Yesterday's top end computer wants to join the pack

[acemcmac]

Relevant stats:
I have a P4 2.8/800 on an Abit IC7 with 1GB of PC3200 Dual Channel and a Radeon9800AIW

I'm looking at the new batch of AGP video cards and scratching my head about bottlenecks. Would my chipset or proc bottleneck a 6800 or 7800GS?

 

[Wolfshanze]

Would my chipset or proc bottleneck a 6800 or 7800GS?

The short answer...
NO.


The long answer...
You've got a fast-enough system to justify purchasing either an AGP 6800GS or 7800GS.

You'll get the full benefit of the video card, notice a huge jump in performance over your Raedon 9800, and save a bunch of money and headaches but not having to swap out CPU/MB and the other issues with going to PCIe.

Save yourself the money and headaches and just prolong the life of your AGP system and get a newer AGP video card. It'll save you money and keep up with the Jones'.

 

[Conky]

I think either of those two would work out fine for you without bottlenecks.

It's too bad you missed out on the X850XT last month at Microcenter which was $200 after a $50 rebate. The price is now up to $300 after a $50 rebate which places it in the 7800GS price range. But, with the price being equal the 7800GS is the way to go.

 

[RussianSensation]

Abit IC7 is one of the best overclockers of the past. Should do 280FSB. Which means the potential is there for 3.9ghz cpu, if yours can do it . So I definately recommend overclocking the 2.8ghz processor. However, I wouldn't pay $100 over 6800GS for 7800GS. But that's just me. If you plan on keeping it for longer than a year, $100 might be worth it then.

6800GS AGP - $198

 

[nitromullet]

7800GS AGP = $300

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130269

New socket 939/PCI-E mobo + 7800GT + socket 939 Athlon64 3200+ = $515

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...etails.asp?EdpNo=1644233&Sku=E145-7810

This is just one socket 939/PCI-E option. Do your research and decide which is the better value for you.

I know this isn't exactly what you asked, but you really should pay attention to the PCI-E upgrade options available to you as well. Don't assume that simply sticking with AGP will be the best value. Video card makers/retailers know that AGP users are kind of stuck with regards to upgrade options and accordingly are charging a premium for AGP parts that are often inferior to their PCI-E counterparts.

 

[Rolcahl]

I am also on a P4 (533 though), you should be fine with either ATI or NVIDIA?s high end AGP cards. I went from a 9800pro to a 6800gt on this system and was fairly impressed.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Rolcahl
I am also on a P4 (533 though), you should be fine with either ATI or NVIDIA?s high end AGP cards. I went from a 9800pro to a 6800gt on this system and was fairly impressed.

AGP 6800GT's are pretty hard to find now. Only PCI-E versions of this card are somewhat common these days. Furthermore, with the price of a 6800GT around $250 and the price of a 7800GT available about $35 more, it's a bad idea to go with the 6800GT...

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: Rolcahl
I am also on a P4 (533 though), you should be fine with either ATI or NVIDIA?s high end AGP cards. I went from a 9800pro to a 6800gt on this system and was fairly impressed.

AGP 6800GT's are pretty hard to find now. Only PCI-E versions of this card are somewhat common these days. Furthermore, with the price of a 6800GT around $250 and the price of a 7800GT available about $35 more, it's a bad idea to go with the 6800GT...

unless you go used. They're selling for under $250 mostly

 

[acemcmac]

any reccomendations on what to get? I might not be able to buy for another few months, but I'd like to know what to keep my eye on

Value for money is clutch as it'll probably come out of my food budget

 

[Wolfshanze]

You just knew there had to be somebody recomending a PCI-E upgrade for no reason other then to throw money at a situation that doesn't need money thrown at it. He'll be just fine saving money (and probably having to redo Windows) by just going AGP video card... there's NO REASON to spend all that extra money just to change a slot from AGP to PCI-E.

I swear, sometimes I think folks who have PCI-E systems are scared if everyone else doesn't have one too. There is NO REASON to upgrade to PCI-E if you have a relatively modern system, or just have money burning holes in your pocket. It's more money, it's more headaches and just plain not-needed for a guy with a 2.8GHz or better system.

Plus, when he DOES outgrow his current system, he'll have that much newer a system when he upgrades to PCI-E (or a newer platform) when the time comes. You don't upgrade because you can, you upgrade because you need to. Right now, he only needs a video card... not a new MB.

 

[nitromullet]

there's NO REASON to spend all that extra money just to change a slot from AGP to PCI-E.

...except that for $200 more than the 7800GS, you get a better performing video card, a faster processor, and a more upgradeable platform. Notice that the video card I recommended was a 7800GT, not 7800GS. Also, note that I did not recommend the PCI-E option over the AGP upgrade. I beleive what I said was that he should look into all of his options.

I swear, sometimes I think folks who have PCI-E systems are scared if everyone else doesn't have one too.

I sounds more like you are afraid that some people may do their research and come to the conclusion that paying extra money to cling to a fading platform isn't the best solution for them. Why not look into all the options when doing your research, and why would you have a problem with someone offering alternative suggestions?

You don't upgrade because you can, you upgrade because you need to. Right now, he only needs a video card... not a new MB.

Yes and no... An upgrade should be done based on what offers the best value for your needs now with consideration given to the future of hardware. Making purchases in a vaccum isn't wise.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

there's NO REASON to spend all that extra money just to change a slot from AGP to PCI-E.

...except that for $200 more than the 7800GS, you get a better performing video card, a faster processor, and a more upgradeable platform. Notice that the video card I recommended was a 7800GT, not 7800GS. Also, note that I did not recommend the PCI-E option over the AGP upgrade. I beleive what I said was that he should look into all of his options.

I swear, sometimes I think folks who have PCI-E systems are scared if everyone else doesn't have one too.

I sounds more like you are afraid that some people may do their research and come to the conclusion that paying extra money to cling to a fading platform isn't the best solution for them. Why not look into all the options when doing your research, and why would you have a problem with someone offering alternative suggestions?

The original poster has stated that cash is tight and he wants the best bang for his buck.

Personally, I think this 6800GS would make a nice AGP upgrade without breaking the bank considering what is available and bang for the buck.

 

[nitromullet]

So, let's present the OP with a number of options, and let the OP decide. I don't care what he buys as long as he's happy with his purchase. Why is it that when someone shows the possiblility of a pci-e upgrade they are automatically wrong?

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
So, let's present the OP with a number of options, and let the OP decide. I don't care what he buys as long as he's happy with his purchase. Why is it that when someone shows the possiblility of a pci-e upgrade they are automatically wrong?

I would say you are right.

2.8C's are horribly overpriced used, he could easily get $120 for it, which gets him a used ~3200+ 939. His board is worth a lot too, as well as his video card. He should be able to get about $150 between the two at least, which gets him a nice mobo and a down payment on his 7800GT. If he is willing to do that, he gets the ultimate bang for his buck while cashing out on his earlier P4 investment.

Therefore, if you are willing to work the FS/FT boards OP, your best bet is undoubtedly PCIe for the reasons that nitromullet expressed.

 

[v8envy]

Originally posted by: blckgrffn

His board is worth a lot too, as well as his video card. He should be able to get about $150 between the two at least, which gets him a nice mobo and a down payment on his 7800GT. If he is willing to do that, he gets the ultimate bang for his buck while cashing out on his earlier P4 investment.

Seconded (or thirded?). That 9800AIW could easily go for $75-$90 alone, and the CPU+motherboard should net over a hundred as you said. If he's lucky, that's $200 right there.

So the $329 that would otherwise go for a 7800GS Superclock when added to money recovered from old hardware comes out to be almost exactly what an upgrade to a better 7800GT ($280) in PCIe land would be. Plus the new hardware smell, and a faster 64 bit enabled CPU.

Even if you're not selling the 2.8 system used, it could still be passed down to a family member or relative. It has *some* value.

 

[moonboy403]

i remember selling my p4 3.0e @ 3.9 along with my abit ic7

i ended up getting a dfi nf4 ultra along with an a64 3000+ and oced to 2.75

thus smoking my previous system and i didn't even shell out any money
i think i pocketed a few bucks as well