6800XT as an upgrade. . .

[surreal1221]

9800 Pro has essentially reached it's lifespan after about 3 years of constant use.

I'm not playing any of the latest and greatest, and my motherboard (ECS PF1) is a little out dated so I'm in the need of a new AGP card.

Seen a lot of good words and suggestions already for the 6800XT series.

Other system stats, 1gb PC2700, P4 3gz, 430w psu.

 

[Quiksilver]

I don't know you budget but I'm going to assume it's about $200

7600GT out performs the 6800XT (pretty much double)
X1950GT out performs the 6800XT and 7600GT
X1950Pro out performs 6800XT, 7600GT, and X1960GT
7900GS performs on par with X1950 Pro

Of course I'm just looking at the white paper marks using gpureview.com

7600GT - $130.00 (After MIR it's $110)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150233

X1950GT - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102093

X1950 Pro - $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102071

7900GS - $180 (After MIR $150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150174

If it were me I would go with the 7600GT just to save the money and save up for a whole new system in the future.

 

[surreal1221]

hehe, well, my budget is actually sub-100 (gasp!).

Just really not wanting to spend that much honestly. Especially if the next system I'm going to build is going to PCI-E (haven't made that decision yet. . .but just incase).

Newegg has the biostar 6800xt for $70. Just wanted to make sure I could expect comparable performance, if not maybe even a bit better.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Unless it's the XFX 6800XT Xtreme, no 6800XT is worth a damned. They get owned by 6600GT's all day long.

Head over to the FS/FT forum and pick up an AGP 6600GT for arround $50, or an X800 series card for $50 - $75 shipped

 

[surreal1221]

gotcha - so then any 6600gt's I should look into? lol

What's an XFX 6800gt run for these days? See any potential for conflict issues with the ECS PF1 (Photon) mobo?

And looking at some pictures of the XFX's 6800gt, doesn't look like the VF700 from Zalman will sit on it, but . . .Zalman say's its compatible. . .*shrug* Maybe there's something hiding under the XFX's set up.

I appreciate it guys. Keep the advice coming. The 9800 pro is most likely going to go and sit in the other "network" machine.

 

[SergeC]

If it helps, I had a 6800GT with a VF700 on it. Worked great.

 

[Quiksilver]

I agree with Dazed, the 6800XT is a poor card. Believe it or not your 9800 Pro puts up better white paper numbers than the 6800XT.

I would look at the 7600GS series as that is sub $100.

7600GS - $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125039

7600GS performs better than your current card, the card your looking at, 6600GT, and is within your price range.

Tom's Charts:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/...7&model2=722&chart=318

 

[surreal1221]

thanks guys, i'll look into the 7600.

 

[darkfalz]

Another vote for 7600 GT - has given new life to my P4 system.

 

[s44]

Sapphire's GDDR3 version of the x1650pro for $80AR. (Note that the 7600GSes use GDDR2 at best.)

But if you've got the PSU, why not an open box x1950gt for $125?

 

[surreal1221]

Got the green light from the wife tonight, I've decided on the X1650 Pro. Before I follow through though, is a 450W PSU sufficient for this card? And second, what program are you guys using to monitor temperatures on these newer cards?

Are there already temp sensors on these cards, that just have to be read from some software. . .or must one get his/hers own sensors, place them on the card, and read it through some software. Thanks guys

 

[s44]

450W should be more than enough. ATITrayTools will monitor temperature...

 

[surreal1221]

Originally posted by: s44
450W should be more than enough. ATITrayTools will monitor temperature...

Thanks!

 

[nonameo]

Wait! Do not buy such an old card new! retailers are going to have sky high prices on them(comparatively speaking) because demand will outstrip supply(because there is no more supply).

Buy on these forums(good heat = reputable) or buy on ebay from a reputable seller. You will save a LOT of money. And so you know, the X1650pro is kin to the x1600 series, and not the X1650XT(which was considered a good card, the other two are not so much).

Here's a NVIDIA alternative from a reputable seller if you want something besides the x1650 pro:http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=EV-7300AGP

It's gddr2, but the pro probably is as well.

More cards to look at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130076
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150233
GDDR3 pro:http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102057 Don't be fooled by cards with extra memory: GDDR3 is much better!
Low on memory, but if you're not planning on playing at high resolutions you should be ok:http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130083

You'll get a much better card for the money, though, if you buy on forums or ebay. Not to mention that you could get something like an x850pro or an x800xl (not terribly high gains over the 9800, but better than some of those other cards)

edit: really though, your 9800 is not a bad AGP card... especially considering the money it will take to buy something considerably better.

edit2: 7600GT after rebate & google checkout + free shipping = 99.99
http://www.buy.com/prod/xfx-ge...loc/101/203246892.html

 

[surreal1221]

Thanks nonameo, I'll obviously purchase from someone here at AT's FS forum if I find one of the cards available for a better price.

Reason I'm ditching the 9800 Pro is because I'm pretty certain it has ran it's course. Getting occasionaly lock ups (no BSOD) while playing flight simulator 2004. Really want a card that I can rely on. The X1650 Pro, or any comparable, even a very basic AGP card with 128mb memory > will do that for me. No reason for me to break the bank finding a simple replacement (simple is a relative term, lol).

Thanks for those links, I'll check them out.

You linked to the card I was planning on purchasing - the Sapphire X1650 Pro. $79 AR. If I can find it online, elsewhere, such as Ebay or FS threads, I'll obviously purchase it there. Only thing I am worried about though is if the card will be useful for another year to two years. Reliability is key to me, and purchasing new offers that reliability that I need. Not doing a full system upgrade.