I would like to know if it is worth upgrading my GPU to support high-end graphics to run games like Need For Speed: Carbon or Halo 2 on my HP Pavilion Slimline. I do know that these models are notorious for being severely limited in upgradeablility. And if so, what GPU would work for this computer and if any extra parts are required? For the games, ATi Radeon and Nvidia G-Force GPU's are recommended. I am also wondering about the sizes of the GPU. Does the Slimline need what's called Mini-ATX or regular ATX sizes? And I don't really want to have to redo the entire CPU.
I am fairly new to setting up and upgrading the CPU's so any extra help or tips would be great.

Well.. It is recommended you upgrade your GFX card but I don't know your actual model number so i'm looking at the Pavilion s7220n Slimline and it has a Celeron M CPU running at 1.5 GHz and an integrated Intel 915G graphics card. Now.. I don't know if you have an AGP slot or PCI or something but if you're not really willing to upgrade your system [which I don't think really has the potential] I recommend you save up the money and actually just buy a new computer... That's what I say...

You're computer isn't meant for gaming. With a Celeron M and an Intel graphics card you can play games like Unreal Tournament and Counter-Strike 1.6 or something. But nothing like the games today.

Its a s7517c running at 1.7 GHz and you're right about the Intel GPU but I'm not sure what the exact model # it is. And I also agree that this isnt super gamer material. I dont know if the model of Slimline makes a difference. Im new so Im not sure if the slot is AGP or PCI or PCI-E for the GPU and if there is any GPU's for this computer. But thanks for the advice.

Hah. Well. There's really no room to upgrade your computer. The motherboard has only 1 PCI slot and PCI graphics cards are way outdated. The ATI x1300 PCI compared to the ATI x1300 PCI express.. Amazing.

Here's the link to your motherboard if you're interested:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...

And to the main product page thingy:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...

You'll never turn that thing into a decent gamer no matter how much you spend on it. It's time for an entirely new system...either that or be content playing Freecell & Spider Solitaire.

Hmmm, as I sit here on my Core-Duo 7900 GT SLi that runs everything I instally on it at 1680 by 1050 I do still enjoy a challenge.
Oh but seriously, I still get a bit of lag in NFS:MW so you need a new PC ;)