hoss, you need to go in and find a setting called "clear type" got to control panel, click display hit the tab for appearance, down lower right hand corner, select effects, there should be a line for "use the following method to smoothe the edges of fonts", under that is a box with a down arrow, find "clear type", check mark the box next to "use the following method....." now hit ok in that lower right corner, back your way out hitting apply if its an option. btw, the fx5500 would have worked for you as well, could have been gotten for about the same money, if you are happy, thats good, if not bring back the card saying it does not perform to your satisfaction, and you would like to order the 55oo in pci trim, I have that card running ona second rig and it games remarkably well for a pci card.