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Upgrade concern: AGP or PCI Express

S

SteelCityFan

Senior member


I am currently using a 1.8Ghz P4 running at around 2.0Ghz with 512MB RDRAM on an Abit TH7-II motherboard. I've had this for almost 3 yrs. I have the upgrade itch, but we recently purchased our first home, so extra money is generally spent on improvements, furniture, etc.


Awhile back, I purchased a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB video card when they were about $300. I had a 10% "coupon" and it came with a $20 rebate. Anyway, I figured this would hold me until I was able to upgrade the rest of the system (I was kindof holding out for 1064FSB). With PCI Express Motherboards not having AGP slots (which I assumed would when I purchased the AGP card), it presents a dilema.


The main question is this. Should I go with PCI Express? I'd have to sell the 9800 Pro on Ebay (getting about $170 for them I think), and go with a 256MB X700 for $210. The price would suggest they are slower than the 9800 Pro which I think is still retailing for $240 (256MB for $290).

If I go with an AGP motherboard, can I expect to be able to upgrade to an AGP card in a year or so? Are the next generation of cards going to come out with an AGP and PCI Express version? I don't really want to be stuck at the X800 being the max I can go without buying a new Mobo. Beyond that, I don't care as I would be upgrading again in 2-3 yrs.

The two I am considering are the Asus P5P800 AGP ($95) and the Asus P5GD1 PCI Express ($125).


Thanks
 
wellllll i dont know if those boards you listed are Nforce 4 SLI but if theyre not, i see no point in goign PCI-E. ie, if you upgrade to pcie then id get a 6800GT PCIe and a nforce 4 sli motherboard so you are great for now, and the future 🙂

otherwise, stick with agp
 
Current PCIe boards severly limit you. You only have 2 normal PCI slots, plus 2 PCIe 1x slots you can't use for anything right now.

Not much point for now.
 
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