Member Avatar for Jshammy

Hi all,
Currently, I'm looking for an upgrade for my graphic card.
A card that is below $100 and have better perfermance than my *NVIDIA Geforce4 MX 420* and can handle the game graphics such as world of warcraft.
My computer model is Dell Dimension 4550 with 1GM ram and 2 CD/DVD drives.
As I said above, please give me some suggestion.
I m planning to buy the card from Fry's Electronic store near my living area.
but please help me choose a card from http://www.newegg.com/
I really appreciate all your help
Thanks

Also, I found this card but I'm not sure if it is a lot better than my current one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131007
*As I said, my current graphic card is NVIDIA Geforce4 MX 420
Please give me some replys, thank you thank you

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Dani AI

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A short, practical follow-up tying together 's shift from a GPU upgrade to the noisy fan and 's suggestion to improve cooling instead of spending on a new card.

Start by finding which fan is noisy. Power down and unplug, remove the side panel, then boot with the panel off and listen. Use a rolled paper tube or a cardboard "stethoscope" to localize the sound without getting fingers near spinning blades. Look for wobble, heavy dust on blades, and rubbing on grills or cables.

When you know which fan it is, pick the replacement by these checks:

  • Measure the fan frame (common sizes are 80mm, 92mm, 120mm) and note the mounting hole pattern and thickness.
  • Check the connector: 3-pin, 4-pin PWM, or Molex. Match the connector or get a simple adapter.
  • Choose bearing type and specs: fluid-dynamic or quality ball bearings for longevity; avoid low-end sleeve bearings if the fan will be vertical or run constantly. Compare RPM, airflow (CFM), and noise (dBA) — a larger fan spinning slower usually gives quieter airflow than a small high-RPM fan. Use anti-vibration mounts or rubber washers to reduce rattle.

Quick maintenance tips before replacing: clean the fan and heatsinks with compressed air, remove trapped cables, tighten loose screws, and oil sleeve-bearing fans via the small hub port if present (power off first). If the PSU fan is the culprit, replacing the PSU is safer than trying to swap its fan. If a GPU fan is noisy, clean it carefully or consider a card replacement if cleaning/repair is not feasible.

Safety note: always unplug power before touching internals and ground yourself to avoid static damage. If unsure of connector types or fit, bring the old fan or clear photos to the store for a direct match.

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Member Avatar for lasher511

I dunno that u will be able to get a better card for under $100 but have u thought of maybe buying a better cooling system with that money and overclocking your card to get better performance.

That card that u have their looks alright though i have a X300 and that runs WoW and Fear and stuff like that just not Fear very well without a nice overclocking first

Member Avatar for Jshammy

Thanks for the reply!
I agree with you, everytime I play some massive MMORPG games, my case fan at the back is making some annoying noises and I m trying to find a way to get rid of the noise.. or perhaps just buy a new one.
forget about the graphic card now, can you please give me some suggestion on what good fans i can get at a average to high price?
I m not sure what kind of fan i have right now.. is there a way to check?

by the way, the fan i m using now has been there for 4 years, thats how old the comp is too.

thanks!

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