What should I do?

[imported_DaveA]

Ok I currently have the following setup:

AMD Athlon XP 2700+
Asus A7N8X Deluxe 2.00
Crucial Value Ram PC2700 1 Gigabyte
OCZ PowerStream 520Watt
TNT2 32MB
Western Digital Caviar® 120GB 8MB Cache 7200 RPM
Western Digital Caviar® 060GB 2MB Cache 7200 RPM
Athenatech A602 Case
Linksys WMP54GS with SpeedBooster Wireless Card


I have not been able to play a computer game for 5 months (had to sell 9800 pro to pay bils) and now i wish to correct that situation...However i dont have enough money for a complete overhaul (amd 64 + new video card).

I like to play games at 1600x1200 with 4xaa and atleast 8xaf. what would be my best bet for a video card? I would like the card to last quite a while and perform at the settings i just listed. I was thinking maybe a x850xt agp. thoughts opinions?

oh and to keep things simple i only want an ati card

 

[BobDaMenkey]

Originally posted by: DaveA
oh and to keep things simple i only want an ati card

Then why did you even bother making your thread?

 

[imported_DaveA]

because i dont know what ati card to get. x800 xt, x850xt or x800 xl. im weary of the xl because im not sure if it can do 1600x1200 at 4xaa 16xaf

 

[imported_DaveA]

ok fine lets widen the search a little, what if i was open to nvidia cards?

 

[Amplifier]

Then people would recommend the 6800gt in AGP (~$250). Since you've established a budget of $550 with your x850xt pick, you might want to consider upgrading to a better cpu/mobo.

 

[Pete]

I think you should lower your sights to 1280x1024 4x/16x with newer games and get a ~$300 6800GT. It's just a better price/performance card than anything at $500, especially so close to the next gen being announced from at least one IHV (supposedly ATI in May/June, with nV to follow closely). It should also be good for 1600x1200 4x/16x with basically everything but the latest games. You could use the extra money toward maybe a very overclockable socket 754 + Sempron + PC3200 setup (and sell your current CPU, MB, & RAM to help pay for it), or just hold tight 'til you can make the move to a s754 A64. You could go for an AGP s939 MB and CPU, I guess, but I'm not sure you'd want to pair such a future-proof CPU platform with an older GPU platform.

 

[flipkc]

Originally posted by: Pete
I think you should lower your sights to 1280x1024 4x/16x with newer games and get a ~$300 6800GT. It's just a better price/performance card than anything at $500, especially so close to the next gen being announced from at least one IHV (supposedly ATI in May/June, with nV to follow closely). It should also be good for 1600x1200 4x/16x with basically everything but the latest games. You could use the extra money toward maybe a very overclockable socket 754 + Sempron + PC3200 setup (and sell your current CPU, MB, & RAM to help pay for it), or just hold tight 'til you can make the move to a s754 A64. You could go for an AGP s939 MB and CPU, I guess, but I'm not sure you'd want to pair such a future-proof CPU platform with an older GPU platform.

That overclockable Sempron 2600+ skt 754 is amazing! But then again...if you do the same extensive overclocking with a skt 939 3000+...you could get some impressive scores (I say that because that's what I'm getting).

 

[imported_DaveA]

right now im browsing the fs/ft forums for a temporary card. something that can last me a while. while i wait for r520 and g70 to pan out. something along the lines of a 9700 pro should fit the bill.

 

[imported_DaveA]

do you think its best to grab a 9700 pro for around 85 bucks now and wait 4 months for the new cards and enough money for a amd 64 upgrade?

 

[Appledrop]

definately. This late in the game, i dont even feel it worth upgrading to the total top of the line GPU; r520 is supposed to be just around the corner, with much more future proofed features.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: DaveA
do you think its best to grab a 9700 pro for around 85 bucks now and wait 4 months for the new cards and enough money for a amd 64 upgrade?

better in the long run for you, yes

 

[imported_DaveA]

i grabbed a refurbished sapphire 9800 pro 256bit 128MB for $111 shipped from newegg. i punched the part number into google (102-A18812-10-AT) and it turns out that this card is capable of flashing to the 9800 XT. it looks like it has the r360 core! sweet deal imo.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: DaveA
i grabbed a refurbished sapphire 9800 pro 256bit 128MB for $111 shipped from newegg. i punched the part number into google (102-A18812-10-AT) and it turns out that this card is capable of flashing to the 9800 XT. it looks like it has the r360 core! sweet deal imo.

enjoy it

 

[Pete]

Moving from a TNT2 to a 9800P? That must set a new record for upgrade performance improvement. A 9800P is a good match for your CPU, and should definitely tide you over while you wait for R520 and G70.