I have a 7 yr old HP Pavillon a1600n PC. Here are the specs:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00757531&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en#N55

I assume it does not have a video card because I see two nvidia modules on the mobo. I guess that is what "integrated video" means? I have a new Asus monitor and would like to give it a digital signal but of course do not want to spend much $$ on this old box. I do have a spare PCI x16 slot but I only have a VGA port. Also, I can not tell from the specs how much power I have for a new video card.

Will someone help me SELECT a video card and tell me what other mods I need (HDMI port, eg)? Also, what happens to the existing nvidia modules and the integrated video when I install a video card?

I suspect I have a problem with the existing integrated video (see my recent post on the Win7 subforum) which may be associated with my recent upgrade from XP to 7. Thanks for your help!The integrated graphics on that board is very weak so pretty much any modern card will outperform this.  Something like a GeForce 610 would work fine as long as it has the ports you need.  It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

Also check the wattage of the power supply in the system, for a basic card like a 610 it shouldn't matter too much but it may be an issue if you plan on getting a more powerful card. Quote from: camerongray on April 13, 2014, 10:35:25 AM

The integrated graphics on that board is very weak so pretty much any modern card will outperform this.  Something like a GeForce 610 would work fine as long as it has the ports you need.  It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

Also check the wattage of the power supply in the system, for a basic card like a 610 it shouldn't matter too much but it may be an issue if you plan on getting a more powerful card.

Thanks for the quick response. I have read several places that I have a nominal 300w PS but I have to confirm that. I also read that the available amps at 12 volts is more important than the total power. Is this a consideration for me? Do I have to modify my case for a HDMI port or can I simply remove the existing VGA port and drop in the new  HDMI?

Edit: Looked at the 610 and I see the ports are an integral part of the card. When I plug the card into the mobo, will the ports line up with the case? Or, do you run a cable from the card to a port mounted on the case? Finally, the 610 says PCI 2.0 express. Will that plug into PCI x16 slot?

The video card will go in one of the slots on your motherboard (The x16 slot is fine) - There will then be a small "blanker" that fills a slot on the back of your case, you can simply remove this blanker and then insert the card - The ports for the card will then be accessible through the slot on the back of the PC.  When the card is in place the onboard graphics (and therefore your current VGA port) will be disabled.

Yeah, a 610 is happy with a 300w unit.  I am assuming that you don't plan on extreme gaming or anything as the 610 would be too weak for that but it's fine as a basic card for office tasks, video playback and very light gaming.

Yeah, 12v current is important when you are dealing with high powered video cards which can easily pull over 200w alone, this isn't a big deal with a 610 as it will only pull around 29w when completely maxed out.

EVGA is a very good brand.  The 610 is a very basic card so there isn't really any difference between brands, they are dead simple cards.