Kopikatsu said:
Edit: It really is shit, though. My computer has the power to run literally any game on max settings (Except maybe Crysis), but the video card can't even play most indie games. I would buy a new one, but I have no idea how to install a new card or anything.
It's pretty easy.
Step One: Take your computer into a parts store and ask them to upgrade it within your price point.
Step Two: YAY!
If you insist on going manual (thus avoiding the store fee), you do the following:
Step One: Select a card. Look up the ATI/Nvidia lineups, and select a more recent card. (I don't know about the ATI lineup, but for Nvidia, pick something in the Geforce 400/500 generation, probably a 480 or 570. The 8000/9000s are old, despite being a higher number.)
Step Two: Google the card and check user reviews/price point. There are tons of hardware enthusiast sites that will tell you if the card is worth it.
Step Two Point Five: If you have a non-standard motherboard, check to make sure that it's compatible. If you have normal hardware/don't know, you can skip this. Also, if you buy a beefier card, make sure your power supply is adequate! If your power supply is less than 600W, try sticking to a less intense 540 or equivalent. The wattage should be on the power supply in your case, it's the big brick thing that hosts the cord you plug into the wall.
Step Three: Buy the card.
Step Four: Follow the pictures in the installation manual. Yes, there are pictures. It's almost impossible to mess up a card swap. For clarity, though, you find and remove the old card (assuming you even have one, it sounds like you use a chipset) by pressing the switches on the side (if there) and pulling out firmly. Take that to a computer graveyard later. Now check the motherboard connector on the side of your card to see which slot it will fit in.
http://thingsfinder.com/files/img/1/35/G_83.jpg
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4uFPpwqVIW3zZUdieLSDScWczHbw-eW5mPut2BD6ZlqBrpAIXtpIt8ODvCQ
<img width=300>http://faq.tweakers.net/pmg/PCIe_mobo.jpg
Connect all the relevant power cables, boot up your computer, and install the software that came on a disk with the card. Congrats, you changed your card quicker than it takes to make coffee.
PM me if you have questions or need help.