AGP? Worth ditching?

[ryan256]

I need to get another computer. My current system:
P4 1.8GHz cpu
Intel D850 mobo
512MB RDRAM
ATI 9800Pro 128MB
Creative Audigy 2 zs

Right now I know my CPU and mobo are the bottleneck in my gaming performance. I'm planning on upgrading to:
Asus mobo
AMD 3800+ cpu
2GB DDR

Ideally I'd like to get a bit more life out of my 9800 pro mainly cause I don't have the cash for a new mobo+cpu and video card. Also I know there are some cards better than the 9800 that still run on an AGP interface. Hopefully in about 6 months or so I can get a much faster AGP card to replace the 9800. However I know most of the faster cards are all going to PCI-E. Is it really worth shelling out the extra cash to go PCI-E or will AGP still be a good video solution for another year?

 

[Munky]

I'd say if you're building a new rig, definitely go with pci-e. Sell the 9800 while it's still worth something, and get a pcie card. Agp cards are not only becoming more rare, but they also tend to cost more, now than all new cards are pcie native. I was also using a 9800p until last week, but since then I switched over to A64/pcie and never looked back.

 

[Fallengod]

You said youre planning on getting a new mobo anyways, pcie mobos dont cost "extra" cash. And yes agp will be dead soon, I see no reason to get agp anything anymore. The vid cards actually sometimes cost less as pcie than agp. Get a pcie mobo. As munky said, get rid of that 9800 and get a 6600 GT at least.

 

[orangat]

6 months ago, you could be justified going the AGP route. Now pice has caught up and it isn't more expensive or untested. Go with pcie

 

[Fern]

HI ryan256 and Welcome to the Forums!

will AGP still be a good video solution for another year?

IMHO I think it'll be good for another year. Earlier this year I replaced my 9800pro with a 6800GT (agp) and I don't expect to upgrade for another year.

Can't say if there will be any other high-end agp cards in the future.

So, you must consider whether NOT getting a PCIe mobo now is worth having to get both a new gfx card and new mobo next year or so.

Fern

 

[Zebo]

RDRAM sells real well on ebay. Sell everything!

What's your budget?

I think you may find best route is less than $400 for a whole new PCIe system with a PCIe solt future!

eg:
3000 OC to FX-55 levels $125
1G PC3200 Crucial $90
EPoX "EP-9NPAJ" NVIDIA nForce4 $77
ATI x700pro $105

$397

 

[jlbenedict]

an X700Pro is a great card for the money.. I dont care what the Nvidia fans think about it..

 

[Zebo]

Faster than the 9800pro

 

[CraigRT]

I'd sell the 9800, go PCI-E and grab a 6600GT PCI-E or something, that card is quite a bit faster than the 9800 in some benches.

 

[Randum]

take a close look atthe x700pro..

 

[Rage1881]

actually ULI is keeping agp somewhat alive

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Rage1881
actually ULI is keeping agp somewhat alive

I hope that those motherboards aren't paper launched. I'm counting on that to be able to upgrade to an Athlon 64 and keep my 6800.

 

[Rage1881]

lol so am i.. question is how much will a ULI board cost


http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=h...6svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26sa%3DG

http://www.beareyes.com.cn/2/lib/200502/25/136/uli-mb_CBfz.jpg

thats what it looks like pretty cool huh. Well something close to that