Curse

EternalTempest · Jul 13, 2006, 07:16 PM // 19:16

I decide to put money in to a new video card vs new pc for now. Reason being is I'm going to wait till after vista (and the new dx10 cards) coming out. (before new pc)

I have an Athlon 64 - AGP system and want to put the best last higest end agp card to upgrade my aging Geforce FX 5700 Ultra 128mb card.

The goal is to run oblivion better as well as boost GW frame rate (run around 28-30).

My quick research shows the last Nividia card is the 7800 GS AGP and the last Ati card in AGP is the X1600 Pro? Am I missing any cards or latter versions.

Problem I'm viewing reviews where the X850 XT PE Agp out performs the X1600 Pro and a lot of the card reviews intermix agp and pci-e making it bit difficult.

Does anyone have any prefrences as to which one is the best last Agp card to get and why.

(Update)
---------
Doing research .. it's looking like the Nvidia 7800 GS AGP vs the X800 XL (Agp) & the X850 XT PF (AGP).

The fastest card appears to be the X850 XT PF.. but at $400+.. it's out.. so looking at
Nvidia 7800 GS (Agp) vs the Ati X800 XL (Agp).

(Update)
More Research

Ati X8xx Series is Pixel and Vertex Shader 2.0 support only (not 3.0)
Ati X1xxx and higher is Pixel and Vertex Shader 3.0
Nvidia 6xxx and higher is Pixel and Vertex Shader 3.0

Nvidia 6xxx overall > Ati X1xxx
But the X800 w/ P&V 2.0... competes with the Nvidia 7xxx

kvndoom · Jul 13, 2006, 10:02 PM // 22:02

Are you using S754 or S939? Either way, you're MUCH better off keeping your CPU, changing your motherboard and then buying whatever video card you want (AGP price / performance ratio has plummeted to the depths of hell). Good SLI motherboards can be had for under 100$, and that includes 754 and 939. I plunked down 90$ for the Epox ep-8npa sli motherboard, so I still have my Socket 754 CPU, but I'm using a 7900GT (which is cheaper than a 7800GS but 50% faster, I might add).

EternalTempest · Jul 13, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

Still running the older Socket 754. Running on Athlon 64 3400+.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/...Name=GA-K8VNXP

(Edit) I couldn't read @ 1st.. hmm .. that is also a good upgrade idea.

The Epox board (which is nvidia SLI certified to boot + SATA II controller) and add in a 7600 GT 128 Video card.. (with option to throw in another latter) does make a good $270 ish upgrade.. and a huge performance boost to boot.

Thanks for the idea.. not to talk wife in to it

EiS · Jul 14, 2006, 02:09 AM // 02:09

well if you want the Fastest AGP card get your self a eVGA 7800 GS KO Superclock its the fastest AGP card you can get

ramenXnoodles · Jul 14, 2006, 03:55 AM // 03:55

Yeah, you'll want to upgrade to PCI-E if you're changing your card. It's taking over, fast.

sleepy samurai · Jul 14, 2006, 11:16 AM // 11:16

the X850 XT PF (AGP) used goes for less then half if it is an option. And is fast.

EternalTempest · Jul 14, 2006, 08:54 PM // 20:54

I ended up going this route:

EPoX EP-8NPA SLI Socket 754 NVIDIA ($75)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813123257

XFX PV-T73G-UDD3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 ($170 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150140

So for $245 (pre shipping), get a huge performance boost

The X850 XT PF did look impressive (beat both the Geforce 6x series and the latter Ati X1xxx series hands down) but I wanted pixel/vextex 3.0 shadder support. I didn't think about buying used..

The PCI-E 7600 was not that far behind in several areas and when the 7600 drops in price (to around $100) I can add a second one for a nice 20-40% boost using SLI.

Also I can use my SATA II drive with the NCQ support at full speed now. Current board I had to cap my speed down to 1.5 gb and didn't have NCQ support.

Want to thank everyone who provided feedback, very good info.

Vvon · Jul 15, 2006, 06:50 AM // 06:50

Dude i also have a Dell (Dude! I know.

)
Still the same motherboard as the one i ordered a few years back and sitting on a GEForce5200 nVidia. I get 20FPS~ most of the time. I upping to a decent 6200AGP for like $80.
If you are not savvy at all, just buy a new card and dont worry about a new motherboard.
I am savvy though and will buy a new Mobo.

kvndoom · Jul 15, 2006, 08:59 AM // 08:59

You know you'll have to reinstall Windows with a motherboard swap, I assume. Usually you can get away with a reinstall to keep all your settings and programs, but be sure to back up first, and if your XP CD isn't SP2, google how to make a slipstreamed SP2 CD. Some people just back-up and format, whatever floats your boat. And enjoy that motherboard, it really is nice.