Should I get a AGP card or change my motherboard/cpu & get PCI-E?

[hurubi]

Is it too late? I want a video card (looking at 6600GT) but my motherboard is AGP. Should I wait and get a new motherboard/proc and then get a video card? Or should I just get one now and be done with it?

 

[Dahak]

Im in the same sort of situation too, but cant really afford a full upgrade, but if the rest of the system is doing evertthing that you need it to do and if the only thing that is holding you back is the video card, i would go with just the video card

 

[Texun]

Tough call. I was in a similar situation but with an XP2800 and a 9800 Non-Pro card. I went the A64 route but kept the same card since I wanted power for something other than games. It added legs to my aging 9800NP by easily doubling my FPS in CS:S. I'm not worried about PCI-Express at the moment since there are still many AGP cards out there that are better than my non-pro, and 3-6 months from now I can replace the card with something better and still get good performance. By the time I need to replace the card again I will most likely be due for a full upgrade.

 

[Spikesoldier]

i would get a 6600 regular, they overclock great and are just a downclocked 6600GT.

i think that a 6600GT is just a tad overkill for your system. also get another 512mb of ram.

i wholeheartedly suggest a 6600 regular though.

 

[JE78]

I'm in the same situation. I want to upgrade my mobo and processor to a AMD setup but I just bought a 9800 pro right before Christmas so getting another video card is out of the question. Currently looking at this mobo http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-130-468&depa=0
and a AMD 3200+ Winnie

 

[crimson117]

What do you want to use the new card for? Currently your processor would also be something of a bottleneck for newer games, too.

Just make sure that you don't waste money on a graphics card that will have to go when you do want to get a new PCI Express motherboard.

 

[dunkster]

I'd consider this:
- Upgrade your memory to at least PC3200 (fsb of 200MHz or better).
- Upgrade your AGP card to a 9800 Pro.

Simple upgrades that should produce real perceptible performance increase without breaking the bank.

Hope this helps!

 

[apoppin]

Don't bother with PCIe unless you want a full upgrade.

Your CPU isn't a bottleneck unless your looking at the 6800-ULTRA . . . XP 3000+ is by NO means slow . . . . you might consider upgrading to 1GB RAM . . . many newer games really benefit (especially in load/reloading of levels)

The 6600GT is considered best-bang-for-buck in its price range . . . even a 9800p will give you a significant upgrade over your fx5200

 

[doublejbass]

Don't forget about PSU! I had a SmartBlue 350, but there's no way that was going to support a 939 with with the "no power adapter" ATI X800XL. However, I got enough good deals to get past it.