Whats the best AGP card for around $150?

[techwanabe]

Title says it - thanks for the feedback. Not a V/C overclocker btw.

It's for R2 in my siggy. Need to replace my P/S too (Antic LANBOY case with Smartblue but maybe issues with the P/S).

 

[RussianSensation]

9700Pro $75
9800Pro $100
6600GT $135

on EBay you can try to find used X800XL, X800Pro, X850Pro. Other than that you are looking at $200 6800GS AGP.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
9700Pro $75
9800Pro $100
6600GT $135

on EBay you can try to find used X800XL, X800Pro, X850Pro. Other than that you are looking at $200 6800GS AGP.

Hmm... looks like there is a gap between the $135 and $200 cards. But a 9800Pro is a decent card I suppose and a bit faster than the card I am replacing.

 

[Zebo]

May be able to get a 6800GT for that or a bit more in FS forums. I sold mine for $200 shipped a couple months ago prices surley have diminsihed.

 

[mwmorph]

prices realyl hasent fallen in a while. I got lucky and nabbed a 6800gt for $175 shipped but otherwise,the next lowest is $190 I think.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
9700Pro $75
9800Pro $100
6600GT $135

on EBay you can try to find used X800XL, X800Pro, X850Pro. Other than that you are looking at $200 6800GS AGP.

Hmm... looks like there is a gap between the $135 and $200 cards. But a 9800Pro is a decent card I suppose and a bit faster than the card I am replacing.

Here is BFG 6800 non ultra
Unlocking instructions for 6800nu AGP
9800Pro vs. 6800 stock vs. 6800 unlocked

Remember, you'll still have 128mb of ram only and it'll be have slow 700mhz ram. But it should give you some boost over 6600GT which costs $15 less at most resolutions besides 1280x1024 4AA/8AF and beyond. The only issue is that you get a even more performance from 6800GS AGP for $50 more. Since you have a 17 inch monitor, 6800nu should be fine if you dont crank AA left and right. Also 9700Pro is about 15% slower than 9800Pro. So if the XP2500+ system is used for light gaming, you could just get it since it's the cheapest. Perhaps getting another stick of 512mb will help as well. DDR 512MB PC3200 (400MHz) MUSHKIN - $30 after MIR

 

[techwanabe]

Actually I use a 19-inch Dell FP193 when I take that PC to hotels etc. At home I have an old 17-incher. (IIRC) 1280x1024 but don't play much FPS games.

Good call on the memory - I really am starting to notice performance issues if I play music in the back ground of one MMORPG I play.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
9700Pro $75
9800Pro $100
6600GT $135

on EBay you can try to find used X800XL, X800Pro, X850Pro. Other than that you are looking at $200 6800GS AGP.

Hmm... looks like there is a gap between the $135 and $200 cards. But a 9800Pro is a decent card I suppose and a bit faster than the card I am replacing.

Here is BFG 6800 non ultra
Unlocking instructions for 6800nu AGP
9800Pro vs. 6800 stock vs. 6800 unlocked

Remember, you'll still have 128mb of ram only and it'll be have slow 700mhz ram. But it should give you some boost over 6600GT which costs $15 less at most resolutions besides 1280x1024 4AA/8AF and beyond. The only issue is that you get a even more performance from 6800GS AGP for $50 more. Since you have a 17 inch monitor, 6800nu should be fine if you dont crank AA left and right. Also 9700Pro is about 15% slower than 9800Pro. So if the XP2500+ system is used for light gaming, you could just get it since it's the cheapest. Perhaps getting another stick of 512mb will help as well. DDR 512MB PC3200 (400MHz) MUSHKIN - $30 after MIR

I looked casually at the speed comparisons in your link, and actually the Geforce 6600GT looked like a good "middle ground" card, significantly faster than a 9800 Pro, but cheaper than other options. It looks like I can pick one up for around $150 give or take.

For the 6600GT, are there any brands to consider over others? 128 vs 256?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

eVGA 6600GT is pretty cheap at NewEgg. They make nice cards and have good support and warranty. I just got one for my P4 system.

CheifValue and ZZF have it for a few bucks less.

 

[techwanabe]

what about 128 vs 256 mb memory?

more input on brands?

 

[NoStateofMind]

I'm partial to the X1600pro

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
I'm partial to the X1600pro

How much are those?

Since this is an older secondary PC, I think $150 is a reasonble limit for a vidoe card.

 

[BenSkywalker]

what about 128 vs 256 mb memory?

The price for 256MB 6600GTs are too high when looking at AGP parts to be close to worth the money. Given the limitations of the GPU you aren't going to be running settings where 256MB will benefit you too often. This isn't to say that it isn't better to have 256MB, but all things considered I would say to hold off on that.

eVGA and BFG tend to be the brands most people say to go with lately.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

If you can bump your current budget, the 6800GS seems to be a really good choice.

 

[Corporate Thug]

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190325

or a GS if u could find it

 

[NoStateofMind]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: PC Surgeon
I'm partial to the X1600pro

How much are those?

Since this is an older secondary PC, I think $150 is a reasonble limit for a vidoe card.

I got mine for $130 shipped. Just came in and am going to install soon. From what I hear, it performs very well. Just not with AA and AF on.

 

[v8envy]

Hey PC, any chance you could do some benchmarking once you get your X1600Pro? I can't find AGP Pro benchmark/reviews from sites worth a damn for love or money.

Edit: found this. http://www.pcmoddingmy.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.346.1

Looks like I remember. In some games, it gets spanked even by a 6600 DDR, but in pixel-shader heavy titles like FEAR it'll match a 6600GT. Not bad for a card available passively cooled, definitely a viable alternative to the furnace-like 6600GT for DirectX gaming.

 

[NoStateofMind]

I wouldnt mind. Dont have a lot of games but will do what I can to help out the forum Actully makes me really happy to help. The collective working together to spread knowledge. Only thing is I need help installing it lol....please check my thread in this forum.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Not bad for a card available passively cooled, definitely a viable alternative to the furnace-like 6600GT for DirectX gaming.

Passively cooled furnace The x1600Pro overall is an extremely poor alternative to the 6600GT unfortunately, best case scenario it can run even with the nV part, sometimes it isn't remotely close. Hopefully we will see a x1700 part before too long that will give nV some serious competition in the lower mid range market.

 

[NoStateofMind]

Well I installed the X1600Pro in my rig. I am really impressed. I ran DoD:s at 1024x768 2x AA and 16x AF with an average of about 32 to 36 frames a second. With it at the same res and just 2x AA I was getting low 40's to mid 80's. At 12x10 no AA no AF 40 to 60 FPS. Not too bad at all for this kind of card. As cheap as it is.....I think it was well worth it.