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Video card upgrade

40Hands

40Hands

Diamond Member
So my current setup is:

Shuttle AN35 Ultra
AMD Barton 2800+
2x256 megs Corsair XMS PC2700 + 512 meg XMS PC3200
ATI Radeon 9600 XT AGP 128 meg

My problem is that I want a new graphics card, yet I don't want to have to upgrade my mb, and processor. Now I was thinking that I could just go for another AGP card but if I did then when I went to upgrade the rest of my system it would most likely be a PCI-E mb. Understand my issue? What do you think I should do?

 
Originally posted by: BroeBo
So my current setup is:

Shuttle AN35 Ultra
AMD Barton 2800+
2x256 megs Corsair XMS PC2700 + 512 meg XMS PC3200
ATI Radeon 9600 XT AGP 128 meg

My problem is that I want a new graphics card, yet I don't want to have to upgrade my mb, and processor. Now I was thinking that I could just go for another AGP card but if I did then when I went to upgrade the rest of my system it would most likely be a PCI-E mb. Understand my issue? What do you think I should do?
Click to expand...

I have the same quandry. My solution? I am waiting for a kickass game to come out that my current system cant handle. Still waiting. 🙂 My 9800 Pro is still kicking in all games.
 
If you were to get a really fast video card, the CPU would be the bottleneck. Like you said, your next system would be PCI-e. That makes it a very difficult decision. I went with AGP for my newest system just because the video cards were much cheaper at the time.
 
A 6600GT AGP is around $160 at Newegg. Buy it, use it for a year, sell it for $75. Sell your 9600XT now for $60-75. Net cost = $25-30.
 
Someone recommended me this I am considering it as a "in-between" card until I really want to upgrade my system.
(I want to squeeze out as many FPS in CS:S as possible + have a better card for BF2
 
A lot of people have had problems with newegg refurb video cards since they do not test the returns.

It's under warranty, but you have to pay return shipping to send it back when you realize it's defective, and by then all the refurb stock on that card is gone.

A 6600GT is a great card for 1024x768 (even 1280x1024 in some games) and is a good match for your CPU.

If you really think you need a 6800, check Hot Deals forum to see if there are any current under-$200 deals on them.
 
Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
A lot of people have had problems with newegg refurb video cards since they do not test the returns.

It's under warranty, but you have to pay return shipping to send it back when you realize it's defective, and by then all the refurb stock on that card is gone.

A 6600GT is a great card for 1024x768 (even 1280x1024 in some games) and is a good match for your CPU.

If you really think you need a 6800, check Hot Deals forum to see if there are any current under-$200 deals on them.
Click to expand...

Alright. I guess a 6600 will do. I will see what kind of price I can get...
 
Originally posted by: BroeBo
Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
what are you trying to show us with the link?
Click to expand...

Sorry this is the link I ment to post.
Click to expand...
Check Hot Deals too there have been 6800s for $160-170.

If you want to run 1280x1024 then a 6800 like you've linked to is a better choice than the 6600GT. For 1024x768 it might not be worth the extra money.
 
A 6800 (AGP) has become the better bang for the buck than a 6600GT now, since it is more powerful and has come down in price to match with the 6600GT.

So I would either look to upgrade to a 6800 for $160, get a new 9800pro for $115, or a refurb 9800pro for $100 😉
 
6800 can be unlocked and o/c to the performace of a stock 6800gt, well, sort of, but close enough. that is if you are lucky enough to get one that will yield.
 
Back in the good old days, I had my 6800 pretty high, modded and OCed, it almost came to match the 3dmark score of a 6800GT, but the real life performance would never be the same though.
 
I am still back in the dark ages using a GeForce 3 Ti-200 which I'm happy with and don't do very much gaming. I still love QuakeIII and SeriousSam. What would be my upgrade path? I was thinking of a
NV3 Motherboard and maybe a 9800Pro or 6600GT. As far as Image Quality on 2 and 3D today both
Nvidia and ATI are about equal right?
 
Yeah guys this is a good thread... Whats the best bang for the buck at around $160-200 ?
I thot I read somewhere that the 6600gt was better than a 6800 plain ?

But then I was checkin specs and i saw the 6800 has a 256-bit memory interface which plp agreed is better for games... vs. 128-bit in the 6600GTs... and plus it had 12 pipes instead of 8 in 6600gt...

Are these cards with about same performance so we should only look at the price or the 6800 is more woth it?
 
even at stock the 6800 should perform a little better than the 6600gt in most cases, sometimes the 6600gt beats the 6800. but it all depends on what resolution it's being done on. the 6800 is more viable because of the unlocking features it may have.
 
Originally posted by: wafflesandsyrup
even at stock the 6800 should perform a little better than the 6600gt in most cases, sometimes the 6600gt beats the 6800. but it all depends on what resolution it's being done on. the 6800 is more viable because of the unlocking features it may have.
Click to expand...

Sorry but I cant take the word of an Intel user...

ROFL jk.... thnx for the info.... any ideas which 6800 brand is known to be able to unlock those extra features ( pipes) ???

EDIT: oh well that EVGA mentioned above seems to do the job well at $190 and great reviews n plp saying easy to unlock all pipes (16)... now isnt that nice for this price!
 
Had an evga 6800 agp 8x with an NV5 on it. 16x1/6vp @ 400/850. Gave me a 12,100 3dmark 03 score with an oc'ed 3000+ winchester. Plus don't foreget about the STEP UP program from evga. Basically if you keep your invoice from when u buy the card they will give you what you paid for it up to 3 months after towards the purchase of a new card from them! Tried it myself. Worked great!
 
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