>>> I have the nvidia geforce 6150 LE integrated graphics GPU that was pre installed in my HP pavilion a1528x desktop. If I wish to improve it, to say a 512 mb video card do I need to remove the nvidia integrated video card or just merely uninstall it from device manager, I am unfamiliar with integrated components.

>>> I would like some suggestions for possible (reasonably priced - 100$ish) video card choices that would make my computer run mid to high end graphically demanding games such as Neverwinter nights 2 or City of Heroes on high graphical setting. When I run directx Diagnostic this is what it shows, if this helps to determine my capabilities. I can run these games but with to amp up the settings.

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/8/2008, 19:10:50
Machine name: OURCOMPUTER
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: EZ051AA-ABA a1528x
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 1982MB RAM
Page File: 492MB used, 4309MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 6150 LE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0241&SUBSYS_2A3E103C&REV_A2
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: HP vs19 flat panel monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.7813 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 9/17/2008 09:55:00, 6057472 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 9/17/2008 09:55:00, 6132576 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4101-11CF-096D-350A03C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0241
SubSys ID: 0x2A3E103C
Revision ID: 0x00A2
Revision ID: 0x00A2

Please let me know some good advice thanks

You cannot remove built in graphics. Once you install another video card it will be disabled automatically (this is generally the case). The good news is that you have a PCI-Express port and you should be able to run a very decent card on this computer.

To play your games, I would visit their website and look at the requirements for video cards. Take a note of these and then start shopping around. Make sure you have a Power Supply that meets the requirements of the video card. You don't want to have a week power supply or you will run into problems.

Here are a few recommendations (once again, verify requirements of games) - These are decent cards though,

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150247

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130084

Thank you very much for your advice. I went with the GeForce 8600 GT, was well reviewed and great price. I do have some concerns. Perhaps it was a generic installation tutorial but it displayed in a diagram having to connect cables to the power supply. There were no visible sockets on the video card and I looked forever. Is it possible because this is a medium grade video card it is drawing power from motherboard or monitor connection? I have no idea about such things and I think I can hear its fan going and I just concerned that it is functioning possibly but not with proper power. Think Im ok?

That video card draws all its power from the motherboard. If you're getting video on your monitor and windows knows what it is you've hooked it up correctly. happy gaming.

Alright thanks for the spec info, the generic installation guide misled me to believe it needed a power supply hookup thanks.


One more thing, the video card came with option to install NVIDIA nTune software. Is this considered an overclocking resource? Or is it merely a tweaking tool? I was wondering if it was worth it to try and overclock my subpar factory 2.0 processor, ram etc. I could use some advice on general overclocking of my system or if the nTune software is sufficient. Thanks

The nTune software is going to act as an advanced control panel for your video card. Most computers built by the big OEMs eg. HP, Dell, Gateway, etc. are not overclockable or the options to change the clock and voltage settings are locked out by the manufacturer. I would advise against even trying to overclock the sytems anyway... they are built more to be cheap and quiet than anything else, If you wan't it to go faster you may need to just buy a faster CPU, but before you do that you will need to do some research to see if the motherboard is up to the task.