I am looking to get a new graphics card so that I can run programs like Maya (for University) and current games like Doom 3 and Fear. However, being completely new to computers - I'm not too sure what to purchase. I've been told there are two different types, PCI and AGP.

I've checked the spec for my computer and everything is sufficient for the games I wish to play except the graphics card (I have a pentium IV processor, plenty of RAM etc). The graphics card at the moment is of a SiS make...can't remember exactly though I can find out if it helps.

What graphics cards can I purchase?

Hi sk1pper, welcome to itsallPC

There are three graphics card interfaces: PCI, AGP and PCI Express. PCI was obsoleted as a graphics interface by the turn of the millennium. AGP 8X is currently being phased out as a standard. PCI Express (or PCIe for short) is the new interface. This is probably what you mean by PCI. Please, please don't be another one of those people who continues to confuse PCI with PCIe. It may seem easier to just say PCI but, that's the laziness that causes all the confusion that people are experiencing with PCIe.

Whether you can use PCIe, or are restricted to AGP, depends entirely on your motherboard. Since you believe you have an SiS graphics controller, it's probably integrated, indicating an SiS chipset, this would mean you are probably using AGP. We can tell for certain by discovering your chipset by using a hardware diagnostic utility. Read this post for instructions on how to do that.

F.E.A.R. will be the greatest challenge a system can face, to date. I've found that my system can just about handle it with a few things turned down. You'll probably be looking for either a high end last generation card, or at least medium-high end current generation card. This means something better or equal to a GeForce 6800 GS/GT, Radeon X800 XL/X850 Pro or better, to enjoy the game at medium settings. Any of those cards are available in AGP or PCI Express.

If you do post back with details, it might pay to include specifics (Pentium 4 ranges in frequences from 1.3 GHz to 3.8 GHz).