Curse

eom · Jan 10, 2006, 03:50 AM // 03:50

I need a 128 meg 4x agp vid card for 50 or 60 bucks, so I was thinking of getting the radeon 9550, but if they don't have it, what's my alternative?

thx

theclam · Jan 10, 2006, 04:25 AM // 04:25

I wouldn't recommend getting an equivalent Nvidia card. The Nvidia card you'd get for 50-60 bucks would be something like an FX5200. The FX Nvidia line is underpowered compared to the Radeon 9xxx.

If you're worried about not finding the 9550, then buy from here. Fast shipping, good price.

eom · Jan 10, 2006, 08:03 AM // 08:03

cool, thx --- I was going to go to a tigerdirect retail outlet.

if I've got 1.6 ghz processor and maybe a gig of ram do you think a 256 meg card w/be significantly better than the 128?

I'm pretty sure my board is 4x agp --- could I actually put a 8x card in there?

also, you think the 9250 is about the same, or should I try for the 9550?

oh, and also also --- anybody familiar w/connect 3d, or maybe msi?
am I safe w/those?

thx again

Alias_X · Jan 10, 2006, 07:50 PM // 19:50

the 9250 is for PCI, not AGP. The 9550 is for AGP, so it is faster than the 9250. I have a 4x/8x ATI Radeon 9550 256mb card, got it for $100 and I love it. I have a p4 1.7 ghz, 256mb of ram, and this card. GW runs ok, just long loading tiems because of the ram and processor. I downloaded the BF2 demo yesterday, and even though it has a minimum requirement or 512mb of ram, with my 256mb of ram I played it. It didn't lag much until I put everything on max settings, but even then it only lagged when something happened like reload etc. I love the card, but I hate my ram and processor. Get the 9550!

Josh · Jan 10, 2006, 07:55 PM // 19:55

Funny, I'm running an 9250 AGP X8 128MB right this moment with full detail, perfect..? ;\

eom · Jan 10, 2006, 09:46 PM // 21:46

busted!

heh...hey, alias --- have you checked ram prices?
I actually only have 256 in this comp, right now, but I was going to add the rest when I got the card.
you can probably add another 512 meg for under 50 bucks.
it should help a ton.

anybody know if an 8x card will just run at 4x on a 4x board, or will it not work at all?

also, would the onboard ram (128 v 256) be a really minor issue w/my comp, or is it a big deal (like mainboard ram would be)?

thx

Alias_X · Jan 11, 2006, 01:56 AM // 01:56

To answer one of you questions, the box says 8x/4x, so I am assuming that it will run at both.

Also, I have a really old crappy motherboard, so the ram is slow and old, and for me to buy a 512 stick it costs around $100. Also, I only have 2 ram slots.

eom · Jan 11, 2006, 03:14 AM // 03:14

ooohhhh...ok --- just went through that on another comp.

I see some of those cards at 4x/8x, but a bunch just say 8x, so I was wondering if I could use them.

Josh · Jan 11, 2006, 04:25 PM // 16:25

When you install an ATI Card, just install the Catalyst Control Center, go into smartGART and there's setting to change the AGP, 1 including 4x.

Chaos Eryx · Jan 11, 2006, 05:17 PM // 17:17

If you put an 8x AGP card into a 4x slot it will only run in 4x so you really don't have to be that concerned.

However most people who are experiencing video lag or lag in general look at 2 things. Connection and Video. You could put a 7800GT into that machine and it wouldn't be any different than a FX5200. Some games actually hit heavy on CPU's and RAM. Trying to keep people from buying another VGA every time a new game this the market. GW isn't one of them,yet.However I don't think they realized that's about the last most average users replace.

Pick up an FX5200 for around $50 and then make plans for a complete overhaul.