you for the link and your time!!!

Just make sure its got an AGP slot because I am not sure that it does.

my sis has the same comp as you (emachines t3958 ) and that comp doesn't have either agp or pci-e only standard pci.....currently it has fx 5500 (256 mem) installed in it and i overlocked it to 324/485 , and its been running smoothly for about 8 months now.

pci video card aren't good but much better than most intergrated video.
if your gonna get a pci card that supports DX9 get either FX 5500 (fx5700 pci or geforce 6200 pci if u can find them and if its not very expensive).....

I suggest getting the GeForce 6800GT, has very good performance for today's games and is priced averagely now since teh release of teh 78xx series

well.... i got this ATI radeon 9250 (256mb) for about 40$ on ebay, so i suggest you keep looking, you might find what your lookin for, goodluck on your search