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What Video card upgrade for KT133A mobo?

D

Dethoff

Member
Below is my four year old computer which I recently began using with a high end Samsung 193P monitor via analog output. The picture on the monitor is dissapointing compared to being hooked up via DVI to my newer machine with 9800 Pro.

So, I am looking for an inexpensive video card upgrade, in the $50-100 range. The machine still runs great and is not used for any heavy gaming. My #1 prioritiy is image quality. DVI output is a must. I plan on replacing this machine in the next year and just want to hold me over so I can use this with my new 19inch monitor.

The mobo is listed as AGP 1, 2 or 4. Will any current board that is AGP 4/8 be compatible?

After searching Newegg, I came up with these as possibilities:

Apollo FX5200 128 MB $49
MSI Raedon 9550 128 MB $61
Chaintech Fx5500 256 MB $66
Gigabyte 9600 128 XT 128 MB $85

Any guidance would be appreciated.





MSI K7T Turbo 2 (MS-6330) Mobo
(socket A KT133A chip set)
AMD Athlon XP 1700 T-bred (266 FSB)
512 MB PC133 RAM
Hercules Prophet II MX (Nvidia Geforce II MX) video card 32 MB (no DVI)
Windows XP Pro
Antec true power 350 watt PS
 
AGP 8x gear must, by definition of AGP standard, be backward compatible to 4x mode. YMMV, due to BIOS or power issues that may or may not affect certain cards.

With ATI cards in the range you quoted, you're usually safe from power problems. If 3D speed is not an issue, I'd choose a 9550, maybe even a fanless 9550SE.
 
Thanks Peter,

I do realize that there could be a possible incompatibility with a mobo this old. I think I have narrowed it down to the following choices.

MSI Raadeon 9550 128 MB $61 here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127154

or

Saffire radeon 9600 128 MB $69 here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102305#sctNav

I understand that both the 9550 and 9600 have the same core, but I don't feel like messing around with bios mods or overclocking.


For the extra 8 bucks, I am inclined to go with the 9600.

Any further advice.
 
Yes the 9550 is a downclocked (and die-shrunk) sibling of the 9600. I've been using the Sapphire 9600 on assorted older boards with good results. Power draw is not an issue; what remains is BIOS or other engineering fsckups that keep stuff from working that otherwise would. YMMV.

And yes, with the price delta between the 9550SE and the 9600 being only $20, you might be inclined to go with the much faster and equally fanless 9600 - if any 3D gaming is on the horizon at all. Else go with the 9550SE and use those $20 for some non-computer fun 😉
 
I ended up purchasing the Saphire Radeon 9600 128 from newegg here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102305

After I made the purchase, I came across discussion on the saphire web forum from 2003 when people were compaling that it was problematic with the KT 133a chipset boards as well as some other via chipsets. I was bummed to find this out too late.

But, in fact, the install went without a hitch and I have had no trouble at all. The New Samsung 193P now looks fabulous via the 9600 DVI output.

I have not tried playing any games, so can't comment on its speed or stability in that regard.

Thanks for the help, Peter.
 
The 9600 did cause a couple of teething problems back when it came out, for the simple fact that it was the first card out that did not support 1x/2x AGP anymore. Some BIOSes didn't quite like that, but at least those for well-maintained mainboard products were soon updated.
 
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