I need a new Video Card!

[cuomoj]

Ok, so I'm gonna replace my Saphire-Radeon 9600XT (AGP) cuz I've been running it without a fan for a while and I think it's about shot. I missed the deal on the X850XT, and everyone's had great things to say about EVGA, so I'm looking at the 6800GS 256MB. The only problem is, their "core clocks" are at or below 500 mhz, and my old Radeon has the same. How is this an upgrade? Can anyone suggest a good purchase for less than $250 that would be a substantial upgrade? Thanks.

Jason

 

[JPB]

Look here...

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=82&card2=368

Fill rate...Memory bandwidth...12 pipes on the GS....XT has 4....BIG difference

9600 XT......4 pipelines X 500 core = 2000 fillrate
128 MB 600 mhz ddr....
9.6 GB memory bandwidth

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

 

[Rockhound1]

This is a question that many folks with AGP slots are asking. In my opinion, the choices right now are fairly limited. If I were in your shoes, I might buy a 6600GT (if you really think your 9600XT is about to die) and wait for better choices for the AGP. The 6800GS for AGP is crippled and not worth the $200+ (in my opinion). You can probably find a 6600GT between $100 and $120 and the performance increase will be substantial over you 9600XT. Alternately, the 6600GT will buy you time so that you can save up for a new motherboard and PCI-express graphics card.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: x80064
Look here...

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=82&card2=368

Fill rate...Memory bandwidth...12 pipes on the GS....XT has 4....BIG difference

9600 XT......4 pipelines X 500 core = 2000 fillrate
128 MB 600 mhz ddr....
9.6 GB memory bandwidth

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

this really cant be an accurate way of calculating performance, is it? a 6600 GT would be 500x8 = 4000, but i know this card is half as fast as the 6800 GS.

 

[BlacKJesuS]

Originally posted by: SonicIce

Originally posted by: x80064
Look here...

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=82&card2=368

Fill rate...Memory bandwidth...12 pipes on the GS....XT has 4....BIG difference

9600 XT......4 pipelines X 500 core = 2000 fillrate
128 MB 600 mhz ddr....
9.6 GB memory bandwidth

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

this really cant be an accurate way of calculating performance, is it? a 6600 GT would be 500x8 = 4000, but i know this card is half as fast as the 6800 GS.

doesnt have the memory bandwidth

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: BlacKJesuS

Originally posted by: SonicIce

Originally posted by: x80064
Look here...

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=82&card2=368

Fill rate...Memory bandwidth...12 pipes on the GS....XT has 4....BIG difference

9600 XT......4 pipelines X 500 core = 2000 fillrate
128 MB 600 mhz ddr....
9.6 GB memory bandwidth

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

this really cant be an accurate way of calculating performance, is it? a 6600 GT would be 500x8 = 4000, but i know this card is half as fast as the 6800 GS.

doesnt have the memory bandwidth

What he said ^

 

[Farfle]

Well, since that $200 X850 deal has gone away, I recommend just sitting still (I know, it's hard; I couldn't do it when the X850 deal came alive again a couple weeks ago) and wait until mid February. By then, the 7800GS AGP card should be out, the price will have relatively stabilzed, and you never know it might drive the 6800GS's price to around $175. Not to mention, ATI might announce an X1700XT or something similiar to combat nVidia's 7800GS. I know it can be said that you can play the waiting game forever in the computer upgrade world, but in this case, I sincerely recommend just waiting a couple more weeks, and see what unfolds.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: x80064

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

eVGA Geforce 6800GS

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 400 core = 4800 fillrate
256 MB 1100 mhz Gddr3
35.2 GB memory bandwidth

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: x80064

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 350 core = 4200 fillrate
256 MB 1000 mhz Gddr3
32 GB memory bandwidth

eVGA Geforce 6800GS

6800 gs.....12 pipelines X 400 core = 4800 fillrate
256 MB 1100 mhz Gddr3
35.2 GB memory bandwidth

Mine was based from GPU Review

 

[L00PY]

I suggest you either:

1) Replace the fan (or even point a case fan at the card) and wait, or
2) Upgrade entirely to a PCI Express platform.

 

[cuomoj]

Thanks again, everybody. Since I can neither wait for prices to drop (cuz my card is freezing and hanging up after just 10 minutes of Civ IV and CoD2 and so it just plain doesn't work) nor afford a new mobo (I shelled out a little extra for a good one, not knowing AGP was about to RIP), and since I've already got all sorts of case fans (3, and 1 pointed at it), I've decided on your advice to buy the 6800 GS. Just three days to delivery!

In the meantime if anyone needs me, I'll be playing Ages of Mythology. :-(

J.