Help needed to pick agp video card

[wasamicron]

I have a Compaq Presario SR1012NX which has onboard video. I need a video card that will play Black & White 2. The specs are xp3000+ processor, 512 mb pc2700. This is for my nephew..I'm not a gamer. Would like to stay around $200. if possible. TIA!

 

[CalvinHobbes]

6600GT $119 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130220

Use the remaining cash for another 512MB of RAM.

 

[fishbits]

For right at $200 with a little shopping the 6800 GS is hard to beat on the Nvidia side. Same performance as 6800 GT. It should last a good while as a final upgrade to an AGP machine and handle any current game with good or better results. For a little less, you could go with 6600GT in 128 or 256MB flavors. Anand's review and benches at
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2593

Just bought one off newegg for a few dollars over 200 shipped, and it's factory overclocked a tad. Looks like the X800XL would be the competitor from the ATI camp, though others may disagree. Not sure what prices they're running though. $239 for a preorder is the best I see on the RTPE.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

x800GTO $193

 

[fishbits]

$120 6600GT is a great price, and the RAM upgrade idea isn't a bad one at all (nor is pocketing the savings ). For me I'm happy with the 6800GS decision, but both have their merits. Keep in mind it seems the supply of AGP cards could well dry up in coming months driving up prices, but that remains to be seen. I'd hop on any of these deals and be happy with them.

 

[fishbits]

Bah, the 6800 GS creams the X800GTO in most every benchmark linked above for only $7 more. Impossible to justify at that price in light of those performance numbers. Unless there's some bios flashing / unlocking / overclocking mojo going on I'm not aware of. And I don't do that myself, sure as heck wouldn't do it for someone outside of the immediate family.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

that x800GTO should still unlock chief