Q: I plan to get a new graphics card for my birthday. Currently I have a ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL. I'm getting a new graphics card because I'm getting tired of reinstalling the drivers everytime I use my computer. I plan to get an ATI HD 3650 or an ATI HD 2600 XT. I will use a PCI-e x16 slot for them. Also, will I be able to use the HD 3650 if it talks of "PCI-e 2.0 support"? No I will not use NVIDIA, it just messes up everything. I have already tried. If I get the HD 3850, do I need a "PCI-e 2.0" slot? I only have a PCI-e x16. Will I be able to use it?
A: None of the above. Get an HD 3850. Nothing less. Yes, you will be able to use the HD 3650, its backward compatible to regular PCI-Express. But that card is not a significant improvement. The X800 (Pro/XT/XL) is the high end of an older class of video card, but it is still as powerful as your average mid range video card today, though it lacks certain features. DON'T LET THE SLOWER CLOCK SPEED MISLEAD YOU, the HD 3650 and HD 2600 have inferior bandwidth making their fast GPU's irrelevant. The HD 3650 and HD 2600 are both low end cards and are only good for moderate gaming. I would not recommend anything less than an HD 3850. The HD 3650 would be about the same as the X800, but would offer additional features. The HD2600 would actually be worse. I've experienced all of these cards. You want an HD 3850 or an HD 3870.