hi, all i wish to know at this time is: is a, ATI Radeon 2400pro card one of those ones that u can pull out an replace with a geforce card(want the 9500gt) :/

all i wish to know at this time is: is a, ATI Radeon 2400pro card one of those ones that u can pull out an replace with a geforce card(want the 9500gt)

Unfortunately, you did not give us enough information to answer. It is the motherboard that determines what type graphics card (or cards) your computer will support. There are 3 common graphics interfaces in use today - starting with the oldest technology there is PCI, then AGP and the current, and best performing standard is PCIe (for PCI Express - totally different interface and slot from PCI - so don't confuse the confusing names). You cannot put one type card in any other type slot.

The ATI 2400 Pro comes in both the older AGP and newer PCIe versions - so without knowing which one you have, I don't know if your motherboard will support a PCIe card - and the 9500GT is, as far as I can tell, PCIe only. So if your motherboard does not support PCIe, you cannot use the 9500GT.

If you need further information, so do we. We will need to know the exact make and model number of your motherboard (or PC, if a factory built computer). This will tell us what type graphics interface it will support.

We will also need to know what the primary use of the computer will be. Some cards are better suited to some tasks, while other cards are "tweaked" for other tasks. The most expensive cards made, those designed for professional CAE/CAD applications, are not good for gaming. And a good gaming card may be a waste of money if the computer is for work or school projects, surfing the Internet, email, and maybe an occasional DVD movie.

Finally, your budget. With cards costing from less than $10 to more than $3000 - we need to know how much you want to spend for a new card.

Then we can help you choose a new graphics card.

Oh, and one more thing. Today's graphics cards can easily consume more power and generate more heat than yesterday's cards. Therefore, you must ensure (with any hardware upgrade) your current power supply unit (PSU) can handle the extra demands in terms of power, but also, many AGP and PCIe graphics cards require a separate power connection direct from the power supply too. So you must ensure your current power supply is up to the task, or get a new one that is. An underpowered PSU can fail, catastrophically - meaning, in extreme cases of lousy luck, a failed power supply can take with it, anything connected to it, when it goes up in smoke! Use the eXtreme PSU Calculator Lite to determine your power supply unit (PSU) requirements. Plug in all the hardware you think you might have in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or 2nd video card, more RAM, etc.). Be sure to read and heed the notes at the bottom of the page. I recommend setting Capacitor Aging to 30%, and if you participate in distributive computing projects (e.g. BOINC or Folding@Home), I recommend setting TDP to 100%. Research your video card and pay particular attention to the power supply requirements for your card listed on your video card maker's website. If not listed, check a comparable card (same graphics engine and RAM) from a different maker. The key specifications, in order of importance are:

1. Current (amperage or amps) on the +12V rail,
2. Efficiency,
3. Total wattage.

Then look for power supply brands listed under the "Good" column of PC Mechanic's PSU Reference List. Ensure the supplied amperage on the +12V rails of your chosen PSU meets the requirements of your video card. Don't try to save a few dollars by getting a cheap supply. Digital electronics, including CPUs, RAM, and today's advanced graphics cards, need clean, stable power. A good, well chosen supply will provide years of service and upgrade wiggle room. I strongly recommend you pick a supply with an efficiency rating equal to, or greater than 80%. Look for the 80 Plus - EnergyStar Compliant label. And don't forget to budget for a good UPS with AVR (automatic voltage regulation).

Then your case must be able to remove the added heat generated by the card. On your next monthly inspection of the interior of the case, note the number and location of case fans. You typically want good, unrestricted, front-to-back air flow. Note any unused case fan mounting locations, or if your case will support larger fans. Many cases will support a fan up front, behind the front panel - typically used to cool drives as it draws cool air in from the front, towards the back.