Lot's of video-card questions - I'm new

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sainthoodx

Member
Nov 26, 2005
55
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Here are my computer Specs:
P4 - 2.66 ghz
Ram - 1gb
AGP slot - notice AGP
A Monitor - bulky.
Current Vid card - Gf4-Ti4600


So I need multiple (agreeing or not, opinions) recommendations for the best card i can get thats AGP compatible. I am asking about several price ranges too.

First price range: 1$ - 200$ for AGP only card
Second price range: 200$ - 300$ for AGP only card
Final price range: 300$ to any price range for the best. for AGP only card

Also, if possible please be specific as to which brand offers better cards. For example, certain cards (PNY, MSI, and Verto for example) might offer the card with better cooling, or have less of a fan sound, or have faster speeds.

If you recommend getting one card and then "overclocking", please be very specific and detailed. I am fairly new in keeping up with video cards and learning the market.

I'm trying to limit my post, because im mostly interested in opinions about video cards for my system, BUT I'm also wondering how the vid cards that you recommended Compair to PCI-e cards? Like, i can get more advanced cards with a PCI-e slot, but where is the limit, and is the limit very defined? Spec Info list on all available AGP and PCI-E cards is also welcomed if anyone wanted to spend that much time on answering my newb question.

Thanks, Tom
 
Powermoloch

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
10,084
4
76
WELCOME TO THE FORUMS YO

First price range: Nvidia 6800 Non Ultra > Nvidia 6600 GT
ATi X800 GT
Second price range: Nvidia 6800 GT/ Nvidia 6800GS
ATi X800XT / All in wonder ATi X800XT / X800XTPE???

Best brands for NVidia:

EVGA, BFG, MSI, ASUS, XFX, Gigabyte, and Leadtek

Best brands for ATi:

ATi, HiS, SAPPHIRE, CONNECT 3D, PowerColor, and extasy?

But before getting any of these cards above that I'd typed out, you need to have a very very very reliable powersupply to help juice up a video card. These days a 400 W psu pumping out 20 amps on a 12 v rail will suffice. As for PCI-e cards....there are great stuff at the 299.99 range like the 7800GT cards (which were a good buy !). In any case, if you don't want to jump to a newer (somewhat) technology. A 6800GT/GS or AIW or non AIW ATi X800XT , ATi X850XT (if possible) will do great wonders for you.
 
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sainthoodx

Member
Nov 26, 2005
55
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0
I'm pretty sure my power supply won't juice it enough. Is it easy to replace? And wheres a good place to find a decent one? Which should i get? Can it talk? Er... How much are they :p Just trying to find out all about power supplies now :p
 
edplayer

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
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0
Your powersupply should have a sticker on the side. You might have to take off the side panel to see it. Tell us what it says about "12V"
 
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sainthoodx

Member
Nov 26, 2005
55
0
0
Ok I took it off today and found the info. Its lengthy but maybe you can pick out the important info.

Input:
100v - 240v ~4.2a
50/60hz

Output:
+5v 25A max
+3.3v 13A max
+12v 15A max
-12v .2A max
+12vsp 1.2A max LPS output

AUX +5VB 1.8W max
+12v, +12vsp 180W max
+5v, +3.3v Total 146.3W max
DC Output Total 268.9W max


I think 268.9w max means that my power supply is not quite the 400 watts that i need (if i actually need 400). Is there anything else i should pay attention to? Separately: are 400 watt power supplies bigger in size? My case is pretty cramped as it is.
 
edplayer

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
0
0
15A is not that much. It may work but I'd would not be surprised if it didn't. This is speaking for the X850XT. The X800XL uses a little bit less but its probably better to either try it first or just get a new powersupply.

Do you know what kind of motherboard you have? Or if it uses the 20 pin connector of the 20+4 pin connector?
 
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sainthoodx

Member
Nov 26, 2005
55
0
0
I'm bumping the part about the size of the power supplies. Do they vary in size, or can i get a good small one? Please help me make sense of the numbers i wrote down on the side of my power supply :p
 
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aatf510

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2004
1,811
0
0
You should be okay, I had run a 6800GT and a P4 2.8GHz system with a 330w PSU (11A on +12v) before, and it worked fine.
Bottom line is that you don't have to replace the PSU unless you run into problems after you install the new video card.
 
edplayer

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
0
0
Originally posted by: sainthoodx
I'm bumping the part about the size of the power supplies. Do they vary in size, or can i get a good small one? Please help me make sense of the numbers i wrote down on the side of my power supply :p
Click to expand...


If you have an ATX case, all the ATX power supplies should fit. I would try it with your current one first though
 
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sainthoodx

Member
Nov 26, 2005
55
0
0
Can i get some ideas for places to purchase a plain vanilla 256 AGP NVidia 6800? I tried to go Newegg, but all i saw listed were 128mb AGP 6800s.. And i'm pretty sure 256 ones exist, but where?
 
Malladine

Malladine

Diamond Member
Mar 31, 2003
4,618
0
71
I think you're out of luck there saint - the 6800 vanilla agp comes in 128 only afaik
 
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Piuc2020

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
1,716
0
0
You could wait for the 6800GS AGP, it will be probably be a tad bit inferior to the PCI-E 6800GS in terms of overclocking and price but it will still be a hell decent card for the price.
 
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CKXP

Senior member
Nov 20, 2005
926
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Sentry2

Senior member
Mar 21, 2005
820
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I'm not sure but I've only seen a 256MB 6800 in pci-e. Maybe look for a good deal on a 6800GT.
 
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