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I know what I want, now where do I get it?

S

Steve

Lifer
Title and summary say it all. Are they even released yet? I just read somewhere on here that the 2600XT can be had fanless, which would be perfect for my HTPC. Can't find anything at pricewatch, Froogle, and Newegg.
 
Over the immediate past two years, all of the new GPU production is earmarked for PCIe for anywhere from 3-6 months before consideration to the AGP interface is given (longer for an nVidia new release than for ATI, it seems).
 
The same day I made the OP, I did some more reading and found somewhere that they're due for release in September.
 
Just as well 'cause driver development still needs to catch up to the hardware. If viddy decode is needed and lesser 3D performance can be tolerated in the meantime then grab a 2400 or 2600 Pro.
 
Just get whatever comes out first(HD2600XT or 8600GT agp), if theres on thing I know for a fact that is you will not be doing your self and favors with brand loyalty for this mid range generation at the time. Both have great HD playback support and can run cool enough for fanless variants.
 
Originally posted by: Dainas
Just get whatever comes out first(HD2900XT or 8600GT agp), if theres on thing I know for a fact that is you will not be doing your self and favors with brand loyalty for this mid range generation at the time. Both have great HD playback support and can run cool enough for fanless variants.
Click to expand...

Dainas, I suppose that 2900 was a typo and you meant 2600. But for argument's sake if a 2900 was available it would be a big ol' hot beasty unlikely able to be passively cooled within reasonable expectations and sans UVD which means CPU + shader decode and thus even more heat, noise and power useage (and a higher performance CPU than otherwise required so may not even be an option anyway).

There has been no word on an 8000 series AGP from Nvidia but it is known that their previous HSI is incompatible. If they do offer 'em that would be swell but it ain't gonna be a sudden surprise available any time soon. Even if they were, their VC-1 decode is not on par. So alas, that only leaves the ATI brand for the forseeable future.
 
yeah it was a typo, complete and utter to the point that I'm amazed you bothered to muse upon it.
 
'tis worth mentioning to emphasize the sad fact that there is no better option even possible at this point.
 
Originally posted by: Auric
'tis worth mentioning to emphasize the sad fact that there is no better option even possible at this point.
Click to expand...

Can you elaborate more on what you mean?
 
If better game performance than 2600XT is desired and a 2900 or even any current Nvidia part was available in AGP then decode performance would be worse. So, for HTPC the 2600XT remains the best possible for the forseeable future. Or in other words, we cannot lament some better combination of parts not being slapped together since they just don't exist.
 
Well, if game performance ain't a factor then don't wait or spend more on a 2600XT. As said, 2400 and 2600 Pro are available now. If 2400 I would make sure to get a 128-bit model though rather than 64-bit and in either case dual digital outputs and passive cooling are certainly preferred. Offerings are still limited though so if availability of those characteristics meant having to step up to the 2600 Pro then I prolly would.
 
Auric, I believe your mistaken about the 2400 & 2600pro being available now in AGP (that's what this thread is about, AGP cards).

Also, as I understand it, the drivers for the 2400, 2600pro\XT accelerate Blu-Ray\HD DVD playback in Windows XP OSs. nVidia's drivers for 8500\8600 models only accelerate Blu-ray\HD DVD playback in MS Vista and not in XP. also, the ATI cards accelerate VC-1 playback aswell, where the nVidia chips do not.

Assuming the AGP version display the same benefits as the PCI-E versions...
http://techreport.com/reviews/...400-2600/index.x?pg=13
 
Originally posted by: Doughboy
Auric, I believe your mistaken about the 2400 & 2600pro being available now in AGP (that's what this thread is about, AGP cards).

Also, as I understand it, the drivers for the 2400, 2600pro\XT accelerate Blu-Ray\HD DVD playback in Windows XP OSs. nVidia's drivers for 8500\8600 models only accelerate Blu-ray\HD DVD playback in MS Vista and not in XP. also, the ATI cards accelerate VC-1 playback aswell, where the nVidia chips do not.

Assuming the AGP version display the same benefits as the PCI-E versions...
http://techreport.com/reviews/...400-2600/index.x?pg=13
Click to expand...

No, he is right.

Sapphire 2400 and 2600 AGP series

 
For about a week Circuit City has been selling VisionTek 2400 and 2600 Pro AGP models and likewise in the EU various brands have been available.

Here's an AMD Handout (PDF) listing the pre-announced configurations. Note VisionTek and GeCube offer dual digital outputs in AGP and the former offer a 2600XT 512MB, which is nice.

Alas, Gigabyte (which is known for passive cooling offerings) does not list an AGP model but it's reasonable to assume all kinds of configurations from various AIB's will be available before too long. After all, AGP demand should increase given the decode capabilities.
 
The 2600XT 512MB AGP has been spotted in ze wild for $170... still quite a premium to PCIe counterparts but presumably that shan't be sustained as more competing models roll out.

Alzo, the 2400 Pro is available for $85 shipped versus CC's obscene $130 (before any coupons).
 
Originally posted by: tuteja1986
Ahh they should just release a PCIE to AGP slot converter that lets any PCIE work on AGP mobo ;(
Click to expand...

That would only work with cards that have a bridge chip built in.
 
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