Hi,

You can up grade the card easily, actually there is no actual card in the PC, the graphics right now is integrated, or part of the motherboard.

Supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards (Gen 2.0 speed)

Here is a link that might be useful: HP pavilion 500-056 A86500

Thanks zep....I called hp and they assured me it was a stand alone card and could do the gaming... If it is infact integrated, and I purchase and put in a better one A is there a slot to put it and B do I have to do any tricks to get it to run on this new card. I have replaced parts but never did any upgrades.

I guess that is possible, but the link I supplied said integrated graphics on motherboard, why would a manufacture also install a graphics card on top of that, unless it was specifically ordered . Kind of weird.

PCI Express x16 That's the slot to use for graphics card,

As an example to see a pci slot see link.

When you by a card it comes with a cd, so you can install the driver

Here is a link that might be useful: pci slot

Sorry I didn't see the link you sent and your right...it says very clearly integrated..the sound is integrated too...way to go HP and their stunning tech support. She even went off the phone several times to ask.. Well we paid 400 for this stand alone tower. How do you think we did money wise? If I can add as we go I'm ok with that I don't think he is playing the very complex games right now. Unless its going to be the way more expensive route.
Thanks for all your help

Well we paid 400 for this stand alone tower.

I think you did ok, but it's never going to advance with the gaming as he advances to more complex games. Up grading it to try an keep up isn't worth it, motherboard being key factor, and 300 watt power supply.

This would have been a great machine for mother, as you indicated in your first post, but I suspect the machine will eventually frustrate a 20 year old as the gaming requirements become more demanding.

I'm not even sure it's worth up grading the video card just yet, see how it runs for now.

It is what it is...

Integrating various functions onto the motherboard isn't a new trend. It makes for a less expensive package and fewer pieces at the lower end of the market and allows the motherboard manufacturers to sell higher value products. Most PC companies buy (rather than assemble their own) motherboards, it's also cheaper for them that way. Room is provided on the chassis for upgrades as described here for users who want something more than basic functionality of the integrated feature.

As for price, I think you got what you paid for, not more and not less. It should provide many years of adequate service.

Would it be considerably more to get a computer that would be more inline for gaming.

Yes! What games? Need to know that.

Here is a link that might be useful: build-a-gaming-pc

There's a nice 0ne here just for $7000.00 :) :) see link..

These are serious machines.....for Gaming!

Let me know what one you will choose.

Here is a link that might be useful: Top 10 gaming PC'S

You did alright price wise, as others have said. Remember that and do not feel cheated, it is a reasonable computer for reasonable needs.

However you really need to consider the word "gaming" in relation to a 20 year old. Is he going to take this tower to tournaments, I doubt it has or can have the punch needed for that type of activity.

A video card for serious gaming can cost as much as that computer. One of my computers has 2 six wire power connectors to the video card alone as it needs 125 watts and I am not a gamer at all at any level. The documentation suggested I needed a 650 watt or better to use the video card successfully.

The power supply is totally inadequate at 300 watts. A cheap power supply will not fit the needs and factory built machines for the masses do not use high end parts. Should you decide to upgrade the power supply make sure HP used a standard sized power supply rather than a custom build of non conventional sizing.

Even the quad core processor will not take high end gaming I suspect.

As I wrote at the outset, don't feel cheated. You bought a very nice gift for an age group above you with the best of intentions. Buying electronics for any 10 to 25 year old today is almost impossible without their input as we old foggies (me, not you :~) ) really have no idea what their needs or wants are. All computers look like black boxes on the outside but inside is a very different story.

Ha ha, just before posting I took another look at the thread. Zep's 15.0 post says it all.

owbist, snidely and zep.. Thank you all so much....... you have eased my panicked mind. Considering the specs that you are talking about......... he likes to game but not to these levels, so I feel better now. I think for the small time stuff he is doing this will be a good fit and for the rest he has his x-box...... Thank you all so very much for your assistance and your professional attitude and guidance. So much on here people come in asking for help and they get slammed or spoken down to........ so thank you so much for walking me through this.... have a great holiday week!