Looking for advice on upgrading graphics card

I currently have a GTX 285, and while it gets the job done the majority of the time there are games I'm unable to play on full and want to upgrade. Thing is I'm not very technically adept. I can install hardware, update drivers, etc, but don't know things like if my motherboard would accept it or if a better card would be somehow bottlenecked by my RAM type or CPU infrastructure (someone told me this might happen with anything more powerful). Here's my Dxdiag:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 5/7/2012, 23:06:16
Machine name:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120305-1505)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell XPS720
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A04
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3070MB RAM
Page File: 2799MB used, 3337MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 285
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_05E3&SUBSYS_11853842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 3308 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2029 MB
Shared Memory: 1278 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: AL2223W
Monitor Id: ACRAD84
Native Mode: 1680 x 1050(p) (59.954Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.9610 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9610
DDI Version: 10
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/29/2012 14:02:00, 17642816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-46A3-11CF-787E-89311FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x05E3
SubSys ID: 0x11853842
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem4.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section005:8.17.12.9610:pci

I'm looking to get a card that'll last me until I do a full upgrade. I originally had a GT 8800. My budget is $2-300, $400 max. Is it even worth upgrading, and if so what would be a good choice? Thanks for the help!

i wouldnt bother buying a new video card. you need a full upgrade, the cpu isn't powerful enough to give u much benefit in getting a new video card... the 285gtx is a very good card, and u need more cpu power for a better video card.

Anything more than a 560ti/6950 would be over the top.

You need to check your PSU.

If you're feeling brave an overclock on that CPU could make a big difference.

A GTX 580 will fill the bill if your power supply can take it. Your present 285 wants 550W, and the 580 wants 600W, and the 580 will need an 8-pin power connector in addition to the 6-pin. The two cards are the same size. Your CPU and GPU are about at the same level right now. The GTX 580 will probably be held back sometimes by the CPU, but that won't hurt anything---you'll still see a performance increase. Grin and bear it until you can ditch the Dell.Blistrax

^This, obviousley u wanna get the best price per performance u can but the bottleneck wont be significant enough to not be worth it. IDK about prices but 580 is a good card and ur psu can pretty much support any single gpu card.

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

MirkoS77

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

MirkoS77

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

MirkoS77

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

bunny569

I'd suggest getting a new CPU too (but you'd need a new motherboard aswell)... Q6600 would bottleneck if you get a better GPU. You could reduce it a little by overclocking it, AFAIK, Q6600 is a great overclocker.

like others have said, you can gain more performance in games by buying a new cpu.

an overclocked 2500k with a gtx 285 will max most games quite easily i expect.

a gtx560 with a q6600 wouldnt.

[QUOTE="bunny569"][QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

Thanks for the input. I figured as much that it'd be better to wait. As long as I can play Diablo III I'll be happy for now.

kraken2109