Choosing Between Graphics Cards

[PunjabiPlaya89]

I've been wanting to upgrade my graphics card so it can actually play some newer games, and I've narrowed it down to 2 graphics cards which are in my price range.

First of all here are some of my computer specs:
- A dual processor (2000 MHz each)
- A little over 2000 MB system RAM
- Windows XP Pro
- AGP 4x drive

These are the two graphics cards that I've narrowed it down to:

- VisionTek Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129092

- SAPPHIRE Radeon X1950GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 8X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102093


I want to be able to play the newest games on max settings for the most part, but want it to run smoothly. Which of those 2 would be best for that?

 

[postmortemIA]

first one won't for sure, second one might be sufficient for now.

either way, don't expect much of AGP.

 

[Saiyukimot]

Ah yeh, good old AGP hahaha

The 2nd one.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: PunjabiPlaya89
I want to be able to play the newest games on max settings for the most part, but want it to run smoothly. Which of those 2 would be best for that?

hahaha, yeah right. If the most expensive cards can barely manage that, I don't think either of your budget choices will cut it.

While neither card can compare to the best that PCIe can offer, the second is the better gaming card (it's not far behind x1950pro, the best still available on AGP).

 

[bryanW1995]

dual core 2000mhz cpu, is that a skt 939 4000+ or something else?

1950 gt will run much better for you.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: PunjabiPlaya89
I want to be able to play the newest games on max settings for the most part, but want it to run smoothly. Which of those 2 would be best for that?

Doubt you'd get anything to max with Crysis and UT3 etc, but the X1950 will be a better performing card than option 1.

 

[Fenixgoon]

if you have an agp 2x/4x slot, chances those cards may not work. AGP 2/4 and 4/8 have different voltages, IIRC. the x1950 will be way faster for 99% of games though.