slight dilemna

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SrGuapo

Golden Member
Nov 27, 2004
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I have been researching and saving money for over 5 monbths now to build my own PC. I had decided to go with an A64 3200+, nForce4 ultra board, and a 6800gt. However, I am going to find it impossible to find a nForce4 ultra at MSRP any time soon. Same with the video card.

Therefore, I was wondering if it would be stupid to just get an nForce3 250 board and an AGP 6800gt. It would cost much less than buying the PCI-e setup and be alot easier to come by.

I realize AGP isn't really going away for a year or two, but I am going to need this computer for around 4.5 years (college). Is it a better idea to just get the AGP setup now, or try to wait and fight for the PCI-e? I have had to settle on quite a few things in this PC as I realize how much money I have, and it is annoying that the parts I could afford aren;t even being sold at MSRP or even in enough supply.
 
JBDan

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
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Many differing opinions on this. I went with agp and feel that agp8x will last a while as the bandwidth on the pci-e is not even close to being fully utilized with the exception of High Definition video editing blah blah. I say go with agp if you want it now.
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
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So as of the market on PCI-E SLI set up vs AGP, you are saying that AGP is a better deal. But for how long? 6 months, one year? etc. When will SLI overtake the 6800 GT AGP card?

 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Given how old P3/Tbird + GF3 setups can still handle some new games (albeit at low resolutions and details), I'd just build with the best you can now, especially if you know you can't do any upgrading along the way. Of course, there's always something better if you wait 6 months. Don't try and do extensive future-proofing like this, unless you plan to surf the Internet with an abacus anyway.
 
JBDan

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
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Just like asking "Will the 'next gen' GFX cards outperform SLI? They might! Guess we will have ta wait and see ;) I dunno if AGP is a better "deal" per se, BUT just offering my opinion.
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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PCIe certainly does not have to be done with SLI. SLI (with two 6800GTs or Ultras) has already overtaken AGP in performance (though this really only affects resolutions 1600x1200 and higher), but single PCIe cards are still mostly the same things as AGP counterparts ATM. I'm sure there will still be at least some midrange support for a while for AGP, and that should be good enough for most things for a while (again, refer to those who still happily use old things with HL2 et al.). That all said, I recommended AGP for now unless you can find a reasonable single-PEG (PCI-Express Graphics; this is an official acronym) board (easier to do; the Chaintech is $130) and a good graphics card to go with it (harder; PCIe 6800GTs are often priced in the $500 range).

[[I apologize for my hard-to-read post; it's late]]
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
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So, at this time, for bang vs buck would it be better to go with AGP or SLI with two 6600 GT (cheaper than one 6800GT) and later upgrade to 6800 GT?

 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Though I'm not denying that two 6600GTs PCIe are usually significantly cheaper than a single 6800GT PCIe, I don't think it's worth it because it kind of defeats the purpose of SLI, at least the way I see it. SLI seems mainly useful to buy one graphics card, get good performance out of it, and then buy a second one for much less money later on when another performance boost is necessary. You're not able to really do this with two 6600GTs.
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
277
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Yes, I understand that. I cannot wait on buying a rig right now. So if PCI-e is "too expensive and not enough availability" what is a good alterantive until they are? The AGP 6800 GT is also $500 plus dollars.

Almost answers my question. Seems that either way one will be purchasing the same amount of money.

I will go with the SLI if it is available. If not C'est la vie and hello to AGP.
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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Originally posted by: Mattax
The AGP 6800 GT is also $500 plus dollars.
Click to expand...

BONK. $388. Ultras are usually in that range, though.

It may be advisable to go with a non-SLI PCIe board and just wait for the next generation or two of graphics cards instead of going SLI (assuming you go the PCIe route). It'll be cheaper initially, at least, and for all we know the SLI may not hold up well against the next generation of cards. (Even then, I see very little reason to discard the 6800GT for a long while.)
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
277
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I made a decison and went with the Xfx Graphics XFX nVidia GeForce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3, 256-Bit, PCI-E / PCIe / PCI Express, Dual DVI / TV-OUT PCI Express

In this manner when the board drops in price I can pick up a second board and then have twice the power over the 6800GT AGP.

BTW I am getting the MB: ASUS A8N- SLI
 
JBDan

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
2,333
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Nice- Njoy that rig! If you dont mind what did the card cost ya and was it in stock?
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
277
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Yes, it was in stock and cost $549. I decided after reading the RMA to cancel the order. The RMA will only replace the board. And they only have (had) 2 in stock. If I run into any problems I will play hell waiting to get a replacement.

Any nay sayers over the above...all I have to say is I do not want to wait for a replacement.

 
JBDan

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
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Originally posted by: Mattax
Yes, it was in stock and cost $549. I decided after reading the RMA to cancel the order. The RMA will only replace the board. And they only have (had) 2 in stock. If I run into any problems I will play hell waiting to get a replacement.

Any nay sayers over the above...all I have to say is I do not want to wait for a replacement.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't want to wait either lol
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
277
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I guess I will change and go with the AGP set up with the ASUS A8V deluxe MB. Less expensive and I can them wait out the market for a future MB / VIDEO CARD upgrade and get it for a lot less with many more options.
 
JBDan

JBDan

Platinum Member
Dec 7, 2004
2,333
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Originally posted by: Mattax
I guess I will change and go with the AGP set up with the ASUS A8V deluxe MB. Less expensive and I can them wait out the market for a future MB / VIDEO CARD upgrade and get it for a lot less with many more options.
Click to expand...

You'll like it man thats a fast rig especially that you are updating a 3 yr old rig. Njoy and you will get a good price on that sys.
 
dartworth

dartworth

Lifer
Jul 29, 2001
15,201
10
81
Good choice with the A8V...I'm using that mobo and it is working out great. I didn't realize PCI-E 6800GT is over $150 more than the AGP counterpart..:(
 
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Mattax

Senior member
Dec 16, 2004
277
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I wouldn't want to wait either lol
Click to expand...

Thanks for understanding. I have been cruising this forum for the last month and am ready to get my new rig built.

I have many problems with my current set up and it is over 3 years old. Time to get my new rig. I will start checking prices across the net and see the best I can do vs Support from the seller.

 
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SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
If this is your first right I would NOT put a VIA chipset in it. Get the A8N, it has the nForce3 chipset which will have better drivers among other things.
 
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