But I (almost) just got my 9800 Pro :(

[Lupinicus]

My current system is an Athlon XP 2200+, EPoX 8RDA+ MB and Radeon 9800 pro I got about 9 months ago. I am looking to upgrade the MB and CPU, but my question is to go PCIe or not. I'm looking to get an Athlon 64 3200+ (hopefully Venice core). Will I be shooting myself in the foot if I get an AGP mobo now (probably the MSI Neo 2F) but want to upgrade my video card in 6-12 months? The reviews I've read make it look like only the high end PCIe cards substantially outperform the 9800 Pro and I wouldn't be going for the high end ones anyway. In the end, I can afford to go PCIe and get a new video card, but I would really like not to have to. Any advice?

 

[xsilver]

your problem is not from performance but rather money
the dilemma is whether to spend the money now and use the good system you will have, or save the money and get a computer later that will last you longer

just FYI, a 6600GT will be a little faste than what you have now and doesnt cost much
and agp will still be made in 12 months time, however there may be a premium of about $10-20 on top of a PCI-E card

 

[l Xes l]

i've got XP 2400 w/ 9700pro.. i dream about upgrading my computer everyday.. and if i did.. i'd get a pci-e board which brings a need for new vid as well...
so im going to wait till dualcores are accessible.... it's very tempting to build a A64 but there's no point for me since i'm not a hardcore gamer..

 

[Lupinicus]

Yeah, I was looking at 6600 GTs as my PCIe option and they are cheap. I think maybe I'm just dragging my feet. I almost never get on board with a new technology until a year or two after it's been out. Not from lack of desire, but lack of funds. Since I do have the money now, I think I might give it a shot.... still, that's a lot of money

 

[AristoV300]

If you are planning to upgrade that much it is a no brainer to go PCI-e. Just go with a good Nforce 4 board with a Venice core chip and you should be good for a while.

 

[Elcs]

Personally, if I were in your shoes, Id be tempted to hold off for Dual Core processors.

Im happy with my mobile barton 2500+ @ 2.3ghz and Radeon 9800 Pro.

If, at that time you dont have the funds for a Dual Core A64, then the chips of the moment (San Diego, Venice) will be cheaper and more mature for overclocking if thats of any consequence.

Id look into overclocking your 2200+. I seem to remember the 8RDA+ wasnt the best overclocking board but did offer a very reasonable array of options. The overclocking forum is always there, ready to help. Flooded with A64 o/c's, Im sure people will love to help some AXP overclocker.

 

[Greenman]

I have 2 boxes side by side in a small home office. One runs a 6600GT, the other is a 9800pro. I can't detect any differance between them. I'm in much the same boat you are, I'd like to do an upgrade, but I won't toss out $400 worth of video cards.

 

[sandorski]

Hehe, I hear ya man. I too just got a 9800Pro last fall and I was seriously thinking of switching to PCI-e soon, but after pricing things out and not wanting anything less than a X800XL, I'm back to thinking of sticking with AGP a little longer. My 9800Pro should run a little better with the upgrade(2800+ Barton to 3000+ Venice) so it's not a bad choice. By the time x800XL performance is half the current price I'd be able to get that and the new mobo with the money I'd save by staying with AGP now.

 

[Lupinicus]

After pricing everything out again, I'm back to leaning towards AGP. Like sandorski said, when I would be looking to get a new video card, prices on current stuff would have dropped heavily. I wouldn't be looking to get any high end stuff. I'm pretty much always a generation or so behind, but that's on purpose. If I can get another AGP card at the end of this year or beginning of next, then that will last me until even further next year when maybe I'll consider the motherboard again. I think this will work best for me. Thanks for the advice guys.