BleepingComputer.com: Graphics card suggestions?

Hi, I was looking for suggestions for a replacement graphics card for my PC. It is an HP Pavilion Slimline 3400f Desktop running Vista Home Premium SP2.

I get really good specs for my computer aside from the 3D graphics (On the rating system that comes with Vista, everything is in the 5-5.7 range except for graphics, which is 3.0). Unfortunately, it seems the built-in card (nVidia GeForce 6150SE) isn't going to cut it for me. I tend to push the graphics ability a lot as a 3D animator, and I've had the GUI and the card itself crash on me several times.

However, I've also heard that the computer I have has a small power supply that can't handle high-performance graphics cards. Does anyone have any suggestions on a compatible card that might fix my problem?

If this belongs in a different section of the forums, I apologize.

I'm sorry, I believe (after looking around a bit) that this belongs in the Building & Upgrading section of the forums...whoops.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I seem to be having trouble looking for the information about your desktop's power supply wattage. Can you please open the side panel up and have a look at the wattage on the power supply itself?

I guess I shouldn't have posted at this time :/

I'll be out of town for a few days, and this screw/bolt is being really stubborn. Since I don't have a wrench on hand at the moment, is it ok if I get back to you on that later?

By the way, after looking around HP forums a bit...I think it's 160W, but I can't be too sure.

Yes, it would be ok. Since it is a slimline, would roughly estimate the power wattage to be from 160W to 300W.

If it is a 160W power supply, you probably won't be able to use any real discrete graphics card. If it is about 300W, you have a little, though not much, room. Make sure that any card you use is a low-profile card, otherwise it will not fit.

Some low end graphics card includes a low profile bracket, maybe the 6450 depennding on the brand chosen.