What is best gaming card for AGP 4x slot?

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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I have an older computer that I let a young nephew have because his family isn't able to purchase him a computer. He wants to play some older games on it. The computer has the below hardware;

Asus A7V266-E http://www.motherboards.org/fi...uals/1/a7v266e-100.pdf
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
1GB PC2100 RAM
64MB GeForce3 AGP card
250GB 7200RPM Maxtor HDD
500W Vantec PSU
Windows XP Professional 32 bit

Most of this is hand me down hardware from older systems I've built.

The AGP slot is 4x only. I was reading on the internet and it appears that, due to voltages, this board can not support a card that is rated for 8X and even video cards labeled as 8x/4x may not work.

I'm actually a little confused.

I called VisionTek and the tech support guy told me to order the 256MB X1050 card which I did, it's on the way from New Egg and was only $35

Is this an ample card for gaming? I don't mind spending $100 on the kid but I don't have any idea what is a good card to buy.

Can you guys post me in the right direction? Thank you.

I now realize Obivion will never run so that is no longer an issue.
 

mizzou

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2008
9,734
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9800pro? That should play oblivion on really low settings. I remember playing it on my 6600gt on pretty decent settings and 6600gt isn't much of a jump from 9800pro
 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I would get this: X1650PRO 512MB

The man on the phone at VisionTek, who also make an X1650 Pro card, told me that my motherboard does not have the required voltage to push that card, or any 8x/4x video card. I need a true 4X card. 3.0v Vs. 1.5v
 

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
oblivion is EXTREMELY CPU hungry (along with supreme commander and flight sim X they are considered the three most CPU hungry games of all time, more CPU intensive than crysis even), and also pretty ram hungry...
No matter how fast a GPU you get him, he will lag a lot in oblivion cause his CPU is simply too slow. I recommend an over clocked core 2 CPU for that game. with 4GB of ram... then at least he could play at low video settings and not lag. (or with a faster GPU not lag either)...
honestly, I would just say to wait on oblivion for a while... next year maybe

although... it might be playable with some lag (if he can stomach it) with a slower CPU and a fast GPU... maybe a jitter here and there wouldn't bother him as much.

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuch...howdoc.aspx?i=2747&p=3

Bottom line is:
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
1GB PC2100 RAM
Is completely unplayable for that game, even with the fastest video card on the market right now.

He needs a whole new rig.
 

imported_D3v

Junior Member
Aug 28, 2008
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oblivion sucked on my 1650 pro 512MB, even with a dual core at 2.5 pushing it at a modest 1366x768 resolution. The 1GB of ram is really going to KILL the oblivion experience as well, as with less than 1.5 or 2GB it generally sucks. You can buy a 360 or PS3 with oblivion for about the same price it would cost you to build him a new system that would play it well; if all 3 options are out of your price range, save your money, and let him have some game time on your computer; share man, share! =P
 

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
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A GPU upgrade isn't going to get that old rig to run ElderScrolls4 (Oblivion) satisfactorily. Even a max-ed out Socket A system would barely cut it. Maybe you can find a Lo-blvion mod with low system requirements, or go with ES3 instead.

Visiontek only covered the compatibility aspect - their card will work in that system, but it's an ultra-budget, ultra-low power card, not a gaming card.
 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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Oblivion was just a dream, obviously not a reality. There are older games he could play, I just want to update his old Geforce 3 card the best I can since obviously it isn't going to play much.

So the best two cards available for 4X AGP are the X1050 and Geforce FX 5500? Nothing better out there?
 

Majic 7

Senior member
Mar 27, 2008
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A couple of years ago I played Fear on a GeForce 5500 PCI card but it was with a Pentium 2.6. Settings were at low and DX8 but it was definitely playable. Not sure how a 5500 would pair up with the 1800, though. Also played Halo with the card.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,300
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I almost hate to suggest it but in your shoes I'd probably buy him an Xbox 360 ($199 these days) and a copy of Oblivion. Let him use the computer for homework and chatting with friends and play games on the console instead.

Trying to run Oblivion on an ancient AMD XP-based system is like entering a Pinto in a Formula 1 race. You may somehow get it working but it ain't gonna be fun.

And, as mentioned above, cancel that X1050. X1050 is barely adequate for 2D graphics let alone 3D games.
 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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Originally posted by: Denithor
I almost hate to suggest it but in your shoes I'd probably buy him an Xbox 360 ($199 these days) and a copy of Oblivion. Let him use the computer for homework and chatting with friends and play games on the console instead.

Trying to run Oblivion on an ancient AMD XP-based system is like entering a Pinto in a Formula 1 race. You may somehow get it working but it ain't gonna be fun.

OK, forget Oblivion. That was just a pie in the sky wish and now I'm sorry I said it all because it's become a central theme for this thread. We will not be playing Oblivion, there are plenty of other older games that are fun he will enjoy.

And, as mentioned above, cancel that X1050. X1050 is barely adequate for 2D graphics let alone 3D games.

What video card should I get then? What's faster than the X1050 that will run in a straight AGP 4X slot with 1.5 volts? A slot that won't even run 4x/8x cards.
 

will889

Golden Member
Sep 15, 2003
1,463
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81
If you can find a 939 mobo/CPU or AM2 and some appropriate memory, then just use the other parts you already have he could be able to use a PCIe video card that would be much more suitable for Obvivion. Maybe you could find a 7600GT-7950GT-X1950 series card in the FSFT forums.
 

Pederv

Golden Member
May 13, 2000
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Get a 4X/8X card with an external power connector on the card (mini 4-pin or 4-pin molex) this will reduce the power draw from the AGP port.

The 3650 should be more than enough for the system. Will it bottleneck the CPU? Sure it will! Most any decent video card available will bottleneck an older system, but in the end you'll know that you did the best you could for the system.

EDIT:
I'm currently running an X800 AIW (4X/8X) in an 8K3A+ which has a 1X/2X/4X AGP slot.
The X800 AIW has a mini 4-pin connector.

mini 4-pin = floppy power connector
 

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
what is your budget? I wouldn't go with an Xbox360 even for 200$... not only are the games more expensive, the hardware is not that great. Actually with 200$ upgrade he COULD play oblivion. And other games too... An upgrade of just a video card is not really gonna give you much of anything, for almost all games. A full upgrade is needed. Which means a new mobo, CPU, ram, and maybe video card (if not using onboard). you can keep the case, power supply, HDD, and optical drive.

2x2GB of DDR2-800 5-5-5-15 G.Skill ram: 50$ with free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122

add in an inexpensive modern CPU and mobo and maybe video card (discreet or hybrid crossfire depending on your budget) and you have something more powerful then an Xbox 360 / PS3 for a similar price. So how much money are we looking at, so I can recommend the rest of the components to get.
Also check out this:
http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...WishListNumber=9297166
 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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I'm just hoping to juice up the system a little bit by adding a better video card. My budget is $50-75 or so.

Honestly, all I really want to know is what the most powerful card is that can be stuck in this computer and run.
 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
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Originally posted by: Pederv
Get a 4X/8X card with an external power connector on the card (mini 4-pin or 4-pin molex) this will reduce the power draw from the AGP port.

The 3650 should be more than enough for the system. Will it bottleneck the CPU? Sure it will! Most any decent video card available will bottleneck an older system, but in the end you'll know that you did the best you could for the system.

EDIT:
I'm currently running an X800 AIW (4X/8X) in an 8K3A+ which has a 1X/2X/4X AGP slot.
The X800 AIW has a mini 4-pin connector.

mini 4-pin = floppy power connector

OK, this is good information. The external power connector will remove the voltage issues with the AGP 4X slot? The 3650 looks like a nice choice if it will run.
 

taltamir

Lifer
Mar 21, 2004
13,576
6
76
ah, if that is the case... i would recomment either doing nothing, or:
CPU: 60$ shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103255
2x2GB of DDR2-800 5-5-5-15 G.Skill ram: 50$ with free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231122
mobo: 50$-10MIR + shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813186151
or with better integrated graphics:
mobo: 75$ with free shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131324

It comes out to a total of 165$ shipped - 10$ MIR, or 185$ total with no mir for option 2. for the whole upgrade. Onboard graphics would be faster than his current geforce 3, CPU and ram will be MUCH better allowing better day to day usage of programs. And when gaming the benefits will also show, a low end video card (under 50$) can be plopped in later for hybrid CF as an upgrade. Or a higher end video card.

I honestly wouldn't keep the current CPU and ram. if this is too much money, don't upgrade. And definitely don't go with a console since you pay more for less.
 

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
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Originally posted by: taltamir
ah, if that is the case... i would recomment either doing nothing, or:

are you reading the same thread?

This is his last post:

Originally posted by: balane
I'm just hoping to juice up the system a little bit by adding a better video card. My budget is $50-75 or so.

Honestly, all I really want to know is what the most powerful card is that can be stuck in this computer and run.


 

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
0
0
I forgot

The 3850 posted above also has a $15 MIR bringing the final price to $104.88

That is the most powerful agp videocard that will work in that motherboard. Onboard circuitry (on the videocard) would ensure the card is used at the proper voltage.

Apart from that there is the powersupply recommendations:

450Watt or greater power supply with 30Amps on 12 volt with 2x4 power connector recommended.

 

balane

Senior member
Dec 15, 2006
666
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Thank you edplayer. You have been very helpful. I sent Sapphire a request and I'll see what they say. I asked about both the 3650 and 3850. It looks like the 3850 is rated for 8X only and the 3650 for 8x/4x. Both have external power connections.

Edit: His PSU is already decent enough for this. It's a hand me down from me and it's a Vantec 500w that works well and powered a system stronger than his in the past.
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Originally posted by: balane
Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
I would get this: X1650PRO 512MB

The man on the phone at VisionTek, who also make an X1650 Pro card, told me that my motherboard does not have the required voltage to push that card, or any 8x/4x video card. I need a true 4X card. 3.0v Vs. 1.5v

Your motherboard has a agp 2.0 pro slot. It's good for any 1.5 volt video card that has the 4x/8x spec. If the card says 4x/8x on the box it will work. That guy is wrong. The only cards that will not work are 8x only cards as they have the 3.0 agp spec and run at .8 volts or 1.5 ,but they will fit so be carefull.

So now that thats out of the way. What is the fastest 4x/8x card?
6800/x800? I forget.

Edit: wow ,a 3650 is 4x/8x ? I didn't know that.
If thats true thats your best choice.