Need some input on a new AGP card here folks, if you can spare a moment :)

[dug777]

Sold my 6600GT for a ball bouncingly exciting $150 AUD, so i've got that to put forward on a new AGP card. Don't waste everyone's time telling me to wait, or magically rob a bank to fund a PCI-E system, this S3 ViRGE is killing me

The contendeeeeeeeeeeers:

In the extremely affordable corner: 7600GS AGP @$180AUD

In the somewhat less affordable corner: 6800GS 256mb/bit AGP @230AUD

In the dramatically inflated corner: 7600GT AGP @$305AUD

In the 'it isn't even an option' corner: 7800GS @400AUD

While i personally would love an ATI card again, the X1600XT/Pros suck donkey balls quite frankly (x1600pro is ~170AUD), and i'm not prepared to step back feature wise to the last gen, especially since it's about $340AUD for an X800XT...so it will be Nvidia this round i'm afraid.

This review has me leaning towards the 7600GS atm:

http://www.techspot.com/review/16-gigabyte-geforce-7600gs-7600gt/page3.html

Suggestions? Comments? Flames?

Cheers,

Dug.

 

[Stumps]

damn...you must be broke if you're considering a 7600GS.....at least try to go for a 6800GS, it's comparable to a 6800GT in most cases

I can run games like FEAR, Quake 4 and Prey no worries with my 6800GT...and mines a 128mb model(only has 700mhz memory) so most 6800GS's should be faster.

any thing faster would probably be a waste of money considering you are still using a AXP

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It is a tough call. If Global UPS doesn't kill the value, I can hunt down a good deal on an AGP card here and ship it to you brudda.

Now, on your choices, I'd probably go 6800GS. Most reviews don't seem to have the 7600GS as much of an upgrade over your overclocked 6600GT, and if the nv40 unlocks you get a full GT that will probably hit ultra speeds or better. You just get the borked pvp as the downer.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
It is a tough call. If Global UPS doesn't kill the value, I can hunt down a good deal on an AGP card here and ship it to you brudda.

Now, on your choices, I'd probably go 6800GS. Most reviews don't seem to have the 7600GS as much of an upgrade over your overclocked 6600GT, and if the nv40 unlocks you get a full GT that will probably hit ultra speeds or better. You just get the borked pvp as the downer.

All AGP 6800GS are NV42 these days, with the bridge chip. So there's nothing to unlock

EDIT: will think about that offer thanks mate

 

[DAPUNISHER]

nv42 now, No shat? Does it hold the overclocking back? because the pcie version I had was significantly faster than my BFG 6800GT OC AGP when both were max stable OC'd. Fully working PVP isn't a huge deal, but every little thing ya know.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: DAPUNISHER
nv42 now, No shat? Does it hold the overclocking back? because the pcie version I had was significantly faster than my BFG 6800GT OC AGP when both were max stable OC'd. Fully working PVP isn't a huge deal, but every little thing ya know.

Supposed to get very good core speeds out of them, and the ram is faster than the old GTs...

 

[EPZ Soldier]

that is a soooooooo true! I get sweet overclocks with my nv40 6800 GS...This card keeps up with the PCIe big boys and being a huge BF2 player I have no problems at all staying with my AGP

 

[Auric]

The mighty ViRGE broke you in a hurry didn't it?

Dunno aboot the 6800GS specifically but in general the 6800's are big hot nasty fuggers which are significantly slower than the current mid-range, take more of a performance hit from quality than the otherwise comparative ATI and have a defective PVP (unless perhchance the AGP core has been updated?). So, I would lean more towards either importing a reasonably priced X800 else go for the 7600GT. The 7800GS is clearly a joke without a major price reduction and the 7600GS is limp. In case you missed it, X1650XT is a forthcoming option.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

7600gt

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Auric
The mighty ViRGE broke you in a hurry didn't it?

Dunno aboot the 6800GS specifically but in general the 6800's are big hot nasty fuggers which are significantly slower than the current mid-range, take more of a performance hit from quality than the otherwise comparative ATI and have a defective PVP (unless perhchance the AGP core has been updated?). So, I would lean more towards either importing a reasonably priced X800 else go for the 7600GT. The 7800GS is clearly a joke without a major price reduction and the 7600GS is limp. In case you missed it, X1650XT is a forthcoming option.

Problem is everyone knows X800s pwn, so 2nd hand and new prices are murder. I looked again, and a new x850XT is ~320 AUD, which isn;t nad compared to the 7600GT i guess at 300...

I've no idea how i would import a card Any idea when the x1650XT AGP is coming ot town?

6800GS AGP is based on teh PCI-E 6800GS core (NV42 iirc), so no unlocking but apparently good ocing...

@ you and otis, you really think it will be worth the extra dosh? It's a lot more

 

[dug777]

Anyron ewse?

 

[Stumps]

maybe hunt around on Ebay and try to find a 6800NU....one of the older ones, they generally tend to have better luck unlocking....maybe try to find an Asus V9999 they are a 6800NU on a 6800GT PCB and come equipped with 256mb running at 500mhz(1000mhz) and I haven't seen one yet that couldn't be unlocked and overclocked to Ultra specs...you should be able to find a good one on Ebay for around the $200-250 mark

you will need to replace the standard HSF unit...the Asus one's are puny and noisier than an F/A-18 on full afterburn.

 

[Keysplayr]

Dug, I take it your struggling in a few games with your 6600GT? AGP cards are insanely priced, but still cheaper than a whole system platform change. So it's a tough call. Upgrade platform and spends lots, or get raped buying an AGP card that you know really isn't worth the prices currently set for them.

I don't see your rig specs anywhere. Whatcha got? Besides your 6600GT that is?
Don't be hasty and buy tonight. Lets find the best cost/solution for ya. Give it a little time.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Dug, I take it your struggling in a few games with your 6600GT? AGP cards are insanely priced, but still cheaper than a whole system platform change. So it's a tough call. Upgrade platform and spends lots, or get raped buying an AGP card that you know really isn't worth the prices currently set for them.

I don't see your rig specs anywhere. Whatcha got? Besides your 6600GT that is?
Don't be hasty and buy tonight. Lets find the best cost/solution for ya. Give it a little time.

He's on an Athlon XP at ~2.2GHz (I forget the exact frequency), 1GB RAM?, etc. He actually sold the 6600GT already and is currently on an S3 Virge PCI

(Really, I'm not a stalker, I just talk to him daily over IM )

 

[Powermoloch]

I would go with the 6800GS ... 7600GT is not really better from it.

7600GS is alright (if you're planning to OC madly)

good luck :thumbsup:

 

[dug777]

Think i'll put the order in for a 6800GS tmrw folks

Seems like a happy middle ground, and hopefully with a bit of OCing i'll be comfortably in 7600GT territory

 

[Auric]

7600GT is certainly o'erpriced even in the USA and I would not recommend it over an X800XT unless the newer features were desired or Nvidia's particular driver issues were less bothersome than ATI's (although 'nutha consideration is that such previous gen cards require an aftermarket HSF to be quiet). If the 6800 can be had for significantly less than the XT I suppose it may be worth it, especially if the core is better now as I could not bring myself to buy one with the defective PVP. But in any case, I would still recommend looking up or enquiring aboot the duty on PC parts to maybe get better deal via eBay or otherwise importing from the USA or elsewhere. The AUSFTA prolly has no effect as the origin is wot matters (China) but if the duty is nil to minimal then given only the same local taxes the difference is just shipping which could still mean a significant savings over your kooky local prices.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Auric
7600GT is certainly o'erpriced even in the USA and I would not recommend it over an X800XT unless the newer features were desired or Nvidia's particular driver issues were less bothersome than ATI's (although 'nutha consideration is that such previous gen cards require an aftermarket HSF to be quiet). If the 6800 can be had for significantly less than the XT I suppose it may be worth it, especially if the core is better now as I could not bring myself to buy one with the defective PVP. But in any case, I would still recommend looking up or enquiring aboot the duty on PC parts to maybe get better deal via eBay or otherwise importing from the USA or elsewhere. The AUSFTA prolly has no effect as the origin is wot matters (China) but if the duty is nil to minimal then given only the same local taxes the difference is just shipping which could still mean a significant savings over your kooky local prices.

I though about that, but i had the money for the 6800GS, no hassle, no warranty issues etc, so i jumped on one

While i would have liked a x850xt, the price difference was horrendous, so we'll see how my 6800GS turns out