Need recommendation on an AGP card

[Shadowknight]

Seeing as how much of an absolute mess it is with video cards, since the numbering schemes are inconsistent when it comes to determining what's best, I need a rec for a video card. It needs to be able to play Bioshock, and thus needs Shader 3.0 support. I don't have the money to upgrade my motherboard, cpu, and RAM so I can get a pci-e card, so AGP it has to be. I would prefer Nvidia, since Baldur's Gate 2 doesn't like ATI too much, and it won't let me run it above 800x600.

ETA: I currently have an x800 xt pe, so I'd prefer a card that's at least as powerful, if possible.

 

[whistleclient]

I know you said no ATI, but I think the best bet may be the upcoming AGP version of the ATI 3850. powerful but runs pretty cool, supposedly very quiet.

 

[Denithor]

It's difficult to make a recommendation without knowing what the rest of your system is but here are the real options for AGP. Check out this benchmark to see how the various cards stack up in general (you can change the cards and game selection to match your taste).

On the nVidia side, your choices are really limited to either the 7600GT for around $135 or else the 7900GS for about $155 (after $30MIR).

On the AMD side you can get an x1950pro for $155 (after $25MIR). That's about the only AGP card currently available that is stronger than your x800xt pe. Check your power supply, you need lots of amps to run this card!

If you are willing/able to wait, the Radeon HD 3850 is going to be the strongest AGP card available when it launches (haven't heard any dates yet).

You might also be surprised how cheap it has gotten to upgrade, you can put together a dual-core processor, motherboard, and 2GB DDR2 for about $200 these days. Then add a Radeon HD 3850 PCI-E for $180 and you are set. I don't know your budget so I don't know if this is an option or not, but anyway.

 

[aimforsilence]

get the nvidia geforce 7950 gt, they make that in agp!