Wow, looks like it's time for a computer overhaul ;)

Yea that be great thanks. I decided to use the money i was saving to get an hdtv to get a new desktop. So I have around 700 bucks to spend. I don't know if that enough.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/14225

The Econobox is actually a highly capable gaming PC, thanks to the addition of the GeForce 9600 GT, which is a beastly graphics card for its price.  It's amazing what you can get for under $600 these days.  You might want a bit more CPU than what they suggested, for longevity's sake.  You could go for 4 GB of RAM for less than $50 more, as well.

Actually, according to http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3235, the HD3870 (cheapest price I can find $185) beats the 9600GT(cheapest price $180) in the majority of tests.

The AMD solution with the same performance according to several reviews (the 4400+) is slightly cheaper and also motherboards for AMD systems tend to be cheaper too.

I don't know off the top of my head the most powerful 4x AGP card available. Also, check what your power supply is, if you have something less than 350w, your video card options might be limited.

To clarify, I believe SOME of the radeon x1650's support 4X agp, but I don't think the x1950's do. Also, the 1650's require 350w power supplies and the 1950's require 450.

I dunno about the nvidia ones, btw what video card are you currently running?

You people are forgetting that AGP 8X cards throttle back to 4X? :)

But anyway, you won't be able to use all the power of one of the newest card. Upgrading everything is the best recommendation I can make.

That's odd, since the 9600 GT handily beats the 3870 in TechReport's own review.

Also, looking at that Anandtech review a bit more closely, the 3870 won 7 tests, the 9600 GT won 5, but the 9600 GT's wins were by much larger margins (24% average vs. 9% average). And in fact their own recommendation is for the 9600 GT. You can also get EVGA's overclocked 9600 GT for the same $180 price as a competing brand's vanilla-clocked 9600 GT. The choice is pretty clear IMO.

You can build a better comp for 250$

Prices from NewEgg.com, you can get better prces if you search for bundles and deals from the net.

As for videocards you have a few choices

Reuse your old HDD, CD Drive, Cabinet (make sure you have a side vent and fans to duct out the hot air)

158+90 =  248$ (there you do).

The above system should be at least 75-100% faster than any 250$ AGP video card  you invest into.

Many new games like Assasins Creed, Strangle Hold etc.. require DualCore processors to play.

Also AMD has a few CPU+GPU+Motherboard bundle deals going for cheap.

Here are recommendations for parts if you want to build a new rig yourself:

CPU, overclockeable to more than 2Ghz.

Motherboard, with options for future upgrading.

RAM, ... cheap RAM.

Hard drive, not so big, but you already have one that you can use.

Video card, spanking new, and with a freebie game.

Power supply, with lot of headroom for future upgrades and Active PFC. 

All of the above for a whooping  $500USD

The case? You can buy a cheap one locally for less than $20.

I'm not sure if Newegg ships to Canada, but those friends in USA you have could come in handy. Also, these are component recommendations, so you can buy them from anywhere else.

Also, hear what the wise members of VGChartz have to say, if they have more/different recommendations, be sure to listen to them ;>