AGP card suggestions

[kh4130]

I am trying to squeeze the most out of my current system and wait as long as I can for an upgrade (closer to SC2 release), but currently I am getting some lag out of my system while playing Warhammer. I'm figuring the best upgrade for my system would be a new video card (Currently running a ATI Radeon 9800 256MB Card) . I need an AGP on b/c I do have an older mobo. Any suggestions?

Current setup:
Mobo: Intel D8775PBZ
Processor: Intel P4 3.0 GHz 800 FSB
RAM: 3GB (2 x1GB 2x512MB)
Video Card: ATI Radeon 9800 256MB

 

[Dominato3r]

HD 3850

 

[kh4130]

The Sapphire 3850 ?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102730

Or is the HID 3850 worth the extra $70?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161226

 

[Dominato3r]

I dont see any difference other then the HIS one has a 1 year limted parts & labour on it.

The 2600PRO is another good card that you can check out

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...n%20HD%202000%20series

 

[kh4130]

Is there anything I should be looking at when comparing cards? Its always been hard for me to know whats best b/c there is typically a lot of hype with cards.

 

[Denithor]

Are you kidding? Certainly not worth an extra $70.

For $200 you could buy an e5200 + mobo + 2GB DDR2 + 9600GSO and have much much faster performance than P4 + 3850 (in everything, not just games).

And remember, with an ancient (sorry, gotta say it) P4 you are probably going to be cpu-bound with the 3850 so you won't even get the full potential of the card you are buying.

Seriously, instead of spending money on a new AGP GPU I would just upgrade the whole thing. SC2 will come out and you will at most upgrade your video card, as long as you build a solid system and use a low/mid range GPU like the 9600GSO (which is cheap at $50AR).

EDIT: And get a 2600XT not the 2600Pro if you decide to get the previous generation. The XT is faster than the Pro for not much more money.

 

[kh4130]

Looks like the 3850 is faster? Let me know if I'm wrong... 3850 has 320 Stream Processing Units and a 256MB memory interface vs the 2600XTs 120 Stream Processing Units and a 128MB memory interface.

Yeah, I know I need to upgrade. Really want to wait till SC@ comes closer to coming out --- but who knows when that will be --- 1 year from now. I'm not really holding my breath. My current system is doing alright I just would like to squeeze a little bit more out of it till then to make my gaming a little more smoother.

 

[subzero1011]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Are you kidding? Certainly not worth an extra $70.

For $200 you could buy an e5200 + mobo + 2GB DDR2 + 9600GSO and have much much faster performance than P4 + 3850 (in everything, not just games).

And remember, with an ancient (sorry, gotta say it) P4 you are probably going to be cpu-bound with the 3850 so you won't even get the full potential of the card you are buying.

Seriously, instead of spending money on a new AGP GPU I would just upgrade the whole thing. SC2 will come out and you will at most upgrade your video card, as long as you build a solid system and use a low/mid range GPU like the 9600GSO (which is cheap at $50AR).

EDIT: And get a 2600XT not the 2600Pro if you decide to get the previous generation. The XT is faster than the Pro for not much more money.

You talking used or new? DDR2 is dirt cheap - 50 for 2 gig (30 on rebate sometimes)

e5200 - 84

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16819116072&Tpk=e5200

9600 GSO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130364 - 74.99 (with MIR)

Which mobo are you thinking of? Could put it together for close to 230.

 

[Denithor]

Wrong GSO: EVGA 9600GSO with dual slot cooler for $50AR

And how about 2x1GB DDR2 for $30 shipped with no rebates? Crucial
Or would you prefer $20 shipped after rebate? OCZ

Quite a few C2D motherboards at newegg for $50-60 (G31 or P35 chipsets). P43/P45 chipset boards in the $70-80 range are fairly easy to find also. Add the e5200 for $84 and you're done for around $215.

Seems to me that's a better way to spend the money than on a $219 AGP HD3850 with absolutely no upgrade path beyond that point.

***

And the reason I suggested the 2600XT is because, while it's slower than the 3850, it's better matched to the cpu power available with your P4 and it costs about $50 less than the 3850. For a dead-end upgrade I certainly wouldn't throw away any more money than absolutely necessary. (Besides, this is a 9800Pro he's coming from, for crying out loud...the 2600XT is a massive upgrade from that!!)

 

[kh4130]

You got me thinking... I think I'll do a little research --- I am a little hesitant to let this thing go considering i just got the RAM 2 weeks ago (only $60). My main thing is how long will this new computer last me? I do see your point that it is just a little bit more though...

This compy is old though I have had it over 4 years now and it is getting near its end of life as being my main compy. SHould have gotten the HP laptop while it was on sale for $500...

If you have any reviews/links of those mobos please send them my way

 

[subzero1011]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Wrong GSO: EVGA 9600GSO with dual slot cooler for $50AR

And how about 2x1GB DDR2 for $30 shipped with no rebates? Crucial
Or would you prefer $20 shipped after rebate? OCZ

Quite a few C2D motherboards at newegg for $50-60 (G31 or P35 chipsets). P43/P45 chipset boards in the $70-80 range are fairly easy to find also. Add the e5200 for $84 and you're done for around $215.

Seems to me that's a better way to spend the money than on a $219 AGP HD3850 with absolutely no upgrade path beyond that point.

***

And the reason I suggested the 2600XT is because, while it's slower than the 3850, it's better matched to the cpu power available with your P4 and it costs about $50 less than the 3850. For a dead-end upgrade I certainly wouldn't throw away any more money than absolutely necessary. (Besides, this is a 9800Pro he's coming from, for crying out loud...the 2600XT is a massive upgrade from that!!)

This does seem like the most solid option.
I'd go with this option, but if your dead set on only getting a video card. Seems the Saph 3850 is the way to go.

 

[gregoryvg]

If you want the cheapest good upgrade path for your AGP system it would be hard to beat the ATI 3650 (not 3850). The 3650 performs better than the 2600Pro but not as fast as the 2600XT, so you may want to consider that when price shopping. Another benefit of the 3650 is it uses less power than either 2600 variant. Either way, they will blow the 9800Pro out of the water.

Just as an aside, I currently run WAR using an x1650Pro and it is doing a decent job (though it can get a bit framey in the Tier 1 RvR instance when you are being charged by a couple full groups of Chaos and the Bright Wizards start blowing things up) and the 3650 is quite a bit more powerful than mine, so it should hold up even better.

 

[kh4130]

Yeah, i think I'm getting the vid card upgrade..... I'm glad my RAM came in the same day I got Warhammer or I would have not been able to play. It was really RVR tier 2 with both teams on screen when things started getting bad. I think the vid card should help a lot. I don't game too much thats why I haven't really needed to upgrade. The only other game I played much of was Starcraft 1. Thanks for the suggestions.

Anyone have experience with the HIS 2600XT AGP drivers. Reviews on newegg make it seem like a lot of people had problems with them.

 

[Denithor]

ASUS G31 $62 (mATX)
ECS P43 $67AR
MSI P43 $83AR

Of course, you could also save a few dollars and go with an AM2 cpu/mobo if you prefer AMD (and some of their motherboards are quite nice).

 

[Auric]

Drivers are not a problem: simply use the so-called hotfix which are released shortly the regular ones. Presumably, lack of official support and certification saves AMD a few bucks.

I would also recommend either the 2600XT or 3650. Benchmarks even show the latter performing better in some cases -perhaps due to correcting the AA unit? Otherwise the difference primarily comes down to bandwidth which favours the former since equipped with faster memory.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: kh4130
It was really RVR tier 2 with both teams on screen when things started getting bad.

That would predominantly be your CPU slowing you down, in that instance. Sure, a faster video card will help slightly (an FPS or three), but nothing noticeable.

 

[Auric]

The greater GPU RAM should help a lot of games too since they will not have to swap textures to 'n' fro slower system RAM.

Pity it is an Intel mobo as I guess o'erclocking is out of the question. Otherwise a 3.0 could easily be bumped up to 3.6 (even if the RAM had to be underclocked).

 

[jelifah]

I'm in the same situation as OP, except with an x800 & Opteron (see sig). I'm waffling back and forth right now on whether to upgrade or not.

But I wanted to mention that the HIS 3850 is available at zipzoomfly for $156, $146 after MIR, if that helps. Is the HIS better than the Sapphire?

Edit:
Sorry it looks like the model number is different. The actual card is $212 with free shipping. Although I don't understand the difference in the two

 

[Auric]

3850 can be had for $130 AR. The premium for double-height coolers is not worth it. The cheaper HIS model is good because it includes audio while most other brands do not.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: kh4130
It was really RVR tier 2 with both teams on screen when things started getting bad.

That would predominantly be your CPU slowing you down, in that instance. Sure, a faster video card will help slightly (an FPS or three), but nothing noticeable.

In which case the full upgrade would yield much better results.