Better off getting PCI-Express if you want a card that will last

[Bitpower]

I'm thinking its better being patient and waiting for a Pci-express version of the 6800 GT and Ultra to be released in the next month or two, if you really want all the $$money you spent on it to last you a few years.

I was going to go with buying an AGP version of the 6800 GT, but I been thinking about it for a few days, and I come up with these conclusions:

1st) The manufacturing industry is gearing towards PCI-express motherboards, and as time goes on you won't be able to buy a new motherboard that has AGP. So if you buy an AGP card now and then decide to upgrade your computer in a year or two then you are stuck with having to buy an OLDER motherboard that still supports AGP in order to upgrade. On the other hand, if you get a Pci-express card, then you are guaranteed that if you decide to upgrade your motherboard / processor in a year or two then you will be able to buy one of the newest model motherboards that will support Pci-Express.

2nd) It isn't like you have to wait long if you want a Pci-Express card, since they will be hitting the shelves in a month or two. Doesn't it always seem that in life, that the best things seem to come to people who are patient?

3rd) If you buy a 6800 pci-express GT or Ultra then your card will probably support SLI, since they will be making dual-slot pci-express motherboards that can hold two pci-express cards. What are the chances of them releasing a dual-slot AGP board? Probably zero to none as far as chances of that happening. So if you get an AGP then you probably won't be able to use the new SLI technology ever.

So to summarize: If you get an AGP card, then you are stuck with having to get a motherboard that has AGP from now on, so you won't be able to use any of the newer technologies or newest model motherboards when you go to upgrade your system.

If you get a pci-express card, then you are guaranteed that you can use all newer technologies (such as SLI) and also new model motherboards with your card, so your card will last longer, and you probably get a few good years out of it.

Therfore I am really starting to think that you are much better off waiting the one or two months for the pci-express 6800 GTs and ultras to start hitting the shelves.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

 

[Subhuman25]

I have to disagree with you.
PCI-e performance over AGP is negligable if any at all.AGP boards will be around for longer than you'll wish to be stuck with the current "cream of the crop" vid cards.Remember how long ISA slots were still available on motherboards when PCI became standard?Answer=years

SLI set-ups will be extremely costly (MB & 2x vid cards) all at a premium of course.There will not be an actual need for SLI set-ups for years to come as far as gaming demands goes.Current high end rigs will run games fine for a couple years.Maybe not on max settings,but playable.Most people don't play on highest settings even when they can.I'm an example of one of those folks.I prefer 1024x768 resolution for most games.My system runs that resolution with lot's of room to spare.
Online gaming on the other hand almost begs for the player to lower video settings for improved response/latency in multiplayer games.Less info being sent and recieved.It makes a differnence,even with my 3.3/256 broadband cable connection.

As far as upgrades go,I upgrade roughly every 2 years.In 2 years time anything you see now is obsolete by then if you're shooting for high end in 2 years anyways.So what's your point?
When I upgrade,I upgrade the entire computer,not just bits and pieces.I leave my prior rig as a whole and either keep it as a back up or network it.If not I sell it.Ever try selling a computer without video or just individual components that are then at least 2 years old and used?It ain't worth the trouble my friend.Been there,done that,got the T-shirt.Last couple years I've sold entire systems when I've upgraded to new rig and have had no problem selling them.Likely the buyer is going to be someone just looking for an entry level rig or something to be able to surf/e-mail on or non-intensive applications.
It's easier to sell a rig as a whole and I'd say I recover cost a bit better too then selling those 2 year old used items individually.

 

[ZobarStyl]

So wait, you joined AT just to post that? Exactly who do you work for whose profits need boosting? PCI-E has NO advantages yet for gaming, thus you see that the only computers with PCI-E are either fools who bought x300SE-containing Dells or rich boys with SLI. For everyone else, AGP is and will be just fine, and since there won't likely be any benefit over PCI-E till at least another 2 generations of card, mobo manufacturers won't ditch AGP for a while yet. Basically, like all the things Intel chose to push on us this year (BTX, PCI-E and DDRII) the switchover is going to be quite drawn out, because the enthusiasts won't pay good money for neglible benefit (not one of those technologies has shown it's worth the cash you need to get in). And because enthusiasts and not Dell buyers drive the video card market, you'll see AGP variants and their respective mobos for a while.

Seriously though, that wasn't a question or anything, it was just a marketing pitch, and on your very first day I see...quite strange.

 

[THUGSROOK]

no thx,
im not buying a new system just to buy a vid card.

 

[apoppin]

ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years.

By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.
:roll:

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: apoppin
ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years.

By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.
:roll:

The geForce4 Ti series is pushing three years, and I wouldn't call that lineup "crap" But other than that, I agree.

Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: apoppin
ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years.

By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.
:roll:

The geForce4 Ti series is pushing three years, and I wouldn't call that lineup "crap" But other than that, I agree.

Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

It IS "junk" IF you want DX9 features.

In 3 years we will have Dx 10 . . . .

(that's what i mean by "junk", technologically speaking, no disrespect meant toward ti/8500 owners)

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: apoppin
ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years.

By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.
:roll:

The geForce4 Ti series is pushing three years, and I wouldn't call that lineup "crap" But other than that, I agree.

Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

It IS "junk" IF you want DX9 features.

In 3 years we will have Dx 10 . . . .

(that's what i mean by "junk", technologically speaking, no disrespect meant toward ti/8500 owners)

True, but you can't discount the hardware just because it's back a few steps in the 3DMark cycle. Only now are we really seeing games that can really get your DX8 hardware by the short-and-curlys - but they still have the fallback path to run on (D3, HL2, FarCry)

- M4H

 

[Bitpower]

I find some of your responses both rude and inappropriate.

Because I posted a message saying what was on my own mind and my own thoughts of the subject of pci-express, and because this was my FIRST message on this board, i was treated VERY RUDELY and INAPPROPRIATELY. Because it was my first message, then I must be doing it with some ulterior motive, is that your logic? The concept of that all new users must start somewhere, when posting on a new forum that they want to get involved with, doesn't occur to you?

This message I posted here, I posted on guru3d.com first, and that was after I was on guru3d.com web site for a few weeks and already posted around 50 other messages all on different subjects. My first 10 messages on guru3d.com were about Rivatuner, and that is how and why I found that site. I was on guru3d.com under the name of bitpower for a month, and i joined guru3d.com after I got my BFG 6800 OC card, and i wrote several posts on that subject weeks ago.

But since my FIRST message on guru3d.com was about Rivatuner, then I guess i MUST also work for Rivatuner then, because my FIRST message on guru3d.com was about Rivatuner? Is that your logic? Do you always treat new users here like dogshit on the Anantech forums?

I came to THIS web site because on Sunday someone named ElementK1 kept talking about anantech forums.

On these forums, I had posted a message that represented my OWN feelings on the subject on pci-express, to see how others feel, because I am giving SERIOUS thought myself to waiting on pci-express. Not everyone on this planet can afford to spend $350 for a video card then buy a new video card in a year or two, if he decides he wants to get a faster processor and faster motherboard.

The message I posted addressed my feelings on the subject, and was meant to illicit INTELLIGENT conversation. I had thought that the people on anandtech forums were intelligent and well rounded people, but now I find that because I post one message and that is my first message here, then everyone is accusing me of a conspiracy?

Some of you owe me an appology. How you treated me here is inappropriate.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

 

[Machine350]

Originally posted by: apoppin
ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years.

By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.
:roll:

Agreed.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
I find some of your responses both rude and inappropriate.

Because I posted a message saying what was on my own mind and my own thoughts of the subject of pci-express, and because this was my FIRST message on this board, i was treated VERY RUDELY and INAPPROPRIATELY.

This message I posted here, I posted on guru3d.com first, and that was after I was on guru3d.com web site for a few weeks and already posted around 50 other messages all on different subjects. My first 10 messages on guru3d.com were about Rivatuner, and that is how and why I found that site.

I came to THIS web site because on Sunday someone named ElementK1 kept talking about anantech forums.

I guess i MUST also work for Rivatuner then, because my FIRST message on guru3d.com was about Rivatuner? Is that your logic? Do you always treat new users here like dogshit on the Anantech forums?

On these forums, I had posted a message that represented my OWN feelings on the subject on pci-express, to see how others feel, because I am giving SERIOUS thought myself to waiting on pci-express. Not everyone on this planet can afford to spend $350 for a video card then buy a new video card in a year or two, if he decides he wants to get a faster processor and faster motherboard.

The message I posted addressed my feelings on the subject, and was meant to illicit INTELLIGENT conversation. I had thought that the people on anandtech forums were intelligent and well rounded people, but now I find that because I post one message and that is my first message here, then everyone is accusing me of a conspiracy?

You owe me an appology. How you treated me here is inappropriate.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire


Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

?

:roll:

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bitpower
I find some of your responses both rude and inappropriate.

Because I posted a message saying what was on my own mind and my own thoughts of the subject of pci-express, and because this was my FIRST message on this board, i was treated VERY RUDELY and INAPPROPRIATELY.

This message I posted here, I posted on guru3d.com first, and that was after I was on guru3d.com web site for a few weeks and already posted around 50 other messages all on different subjects. My first 10 messages on guru3d.com were about Rivatuner, and that is how and why I found that site.

I came to THIS web site because on Sunday someone named ElementK1 kept talking about anantech forums.

I guess i MUST also work for Rivatuner then, because my FIRST message on guru3d.com was about Rivatuner? Is that your logic? Do you always treat new users here like dogshit on the Anantech forums?

On these forums, I had posted a message that represented my OWN feelings on the subject on pci-express, to see how others feel, because I am giving SERIOUS thought myself to waiting on pci-express. Not everyone on this planet can afford to spend $350 for a video card then buy a new video card in a year or two, if he decides he wants to get a faster processor and faster motherboard.

The message I posted addressed my feelings on the subject, and was meant to illicit INTELLIGENT conversation. I had thought that the people on anandtech forums were intelligent and well rounded people, but now I find that because I post one message and that is my first message here, then everyone is accusing me of a conspiracy?

You owe me an appology. How you treated me here is inappropriate.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire


Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

?

:roll:

Ha. If he thinks that's "Rude and Inappropriate" he'd better stay the hell out of OT and P&N.

"Who were you before you were banned" is hardly an insult - it's like a rite of passage. When someone comes on and their first post is a biased statement either in favour or against something, the proper response is to ask if they're an outcast member reregistering. Calm down, it's just Teh IntArw3b. :beer:

- M4H

 

[Bitpower]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Ha. If he thinks that's "Rude and Inappropriate" he'd better stay the hell out of OT and P&N.

"Who were you before you were banned" is hardly an insult - it's like a rite of passage. When someone comes on and their first post is a biased statement either in favour or against something, the proper response is to ask if they're an outcast member reregistering. Calm down, it's just Teh IntArw3b. :beer:

I would not call creating suspicion on a new user as a "rite of passage". People who jump to conclusions and do personal attacks on people are the same type of people who cause all the prejudice in the world. One person accuses someone else with no grounds or facts, then another person jumps on the band wagon and starts accusing and so on.

I had joined these forums because from reading a few of the messages on this site, it seemed like people knew what they were talking about, and I wanted their opinions on subjects.

Since right now what is on my mind is trying to make up my mind as to whether or not to wait for pci-express, that is the subject I brought up here. I heard about these forums while responding back and forth in multiple posts with some guy named something like Elementk1 on guru3d.com. He kept bringing up these forums.

As far as your "conspiracy theory", you can easily check on guru3d.com that this message I posted about pci-express was posted after I posted around 50 other messages over the span of a few weeks on other subjects.

At first I was thinking about buying this limited evga card, but decided if I do go with an AGP card then its a better idea to spend the extra $25 bucks and get a GT card that probably can be overclocked better. The limited evga sells for $325 and I seen brand new GTs selling on either ebay.com and sometimes on pricewatch.com for as low as $350.

Then I began to think that maybe I am better off getting pci-express, so I wrote this above post and posted it on guru3d.com, and gave my own personal conclusions about why its better to wait for pci-express in order to see what others thought. I was hoping to hear what others had to say too, and after listening to what others say then decide on whether to go out and buy an AGP card now or wait a while longer and get a pci-express one instead.

The other thing is I really want to use a lanparty board because its the most overclockable, but there is no lanparty board available for 939 socket AMD 64 yet. So the other part of making up my mind is deciding on whether to buy the lanparty board for the 754 chipset which is AGP based, then a 754-socket AMD 64 then the 6800 AGP. Or instead to wait for DFI to create a lanparty for a 939, then get the lanparty + 939-socket AMD 64 + pci-express card.

I had posted this message on pci-express here because I had thought after reading other threads on these forums that I would get intelligent input from people here on what I wrote. Instead I got people making comments like, what were you ban before and if this is your FIRST message on the board then it MUST be because you work for a company that sells pci-express?

Then you wonder why I blow up and say people are being rude and inappropriate here? I said it, because people are being that way here. Everyone is making personal attacks on me, who is a brand new user, who posted his first message. Instead of discussing the subject at hand, like intelligent adults.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bitpower
I find some of your responses both rude and inappropriate.

Because I posted a message saying what was on my own mind and my own thoughts of the subject of pci-express, and because this was my FIRST message on this board, i was treated VERY RUDELY and INAPPROPRIATELY.

This message I posted here, I posted on guru3d.com first, and that was after I was on guru3d.com web site for a few weeks and already posted around 50 other messages all on different subjects. My first 10 messages on guru3d.com were about Rivatuner, and that is how and why I found that site.

I came to THIS web site because on Sunday someone named ElementK1 kept talking about anantech forums.

I guess i MUST also work for Rivatuner then, because my FIRST message on guru3d.com was about Rivatuner? Is that your logic? Do you always treat new users here like dogshit on the Anantech forums?

On these forums, I had posted a message that represented my OWN feelings on the subject on pci-express, to see how others feel, because I am giving SERIOUS thought myself to waiting on pci-express. Not everyone on this planet can afford to spend $350 for a video card then buy a new video card in a year or two, if he decides he wants to get a faster processor and faster motherboard.

The message I posted addressed my feelings on the subject, and was meant to illicit INTELLIGENT conversation. I had thought that the people on anandtech forums were intelligent and well rounded people, but now I find that because I post one message and that is my first message here, then everyone is accusing me of a conspiracy?

You owe me an appology. How you treated me here is inappropriate.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire


Who were you before you were banned, Bitpower?

- M4H

?

:roll:

Ha. If he thinks that's "Rude and Inappropriate" he'd better stay the hell out of OT and P&N.

"Who were you before you were banned" is hardly an insult - it's like a rite of passage. When someone comes on and their first post is a biased statement either in favour or against something, the proper response is to ask if they're an outcast member reregistering. Calm down, it's just Teh IntArw3b. :beer:

- M4H

Sorry . . . but that's NO apology!

:roll:

You write like a few of former members.

You came here looking for agreement. . . . . too bad.

Your "well-though out" first post has a FAULTY premise . . . . a "card that will last".

There is NO such thing.

IMO, it is stupid to upgrade your MB JUST for a new Video card.

Both ATI and nVidia have confirmed they will keep on making AGP cards - with NO performance loss (for quite awhile) - for as long as it is needed. In a couple of years - when your shiny new PCI 6800u is "old" you are ALSO gonna upgrade your MB - AGAIN.
:roll:

:thumbsdown:

 

[Bitpower]

No, I usually only upgrade once every 4 years.

I am trying to decide on what I want to buy now, that will last me for about 4 years based on how I play games and stuff.

I know most people upgrade every couple years, but I try to get 4 years out of every system I build. There are exceptions to the rule, like the computer I have now isn't that old, so I am upgrading "early", but AMD 64s are getting to be so cheap that I can't resist getting one.

So I am not buying a new motherboard in order to get a pci card, instead I am deciding on what motherboard I should get + video card.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
I would not call creating suspicion on a new user as a "rite of passage". People who jump to conclusions and do personal attacks on people are the same type of people who cause all the prejudice in the world. One person accuses someone else with no grounds or facts, then another person jumps on the band wagon and starts accusing and so on.

I had joined these forums because from reading a few of the messages on this site, it seemed like people knew what they were talking about, and I wanted their opinions on subjects.

Since right now what is on my mind is trying to make up my mind as to whether or not to wait for pci-express, that is the subject I brought up here. I heard about these forums while responding back and forth in multiple posts with some guy named something like Elementk1 on guru3d.com. He kept bringing up these forums.

As far as your "conspiracy theory", you can easily check on guru3d.com that this message I posted about pci-express was posted after I posted around 50 other messages over the span of a few weeks on other subjects.

At first I was thinking about buying this limited evga card, but decided if I do go with an AGP card then its a better idea to spend the extra $25 bucks and get a GT card that probably can be overclocked better. The limited evga sells for $325 and I seen brand new GTs selling on either ebay.com and sometimes on pricewatch.com for as low as $350.

Then I began to think that maybe I am better off getting pci-express, so I wrote this above post and posted it on guru3d.com, and gave my own personal conclusions about why its better to wait for pci-express in order to see what others thought. I was hoping to hear what others had to say too, and after listening to what others say then decide on whether to go out and buy an AGP card now or wait a while longer and get a pci-express one instead.

The other thing is I really want to use a lanparty board because its the most overclockable, but there is no lanparty board available for 939 socket AMD 64 yet. So the other part of making up my mind is deciding on whether to buy the lanparty board for the 754 chipset which is AGP based, then a 754-socket AMD 64 then the 6800 AGP. Or instead to wait for DFI to create a lanparty for a 939, then get the lanparty + 939-socket AMD 64 + pci-express card.

I had posted this message on pci-express here because I had thought after reading other threads on these forums that I would get intelligent input from people here on what I wrote. Instead I got people making comments like, what were you ban before and if this is your FIRST message on the board then it MUST be because you work for a company that sells pci-express?

Then you wonder why I blow up and say people are being rude and inappropriate here? I said it, because people are being that way here. Everyone is making personal attacks on me, who is a brand new user, who posted his first message. Instead of discussing the subject at hand, like intelligent adults.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

Fine, call it a "Hazing" or "Initiation" then if it makes you feel better. You do have to admit that a brand-new user making his first post oriented around a highly debated topic is going to arouse certain suspicions and responses. Welcome to the forums, now relax.

The PCIe vs AGP debate has been essentially beaten to death here, with the results emerging in posts such as apoppin's:

ANY card you buy today will be junk in 3 years. By THEN, PCIe will make perfect sense.

and to a more detailed extent in Subhuman25's, where he covers the negligible performance increase for the price, the continued support for legacy products (Remember, PCI video cards are just now dying off), and the staggering cost of an SLI solution at this point in time.

Top that off with the lack of an AMD solution, buyer wariness to adopt first-generation technology, ice it with availability, and PCIe kinda loses its sparkle.

Once again - chill out. It's just the internet.

- M4H

 

[Concillian]

I tend to agree that it doesn't make sense to buy the current gen on AGP... so I haven't.

Not because of performance but because of the longer term benefits. You think a PCIe version of a GT will be worth the same as an AGP version in a year? 18 months? I doubt it. People upgradfing at that time will be buying PCIe for the most part.

I know I'm the kind of person who will sell off his card and buy something better, and resale value of the two will not be the same.

Motherboard makers aren't going to want to have two versions of every motherboard for years to come, they are going to want to transition to PCIe as fast as possible to keep manufacturing costs lower. This transition will be WAY faster than the ISA--->PCI transition. That transition is totally different. It's more like the transition from VESA local bus to PCI. THAT transition was fast. VLB cards went from king of the hill to worthless in like 6 months.

I don't think anyone should be upgrading their mobo just for a video card when there is no real performance benefit, but for those who haven't made the move to A64, waiting another month or two for PCIe makes sense. At least in my mind.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
No, I usually only upgrade once every 4 years.

I am trying to decide on what I want to buy now, that will last me for about 4 years based on how I play games and stuff.

I know most people upgrade every couple years, but I try to get 4 years out of every system I build. There are exceptions to the rule, like the computer I have now isn't that old, so I am upgrading "early", but AMD 64s are getting to be so cheap that I can't resist getting one.

So I am not buying a new motherboard in order to get a pci card, instead I am deciding on what motherboard I should get + video card.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

IF you are planning a MB+ CPU + GPU upgrade, THEN pciE makes sense.

It does NOT make sense for a gamer to upgrade a MB just to get a PCIe videocard.

And there are other CURRENT discussions that mirror your questions:
To PCI-e or not to PCI-e
"search" is a few buttorn over from 'logout'.

 

[Bitpower]

The only thing that bugs me about buying a $350 dollar AGP card is that, if for some reason I decide to buy a new motherboard in a couple years then I might be stuck with buying an older model board.

I like to buy something and have it last 3 or 4 years. I had gotten 4 years out of my millenium graphic card, I had gotten 4 years out of my Voodoo 3 card, and I had gotten 2 years out of my ti-4600 card.

I got a BFG 6800 OC that I won in a contest, so it didn't cost me anything. Problem though is it only has 128 mb of memory, so I was thinking of selling it and then upgrading to a GT and I want to decide on a card that will "probably" last me around 4 years.

The question I have been asking myself is if it makes sense to buy an AGP card if you want it to last 4 years?

Sincerely,
Bitpower

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
The only thing that bugs me about buying a $350 dollar AGP card is that, if for some reason I decide to buy a new motherboard in a couple years then I might be stuck with buying an older model board.

I like to buy something and have it last 3 or 4 years. I had gotten 4 years out of my millenium graphic card, I had gotten 4 years out of my Voodoo 3 card, and I had gotten 2 years out of my ti-4600 card.

I got a BFG 6800 OC that I won in a contest, so it didn't cost me anything. Problem though is it only has 128 mb of memory, so I was thinking of selling it and then upgrading to a GT and I want to decide on a card that will "probably" last me around 4 years.

The question I have been askign myself is if it makes sense to buy an AGP card if you want it to last 4 years?

Sincerely,
Bitpower

one card - not even the 6800u - will last 4 years - DX 10 and the Unreal 3 engine in '06/'07 will KILL it . . .

. . . . if it were me . . .

. . . . i'd sell the 6800 (IF i was considering the "complete" upgrade). . . and then consider buying the new nForce4 MB ($199) that supports SLI and one pciE 6800Gt . . . . in a year or so when it feels slow - buy another (for cheap) and you might just hit your "target 4 years".

 

[nitromullet]

My advice: Keep your AGP 6800nu for a year and upgrade to a PCIe based system next year. PCIe is a good investment into the future, but there aren't enough PCIe options yet.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
I'm thinking its better being patient and waiting for a Pci-express version of the 6800 GT and Ultra to be released in the next month or two, if you really want all the $$money you spent on it to last you a few years.

I was going to go with buying an AGP version of the 6800 GT, but I been thinking about it for a few days, and I come up with these conclusions:

1st) The manufacturing industry is gearing towards PCI-express motherboards, and as time goes on you won't be able to buy a new motherboard that has AGP. So if you buy an AGP card now and then decide to upgrade your computer in a year or two then you are stuck with having to buy an OLDER motherboard that still supports AGP in order to upgrade. On the other hand, if you get a Pci-express card, then you are guaranteed that if you decide to upgrade your motherboard / processor in a year or two then you will be able to buy one of the newest model motherboards that will support Pci-Express.

2nd) It isn't like you have to wait long if you want a Pci-Express card, since they will be hitting the shelves in a month or two. Doesn't it always seem that in life, that the best things seem to come to people who are patient?

3rd) If you buy a 6800 pci-express GT or Ultra then your card will probably support SLI, since they will be making dual-slot pci-express motherboards that can hold two pci-express cards. What are the chances of them releasing a dual-slot AGP board? Probably zero to none as far as chances of that happening. So if you get an AGP then you probably won't be able to use the new SLI technology ever.

So to summarize: If you get an AGP card, then you are stuck with having to get a motherboard that has AGP from now on, so you won't be able to use any of the newer technologies or newest model motherboards when you go to upgrade your system.

If you get a pci-express card, then you are guaranteed that you can use all newer technologies (such as SLI) and also new model motherboards with your card, so your card will last longer, and you probably get a few good years out of it.

Therfore I am really starting to think that you are much better off waiting the one or two months for the pci-express 6800 GTs and ultras to start hitting the shelves.

Sincerely,
Bitpower

I have to agree with you, you just left out that the new chipsets from intel lack AGP slots. Buying an AGP card right now isn't really going to hurt you, especially if you buy a fast AGP card, but it will limit your upgrade options later.

When it was said that ISA slots still existed even after the advent of PCI, thats very true. Reason being that ISA slots supported a lot more than just video cards and chipset makers continued including the ISA bus on their chipsets. This led to ISA lingering around for years. This time around, Intel and other other major market presences want to make sure the transition goes quickly, ie leaving the AGP spec out of their next gen chipsets. You won't be seeing AGP versions of ATI's and Nvidia's next gen graphics hardware either.

Whomever said that PCIe offers no performance benefit over AGP 8x was most correct. But neither did AGP 8x offer any performance over AGP 4x, yet every new motherboard and chipset supports 8x over 4x.

Since I bought an AGP 6800GT to go with my Asus P4P800 Deluxe motherboard, I'll be using AGP for a while, at least another year. Since, I've only got a 2.4Ghz P4C, I've got a lot of headroom left in my botherboard to maybe push it beyond a year. Still, next full system upgrade I do will be, beyond a doubt, to a PCIe supporting motherboard.

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
No, I usually only upgrade once every 4 years.

So you are using a Geforce2 right now?


Oh, and in four years you will surely still be able to find a new mobo with an AGP slot, we just finaly lost ISA slots a few years ago.

 

[Subhuman25]

Originally posted by: Bitpower
The only thing that bugs me about buying a $350 dollar AGP card is that, if for some reason I decide to buy a new motherboard in a couple years then I might be stuck with buying an older model board.

I like to buy something and have it last 3 or 4 years. I had gotten 4 years out of my millenium graphic card, I had gotten 4 years out of my Voodoo 3 card, and I had gotten 2 years out of my ti-4600 card.

I got a BFG 6800 OC that I won in a contest, so it didn't cost me anything. Problem though is it only has 128 mb of memory, so I was thinking of selling it and then upgrading to a GT and I want to decide on a card that will "probably" last me around 4 years.

The question I have been askign myself is if it makes sense to buy an AGP card if you want it to last 4 years?

Sincerely,
Bitpower

You contradict yourself.
You state you upgrade every 4 years then go on to say that you might upgrade in couple years.Well wich is it?
Either way 2,3 or 4 years any component you currently get will be practically obsolete.
And who on earth upgrades their motherboard only in 2 or 3 years anyways? That's just plain ridiculous.
Do you think that motherboard manufacturers are going to concentrate on building some miraculous new platform to accomodate a 2 o 3 year old CPU,memory & videocard offering vast improvements over their first year or 2 offerings for those CPU's/memory.No.
In 2-3 years you'll see new CPU's,accompanying memory and GeForce 8's.
But you think you'll find that miraculous motherboard that's going to exploit some astronomical punch to your current CPU/memory/videcard offerings.In your wild dreams buddy.
Fact is that in 2-3 years time you'll need to upgrade all 3 of those components to be up to date.
Any PCI-E card you buy now will be a joke in 3 years since you're striving for high end.
You make no sense at all.

 

[TimTheEnchanter25]

I love how whenever anyone talks about PCI-E there is always a bunch of people that assume that their current system is fine and tell them not to just upgrade the mobo/vid card.

Personally, I have a 1ghz P3, Intel mobo, 512mb ram, and a GF4 4600 Ti. I can't upgrade anything or even overclock, all I can do is replace everything.

I see no disadvantage for me waiting for Nforce 4 (hopefully next month) and getting a PCI-E 6800 GT (if they ever come out....). Yes, there isn't much (if any) of a performance advantage moving to PCI-E, but that still isn't a disadvantage.

Plus, SLI is such a huge advantage over AGP. I also like how many people act like the only people that will use SLI are the ones that spend a ton of money today. I think the biggest group of SLI users will be the people like me that buy a 6800GT now and a second 2-3 years down the road.

How is 1 $400 + 1 $150 card a worse idea than 1 $400 + 1 $400 card and hoping to get $50- $100 out of your used one? Sure, 2 6800GTs won't be as good as whatever the $400 card will be in 2-3 years, but it will be a heck of a lot cheaper in the long run.