AGP vid card selection - HELPP please

[Afrd2shtstrngerS]

Well, I (not me, one of my friends) need to upgrade a ATI 9700. I have couple of questions:

1) Please list below cards in order of their performance levels - if it has options of flashing to a better model write it down in paranthesis. While checking please feel free to add anything that I missed.

2) What would you recommend (should be AGP and ATI)?

Let me take a stab at it:

9700 (current)
9800
9800 pro
X800 pro
X800 XL
X800 XT
X800 XT PE
X850 XT
X850 XT PE
X1300
X1600

what about vivos? where are they? I heard that X800vivo can be flashed to X800 XT PE level?

PLease help.

 

[RossCorp]

i know this isn't ATI, but strongly consider the Gainward 7800 GS if it's meant to last for a while. It's really a 7800 GT, 20-pipes and all!!!

 

[v8envy]

Within the same performance class (read: within 10%, won't let you go up a whole resolution or turn on much more eye candy) grouped in parenthesis, and sorted in order of performance:


( X1300Pro, 9700, 9800, 9800 pro, X1600Pro ),
X800 pro
X800 XL
( X800XT, X850XT, X850 XT PE, X800XTPE )

Out of all of those, the X800XT PE can be tweaked to be as fast as it gets, X850XT PE coming in a very very very close second. The non-PE versions are slightly slower.

Some versions of the X800Pro VIVO are unlockable to 16 pipes, which makes them the XL.

The X800XLs are known to overclock poorly.

You can do your own comparisons at gpureview.com. The X1600Pro should be pretty equivalent to a 9800 for most things, but faster in pixel shader intensive new games. X800XL and faster would be a significant upgrade.

Bang for buck, if it has to be ATI the $100ish X1600Pro is your best bet. It's not much of an upgrade, but there you go. The X850XT and X800XT are as good as it gets, but are priced ridiculously high.

Has to be ATI and AGP simulaneously is too restrictive. If PCIe was an option, the X1800 and X1900 series cards are fantastic. If NV was an option, much better cards for less money are also available in the AGP form factor.

 

[Afrd2shtstrngerS]

Thank you very very much for the quick responses!!

Unfortunately, PCI-e is not an alternative for him. And, if it is up to me I would also consider nvdia (i have a 7800 gt and used 6600GT, x800gto2, X1800XL last year). But you made me so curious - if you have time can you also make a nvdia list and a mix list EDIT:AGP only. 99% of the time I researched what I am looking for but nowadays I am up to my nose.

Thanks a bunch again...

 

[v8envy]

No need to mix anything in. The 7800GS, especially the overclocked versions equal or even beat the X850XT, have SM3.0 (and may even have the oomph to make use of it), and cost several hundred $ less. It's the only option available for 'high end' AGP 3d video, IMO. The $400+ AGP X850XT PE is a horrible value. ATI was a good choice when the X850XT went for $200 after rebate, but for $374+ not so much.

The 6600GT is about equivalent to the first batch, 6800GSA is pretty equivalent to the X800Pro, 6800GT is a good match for theX800XL. The 6800GSA may unlock and overclock to 6800GSP/6800GT or even 6800 Ultra levels, which puts it within striking range of the X800XT.

IMO, the AGP the choices are 6600GT/6800XT/6800NU or X1600Pro @ ~$100 for a low end / budget build, and 7800GS @ ~$300 for enthusiast or gamer. Nothing else is relevant, and ATI AGP products are not at all compelling considering their pricepoints.

 

[Afrd2shtstrngerS]

Wow, lots of information. Thank you kindly...