Computard here...need help upgrading video card

[meatpuppet]

I've replaced a few cards in my day, but I'm a little hesitant with my current rig. I have a Dell XPS 710 and I've read that they have an odd (and obsolete) motherboard. I'm don't want to buy a new card and have it not be compatible.

I currently have an nVidia 9500gt. I'd like to upgrade to something in the 150-200$ range. Any advice would be great. I should mention that I'm upgrading specifically for Diablo 3. I played the open beta and it ran OK, but I've been waiting so long for this damn game that I'd like the experience to be as smooth as possible. Thanks!

Specs:


Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.120305-0430)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell XPS710
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 1.4.1
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6400 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 2556MB RAM
Page File: 923MB used, 4405MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 9500 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0640&SUBSYS_094319F1&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2032 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1009 MB
Shared Memory: 1022 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: HF257
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll,nvwgf2um.dll,nvwgf2um.dll
Driver Version: 8.17.0012.9573 (English)
DDI Version: 10
BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/9/2012 22:43:00, 15009600 bytes

[David (PassMark)]

The existing GeForce 9500 GT card is a fairly low power PCI-E 2.0 card.

So assuming you have space in the box and the power supply is up to the job, you can probably drop almost any current video card into the box.

The reviews I read seem to indicate that Diablo 3 doesn't need a super high end video card or CPU. Plus you aren't running at very high video resolution (1440 x 900).

Also consider upgrading to 64bit Vista (or Win7). You should be able to get to 4GB of RAM for not much $$.