Cheapest AGP card I can get away with to play CS: Source @ 1920x1080

[m4ng0]

Ever since upgrading to my Westinghouse 1080p monitor, I haven't been able to play my beloved CS: Source at a reasonable framerate. Turning down the settings and resolution only made the game look like crap as this panel doesn't scale well at all.

Anyways, I'm looking for the cheapest card I can get to pump out 1920x1080 in CS: Source with Medium settings at a reasonable framerate with many players on screen. My specs are as follows:

Intel P4 2.8Ghz HT
ATI Radeon 9800pro
2GB RAM
410W PSU

I was thinking of the X1950PRO, but it would require me to upgrade my PSU also. Is there anything reasonable (under $200) that can pump out those pixels?

Thanks for the help!

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: m4ng0
I was thinking of the X1950PRO, but it would require me to upgrade my PSU also. Is there anything reasonable (under $200) that can pump out those pixels?

An X1950 Pro is still going to be pretty weak at 1920x1080, unless you reduce the image quality. This one would be fairly decent, though. Of course, it's way faster than your processor, but that's not what you asked.

 

[m4ng0]

Maybe I'm SOL, and should just upgrade to a new CPU/mobo :|

 

[nCred]

I don´t think you need to upgrade your PSU if you get a x1950pro, I use a 350w PSU.

 

[happy medium]

Overclock you cpu to 3.2 and grab a 7900gs agp and you won't need a psu upgrade. My 7800gs will play css at 1600x1200 just fine so it (7900gs) should handle your monitor.

If you can't overclock just pop in a better cpu (3.2 pent 4) and sell your 9800pro and 2.8 pent 4 .

 

[happy medium]

Overclock you cpu to 3.2 and grab a 7900gs agp. My 7800gs handles css at 1600x1200 high settings just fine.

If you can't overclock, grab a 3.2 cpu and sell your 9800pro and 2.8 pent 4.

 

[stnicralisk]

to be honest I was playing CS Source at 1600 x 1200 8x AF with my old 6800 only any frame rate drops when looking at water

 

[Dazed and Confused]

X1950GT $140 shipped

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: Dazed and Confused
X1950GT $140 shipped

use the promo code: EMC907VGA10 for an extra $20 off making it $120

 

[m4ng0]

Originally posted by: nCred
I don´t think you need to upgrade your PSU if you get a x1950pro, I use a 350w PSU.

nCred, how long have you been running your X1950pro for? That would definitely be my choice of card if my PSU can handle it.

I'm using a PC Power and Cooling 410w PSU that gets 22a on 12v. I heard you need at least 30a on the 12v to have the card run stable.

 

[nCred]

Originally posted by: m4ng0

Originally posted by: nCred
I don´t think you need to upgrade your PSU if you get a x1950pro, I use a 350w PSU.

nCred, how long have you been running your X1950pro for? That would definitely be my choice of card if my PSU can handle it.

I'm using a PC Power and Cooling 410w PSU that gets 22a on 12v. I heard you need at least 30a on the 12v to have the card run stable.

Used it for a month or so. I have the PCI-e version of the card, on the box it says a 450w psu is recommended but it seems to work with my power supply with only 15a on the 12v line.

 

[rstrohkirch]

CS:S is cpu limited with higher player counts and no p4 system is going to have consistent high frame rates on a 40+ player server. I'd image you're going to even have trouble with 30-32 player servers.

If you are dollar limited you'll want to upgrade to a OC'd C2D and an ok midrange video card with low settings at 1920. Also, with the release of episode 2 in a month, the source engine is getting full support for multi processors so now may not be a bad time to upgrade to dual core.

 

[konakona]

I thought they still had a deal on that 1950gt for $95 AR.
personally, I am skipping this round and gonna stick to 7300LE till the november refresh.