help with mid range card

[robcy]

I currently have a 9700PRO which has worked great for the last 3 years. I have a 19 in monitor. I was looking for the best card available for around $150. I do not play at 16x12 or with 16aa & 16af so I was looking for something that would boost performance until late summer when I will build a new computer. I looked at the X1600PRO AGP. I play IL2-FB, SW Battlefronts 1 & 2, Doom 3, Rallisport challenge, CFS 3. I have been out of the loop for a while, and tring to select a card now requires a decoder ring.

 

[sindows]

I think the 6600GT would be a better deal.

 

[apoppin]

the 6600GT is a mild upgrade for a 9700p [i think there was a hot deal for $100 recently] . . . the x1600Pro isn't much faster than the 6600GT

i'd look for an AGP 6800GS or an x800xt . . . those would be solid upgrades but they are ~$200 . . . check Hot Deals Forum regularly.

 

[Bull Dog]

From a 9700Pro there isn't much above the $120-130 range (small and probably not that noticable of an upgrade) until you hit $180-200 (larger and much more noticable upgrade).

 

[RussianSensation]

6800GS AGP - make it your last agp upgrade (with IL2 and Doom 3, you want Nvidia). Also, it would be a good idea to get an extra 512mb of ram for total of 1 gig.

 

[jdkick]

If you're planning a new build in the summer then i'd wait it out. What's the the point in dropping $$$ on an AGP now - the new system will undoubtedly require a new PCI-Express card.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: jdkick
If you're planning a new build in the summer then i'd wait it out. What's the the point in dropping $$$ on an AGP now - the new system will undoubtedly require a new PCI-Express card.

LATE Summer . . . think September
:Q

would you wait?

he can always sell the new AGP card then just as he can sell his 9700p now to defray expenses.

OP, for a true upgrade, look for a 6800GS or x800xt . . . perhaps you might want to look at refurbished cards or even unmodified cards in the FS/T Forum.

Are you willing to modify cards such as unlocking or flashing BIOSes? If so, there are some good deals on lesser AGP cards [of course, not all flashes or unlocks are "successful"].

 

[ronnn]

My x800xt pe refurb was a huge upgrade from my 9700pro. Was like having a new rig. Made waiting for a total upgrade not so bad. Have got ~ 6 months out of it, so was cost effective. But I feel the next round of games and my agp antique will hit the wall. So my reccomendation is start the move to pcie.

 

[navyac]

dont forger that a move to a 6800gs requires a 400 watt psu so if u are a running a proprietary computer such as a Dell or Gateway, you will have to buy a new PSU

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: navyac
dont forger that a move to a 6800gs requires a 400 watt psu so if u are a running a proprietary computer such as a Dell or Gateway, you will have to buy a new PSU

i don't think so

link please

 

[ubercaffeinated]

dell psu's are actually pretty beefy on some of their models. real solid. can't say any thing about gateway.

 

[LW07]

Get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130264

and this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146541

6600GT will not be a noticible upgrade from a 9700pro. Put up with your 9700 until you can get the $ for this.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: navyac
dont forger that a move to a 6800gs requires a 400 watt psu so if u are a running a proprietary computer such as a Dell or Gateway, you will have to buy a new PSU

350w

since it doesn't specify, a decent 350w generic PS should suffice . . . OR a lower power quality PS . . . if you don't have a lot to power or are O/C'ing substantially.

 

[openwheelformula1]

wait a few weeks for 7600GT

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: openwheelformula1
wait a few weeks for 7600GT

in AGP?

Why?

the 7800 series is faster.

maybe wait for the 7900GTX or something from ATi . . . but why wait if you are upgrading to PCIe late Summer . . . a nice 'tide you over card' would be the 6800GS . . . just a little out of the OP's budget . . . unless he factors in selling his 9700p.

 

[CKXP]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: openwheelformula1
wait a few weeks for 7600GT

in AGP?

Why?

the 7800 series is faster.

maybe wait for the 7900GTX or something from ATi . . . but why wait if you are upgrading to PCIe late Summer . . . a nice 'tide you over card' would be the 6800GS . . . just a little out of the OP's budget . . . unless he factors in selling his 9700p.

good plan, eVGA 6800GS $209

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: CKXP

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: openwheelformula1
wait a few weeks for 7600GT

in AGP?

Why?

the 7800 series is faster.

maybe wait for the 7900GTX or something from ATi . . . but why wait if you are upgrading to PCIe late Summer . . . a nice 'tide you over card' would be the 6800GS . . . just a little out of the OP's budget . . . unless he factors in selling his 9700p.

good plan, eVGA 6800GS $209

$214.99 at ZipZoomFly/ $194.99 After Rebate
:thumbsup:

'timing' is important . . . you have to search often to get a Hot Deal. i imagine the OP should get at least $65 for his 9700p . . .

edited . . . looks like $65 is a good price for a 9700p

the GS suddenly looks affordable . . . $200-65=$150 [after taxes, rebate, shipping and selling]

 

[robcy]

Thanks for all of the great advise. I have one more question. I looked at the x800xt and the 6800gs, and I can find the x800xt for a little less. Which would be better running 1280x1024 with a little eye candy? (like 4x AA / 8x AF)

I just got IL-2FB, and HL2 (yes, I am a little behind the curve, but time, and funds are limited)

 

[hans030390]

Originally posted by: robcy
Thanks for all of the great advise. I have one more question. I looked at the x800xt and the 6800gs, and I can find the x800xt for a little less. Which would be better running 1280x1024 with a little eye candy? (like 4x AA / 8x AF)

I just got IL-2FB, and HL2 (yes, I am a little behind the curve, but time, and funds are limited)

Depending on how long you want to keep this card...i'd say go for the 6800gs because of shader model 3 support. If this is only going to last for a few months, the x800xt might be better.

 

[evolucion8]

Originally posted by: robcy

Thanks for all of the great advise. I have one more question. I looked at the x800xt and the 6800gs, and I can find the x800xt for a little less. Which would be better running 1280x1024 with a little eye candy? (like 4x AA / 8x AF)

I just got IL-2FB, and HL2 (yes, I am a little behind the curve, but time, and funds are limited)

I would choose the X800XT over the 6800GS because is more faster with all the eye candy on. This card is just too weak to run SM 3.0 like Displacement Mapping, HDR etc. So, forget about it, better performance over feature set, than feature set over performance.

 

[robcy]

Again, thanks for all of the advise. I have purchased a x800xt, and will let everyone know how much improvement it has over the 9700PRO on my system.

 

[robcy]

Received, and installed AIW X800XT. The increase is great. At 1280X1024 with the 9700PRO I would dip into the teens (fps) in IL-2 PF, and that was without aa or af. With the X800 at 1280x1024 with 4aa & 8af the game looks great, and no stutters, and not once did it drop below 30fps. I ran a couple of benchmarks for comarison on my system.

3dmark03 9700=5317 X800=11324
3dmark05 9700=2515 X800=5938
3dmark06 9700=726 X800=2062

But the in game difference is awesome

Thanks again for all of the advise.