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Video Card Upgrade Time

Fingolfin269

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Okay, I just want my current computer to last as long as it possibly can and this seems to be as good a place as any to upgrade. I could do the processor at some point but would really rather not. Current setup:

Abit NF7-S 1.2
2100+ (OC'd a bit)
1.5gb Ram
Radeon 9500 Pro
Antec 400W PSU

I guess it's video card upgrade time and obviously I'm limited to AGP. Is the 6600GT definately the best bang for the buck for me or would someone suggest otherwise? I don't want to go too crazy on the card because then I'll end up being limited by the processor anyway. I'd say $200 is my max but since I'm only going to use this system for about another year I'd prefer to stay at around $150.

Thanks!
 
6600Gt would be a great upgrade for your system. Here's one of the best one's out for you in AGP form:

Newegg EVGA 6600GT AGP

EVGA has lifetime warranty and is only $144 after rebate! 😉


Oops, just noticed a better choice:

Newegg Leadtek 6800 AGP

The 6800 will be faster than the 6600GT and it's not a whole lot more. Also, leadtek has a very heavy duty cooling solution.
 
Actually to correct daveybrat. 6600 series cards do not have a lifetime warranty. Only cards ending in AX, DX or FX have lifetime. 6600 cards have TX.
 
I don't know if there is a direct correlation but, taking my CPU into account, what kind of difference can I expect between the 6600GT and the 6800? Also, I remember reading something about a 6800NU but have not found any on Newegg or Zipzoomfly. Are all 6800s NUs or is that some older model of the card?

Thanks again for the help.
 
Originally posted by: alimoalem
newegg has 2 6800 cards for $164 and $167
Click to expand...

heck, i'd jump on that deal...possibility of unlocking some pipes on that 😀

though, a 6600gt would suit you fine.
 
Dang people, a slew of information on the whole range of cards will be unleashed within what, like 12 hours?

I'm not saying that the topic creator needs to get a X1000 series card specifically, but it would seem important to mention to him that new possibilities will exist to be considered tomorrow. Performance and availability may be unknowns, but they should be examined when the time rolls around.
 
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I don't know if there is a direct correlation but, taking my CPU into account, what kind of difference can I expect between the 6600GT and the 6800? Also, I remember reading something about a 6800NU but have not found any on Newegg or Zipzoomfly. Are all 6800s NUs or is that some older model of the card?

Thanks again for the help.
Click to expand...

6800 NU is basically the regular version... I think they also call it vanilla in some places. Other models would be LE (cheapo), GT (best value), Ultra (overpriced).

I would expect a 10-20% better performace over the 6600GT, but I'm just talking out of my ass here.

Norm
 
Thanks for all of the info everyone. I thought about waiting on the new ATI line but I have a feeling it will be quite awhile before I actually see them. Even then I don't know if they will release an AGP version.
 
6800 DEfenetly. Could be unlockable and you get more performance overclocking a 6800 1MHZ than when you OC a 6600GT 1MHZ.
 
Actually, I just saw a thread in Hot Deals for refurbished X800 Pro 256mb AGP cards at ATI's site for $179. They do come with a three year warranty. Do any of you have experience with that card?
 
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Actually, I just saw a thread in Hot Deals for refurbished X800 Pro 256mb AGP cards at ATI's site for $179. They do come with a three year warranty. Do any of you have experience with that card?
Click to expand...


why would you buy a refub when for $20 bucks more you can get a x850XT PE!! (this refers to the sapphire gto^2 that just about everybody is talking about)
 
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Actually, I just saw a thread in Hot Deals for refurbished X800 Pro 256mb AGP cards at ATI's site for $179. They do come with a three year warranty. Do any of you have experience with that card?
Click to expand...


The x800pro beats both 6600/6800. But its a refurb so you have to test/return it asap if something is not right.
 
Originally posted by: BespinReactorShaft
Originally posted by: designgirl
(this refers to the sapphire gto^2 that just about everybody is talking about)
Click to expand...

Is this card available in AGP?
Click to expand...


it's pci-e....and got caught up and forgot OP was looking for a AGP card...good as time as any to upgrade motherboard, cpu, and video card.... 🙂
 
Originally posted by: designgirl
Originally posted by: BespinReactorShaft
Originally posted by: designgirl
(this refers to the sapphire gto^2 that just about everybody is talking about)
Click to expand...

Is this card available in AGP?
Click to expand...


it's pci-e....and got caught up and forgot OP was looking for a AGP card...good as time as any to upgrade motherboard, cpu, and video card.... 🙂
Click to expand...

Nah, I don't really want to upgrade everything right now. Believe me, when I saw the potential of the GTO cards I started my hunt for an AGP version and found a dead end.
 
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Actually, I just saw a thread in Hot Deals for refurbished X800 Pro 256mb AGP cards at ATI's site for $179. They do come with a three year warranty. Do any of you have experience with that card?
Click to expand...

That's a good card especially if you can unlock it to an X800XT (full 16-pipes) though probably only a VIVO card can do that . . . still you can overclock it quite well with just 12-pipes.

Still, an X800Pro would definitely beat a 6600GT or even a 6800, especially when overclocked beyond 500 mhz core.

There are also a few refurbished X800Pros on Newegg for $176 . . . the Asus one for $200 is probably the only one you can unlock to an X800XT since it's a VIVO version but it's not guaranteed like the X800GTO2 --> X850XT PE so you may be better off to spend that extra $30 or so on a Zalman VF700 or an Arctic Silencer 4.

Just my two cents . . .
 
I just found a 6800 LE on zipzoomfly for $129.99.

Chaintech 6800 LE

The only difference I could find in the description between the 6800 and the 6800 LE is a 25mhz difference in engine clock. What kind of real world difference would that be between the 6800/6800LE and is the 6800 LE better than a 6600GT?

Hopefully this is the last question. You guys have already armed me with a lot of useful information as it is.
 
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I just found a 6800 LE on zipzoomfly for $129.99.

Chaintech 6800 LE

The only difference I could find in the description between the 6800 and the 6800 LE is a 25mhz difference in engine clock. What kind of real world difference would that be between the 6800/6800LE and is the 6800 LE better than a 6600GT?

Hopefully this is the last question. You guys have already armed me with a lot of useful information as it is.
Click to expand...

Le has 8 pipes while NU(regular) has 12 pipes.
 
Just get the Leadtek 6800 i linked earlier, you'll be very pleased with it. It has 12 pipelines compared to the 6800LE's 8 pipelines.

Also, i personally wouldn't take my chances with a refurb, but that's just me! 😉
 
Originally posted by: 1Dark1Sharigan1
Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
Actually, I just saw a thread in Hot Deals for refurbished X800 Pro 256mb AGP cards at ATI's site for $179. They do come with a three year warranty. Do any of you have experience with that card?
Click to expand...

That's a good card especially if you can unlock it to an X800XT (full 16-pipes) though probably only a VIVO card can do that . . . still you can overclock it quite well with just 12-pipes.

Still, an X800Pro would definitely beat a 6600GT or even a 6800, especially when overclocked beyond 500 mhz core.

There are also a few refurbished X800Pros on Newegg for $176 . . . the Asus one for $200 is probably the only one you can unlock to an X800XT since it's a VIVO version but it's not guaranteed like the X800GTO2 --> X850XT PE so you may be better off to spend that extra $30 or so on a Zalman VF700 or an Arctic Silencer 4.

Just my two cents . . .
Click to expand...

Yeah X800pro is my recommendation too. I saw some thread with that had retail X800pro selling at $210.

 
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