Upgrading video card, need advice

[jjl51]

I just got a SyncMaster 930B for Christmas and I'm looking to upgrade my video card because it doesn't have digital output. I've been doing some research, and I'm not looking to spend much, and so far the Radeon 9250 looks like the best deal. Here are my CPU specs :

P4 2 GHz
Asus P4B-533E MB
1 GB PC3200 DDRAM
Radeon 7000
250GB WDHD and an 80GBWDHD

I'm looking to spend no more than probably $150 - $175 CAD. I've found the Radeon 9250 for an economical $49. Any advice would be greatly appreciated cause I know very little about video cards. Thanks guys.

 

[necro007]

Whats the max you can spend.

 

[jjl51]

About $150...but that can change if a few more bucks gets me a much better card.

 

[jjl51]

I've also been looking at the ATI Radeon 9600 Pro Advantage which looks pretty good. Unfortunately my MB only supports 4x AGP and most are 8x now, so I'm not using them to the fullest. But I found this one for around $100 which seems damn good. Any opinions people??

 

[imhungry]

I'd look for a used card.

Tigerdirect had Ti4200's for $30 after rebate, and I got 2, both OC to past Ti4800 specs. sucks for people.

No performance difference between 4x and 8x noticable and backwards compatability.

You can get 9800pros for ~$80 used now, so that 9600pro isn't that good of a deal, IMO. Unless you're somewhere where you can't get things online or you don't want used. I'd probably go with a 6600GT for around $150, or a 6800AGP... I'd go used.

 

[KF]

I doesn't look like you are really a gamer, since I see you have a Radeon 7000 currently. If that is correct, a video card in the sense of a gamer card is not what you are looking for. Any card with a digital connector, like that ATI 9250 you mentioned, will probably serve just as well to connect to your new LCD, and will look just as good. Spending more just gets you a better card for playing 3D games.

 

[DeathSlayer]

i would guess a Geforce FX card will be your best bet.

 

[jjl51]

Well I am a gamer, but not an avid hardcore gamer. I just don't have the money for top of the line computer equipment all the time. But mainly, this is why I want to upgrade my video card. I play stuff like HL2, Counter-Strike, WC3, Madden, NHL, and want a video card that's at a decent price yet still able to run my games efficiently.

 

[DeathSlayer]

the card is PCI form right?

 

[theMan]

get a 6600gt agp, or buy a 6800nu agp off the forums, and you can unlock the pipes on it.

 

[jjl51]

Nope it's AGP.

 

[DeathSlayer]

is the speed 2x/4x?

if so, you are somwhat limited...

 

[jjl51]

Yes it's 4x.
Cannot I not run an 8x AGP ?

 

[jjl51]

After theman recommended the 6600GT I looked around and actually found it on sale at Future Shop for $169.
But like I said a bit earlier, I have a 4X AGP port on my MB. I think my power supply will be able to support it though cause it's an Enermax 430W.
What do you guys think??

 

[LongTimePCUser]

I just bought an agp 6600 GT here Text for $139. And there is a $20 rebate plus free second day delivery.

Very nice. Also it runs civ4 which did not work with my ATI 9600xt.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: jjl51
Well I am a gamer, but not an avid hardcore gamer. I just don't have the money for top of the line computer equipment all the time. But mainly, this is why I want to upgrade my video card. I play stuff like HL2, Counter-Strike, WC3, Madden, NHL, and want a video card that's at a decent price yet still able to run my games efficiently.

9800p for ~$90 . . . 6600GT for ~$150 [available now] . . . x1600xt for ~$180 [agp to be released "shortly"] or if you can spend $200 the 6800GS [agp to be released "shortly"] is a great bang for buck card. . . . ANY of these would be an incredible upgrade over what you currently have . . . even the 9800p.

and 4xAGP is no problem . . . you might also consider o/c'ing that P4

edit: all my prices are U$D . . . go for the 9800p or the 6600GT
:thumbsup:

 

[jjl51]

I'm just wondering though, DeathSlayer mentioned something about my options being limited because my MB AGP slot is only 4x. So I'm just wondering if I will even be able to tell the difference between any of these cards if my comp is limited.
(Sorry, I'm definitely a moron when it comes to video cards).

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: jjl51
I'm just wondering though, DeathSlayer mentioned something about my options being limited because my MB AGP slot is only 4x. So I'm just wondering if I will even be able to tell the difference between any of these cards if my comp is limited.
(Sorry, I'm definitely a moron when it comes to video cards).

see my above edit . . . 4x AGP . . . no problem.
[2x would limit it]

if you can afford a 6600GT, go for it

you might check Hot Deals, also

 

[DrZoidberg]

Enermax is a decent brand, and 430W is good enough for single 6600gt or radeon 9800.

I would get the cheapest out of 9800pro or 6600gt, whatever is cheaper get it. A 9800pro or 6600gt would be noticeably faster than 9200 or Geforce FX. If u cant spend over $100 then get a radeon 9600 pro.

If u want to play HL2 and Counterstrike:Source on the net, well u would like 50+ fps on net as it helps with your frags, slowdown in intense firefights and u'll be spending more time in observer mode

 

[jjl51]

Right on, thanks apoppin.
Well I live in Canada, and I found the 6600GT for $169 CAD (prob about $125 - $130 US) which is a pretty good deal, and free shipping.

 

[jjl51]

Actually DrZoid, I'm still stuck on CS 1.6 haha. I'll get Source eventually, I just don't wanna get hooked on CS again or my marks will go down the shitter.

But I think I'm gonna go with the 6600GT. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[DrZoidberg]

I assumed u were gonna play CS:Source cause u wanted to play HL2 and it comes free with it. Anyway I ran CS1.6 ok on a Geforce 4MX (which was a slow card), a Ti4200 would run it well.

 

[apoppin]

the 6600gt is a very nice choice and worlds better than your current card . . . prepare to be amazed!

You are going from DX 6 or 7 to DX9c . . . you skipped 3 generations of video cards
:Q

 

[jjl51]

I know, I'm excited!!! I just ordered the BFG OC, partly cause they overclock it to begin with, but mostly because it is on sale.

 

[jjl51]

Sorry to continue this, but I just realized that my RAM isn't the best and it's only PC2100, but I do have 1GB of it. Will this significantly hinder the performance of the 6600GT ?