We join our hero as he returns home from a quiet night on the internet, and begins to type an important message to his allies in the Nerdy Justice League of BGSF...

So some of you may remember my GPU suggestion thread a while back that ultimately ended in complete confusion on my end, and no progress whatsoever.

Lately, though, after a particular visit to Staples, and the company of a surprisingly computer literate Staples Tech Assistant (Seriously, I was shocked), I held in my mind the general idea of what I needed to buy to upgrade my computer and be relatively happy with it. The most important of the bunch, the GPU, was still fuzzy. The Tech Assistant's suggestion (given the size of my case, wallet, and technical knowledge) was a low-profile card from the Radeon HD 6000 series. He also suggested I buy from New Egg. I was so proud of Staples.

However, after a bit of fumbling around I decided I liked http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

Of course, that card is a wee bit big for my case. With a length of about 8.25 it's around an inch too large. I really doubt I, or my family has the money to buy a new case, motherboard, W7, and the GPU. So, disappointed, I tried my search for what the TA suggested. The results were not very comforting.

So I ask you, friends, where should I go from here? Help with cases, if it comes down to it, would be nice as well.

Computer Specs:
PSU: 500 Watt
Current GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9400 GT
Motherboard: Gateway MS-7399
Monitor Resolution: 1280 X 1024
Current OS: Windows Vista SP2
Processor: Pentium Dual Core 2.50GHz

With that monitor resolution, such a card is overkill. You'd just be wasting money. I don't know a graphics card off the top of my head, but that card's about double what I suggest you pay for a new card. Your PSU and CPU are, no offense, pretty weak. I'd suggest buying a new monitor as well.

As mentioned, your resolution is weak, and even if it wasn't, your CPU would seriously bottleneck any powerful card.

Also Windows Vista Home and Ultimate editions reach end-of-life in 2.5 months (April 10th 2012). You'll need to upgrade this to Windows 7. If going to school, you can get a discounted copy of Windows 7 http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/pd/productID.216644200/topseller.true

I've been helping him look around at parts and options for the past few days and I would say that he needs a new computer really. His case is too small for that card. Really, I think he should buy a new case and transfer his Mobo over, but I'm not sure how that would work with a stock Gateway mobo. Is that even possible?

A good case would be useful for a lot longer than a GPU, and with it he could gradually upgrade parts over time and have plenty of room to do so.

It's quite possible to move the mobo to a new case. Just have to be careful doing so, and if you take the heatsink off the CPU, you'll need to remove the residual thermal paste and apply new thermal paste.

Though the upgrade to Windows 7 is of very high priority.

What I mean is how to know what type of case the motherboard would fit inside of?

I would offer to do it for him if I lived anywhere remotely near him.

More than likely it is a Micro-ATX board, but Micro-ATX's mounting points are just a subset of ATX, so any ATX case should work.

Well if it's simply an ATX board then there should be no issues transfering it to a new case.

Dat W7 Student Edition Price.

Unfortunately, neither I or my family have the money to upgrade my computer entirely. Looks like I'll be waiting a while. That's depressing. Windows 7 is definitely doable, though. Only problem, the buy options are:

Download + Backup
Download + Backup (64 Bit)
Download
Download (64 Bit)

Are the ones without the "64 bit" tag 32 bit? My PC is 32 bit, apparently.

There's no need to pay for them to mail you a backup, as you can make your own easily enough.

And yes, the ones without the 64-bit tag are 32-bit versions of Windows 7. Depending on what you are in school for, you may be able to get Windows 7 for free (MSDNAA) or at an even better discount than the one direct from MS.

Alright, that's what I thought. Thanks!