One more AGP upgrade... don't know what though

[gorcorps]

Okay, I have a 9800 pro that currently is dying while playing FEAR. I want to do 1 more AGP upgrade this holiday season before i overhaul my whole system to pci and 939 next year. I currently have a A643000+ w/ 1gig ram as well as my 9800 pro. What would be the best card for around $200 budget? I could go $250 if that would really help, but 200 is the sweet spot. Keep in mind I kind of lean towards ATI but wouldn't mind Nvidia if the deal was a lot better.

 

[Zenoth]

I'd say nVidia's GeForce 6600 GT AGP.

Costs between $160 and $190, depending on vendors. Probably less than the mentioned minimum if you're lucky.

Great card, and will play games just fine until your next "true" upgrade.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
I'd say nVidia's GeForce 6600 GT AGP.

Costs between $160 and $190, depending on vendors. Probably less than the mentioned minimum if you're lucky.

Great card, and will play games just fine until your next "true" upgrade.

I don't think the 6600GT is that much of a step up from the 9800 Pro. You might be able to swing a 6800nu or 6800GT in AGP for under $250 (would have to be used though, most likely).

Edit: Since you mentioned that you like ATI, you might check on the prices of AGP X800XL's, those might be under $250 by now too. I wouldn't really suggest paying retail for a 6600GT if you already have a 9800 Pro...

 

[Fenuxx]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001
I don't think the 6600GT is that much of a step up from the 9800 Pro. You might be able to swing a 6800nu or 6800GT in AGP for under $250 (would have to be used though, most likely).

Edit: Since you mentioned that you like ATI, you might check on the prices of AGP X800XL's, those might be under $250 by now too. I wouldn't really suggest paying retail for a 6600GT if you already have a 9800 Pro...

I agree. A 6600GT isn't really enough of an upgrade over a 9800Pro. If you want a worthwhile speed bump, a 6800NU or X800Pro (12-pipe card) is the MINIMUM you should look at, since the 9800Pro and 6600GT are both 8-pipe (and the 6600GT has a half as wide memory pipeline than the 9800Pro). I would recommend (personally) a 6800GT if you can swing it, as that would definitely give you a worthwhile upgrade .

 

[Regs]

^ Agreed. 6800GT should be your target.

 

[n7]

X800XL/6800GT/6800GS (or X800XT/X850XT if you wanna go high end AGP)

 

[dug777]

i went from a 9800 pro to a 6600GT (supplier ran out of 9800 pro stock and replaced my overheating 9800 pro with a 6600GT) and it's an underwhelming leap. Not worth spending any money on at least IMO. Get a 6800GT/x800xl at least.

 

[Eureka]

6600GT is 130... 6800GS AGP should be coming out soon in AGP.

Norm

 

[sodcha0s]

Originally posted by: Regs
^ Agreed. 6800GT should be your target.

My situation was very similar..... 9800 Pro dead and I needed one last AGP card to get me through. I wanted a 6800GT, but at the time you couldn't touch one for less than $275, even on e-bay. I wound up with an x800xt pe (paid $265 on e-bay). Very nice bump from a 9800 Pro, and the price was unbeatable.

Look around and keep your options open, you'll eventually find the right deal.

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Okay, I have a 9800 pro that currently is dying while playing FEAR. I want to do 1 more AGP upgrade this holiday season before i overhaul my whole system to pci and 939 next year. I currently have a A643000+ w/ 1gig ram as well as my 9800 pro. What would be the best card for around $200 budget? I could go $250 if that would really help, but 200 is the sweet spot. Keep in mind I kind of lean towards ATI but wouldn't mind Nvidia if the deal was a lot better.

When you state "dying", do you mean it's physically having issues, or its just slow? Can you reduce some of the graphical settings? It would be a shame to blow $250 when you're switching platforms next year.

That said, I've seen at least one 6800nu for sale in the FS/T forum for $150. I bought mine as a refurb from Newegg last week and it unlocked successfully, and also overclocks to 375/900 on stock cooling (up from 325/700).

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: gorcorps
Okay, I have a 9800 pro that currently is dying while playing FEAR. I want to do 1 more AGP upgrade this holiday season before i overhaul my whole system to pci and 939 next year. I currently have a A643000+ w/ 1gig ram as well as my 9800 pro. What would be the best card for around $200 budget? I could go $250 if that would really help, but 200 is the sweet spot. Keep in mind I kind of lean towards ATI but wouldn't mind Nvidia if the deal was a lot better.

When you state "dying", do you mean it's physically having issues, or its just slow? Can you reduce some of the graphical settings? It would be a shame to blow $250 when you're switching platforms next year.

That said, I've seen at least one 6800nu for sale in the FS/T forum for $150. I bought mine as a refurb from Newegg last week and it unlocked successfully, and also overclocks to 375/900 on stock cooling (up from 325/700).

That "dying" meant a little of both: it's too slow to run FEAR to my wants and it's getting old. I can't overclock it as much as I used to.

Okay, so looking around I might be able to swing the x800XL at the most. The 6800GT seems to be a bit more expensive and I heard isn't that much faster to warrant the difference in price. I don't want to start a war here... thats just what I've heard/read and I don't think I could afford the 6800GT even if it was worth the price.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Zenoth
I'd say nVidia's GeForce 6600 GT AGP.

Definately not worth it. Wait for 6800GS, or pick up a used X800XL, 6800GT or a used x800xt, x850xt, x850xt pe......along those lines.

 

[Nirach]

Asus Radeon X800PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121519
SAPPHIRE Radeon X800GTO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102608R
BFG Tech Geforce 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143027

The nVidia card is the more powerful of the three, but I didn't know where else to look for cards, I don't often shop US sites, so.. That was the best I could do with your estimated budget and my limited knowledge of US sites

My personal recommendation would be the Sapphire X800 with its slightly lower clock/mem speeds but slightly large amount of pipelines, 12, as opposed to the nVidia's 8.

That's just my thoughts

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: Nirach
Asus Radeon X800PRO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121519
SAPPHIRE Radeon X800GTO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102608R
BFG Tech Geforce 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143027

The nVidia card is the more powerful of the three, but I didn't know where else to look for cards, I don't often shop US sites, so.. That was the best I could do with your estimated budget and my limited knowledge of US sites

My personal recommendation would be the Sapphire X800 with its slightly lower clock/mem speeds but slightly large amount of pipelines, 12, as opposed to the nVidia's 8.

That's just my thoughts

You kinda like contradicted yourself there. You said the Nvidia is the most powerful but then you said it has less pipes. If you knew it had less pipes then you would also know that those higher numbers mean next to nothing for power correct?

Either way thanks for looking, as that x800pro is a nice price. The GTO is a decent price but I don't want to go refurb... I've heard too many horror stories about newegg's refurb cards so I'd rather not chance it.

 

[zagood]

I just bought a 6800nu last month, then kicked myself when they announced the 6800GS was going to be released in AGP. I'd wait for the reviews/release date on that before making any decisions. Expect about $250.

p.s. I run FEAR at 1024x768, max hardware, medium graphics (2xAA 2xAF) and get average 67fps on the "test settings" with my 6800nu unlocked at 350/835. You should expect better than that with the 6800GS.

-z

 

[Wreckage]

The 6800GS would be perfect but it may be 3 weeks until we see one.

You could get a 6800nu and unlock/overclock it.

Otherwise a 6800GT or X800GTO

 

[Malladine]

6800 is $170, by far the best AGP card under $200.

So the 6800GS is definately being released in AGP flavour?

 

[GOREGRINDER]

if you can swing this you would be better off and its cheap!

ATI Radeon X800XT All-in-Wonder $289.00

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: Malladine
6800 is $170, by far the best AGP card under $200.

So the 6800GS is definately being released in AGP flavour?

All signs point to yes. But, with NVIDIA's hard launch policy you won't here anything official until it's for sale.

 

[ddogg]

i would suggest the 6800NU...its the best AGP card for under $200 at the moment.