Yeah I know AGP is dying a slow death...

Phantomaniac

Senior member
Jan 12, 2007
268
0
76
I came across a pretty crazy open box deal on an HIS X1950Pro AGP card. Its an overclocked version too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814161068R

My common sense just tells me I should just keep saving up for a new rig. The cheap bastard in me says otherwise. I know I wouldn't see a huge upgrade from my X800XTPE, but I'd really like the dual DVI and SM 3.0 support.

So what do you guys think? Is it worth the upgrade? I can probably sell my X800XTPE to a friend if need be.
 

honestjohn

Member
Nov 29, 2006
107
0
0
Originally posted by: Phantomaniac
I came across a pretty crazy open box deal on an HIS X1950Pro AGP card. Its an overclocked version too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814161068R

My common sense just tells me I should just keep saving up for a new rig. The cheap bastard in me says otherwise. I know I wouldn't see a huge upgrade from my X800XTPE, but I'd really like the dual DVI and SM 3.0 support.

So what do you guys think? Is it worth the upgrade? I can probably sell my X800XTPE to a friend if need be.

I would seriously stay away from this card. It's an older model and has been replaced by a Rev.2 card with lower core clocks and higher memory clocks, and better quality memory. You can tell a V2 card because at the end of it's product code there appears a -V2. See link below for the V2 card .....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814161081R

V1 = 620 core / 1480 memory
V2 = 590 core / 1540 memory

Had 2 bad Rev.1 V1 cards myself and OverclockersUK eventually suggested I get a different brand because almost all of the ones they sold were returned to them. The problem with the Rev.1 V1 cards were the high core overclock the best my cards could manage was 600-610 Ghz. Core max so I had to underclock the cards to get them to work and I wasn't alone.

So, you can take a chance and get the card if you wish and hope you get a good one. I wouldn't since this is an open box to begin with so the odds are definitely against you.

The only good thing about that Rev.1 cards is that they really smoked when Crossfired together. :)

Good luck.

 

onlyCOpunk

Platinum Member
May 25, 2003
2,532
1
0
I guess you'll have to weigh out your options. As in when do you plan on getting a new rig? If the price paid for this card will satisfy your urge. If all else fails you can always get this card and upgrade to an AM2 motherboard that has an AGP slot.
 

Phantomaniac

Senior member
Jan 12, 2007
268
0
76
Originally posted by: honestjohn
I would seriously stay away from this card. It's an older model and has been replaced by a Rev.2 card with lower core clocks and higher memory clocks, and better quality memory. You can tell a V2 card because at the end of it's product code there appears a -V2. See link below for the V2 card .....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814161081R

V1 = 620 core / 1480 memory
V2 = 590 core / 1540 memory

Had 2 bad Rev.1 V1 cards myself and OverclockersUK eventually suggested I get a different brand because almost all of the ones they sold were returned to them. The problem with the Rev.1 V1 cards were the high core overclock the best my cards could manage was 600-610 Ghz. Core max so I had to underclock the cards to get them to work and I wasn't alone.

So, you can take a chance and get the card if you wish and hope you get a good one. I wouldn't since this is an open box to begin with so the odds are definitely against you.

The only good thing about that Rev.1 cards is that they really smoked when Crossfired together. :)

Good luck.
So since the core overclock is what seems to be causing the issue with these cards, couldn't I just use a tool like RaBiT to lower its core clock to stock X1950Pro settings? I'll still be saving around $50-$60 over any other stock X1950Pro.
 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
I'd say save your money. Soon enough your CPU is going to be obsolete soon as well. Unless you have trouble playing the games you want and you're short-sighted enough to spend money for instant gratification, save it up.
 

Bateluer

Lifer
Jun 23, 2001
27,730
8
0
Save your money. You've got a number of components that will need to be replaced before too long, the CPU, the RAM, the mobo, and the video card. Buying any single part with backwards capability would be an ill use of your funds. Better to save for a complete rebuild of the core components.
 
May 30, 2007
1,446
0
0
Like the others said wait a few more months then do a full upgrade, once the new AMD Cpu's arrive the AM2 chips like the infamous 3600 x2 Brisbaine will drop in price again ( prob belw $50 this time : ). And DDRII is at an all time low currently where you can get a 2gb kit of DDRII 800 for like $65 - $80. And in a few months you should be able to get a 512mb X1900XT on the forums here for as low as $125 shipped as they are getting close to that already :)
 

honestjohn

Member
Nov 29, 2006
107
0
0
Originally posted by: Phantomaniac
Originally posted by: honestjohn
I would seriously stay away from this card. It's an older model and has been replaced by a Rev.2 card with lower core clocks and higher memory clocks, and better quality memory. You can tell a V2 card because at the end of it's product code there appears a -V2. See link below for the V2 card .....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814161081R

V1 = 620 core / 1480 memory
V2 = 590 core / 1540 memory

Had 2 bad Rev.1 V1 cards myself and OverclockersUK eventually suggested I get a different brand because almost all of the ones they sold were returned to them. The problem with the Rev.1 V1 cards were the high core overclock the best my cards could manage was 600-610 Ghz. Core max so I had to underclock the cards to get them to work and I wasn't alone.

So, you can take a chance and get the card if you wish and hope you get a good one. I wouldn't since this is an open box to begin with so the odds are definitely against you.

The only good thing about that Rev.1 cards is that they really smoked when Crossfired together. :)

Good luck.
So since the core overclock is what seems to be causing the issue with these cards, couldn't I just use a tool like RaBiT to lower its core clock to stock X1950Pro settings? I'll still be saving around $50-$60 over any other stock X1950Pro.

Yes you could. Easiest way is to underclock the card using ATI Tray Tools as I did to make it work properly. Last bad one I had could do 610Mhz. tops. The one before that was 605 Mhz. I almost kept the last one since it was so close, but I paid fill price and I wanted the card I paid for. You on the other hand are only payng $109. If you decide to get the card, stress it using ATI Tray Tools 3DRenderer which you can get to from the overclocking applet. If the card can run for 2-3 hours, the core is good at that speed. If it isn't, the card will shut itself down and you'll lose signal to the monitor and be forced to do a reboot.

Personally, though I'd throw the money in a cookie jar for your next rig, but I guess it all depends on how long it will be before you build/buy your next system. If it going to be a long time, then I might say aww what the hell. Your call.