AGP Video Card Recommendation

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Fragmire

Member
Jul 18, 2005
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My good ol' ATI Radeon 9600 Pro is finally biting the dust -- it can't play certain video clips without corruption, and the fan sounds louder than my car engine for the first 1 minute after boot. I'm planning on buying one last AGP card before I finally upgrade to something with PCI Express, and I'd appreciate any recommendation you guys might have.

Here's what I'm looking for:
- AGP (8x)
- ATI
- priced below $150 on Newegg
- quiet (my CPU and chassis fans are barely audible)

I'm not specifying performacne and RAM since I figure anything nowadays should be much better than my 9600 Pro. I've been looking at X13xx and X16xx series but would like to hear more about people's experience and performance value comments. I don't do anything fancy with the card -- the hardest I've ever pushed mine was running Splinter Cell at moderately high settings, and I'm slowly phasing out of gaming stuff.

Thanks.
 
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Stumps

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
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have you tried cleaning the fan on the 9600 pro? it would be a lot cheaper to try to repair the fan , especially if you card is overheating...whcih it sounds like it is doing.

but for a replacement...probably a x1600 or 7600gs.
 
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Fragmire

Member
Jul 18, 2005
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Tried that. Also tried lubricating the fan with no success. The card's behavior is actually quite weird. I've posted here before about my problem, but didn't get any response that solved the issue. Several ATI reps have told me that the card is dying. Basically, certain video clips (specifically, 640x480 30fps clips taken w/ my Canon PowerShot) are severely corrupted when played on the card, but everything else, including intensive 3D games, are smooth without a hitch. The heatsink remains warm to the touch after extended use, but never anywhere uncomfortable.

You recommended X1600. Do you have any specific brand in mind, or just the chip in general?
 
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Stumps

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
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well I would normally use gigabyte...but I don't think they make a X1600 in AGP, you're next bet would probably be an Asus card...but remember these are MY preferences, you might want to do a bit of research first, you might find a brand that might be better suited to your needs.

 
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Fragmire

Member
Jul 18, 2005
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I doubt I will push it much harder than what my current 9600 Pro can handle. I'm interested in the new SM3.0, but not sure it I will be buying enough games down the road to justify for it. I think in general, I'm looking for a solid, quiet card that performs noticeably better than 9600 Pro (shouldn't be too hard since it's several generations out of date).

I was hoping that someone can comment specifically on the quietness of some X13xx or X16xx cards (without modding).
 
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Fragmire

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Jul 18, 2005
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Am I right to assume that most people prefer non-ATI branded cards (e.g. Gigabyte, HIS, eVga) over ATI-branded versions? Is there a reason behind this?
 
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Stumps

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
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generally price and availibility (I'm just going off the fact that ATI brand hardware is expensive in Australia)
 
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Fragmire

Member
Jul 18, 2005
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This is probably a really dumb question for some, but even an X1300 Pro should outperform a 9600 Pro, right?
 
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Stumps

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: Fragmire
This is probably a really dumb question for some, but even an X1300 Pro should outperform a 9600 Pro, right?
Click to expand...

nope, however a X1600 should provide a bit of a boost.....if you are after a bit of performance, your best bet would be the 7600GS.
 
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Fragmire

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Jul 18, 2005
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I think I'm after something that can minimally outperform 9600 Pro (since I doubt I will get more than a few tasking games down the road), but has SM3.0 support. So something in the X1k series, but roughly in the $150 range (willing to spend up to $180-ish, but def. no more than $200). I prefer to stick w/ ATI though.
 
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Dr J

Senior member
Aug 3, 2006
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I'm in the same situation with my 9600 pro. If you're willing to wait until the end of next month, you'll see these options, for AGP:

ATI X1650Pro
ATI X1650XT
ATI X1950Pro (Diamond)

I'm guessing the prices will range from $100 to $250 (the X1650Pro, according to ATI, is supposed to sell for $99, but I somehow doubt that). The official release date for these cards is October 17th and so this is why I say they should be available by the end of October. They will have all the latest features, although only the 1950 is 256 bit.

This site is also a great resource:

http://www.gpureview.com/

Good luck with your choices,

John
 
Rottie

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
4,795
2
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Originally posted by: Stumps
well I would normally use gigabyte...but I don't think they make a X1600 in AGP, you're next bet would probably be an Asus card...but remember these are MY preferences, you might want to do a bit of research first, you might find a brand that might be better suited to your needs.
Click to expand...


Yes ATI still making X1600 in AGP you might want to check ATI website.
 
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Stumps

Diamond Member
Jun 18, 2001
7,125
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Originally posted by: Rottie
Originally posted by: Stumps
well I would normally use gigabyte...but I don't think they make a X1600 in AGP, you're next bet would probably be an Asus card...but remember these are MY preferences, you might want to do a bit of research first, you might find a brand that might be better suited to your needs.
Click to expand...


Yes ATI still making X1600 in AGP you might want to check ATI website.
Click to expand...

umm you better reread my post...I never said ATI DIDN'T make the x1600, I was refering to Gigabyte.

next time learn to read before posting.

 
Zebo

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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That HIS X1600pro 512mb for $122 AR is your best bet. Beats the 7600GS all to hell but it aint going to be silent like GS would. However, the cooler will be very very quiet based on using that type before.

It's about 2.5x faster than 9600.
 
Cookie Monster

Cookie Monster

Diamond Member
May 7, 2005
5,161
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Originally posted by: Zebo
That HIS X1600pro 512mb for $122 AR is your best bet. Beats the 7600GS all to hell but it aint going to be silent like GS would. However, the cooler will be very very quiet based on using that type before.

It's about 2.5x faster than 9600.
Click to expand...

I thought the 7600GS was faster than a X1600pro?

edit - plus the X1600pro isnt that much faster than a 6600GT.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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Originally posted by: Fragmire
Am I right to assume that most people prefer non-ATI branded cards (e.g. Gigabyte, HIS, eVga) over ATI-branded versions? Is there a reason behind this?
Click to expand...

I think the reason is that at your price range the Nvidia cards are stronger performers. If you were asking about buying a $350 card, people would probably steer you towards a Radeon X1900XTX.

Originally posted by: Fragmire
Basically, certain video clips (specifically, 640x480 30fps clips taken w/ my Canon PowerShot) are severely corrupted when played on the card, but everything else, including intensive 3D games, are smooth without a hitch. The heatsink remains warm to the touch after extended use, but never anywhere uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

Have you tried reinstalling video drivers? Reinstalling codecs? Playing around with the settings such as dropping graphics performance one notch? Playing around with overlay settings?
 
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Fragmire

Member
Jul 18, 2005
30
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Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: Fragmire
Am I right to assume that most people prefer non-ATI branded cards (e.g. Gigabyte, HIS, eVga) over ATI-branded versions? Is there a reason behind this?
Click to expand...

I think the reason is that at your price range the Nvidia cards are stronger performers. If you were asking about buying a $350 card, people would probably steer you towards a Radeon X1900XTX.
Click to expand...

Sorry. Let me clarify. I meant "ATI-branded" cards with ATI chips, versus "non-ATI branded" cards with ATI chips (e.g. Sapphire X1600 Pro). It's a personal preference that I want to stick with ATI, especially since performance is perhaps the least of my concern (since anything pretty much outperforms a 9600 Pro anyway).

Originally posted by: Zap
Originally posted by: Fragmire
Basically, certain video clips (specifically, 640x480 30fps clips taken w/ my Canon PowerShot) are severely corrupted when played on the card, but everything else, including intensive 3D games, are smooth without a hitch. The heatsink remains warm to the touch after extended use, but never anywhere uncomfortable.
Click to expand...

Have you tried reinstalling video drivers? Reinstalling codecs? Playing around with the settings such as dropping graphics performance one notch? Playing around with overlay settings?
Click to expand...

Yep. Reinstalled drivers. Reinstalled old drivers. Reinstalled codecs. Reinstalled Windows. Everything. The clips that used to work (and still work when I remove the card and use the on-board, Intel graphics chipset) no longer work.
 
Rottie

Rottie

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2002
4,795
2
81
Originally posted by: Rottie
Click to expand...


Yes ATI still making X1600 in AGP you might want to check ATI website.[/quote]

umm you better reread my post...I never said ATI DIDN'T make the x1600, I was refering to Gigabyte.

next time learn to read before posting.

[/quote]

OK don't get too touchy fella...nobody is perfect at reading
 
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