Graphics card upgrade :)

[dubb93]

Currently looking at upgrading my graphics card on my PC. I currently have an Intel 8xx series that no longer runs many current games. I just purchased a gig of RAM that will bring me up to 1.5 gb, but now I'm looking at a graphics card. Currently I'm look at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130220

Any warning about this card? Or suggestions for another card? Thanks.

[Grid Iron]

I bought that card last week the AGP version), so I can give you some info. . .

The Good

Awesome graphics for the price. I was amazed at how out-dated my card was. Runs Oblivion well and I can run Warcraft on basically max'd-out settings on my Pentium 2.8.

From everything I've seen and read, the 6600GT chipset is the best value. There are a few 6600GTs on NewEgg.

The Bad

I returned it because half the time the screen is all garbled when the system boots, then the computer shuts down. The eVGA website says the problem is likely a bad memory chip. I RMA'd it and will get a new one next week. We'll see.

HOWEVER, I think the problem was my fault, as I didn't have the 4-prong power cable inserted all the way. The system started fine, then died all of a sudden. The fan was off and literally scalding to the touch. I plugged the cable in and the fan turned on, so I suspect that was the problem.

I'll know in about a week if it was me or crummy manufacturing.

Be warned: you will need to upgrade your power supply to at least 350-400 watts and get at least 18 amps on +5 volts, whatever that means :confused:, so you can hook up a 4-prong power cable into it. That will cost about $40-50.

Other Info

I don't know how accurate this is, but I read that getting anything better than a 6600GT chipset on an AGP system is a waste. Apparently only PCI-Express systems can fully utilize the abilities of the 6800+ series.

Also, I read that 256MB or more RAM on an AGP card is a waste.

[GoSeahawks]

Hmmm, this is spooky. I came on here to ask a question about this exact video card. I even had the same link open in another window.

[dubb93]

Hmmm, this is spooky. I came on here to ask a question about this exact video card. I even had the same link open in another window.

I read your mind.

BTW, thanks for the info Grid Iron. I think I'll be looking into the updated power supply and then ordering that card. I decided for the upgrade instead of a new comp b/c I have a 2.79 GHz processor and a new sound card in the thing and figured I might as well finish it while I have the money.

[dubb93]

Actually I do have one more question, I was told on the phone by the computer tech support for my computer that I can run either PCI or AGP, should I choose one over the other for any reason?

EDIT: And 256 MB ran with clock speeds of:

Core clock 500MHz
Memory Clock 1000MHz
Memory Size 256MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
PCI

vs.

Core clock 500MHz
Memory Clock 900MHz
Memory Size 128MB
Memory Interface 128-bit
AGP

They are both 6600GT, and it looks like the PCI 128MB memory card has a core clock of 510 MHz. They are all roughly the same price, but I think the 256MB PCI card may actually be the cheapest after the mail in rebate.

[MizzouRah]

AGP is faster than PCI and I would look into a 256 MB card, check out some of the ATI cards as well. 256 MB is almost standard when upgrading your video card.

[Draft Dodger]

dubb, are you sure you aren't mixing PCI with PCI Express? that's the newer card type, better than AGP which, in turn was WAY better than PCI.

it's not very likely you are finding decent PCI graphics cards. They probably are PCI Express. If you do have PCI Express, go that route. If not, AGP all the way

[Draft Dodger]

btw, FWIW I bought a 6800 GS PNY card from nVidia not too long ago for about $180 from Tiger. Very pleased with it.

[dubb93]

dubb, are you sure you aren't mixing PCI with PCI Express? that's the newer card type, better than AGP which, in turn was WAY better than PCI.


Ahhh, yes. Thats what it is, and that is what the guy told me I have on my CPU as well. I figured with PCI/PCI express there wasn't a difference. Shows how long I've been out of CPUs.

[Grid Iron]

AGP is faster than PCI and I would look into a 256 MB card, check out some of the ATI cards as well. 256 MB is almost standard when upgrading your video card.

Is there any need for 256 with an AGP card? I read that more than 128 is a waste on an AGP system (but great for PCI Express).

Is there any truth to that?

[Grid Iron]

I read your mind.

BTW, thanks for the info Grid Iron. I think I'll be looking into the updated power supply and then ordering that card. I decided for the upgrade instead of a new comp b/c I have a 2.79 GHz processor and a new sound card in the thing and figured I might as well finish it while I have the money.

I should have the replacement card in a week, so I'll update y'all. :)

[the_meanstrosity]

GridIron,

Do you know your motherboard specifications? I'm wondering since if it's an older board it may not have PCI Express (aka PCI-E) and thus you'll need to purchase an AGP video card. There are some boards that have both AGP and PCI-E, but those are normally no more than 2-3 years old.

[Grid Iron]

GridIron,

Do you know your motherboard specifications? I'm wondering since if it's an older board it may not have PCI Express (aka PCI-E) and thus you'll need to purchase an AGP video card. There are some boards that have both AGP and PCI-E, but those are normally no more than 2-3 years old.

Mine is AGP only, which is why the 6600GT is such a great value. I expect I'll be good for another year until I upgrade to a PCI Express system.

[Grammaticus]

I got a 6600GT, 128MB. It is AGP 8X and e-GeForce brand. I got it from newegg last November. I've had no problems, it runs Oblivion fine. Personally I would recommend the 6800. I went with 6600GT because I was trying to hit a price point of about $100 and back in November that is what I could get. For me it works becuase my processor speed is only 1.9, which is where I start to hit the wall. The 6600GT video card can handle anything my processor can.

I think I will just have to get a new bare bones system and go from there, soon.

Good luck with the card.

[the_meanstrosity]

Mine is AGP only, which is why the 6600GT is such a great value. I expect I'll be good for another year until I upgrade to a PCI Express system.

Good, I just wanted to make sure you didn't buy a PCI-E card if you didn't have a PCI-E slot. RMA's can be a pain.

I'm in the same situation as yourself. I'm on an older motherboard with AGP, but I'm still hanging in there with my old video card. I can't play any of the newer games, but I've still got older games I'm trying to finish up so I can wait. I'll be upgrading some time around Christmas. Good luck with your video card.

[MizzouRah]

Is there any need for 256 with an AGP card? I read that more than 128 is a waste on an AGP system (but great for PCI Express).

Is there any truth to that?

I've noticed a difference in cards when I upgraded from a 128 MB card to a 256 MB card... although the GPU on the card was better as well. I will say however, it's a MUST for PCI Express. If I had PCI-E it would be a 7800GT all the way. :)

I have a Radeon X800 AGP card I purchased from newegg awhile back and love it. You can always check out sites like Tom's Hardware for good video card comparisons... make sure you focus on the games you'll be playing as some play better with X brand and X card.

[jbmagic]

I have a Radeon X800 AGP card I purchased from newegg awhile back and love it. You can always check out sites like Tom's Hardware for good video card comparisons... make sure you focus on the games you'll be playing as some play better with X brand and X card.


Yep

I also love my Radeon x800 GTO AGP video card from newegg. Plays the latest game well.

[Yellow5]

Just put a P4 Dual Core 3.6Ghz/PCI-E/2GB system together with a Radeon XT1900 and it's smokin' fast.

My older machines (1.6ghz and 2ghz) that the kids are using run Radeon 9800 Pros and still handle current games. We play Half Life 2 deathmatch and a ton of other games on the LAN and it's smooth for them.

MonarchComputers has the Radeon X1300 Pro 256MB for $82 and some change which isn't bad for a low end card. Also see an AGP Radeon X1600 Pro IceQ 256MB for $122 on the Monarch site.

[Grid Iron]

Update:

Newegg emailed me today saying they received my RMA but the eVGA 6600GT card is either a) out of stock; or b) discontinued. So, they gave me a full refund.

So, I bought this instead:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135186

Same chipset, different card manufacturer.

[Grid Iron]

Got the AOpen 6600GT card today from NewEgg and it works great (see link above).

Awesome performance for the price, and I am now very happy. :)

[dubb93]

Ended up buying the Gefore 6800 Extreme 256mb AGP card along with an Ultra 500W power supply. Just got them in today, and as of right now I couldn't be happier. Runs WoW with everything at maximum detail flawlessly. Really makes the game look great. The real test may come when I buy a newer game tho. Right now I'd give it a huge thumbs up.

[the_meanstrosity]

dubb,

Did you get the Ultra power supply from Radio Shack? I just took advantage of their $9.99 sale after Mail In Rebate.