• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

good but cheap AGP cards (like, under $100 cheap)

A

AvatarD

Member
Just to start, here's what I'm working with right now.

AMD Athlon XP 2100
Chaintech Apogee 7VJL
512 MB of Corsair PC2700 DDR
Gainward 650XP Nvidia Geforce 4 TI4200
Maxtor 200.0 GB & Maxtor 80 GB
Audigy Sound Blaster MP3+

So, not really high end here. The system's about 4 years old now, and showing its age. Recently the video card has pretty much just given up. Building a whole new rig isn't in the cards right now, so I'm looking for an AGP card that's serviceable in the meantime. Thing is, I'd like to spend under $100 if possible. Obvisouly the rest of it isn't blazing fast, and I'm not doing any serious gaming as of late, so hopefully that's not an issue.

So, recommendations for an AGP card, if possible under $100, that's maybe a little better than what I have now. Any ideas?? Thanks!
 
Almost any video card that you get that would beat out your Ti, would most likely become massively bottlenecked by your setup.

So I would not reccomend any card to you.

However, to let you know what some good choices are here they are

6600GT
7600GS
X800/X850 if you can find them
 
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
 
Right, I figured as much. Really, I'm just looking for someone to tell me that the 6600 isn't awful and won't suck (honestly, I don't technically even have a card right now, so things can't get WORSE)
 
I think a 6600GT/7600gs would be a pretty good match for your system. you'll definatly see an improvement in performance if you switch to one of those two, but obviously you'll still be held back by the rest of your system.
 
Your system isn't THAT bad. 😛

a 6600GT would be significantly faster than your 4200 . . . OTOH, the 6600 non-GT is [comparatively] awful and will suck . . . the only advantage you will see is DX9 . . .

a 6800Standard would be fine and even a 6800GS would be "OK" if you are willing to o/c your CPU a bit.

edit: i would definitely check the FS/T forums for a good used card [that hasn't been o/c'd or modded]. If you get a "fast" card, you can always offload some of the extra work to your Video by turning up the AA/AF to compensate a bit for your slow CPU . . . and you should be able to get a decent O/C out of it.

if you like what you see, consider getting another 512MB RAM . . . it's relatively cheap and most newer games will really benefit.
 
Originally posted by: Aflac
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
Click to expand...

Uh huh sure. The slowest Celerons are dead even with FX-57s with a good video card.

OP I'd find a x800xt for $100 used in for sale forum... Alternativly the x1600pro is best new idea ~$100
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: Aflac
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
Click to expand...

Uh huh sure. The slowest Celerons are dead even with FX-57s with a good video card.

OP I'd find a x800xt for $100 used in for sale forum... Alternativly the x1600pro is best new idea ~$100
Click to expand...

surely you exaggerate . . . i still have a Celeron that hits 450hz i think 😛
no resolution, AA/AF+HDR/Bloom will rescue that sucker paired with an x850xt.

😀

generally you are right - the videocard makes the most difference in games . . . but - besides a fast GPU - a little O/C + 512 MB Ram surely would breathe some real life back into the OP's rig.
:thumbsup:

 
consider getting another 512MB RAM .
Click to expand...

Thats a good suggestion too.. 512 is really not enough for todays and even yesterdays games.. Moving to 1GB will be signifgant.

I'd start a thread in FS forum..

"WTB x800xt AGP and 512MB PC2700"

Shouldn't pay more than $110 for the card and $30 for mem.

 
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: Aflac
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
Click to expand...

Uh huh sure. The slowest Celerons are dead even with FX-57s with a good video card.

OP I'd find a x800xt for $100 used in for sale forum... Alternativly the x1600pro is best new idea ~$100
Click to expand...

surely you exaggerate . . . i still have a Celeron that hits 450hz i think 😛
no resolution, AA/AF+HDR/Bloom will rescue that sucker paired with an x850xt.

😀

generally you are right - the videocard makes the most difference in games . . . but - besides a fast GPU - a little O/C + 512 MB Ram surely would breathe some real life back into the OP's rig.
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


I'm not joking man.🙂
http://xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/cpu-games2/fear.png

That's paired with a 7800GT, only a bit faster than a x850xt.. as one can see when you start turing on details games have a way of normalizing CPU's no matter the speed...
 
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: Aflac
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
Click to expand...

Uh huh sure. The slowest Celerons are dead even with FX-57s with a good video card.

OP I'd find a x800xt for $100 used in for sale forum... Alternativly the x1600pro is best new idea ~$100
Click to expand...

surely you exaggerate . . . i still have a Celeron that hits 450hz i think 😛
no resolution, AA/AF+HDR/Bloom will rescue that sucker paired with an x850xt.

😀

generally you are right - the videocard makes the most difference in games . . . but - besides a fast GPU - a little O/C + 512 MB Ram surely would breathe some real life back into the OP's rig.
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


I'm not joking man.🙂
http://xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/cpu-games2/fear.png

That's paired with a 7800GT, only a bit faster than a x850xt.. as one can see when you start turing on details games have a way of normalizing CPU's no matter the speed...
Click to expand...

maybe i should break out my Celeron 300. 😛
:Q

 
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: apoppin
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: Aflac
You could look around in FS/T forums for a good deal. Anything faster than a 6800NU or 6600GT will be overkill. In fact, even those cards may be overkill.
Click to expand...

Uh huh sure. The slowest Celerons are dead even with FX-57s with a good video card.

OP I'd find a x800xt for $100 used in for sale forum... Alternativly the x1600pro is best new idea ~$100
Click to expand...

surely you exaggerate . . . i still have a Celeron that hits 450hz i think 😛
no resolution, AA/AF+HDR/Bloom will rescue that sucker paired with an x850xt.

😀

generally you are right - the videocard makes the most difference in games . . . but - besides a fast GPU - a little O/C + 512 MB Ram surely would breathe some real life back into the OP's rig.
:thumbsup:
Click to expand...


I'm not joking man.🙂
http://xbitlabs.com/images/cpu/cpu-games2/fear.png

That's paired with a 7800GT, only a bit faster than a x850xt.. as one can see when you start turing on details games have a way of normalizing CPU's no matter the speed...
Click to expand...

maybe i should break out my Celeron 300. 😛
:Q
Click to expand...

I have an Athlon 800Mhz system I could test this theory with. To the OP, I think a 6800 or 6600GT would be a very nice match for your system. You might consider an X800 Pro also if you can get one for $100 or less.
 
LOL within reason guys..

The thing to look at is frames a CPU can do with everything off and lowest resolution possible. How fast is that? Stay over 40 FPS? then you're good for any graphics card you want to put in there as FPS will be the same at high res so long as card can keep up.

I still think a athlon 2100 with a bit of OC can maintain 40FPS with any game made. Celeron 300 and duron 800's..probably not.
 
Originally posted by: Golgatha
I have an Athlon 800Mhz system I could test this theory with. To the OP, I think a 6800 or 6600GT would be a very nice match for your system. You might consider an X800 Pro also if you can get one for $100 or less.
Click to expand...

Agree totally.

I've always found that with aged systems, people's expectations are nowhere near as great, because they are used to their GF4Ti series or whatever. These were fine cards in their day, I loved them and owned one. However, when somebody is used to that in this day and age, they are more often than not blown away by a video card upgrade. No disrespect to the original poster intended here.

Apoppin and Golgatha have made good points, especially mentioning that you can offload some work onto your graphics card to ease the load on the CPU, by using AA and AF and suchlike.

Basically, a 6600GT or above would be nice for you. A 6800 or 6800GT would be very nice, as would an X800 series card.

I would check out that the PSU on a machine of that age is up to the job though if you did decide on a 6800 or X800 card.

A 6600GT would most likely be fine and, to my mind, give you the best bang for buck. I also think this is the best match for your system, and not at all power hungry. Pretty sure you'd like it.

Choice is yours. Either way, what you're asking is possible.

I'd be interested to see if Golgatha tries this out on the Athlon 800. In their day, they were dogs bollox processors, I really liked them. This would give the OP a fair idea of how his XP2100+ would handle a newer card, depending on the card Golgatha has in mind for the Athlon 800.

Graphics card upgrades are ace. 😀
 
Another good option would be a 9800 Pro or XT off FS/FT ... very close performance to a 6600GT & should be a bit cheaper.
 
Well, I ended up getting a BFG 6800GT (factory OC) from the FS/T forum for $100 even. I mean, I think that's a pretty good deal, right? I'm thinking I'll probably have to up the PSU like mancunian mentioned. I've heard the 6600 and up are a little power hungry. Thanks for all the great info and advice though! Always can count on the AnandTech forums
 
Originally posted by: AvatarD
Well, I ended up getting a BFG 6800GT (factory OC) from the FS/T forum for $100 even. I mean, I think that's a pretty good deal, right? I'm thinking I'll probably have to up the PSU like mancunian mentioned. I've heard the 6600 and up are a little power hungry. Thanks for all the great info and advice though! Always can count on the AnandTech forums
Click to expand...

a very nice card and probably twice as fast as your old one --with DX9!
:thumbsup:

What is your PS? Unless it is really weak, you should be ok . . . might even consider a mild O/c on your CPU . . .

. . . definitely get 512mb more RAM now that you have a pretty nice gaming system. 🙂
 
I have the standard 300W that came with the Antec SX1030 case. I'll see how it goes and trade up if need be. With the RAM and videocard on the way it sounds like I'm in good shape. Maybe I can finally get back to doing a little more gaming now! 🙂 🙂
 
i just retired my 6600gt agp, my brother has it now, and he does WoW "near" max settings with no lag, awsome card,.. might be wise to upgrade to a 6800gt is possible
 
Originally posted by: AvatarD
I have the standard 300W that came with the Antec SX1030 case.
Click to expand...

Ah, that I wasn't aware of. I was assuming you had a generic 300 watter, not an Antec of that generation.

That's different, Apoppin is correct, you should be fine with that PSU.

Enjoy the card! 🙂

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top