AGP upgrading in a breadbox sized computer

[LTE]

I love my Shuttle, and I don't think I'll be going back to a full sized box anytime soon. Unfortunately, it's an AGP, and the card in it, a 9600xt, is showing its age.

I've read several of the agp upgrade advice threats already, and it sounds like it makes the most sense to pick up an ati x1950pro when it gets released, but mine is something of a different question.

Will it fit? Looking at pictures here and on stores like newegg, the new cards seem rather long. In terms of depth, I should be ok, as there's a pci slot adajectent to the agp, but I still don't want to break out a new card just to realize that I can't use it.

Any thoughts? (and if I'm wrong about the x1950pro, let me know)

 

[Dman877]

You might also have power problems if your shuttle has one of the 240 watt psu's. Maybe not though.

 

[BobDaMenkey]

I dunno which way your AGP is set up, but on both the shuttles that I own, a 2 slot card won't fit, because it will extend out of the case the way the coolers and AGP slot are mounted.

So even when/if I get my replacement 6800GT I wouldn't be able to stuff it into one of my shuttles because of the 2 slot cooler on Leadtek's 6800GTs.

 

[LTE]

I think my psu is 300 or 350... I should be fine there. I don't have anything beyond the basics installed on the inside, and minimize my peripherals, so the cpu and gpu are the only big power-drains.

I think a 2-slotter would fit in my case, though I'm having a tough time visualizing at the moment. Is the 1950pro coming out slated to be a 2-slot card?

 

[ND40oz]

What's the model number of your shuttle? I have no problem with a BBA X800XL in mine, it is a pretty long card, so I have to use a right angle connector for the sata connector. I'm pretty sure any AGP shuttle will have to use a single slot card. Only the BTX style PCIE shuttles have the option of using a 2 slot card.

 

[LTE]

ST61G4; the chassis is 295mm (almost 1ft long), I'd have to crack it open to be sure about the psu wattage and how much space for the card I have exactly.

 

[ND40oz]

You have a 250 watt PSU and you can only use a single slot agp card. That power supply should be good for any currently available AGP card although I haven't seen anyone run a 7800GS off of it.

 

[sandorski]

FYI, smaller than a breadbox.

 

[Sootymooty]

Just to let you know, the X1950pro AGP was apparently a typing mistake from Diamond Multimedia. They made the same mistake a few years ago when they announced an AGP x1800XT. The only alternative in that performance range is the Gainward Bliss 7800+ (7900GT core on AGP) which won't fit unless you mod your shuttle case like this :

Shuttle

Shuttle 2

 

[LTE]

Heh, and that's exactly the shuttle I have, too.

Cool looking mod, probably not for me (I don't have the time/skill to be that ambitious anymore).

Which would you suggest to be the better choice: the X850Pro or a BFG OC'd 6800gs?
Both can be had for 130 or less, I think (off the top of my head) they're both single-slot, and will give me marked improvement over my 9600xt. I think my best course is to upgrade significantly but modestly and save the big bucks for my next new machine.

 

[Sootymooty]

Out of the 2 the 6800GS should perform better in most if not all games. I'd go for a 7600GT AGP or 7800GS at the very least, hopefully the price will come down in time as they are still a tad expensive for the performance!

 

[manganese]

Yeah, I was looking at the two 7600GT's on newegg, and it's frustrating as all else to see it for $50 more than its pci-e counterpart.

They do have a 6800xt on sale, though...so I'll see how that compares to the gs.

 

[LTE]

Sorry, manganese, that was actually me posting... I have my login as automatic, so I didn't notice I was on as someone else. I'll post over in forum issues, but it seems to already be known there.