Please help me update my graphics card, or get a new one that can handle Second Life. Here's my info, and?

Ummmm... ouch. Your links didn't work, but I checked the Second Life page. Their published graphics card requirements are quite steep, and you've got an old computer which can't meet the recommended specs.

Your Asus K8V-MX motherboard is an old one which supports single-core Athlon and Sempron processors only. That's o.k. since Second Life doesn't require much in the CPU department. But your motherboard also has the older AGP slot, so it only accepts AGP graphics cards instead of the current standard, PCI-Express.

That's a problem because AGP is an obsolete interface. The AGP cards which are still available are mostly older designs from 4-7 years ago, no manufacturers are making new models in AGP any more. Moreover, those AGP cards are slower but more expensive than PCI-Express versions.

Only two cards are still available in AGP which are worth buying. The Radeon HD 4650 and HD 4670. All other decent AGP cards have been discontinued and are no longer available except second hand or via Ebay. The majority of readily available AGP cards are obsolete junk.

Second Life's minimum requirements are what you need to play the game at all, with gameplay probably being slow & laggy unless you're playing at very low resolution and detail. The recommended requirements are what you need to play smoothly with high detail.

You CAN upgrade your computer to meet Second Life's minimum requirements. The AGP Radeon HD 4650 meets those requirements- so does the faster Radeon HD 4670.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N8...

However, neither of those cards is close to the recommended level (Radeon HD 4850 or higher, which doesn't exist in AGP)

http://www.techspot.com/review/240-ati-radeon-hd-5...

The big question is what's your monitor resolution? If it's only 1024x768 or lower, the 4650 should play acceptably. For 1280x1024 or 1440x900 you'd need the 4670. Any resolution above that would require better hardware, which means a new computer with a midrange PCI-Express card.

If I knew what video card you have I could answer your question better but for video card driver update.

If ATI card:

http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index....

If NVIDIA card:

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-...

A driver update might not help but cant hurt to have the driver current. You may need a new video card to play Second Life.

systemrequirementslab.com recomends GeForce 7600+ / ATI Radeon X1600+

Niether of these cards are expensive & can be bought off Ebay for around $50 You need to buy an AGP slot card. AGP is an older type slot for an older motherboard. If your interested in buying a good AGP slot card that will run Second Life let me know & I will list 1 on Ebay for you.

I build, rebuild & repair both new & used PCs localy & have 2 AGP cards that will work. The 1st is an ASUS 6800gt with 256mb of GDDR3 RAM or a better BFG 7900gs OC with 256mb GDDR3. Just let me know. I have a 100% positive feedback rateing with Ebay with 248 items bought & sold.

very no longer likely that it could run in any respect, even on the backside settings. SL desires a effectual photos card, and it would not play nicely with ATI taking part in cards. i think of you will would desire to enhance it suited from the commencing up.

impossible that it would run in any respect, even on the backside settings. SL needs a sturdy photos card, and it does not play nicely with ATI taking part in cards. i think of you will could improve it real from the commencing up.