4x AGP vs. 8x AGP

[mrfatboy]

I have a 9800pro AIW that is only running 4xAGP because my ECSk7s5a board only supports 4xAGP. If i got a cheapo mother board that was able to run 8xAGP would I notice a difference?

my system
ECSk7s5a mobo
1 gig pc 2100
9800pro aiw
amd athlon xp 2000

The board can also support up to an amd xp 2600. Those are about $80 on ebay. I also could get a 2400 for about $30


I know I need a new rig but mine is doing everthing i need right now. I am just looking for a cheapy boost.

 

[ColemontHD]

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
I have a 9800pro AIW that is only running 4xAGP because my ECSk7s5a board only supports 4xAGP. If i got a cheapo mother board that was able to run 8xAGP would I notice a difference?

my system
ECSk7s5a mobo
1 gig pc 2100
9800pro aiw
amd athlon xp 2000

The board can also support up to an amd xp 2600. Those are about $80 on ebay. I also could get a 2400 for about $30


I know I need a new rig but mine is doing everthing i need right now. I am just looking for a cheapy boost.

Honestly, not really. Not enough to do a complete motherboard switch. Upgrade the whole setup if you can.

 

[hoorah]

I doubt you'll notice a difference on the AGP speed.

If you're looking for a cheap boost, try to find an XP-M processor on ebay or something. They went to higher clock speeds on the slower bus (266, the highest yours supports I'm guessing), and they overclock very easily due to their low heat output.

I'm sure other people will give you plenty of ideas for upgrading the video card if you want an increase in performance in games without upgrading the whole rig.

That should hold you over for awhile.

 

[mrfatboy]

From what I have been told the 9800 pro is probably the best I can get with that mother board. the motherboard is the bottleneck.

Does anybody else agree with that or can I get a better vid card?


thanks for the input.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You have a balanced system, the motherboard is not holding back the 9800 and the CPU (even a 2600) isn't going to be good enough to gain much from a better video card.

You need to save up $600+ for a full upgrade.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
From what I have been told the 9800 pro is probably the best I can get with that mother board. the motherboard is the bottleneck.

Does anybody else agree with that or can I get a better vid card?


thanks for the input.

I noticed a huge difference when I moved from a my 9800 (non-pro) to a x800GTO, my CPU is XP 2800+ for referance. I don't know that I would stick anymore money into a system based on ECS board however.

 

[mrfatboy]

Does is make sense upgrade to a 2400 ($30) or 2600 ($80) (266 bus)? I have an AMD XP 2000.

I play BF2 with everything on low (800 x 600). If i could get a boost from one of those procs it would be great.

 

[lobbyone]

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
Does is make sense upgrade to a 2400 ($30) or 2600 ($80) (266 bus)? I have an AMD XP 2000.

I play BF2 with everything on low (800 x 600). If i could get a boost from one of those procs it would be great.

From my own experience, I borrowed my friends XP 2400+ to compare to my own XP 2000+, and I didn't notice any difference, but going to A64 3000+ made a huge difference! Imagine you skip all that and just go C2D??! Try and save some man, you can make it

 

[mrfatboy]

thanks for the input. I was just trying to see if I could squeeze a little bit more out of the old girl I have my $1300 c2d system all ready picked out. It's just been hard to pull the trigger. Spending another $1300 on BF2 is sort of riduculous. My current system does everything else I need.

 

[dBTelos]

I don't even think that 9800pro saturates the 4x AGP bus. You wouldn't notice a diffterence.

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
thanks for the input. I was just trying to see if I could squeeze a little bit more out of the old girl I have my $1300 c2d system all ready picked out. It's just been hard to pull the trigger. Spending another $1300 on BF2 is sort of riduculous. My current system does everything else I need.

I bought F.E.A.R. with a p4 3.0ghz and an X800pro agp card... ended up with a C2D and 7800gt. And I haven't touched the game hardly since I upgraded.... but go for it man!

 

[Brian48]

You're better off finding a cheap upgrade to your processor.

 

[bigboxes]

I would just save up for a total upgrade. You have too many things that need to be upgraded. You did well and I'm sure your box is still chugging along. That's just the way it is. 3-4 years and you finally hit the wall with all the improvements that have been made. By then you realize how far behind your box is. If all you're gonna do is e-mail and surf the web then your current set-up is fine. If you want more, just stop investing into that dying platform. Just my $.02.