X800 Pro -> 6800 GT/GS good idea?

[andrewchua]

Hi guys!!

I'm currently using an overclocked X800 Pro (12-pipes, my card is non-moddable) and so far it's been doing pretty good.
But I was thinking of swapping it out with a 6800GT (or a 6800GS, if there will be an AGP version) to increase my system's life a little bit longer before I make the inevitable pluge to a PCI-E platform. How much of a performance increase can I expect to have if I do so. I'm sure OGL games such as Doom3 and Quake 4 would get a huge benefit, but how about DX9 games? I primarily game at 1024x768 and 2xAA, 8xAF. I'd really appreciate it if you've got any insights to this situation.

Thanks in advance.

 

[fbrdphreak]

If you're going to make an AGP upgrade, don't pay more than $200 for an NVIDIA AGP card. If 6800GS ever gets here it should be very comparable to a GT for a lot less money, but new GT's are too expensive. If you can find a used GT for around $200, that would be a good bet.

Depending how long you want to wait to upgrade, you might try to get an X850XT AGP; arguably the best AGP card available. I think they were on sale for $250 not too long ago and would give you the longest life for your AGP system.

And welcome to AT

 

[andrewchua]

Thanks for the warm welcome - glad I joined too.

Hmm.. the X850XT... Won't the lack of SM3.0 support hurt the card's longevity a bit? That's actually the real reason why I'm thinking of going nvidia right now and since I'm on AGP, the 6800GT is the only viable choice at this point. Now if only ATI and nvidia would produce the X1800 and the 7800 series on AGP, then maybe my problem will be solved. hehe

 

[Malladine]

Because you're on agp, I'd hold out with the x800pro unless you can sell it and get some $ to go towards a $299 x800xt. That's about the only option I would consider.

Other than that save $500 for a 939/PCIe system overhaul

 

[Kogan]

SM3.0 is all hype and shouldn't affect anyone's buying decision. It doesn't make things look any better, it's just supposed to perform better than SM2.0. (which you can see by looking at benchmarks)

Stick with what you have, or look around for an x800xt/x850xt - they're the fastest agp cards available. A 6800gt will actually be a downgrade for you in many directx games, so I wouldn't recommend getting one. And depending on how high you've overclocked, a 6800gt won't be much better in opengl games.

 

[Malladine]

is SM 3.0 the same as pixel shader 3? I've seen the difference between pixel shader 2 and 3 and it is huge,

 

[Wentelteefje]

Shader Model 3.0 contains both Pixel and Vertex Shader 3.0...

EDIT: Detailed info here...

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: Wentelteefje
Shader Model 3.0 contains both Pixel and Vertex Shader 3.0, Dynamic Branching and HDR as well...

EDIT: Detailed info here...

In that case Kogan is wrong

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i dont think the 6800GS AGP is goning to be all that good

from what i see, the XFX version is the only version, and all i can do right now is pre-order. that and it seems to be clocked at only 400/1100 (when xfx's pci-e version rockets in at 485mhz/1100mhz) id rather take a 6800GT off ebay for cheap and just knock it up to 400 (which most, but not all, can) 16/6 @ 400 >> 12/5@400

i have a feeling the AGP ver is just based off old NV40's

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: fbrdphreak
If you're going to make an AGP upgrade, don't pay more than $200 for an NVIDIA AGP card. If 6800GS ever gets here it should be very comparable to a GT for a lot less money, but new GT's are too expensive. If you can find a used GT for around $200, that would be a good bet.

Depending how long you want to wait to upgrade, you might try to get an X850XT AGP; arguably the best AGP card available. I think they were on sale for $250 not too long ago and would give you the longest life for your AGP system.

And welcome to AT

I would agree with all of this. If an AGP 6800GS does indeed show up it would be hard not to recommend it. However, with out it here you may be better off getting a used 6800GT or X850XT. Or just stick it out with the card you have until you can upgrade to PCIe. (That's what I am doing)

 

[Dman877]

Overclock that X800Pro, those were ocing beasts iirc. 12 pipes at 550+ mhz should last you until you're ready to move to pci-e imo. At at stock the X800Pro is only slightly behind the 6800GT/GS level anyway so paying 200+ for one of these would be a waste. Going to an X850XT level card might be more noticeable but I still don't think it would be worth it.

 

[nitromullet]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0217999

X850XT for $250 after $50 rebate.

...that being said, I don't think the upgrade would be worth it. Save up for a PCI-E rig, which will allow you to get into a sub $300 7800GT, plus give you a more upgradeable, higher performance platform.

Welcome to AT

 

[Munky]

I'd keep the x800p until you upgrade to PCI-e. Unless you dont plan on upgrading anytime soon. But both the x800p and the 6800 series are the same generation of cards, and the 6800gs would be more of a sidegrade than an upgrade. If you run a game that makes the x800p struggle, chances are the 6800gs/gt will sltruggle also.

 

[andrewchua]

Thanks guys!!

I really appreciate all your suggestions.

Well, I guess the bottom line is to hold on to my X800 Pro while saving up for a PCI-E rig. Seems like there won't be that much noticable performance increase by moving to a 6800GT/GS which would make it just wasting my cash.

Thanks again.

 

[One43637]

i have a Radeon 256mb x800 pro. i've OCed at only 510 core, and don't plan on getting another AGP card. just doesn't seem cost effective to me.

are you using ATITool on your card?

 

[JPB]

I would keep the X800 pro..Ive had mine on the core clocked at 575 stable, and the memory at 574 stable.....Keep the card

 

[Blastman]

In the latest Xbit review the X800XL outran both the 6800GT/6800GS.

The X800 XL is only (at best) about 10 - 15 % faster than a X800pro, so moving to a 6800GT/6800GS won?t get you hardly anything in extra performance.