Should I upgrade to a 7800GS+?

[imported_goku]

I currently have a 9800pro 128MB video card in my P4 2.8C running at 3.5GHz, Abit IC7-G motherboard, 1GB ram. I'm fairly satisfied with performance of my machine but I've got two concerns on my mind at the moment.

1. Being that the 7800GS+ made by gainward (7900GT Core) may effectively be the last high end video card I'll be able to get for AGP.

2. Whether or not I should upgrade to a whole new system just so that I can get a cheaper PCIe video card. At 2.8GHz, the system is fast enough and with it running at 3.5ghz, I don't see a real incentive to upgrade to an AMD 64 since the performance according to sisoft sandra is around FX55 for MIPS and is significantly faster in floating point operations. (7750 opposed to 5500 for the FX57)

While a 7800GS price at $300 is ok for me, the prices for the 7800GS+ is a bit intimidating at around $500.

Should I just hold off and hope they make another high end AGP part?

 

[Powermoloch]

You'll be okay. I'm pretty happy with my sempy 3100 + x850xt agp. It runs like a champ in comparable performance

 

[Mloot]

I wouldn't hold out hope for there being higher-end AGP cards in the future. The Gainward cards are probably the last hurrah, and future offerings are more likely to be limited to mid-level and/or entry-level cards. You can sometimes find used 7800gs' (if you don't mind buying used) in the FS/FT forum for under $250. That would get you a great AGP card for alot less money than what Gainward charges for their card.

 

[Ulfhednar]

Go PCI-E instead. I don't know about where you live, but it's cheaper to get a £50 PCI-E motherboard and ~£200 graphics card than it is to get the high end AGP graphics cards now.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: Ulfhednar
Go PCI-E instead. I don't know about where you live, but it's cheaper to get a £50 PCI-E motherboard and ~£200 graphics card than it is to get the high end AGP graphics cards now.

But I'd have to buy DDR2 memory modules and I'd also have to get a new processor as well. I only buy high quality parts, I paid $170 for my last board and I don't see my self paying 1/4 of that for my next motherboard.

 

[Mavrick007]

You could either try to sell your current rig and buy something like an AMD 3500+ and overclock it with a new board, either keep your ram or buy DDR2 ram with a new system. You probably wouldn't be out alot more than just buying one of those "top" AGP cards. The thing is that you're going to limit yourself with an AGP part now.. especially if you want decent video performance.

I am still on AGP but I refuse to put more money into it cause it's hurting me in the long run and I am going to have to upgrade my cpu/ram/mobo anyway if I want anything better. I bought a 6800 card last year and it's lasting me well enough for the time being until Conroe or some other cpu (AM2 or AM3) proves worthy. The only thing I will buy in an AGP part now is probably an x800xt pe or an x850xt pe and it would have to be a great deal (used or otherwise) cause the 7800GS cards are nice but way too expensive. It wouldn't be meant to be in my main rig, it would only be to update my secondary rig which means that I probably won't buy one until I have a new rig.. and I am doubtful that enough parts (ie. good mobo, good ram and cpu) will be out in quantity by the end of July. I expect that most of the Conroe chips will be going out to the OEMs and even if I can get one, I bet there won't be a great motherboard out that I want by then. If I can't get a Conroe, I'll probably go with AM2 and some DDR2 ram, then put a decent vid card in it such as an x1900XTX and I'll be set for awhile. Hehe I need to have a new rig by the middle of August because of an event coming up.. otherwise I'd wait longer for the good motherboard and Conroe chip combo that I want.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: goku
I currently have a 9800pro 128MB video card in my P4 2.8C running at 3.5GHz, Abit IC7-G motherboard, 1GB ram. I'm fairly satisfied with performance of my machine but I've got two concerns on my mind at the moment.

1. Being that the 7800GS+ made by gainward (7900GT Core) may effectively be the last high end video card I'll be able to get for AGP.

2. Whether or not I should upgrade to a whole new system just so that I can get a cheaper PCIe video card. At 2.8GHz, the system is fast enough and with it running at 3.5ghz, I don't see a real incentive to upgrade to an AMD 64 since the performance according to sisoft sandra is around FX55 for MIPS and is significantly faster in floating point operations. (7750 opposed to 5500 for the FX57)

While a 7800GS price at $300 is ok for me, the prices for the 7800GS+ is a bit intimidating at around $500.

Should I just hold off and hope they make another high end AGP part?

You might consider trying to find one of those Albatron mobo's. I had one. It was Socket 478, used DDR, and had a single PCI-e slot. I didn't want to buy a new CPU and memory either, so I opted for the Albatron board to house my 7800GTX.

ALBATRON MARS PX915P4C Pro / Skt. 478 (prescott) PCI-E is the exact model.

Here is a pic

So, if you're ok spending 300 on a 7800GS, I don't see why you couldn't get something like this board for 100.00 and a faster PCI-E vid card. Its a nice interim solution. Not the best overclocker, although I did only try briefly with average RAM. And, you can probably sell your 170.00 mobo (new) and recoup some cash.

 

[KutterMax]

I was in a similar situation to you except that I was running a 6800GT (I previously had a 9800 Pro and noticed a huge leap in performance when I switched to the 6800GT). I had no intention of upgrading my 6800GT, but rather was waiting for the launch of Vista to buy a whole new rig at that time...but my 6800GT decided to die on me.

After looking at the various options, I opted to buy a 7800GS OC. I was a quick fix to get back up and running quickly. Basically I just popped it in, installed the latest nVidia drivers and I was back in business. I have to admit I've been pleasantly surprised by the 7800GS - it is nice and quite and has given me a small boost in performance over the 6800GT.

I probably would recommend spending the $$ on the Gainward card but it may still be worth it to you to consider a 7800GS. It comes down to how much of an upgrade you want to do now and what your long term plans are.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

a nice amd proc/mobo can be had for $180
you already have the ram and other stuff.
and a 7900gt can be had for 250. there that who you should do.

 

[EvanAdams]

I am in your same boat. I am going to probably gowith a x800xl deal in the hot deals forum and then see what becomes of vista games vs an xbx360 and a wii. if i were to upgrade to a pci ex system I would go with a mobo capable of sli as you and I seem to be people who buy and hold on to our stuff instead of constantly upgrading and selling oldparts

 

[Maxspeed996]

Ya , it sucks to spend that much money on an AGP card. I just got my 7800gs co superclock not long ago for $309 from the Egg...and right after that , they ran out of them and don't even list the card anymore. For what it is , the card really does kick butt , and the $300 was well spent in my mind. I'm waiting for Conroe to come out , and some new Motherboards to hit the market before I go spending any more money. That'll give them the chance to work most of the bugs out , and give me a chance to watch what everyone else does with all of the "latest" hardware....I'll let them do the testing for me, then I can just do some homework , and buy what works for me.

And good luck finding that Albatron Motherboard. That thing got snatched up so fast by all of the 478 socket owners out there , I don't think you could even find it anymore. I looked myself for one before I spent the money on my 7800gs.

 

[FrankDC]

Originally posted by: goku
I currently have a 9800pro 128MB video card in my P4 2.8C running at 3.5GHz, Abit IC7-G motherboard, 1GB ram. I'm fairly satisfied with performance of my machine but I've got two concerns on my mind at the moment.

1. Being that the 7800GS+ made by gainward (7900GT Core) may effectively be the last high end video card I'll be able to get for AGP.

2. Whether or not I should upgrade to a whole new system just so that I can get a cheaper PCIe video card. At 2.8GHz, the system is fast enough and with it running at 3.5ghz, I don't see a real incentive to upgrade to an AMD 64 since the performance according to sisoft sandra is around FX55 for MIPS and is significantly faster in floating point operations. (7750 opposed to 5500 for the FX57)

While a 7800GS price at $300 is ok for me, the prices for the 7800GS+ is a bit intimidating at around $500.

Should I just hold off and hope they make another high end AGP part?

OcUK is down to £219 for the GS+, and resale value for these cards is beyond ridiculous. You could probably buy one, use it for a year and sell it for more than you paid.

As for further AGP offerings, I wouldn't get my hopes up. Gainward is the one and only manufacturer to make a G71-based/24 pipe AGP card.

With a 3.5GHz CPU you'll see great performance with this card. I recently upgraded to one (from a 9700 Pro, on a 3.6GHz P4 NW), went from 1 to 2GB of system memory and have been blown away by the difference. The card is scary fast, super quiet and runs 40C at idle/48C at load (overclocked to 500/1400). More than enough horsepower to last me until my Conroe/PCI-E upgrade a year/year and a half from now.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Maxspeed996
Ya , it sucks to spend that much money on an AGP card. I just got my 7800gs co superclock not long ago for $309 from the Egg...and right after that , they ran out of them and don't even list the card anymore. For what it is , the card really does kick butt , and the $300 was well spent in my mind. I'm waiting for Conroe to come out , and some new Motherboards to hit the market before I go spending any more money. That'll give them the chance to work most of the bugs out , and give me a chance to watch what everyone else does with all of the "latest" hardware....I'll let them do the testing for me, then I can just do some homework , and buy what works for me.

And good luck finding that Albatron Motherboard. That thing got snatched up so fast by all of the 478 socket owners out there , I don't think you could even find it anymore. I looked myself for one before I spent the money on my 7800gs.

I myself am fighting the temptation to buy a 7800GS. I just keep repeating to myself, "I must be patient". I am using a 6600vanilla at the moment. Quite the different beast from the 7800GTX I was using. I recently sold my entire gaming rig and am using my music studio computer to do light gaming. Like CoD2 in DX7 mode (arrgghh). But, it works.

Yes, I would imagine that Albatron board is quite hard to come by. I put mine on Ebay and it got snatched up almost instantly. Somebody hit the buy it now button no less than an hour of my posting the auction.