Upgrading the family computer...worth it?

[Aristocrat]

Sigh, so I finally got the last part to finish the upgrade for my computer today (Ram...2 months overdue, but you can't help flash flooding), and, after seeing how CoH looks and plays on my computer, my brother is hastling me to somehow magically 'fix' the family computer so it will be comparable. (Don't hold your breath).

A new Core 2 Duo build is out of the question, the parents won't pay that type of money because they don't need a new computer, I won't pay that type of money because I have my own computer, and better things to spend money on, and my brother can't afford it.

So, to the question. If I throw in a new video card on this computer, do you think it will run today's games (not tomorrows....DirectX10 is out of the question) well enough?
Specs Below:

CPU: Pentium 4 3.0ghz (Single Core) s478 (The s478 part is a killer because there a no dual core Desktop chips for s478 that I can find).

Ram: 2GB (I gave them the old 1GB out of my computer...so now it has 1GB of crap ram, and 1GB of expensive top of the line ram (mine)....which obviously runs the same speed as the crap ram, meaning overclocking is probaly not something I want to look at.

Motherboard: Something from Abit, I had to replace this for them a few months ago, and was the only s478 board I could find.

Video Card: Lets just say it is really, and I mean really, old, as in over 5 years old. I think it is a 9800 SE card, if memory serves correctly. It was good for it's time, but that time is long passed.

Power Supply: Generic piece of junk which I also have to change...will throw in a $55 dollar one from Coolermaster, which is the cheapest PSU from a brand I recognise that I can find (430watt).

So I can't upgrade the Processor, unless someone wants to tell me the Dual Core Mobiles work fine in desktops (even then I scoff at the price), and it has 2GB of ram, so I deduce that a new video card, such as 7600GT is the only thing that can make a difference. Or the Ati x1950 Pro if I can find it at a reasonable price.

Tell me what I want to hear...that it will make a difference, and that I can get my brother to stop annoying me by giving him an early birthday + christmas present.

[boboftl]

How much are you willing to spend on a video card?

[bongo1210]

go with the x1950 pro for a graphics card i needed to update my grahpics card and i got the x1950 pro...and oh my god is it worth it..im playing medieval 2 on all high except no anti aliasing

[HMonk]

I would stick with Nvida cards 8800 or better. I know the cost be it is well worth it.

[Aristocrat]

My brother is overjoyed with x1950 pro. The computer can now take everything currently thrown at, including S.T.A.L.K.E.R at full settings.

*But not CoH at Ultra....the game simply won't work, though it runs more than fine if I turn texture difficulty down to high.