New vid card for an older system

[neit]

My little brother complained about WoW performance on his computer, and commented on how smooth it was on mine (slightly better, not a whole lot), and I figured I could get him one as a present.

I had him send me his DxDiag file, and I saw his specs were as following:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) , MMX, 3DNow, ~1.3GHz (I think this is a 1600+)
Memory: 512MB RAM
Chip type: RADEON 9200 SE AGP (0x5964)

I really am not sure what sort of video card will over power those specs, but I was thinking a 9600 line card. I am open to either ati or nvidia based cards, but would prefer to stay at the higher quality cards (ie, the XT line of ati chips, not sure what it is on nvidia's side).

Budget isn't that big of an issue, mainly because i don't see a new card from that generation being more than $100.

Thanks for you input, and it is for world of warcraft primarily.

 

[forumposter32]

Compuvest has an XP 2800+ for $90 US.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?Search=AXDA2800DKV4C&Title=T&iid=122278
And a 9600 Pro for $88 US.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?Search=100562&Title=T&iid=134799

I don't like these cheap choices but, if that's all he can afford then...

BTW, don't underestimate the value of a good CPU as you can see in these benchmarks:
http://hardware.gamespot.com/Story-ST-x-1304-x-x-x&body_pagenum=5

If you click to the previous page, you'll see interesting benchmarks for video cards as well (specifically for that game, enjoy).

If you want the XT, here it is, but it's only 128 MB:
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?Search=100573&Title=T&iid=102449

more stuff here:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2381&p=5
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2381&p=4

http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphic/20041004/vga_charts-05.html

 

[Eureka]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102335

Best budget GPU...

Norm

 

[VIAN]

WTF are you doing tell him to get a 256MB 9600Pro. I'd get the XT he links with only 128MB. 256MB is useless on this card.

EDIT: Alright, WTF is up with these 256MB recommendations.

 

[Eureka]

The 9600XT 256mb is $10 cheaper, although it is OEM.

EDIT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102326, 128mb only, save $10 bucks.

Norm

 

[VIAN]

Yes but you forget that the 256MB versions of 128MB cards usually have slower RAM, a key to fast graphics cards.

Oh and I'd get the GPU first, see how you gaming is and then decide if you still need something, then get a CPU. If It's still not up to snuff, RAM.

 

[Eureka]

I'm not sure what you're talking about. They're both DDR Ram, both 128-bit, and both mem-clocked at 600mhz.

Norm

 

[VIAN]

I couldn't see the clock speeds, so I didn't know, but as long as they are both clocked at the same speed, I don't see a problem with getting more VRAM, as long as it's the same price or cheaper. There is no sense in paying more for it.

 

[Mloot]

How about saving a few bucks with this 9600xt?

 

[Eureka]

Its Rosewill. 'Nuff said.

Norm

 

[neit]

Hey, thanks for the replies and suggestions to everyone so far. My main question was if that generation of ati card was about right for his current rig. If he gets into a new game, then I'll consider getting him a new cpu, but for now he wants to have a less graphically lagged experience.

I'll have to look at his mobo (i think it is nforce2 based), but I'm not exactly sure the range of cpus it can handle. I hope that the video card will lessen the lag he feels, which is the main goal. I figured it was his video card since it is a lower performing card (se).

And it is a present for him =) I just started a new job and he got me a small present that made me happy, so I am wanting to get him something decent.

 

[ElFenix]

used 9800 pro from fs/ft for the win.

nf2 mobo can handle at least 333mhz fsb cpus, and many of them can handle 400mhz fsb cpus. that 2800+ wouldn't be a bad choice.

i worry that it isn't an nf2 though. could be a via kt266a, which was common back when the 1600+ was around. i don't think that would handle a 2800+.

 

[forumposter32]

Originally posted by: shahbazq
I'll have to look at his mobo (i think it is nforce2 based), but I'm not exactly sure the range of cpus it can handle.

It's hard to tell because the socket A platform lasted something 5 years and evolved during that time. But, right now prices for socket 754 are so low, you can get an socket 754 2800+ that can easilly beat a socket A XP 3200+ for less (because of supply and demand, they don't make socket A CPUs anymore).

So, if it's a budget motherboard, I might go with Abit KV8 Pro (oops, did a quick search, didn't find it on newegg, don't know what that means). Anyway, it should be less than $180 US if you find good prices. The odd thing though is if you change the motherboard it might be better to get PCI-E. Ah, whatever, guess you'll have to show him the benchmarks for him to understand the impact of faster CPUs.

 

[Kogan]

Get the fastest video card you can possibly afford. I've seen 6600gt's sell for $100 used.
9800pro/xt and 9700pro/xt will also be a good choices.

I'm currently using a geforce4 on a WoW system and it plays great at 1280x1024. You could always pick up one of these for around $45, then pick up another 512mb of ram for around $40. WoW easily uses up a good 768mb of ram, and if you notice a lot of hard drive caching while you're just walking around, more ram will help.

Here's some old benchmarks of some cards back when the 9800 was the best: (all of these can be had for under $100, and you can see how fast they are compared to the 9200)
http://graphics.tomshardware.com/graphi...-charts-03.html#unreal_tournament_2003