• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Video card conundrum (need advice)

S

slirp

Member
Okay so here's where I am:

I'm building a new rig for my little brother for Chistmas. ( I say little , he's 25 and weighs 270lbs, but anyway) I've had an MSI K8N neo2 plat sitting under my desk collecting dust for about 9 months now. I love the motherboard as I'm running one myself. When it comes to the graphics cards I'm stuck with this choice:

1) Stay with the motherboard (saves me $100) and try to find something in the X800, 6800 range in AGP (but AGP seems to be costing more).

2) Get a new MB with PCI-e and go that route (sell the MSI). The only reason I'm thinking about this is from my shopping around, it looks like PCI-e cards are cheaper than AGP.

I have sort of a mental block with the PCI-e option because I have trouble shilling out money for a board when PCI-e offers no performace advantage over an 8x AGP slot. I'm looking to future proof the machine for atleast a couple years and in my estimation x800 and 6800 lines should last that long.

Can someone give me a crack on the head the tell me which is my best option?

Thanks for taking the time.
 
From what I'm seeing and hearing, AGP is going to be harder and harder find. As it is, it's getting to be a challenge to find one of the newer MB's that support AGP.

If you're really looking for some future proofing I think PCIex is the best way to go.

I've got two MSI MB's running in the kids Systems (266 & 333), so I agree, they're great MB's. I haven't upgraded the Video Cards in them though, and have no plans on buying new AGP cards for them. When they finally reach a point of uselessness, I'll probably sell them to someone that justs wants to make a small file server or something.

 
Will your brother ever actually upgrade the video, or just buy a whole new system later?

If he won't upgrade, a 6600GT is a nice and reasonably priced card. Sure he might have to game at 1024x768 instead of a higher resolution, but that's perfectly acceptable for the non-snobby.
 
You can get perfectly decent AGP video cards, there are many to choose from.

Get him a 6800GS when agp flavour is released and save that $100.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top