Best interim AGP video card upgrade?

[Devil2U]

Since the games I am waiting for seem to be delayed until next year (ET: Quake Wars, UT2K7) I am CONSIDERING a short term upgrade of my video card. I would want it to last 4-7 months. What are the opinions out there that provide the best bang for the buck? I know the 6800GS is good, but I am having a tough time finding a good price on one.

Here is one possible deal and the price is right, but sound off with your thoughts/experiences.

Radeon X850XT 256MB $140 after rebate at NewEgg (EDIT: oops, not an AGP card)
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1813556&enterthread=y

FYI, I am currently running a 9800Pro 128MB, and while it runs BF2 well....Quake 4 could use some help.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Newegg doesn't have any but a friend of mine got an AGP eVGA 7600GS from Circuit City for ~$130 just a week ago. Maybe someone here knows how a 7600GS compares against an X850XT.

I'm assuming the X850 ought to be better (16 pixelpipes, higher core/memory speeds)...but then again I could be wrong.

 

[nataku00]

Your link is to a pci-e card.

I think your best bet with agp is to consider this refurb deal for an X850Pro from Ati:
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1884880&enterthread=y

or look in the For Sale/Trade forum for a used 6800gt as an interim upgrade in the $130-150 range.

I personally went from a 9800pro to a used 6800gt with a mild oc in my agp system as I wait out the cpu shuffle with Conroe's impending release this quarter. Like you, I plan to upgrade late this year or early next year to something.

 

[Randum]

x850xt, beats the hell out of all the games currently out, no problems at all bf2, q4, prey , fear etc

 

[whosey]

Newegg has a few AGP cards around 140-150. I just purchased a XFX GeForce 6800 XTreme 256mb GDDR3 for 145. Think it has already droppped another 5 in price.

 

[warm san francisco night]

x850xt looks to be a good option especially when considering that the 3dmark05 scores looks to be similar to the, what is it called, 7800gs?

 

[EvanAdams]

The 7800GS I think will do better in games that use HDR and SM3.0 stuff. But if not that then they close enough in performance to not warent the extra $100 min that the gs would cost.

FYI the ATI refurb thread had it's first user with DOA 3d today.

 

[Devil2U]

FYI, My Specs:
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte
Mobo: GA-7VAXP
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2500+, ~1.8GHz (mobo cant overclock worth a ******)
Memory: 2X 512MB Kingston 3200 Value Ram
Video: ATI 9800 PRO 128MB


Did a bunch of digging on Anandtech and came up with this deal. Most people think it outperforms the X850 Pro due to the increased number of pipelines.

http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=39
Radeon® X800 XL AGP 256MB D/V/VIVO Whitebox - REFURB* + Standard Warranty
Price: $119.00 Free Shipping

 

[AzNpXdD913]

The XL and Pro's performance difference aren't too big, so go for the better price. Just a warning though, the XL is refurbished while the Pro is new. I've heard from other forums that many users are having bad luck with the refurbished X800XL's, most of them are DOA and have to be sent back for another (sometimes for a 2nd or 3rd time).

 

[orangat]

The x850xt for $150 is a good upgrade. It is faster than the 6800gs which isn't worth it since its about the same price. The x800xl is a good buy too but if people are having problems with refurbs then its not so good.

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: Devil2U
FYI, My Specs:
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte
Mobo: GA-7VAXP
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2500+, ~1.8GHz (mobo cant overclock worth a ******)
Memory: 2X 512MB Kingston 3200 Value Ram
Video: ATI 9800 PRO 128MB


Did a bunch of digging on Anandtech and came up with this deal. Most people think it outperforms the X850 Pro due to the increased number of pipelines.

http://shop.ati.com/searchresults.asp?dept_id=39
Radeon® X800 XL AGP 256MB D/V/VIVO Whitebox - REFURB* + Standard Warranty
Price: $119.00 Free Shipping

what revision do you have? I have a 7VAXP with a 2100+T-bred B on it and I have had it running as a 2800+ (133x17, 1.82v) for the past 2 years and it has run great..I would like to have my Processor running on a 333fsb but I can't figure out how to modify my CPU so the board will automatically detect a 333fsb..using the default 133fbs setting I can only go as high as a 165fsb and the agp/pci are way out of spec...but I don't think there would be a great deal of difference in performance with 333(166)fsb