kiddagoat

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I am currently running a 9600XT 256MB and am looking to upgrade to one of the better AGP cards

I would like to get the X850XTPE or 7800GS, they are the same price.

My current system is:
Athlon XP +3200
1GB DDR400
80GB WD Caviar
Sound Blaster Audigy 4
ATI 9600XT 256MB

Would either of those two cards above cause a bottleneck in my system?? If so, would a X800GTO or 6800GS be a better match?
 

nvalhalla

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The cards won't be the bottleneck for you, the CPU will. It probably already is. It really won't matter what card you upgrade to, that CPU will be slowing you down. However, even with that CPU, you will see a GREAT improvement in gaming FPS with an upgraded card. I like the 7800gs myself, I believe it to be a superior card, although I'm sure someone will post otherwise after me. Don't worry about that CPU slowing you down, you will still get great FPS in recent games with the upgraded card.
 

Human1

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I love this question! Mostly because I'm running a nearly identical system and my CPU is real gaming bottleneck. I have an X800 XT and a 3000+ processor. The CPU will be your bottleneck, too.

Oh, looks like someone already answered...
 

FITCamaro

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Looking at the tests, to me it looks like the X850XT is the better card. Look at THGs review of the 7800GS because they compare it to an X850XT (not the PE edition even).

And for the record I have an Nvidia card so don't say I'm a fanboy of ATI.

Personally I say save up your money and upgrade to an AMD64 or an X2 with PCI-Express. There isn't going to be any more AGP stuff so might as well wait till you have more money and upgrade to something a little more futureproof.
 

cleeve

Illustrious
I have to disagree.

My previous system (which I still own) is an AthlonXP 2500+ @ 3200+ speeds (barely any performance increase over a 3000+), and the difference between a Radeon 9700 PRO and Geforce 6800 Ultra was HUGE.

COLOSSAL.

You're not going to see more than a 10 fps difference between an Athlon XP and Athlon 64.
But you can see a 20fps+ difference if you got a better videocard.

Still, the price of the X850XT and 7800 GS are souch that it would go a long way to upgrading your platform to PCI-express.

That in mind, upgrade, but don't pay more than $200. You should be able to get a 6800 GS or X800 GTO in AGP, and it will make a colossal difference in performance over your 9600XT.
 

kiddagoat

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Thank you for your comments

I have read that the GTO is the best bang for your buck in terms of performance vs dollars.

I'm not planning on converting over to PCI-E for some time because I just started college and I move my system around alot. I have had this for about 2-3 years and it still works.

Any other comments are more than welcome. I will probably hold off on getting a new card until next week.
 

Datman

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I agree with Cleeve.

The graphics card upgrade makes a big difference. I went from a 9600XT to a X800pro in my 2.8 northwood and it was a huge improvement. Best was a X850XTPE from another machine I tried.

3910 3DMarks 03 9600XT

9194 3DMarks 03 x800pro

11635 3DMarks 03 x850xtpe

all at default settings

The processor will not hold you back that much really.
 

nvalhalla

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From the most recent 7800gs reviews here on THG, the 7800 gs beats the x850xtpe. Not by much, but take into acount that the xtpe is a giant dual slot fan, which is generally louder, although a test of the specific cards would be needed to verify on an individual basis. If I had my choice, I'd take the 7800 gs. As far as futureproffing, AGP is dead and any of these cards will be useless in his next PC, but a total system overhaul doesn't seem to be what he's looking for, so a cheaper card will force a sooner rebuild. I'd drop the extra $100 bucks, get the 7800gs over an 800 GTO or 6800 and you should get your moneys worth.

(by the way I also am not a fan boy, I'm running a 9700pro AIW in my PC)
 

twall

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Yeah x800 gto is most bang for the buck. But i am not sure if it has pixelshader 3.0. I read the article in toms eych "New 3D Graphics Card Features in 2006" and it says pixel shader 3 is cool. Eventhough i think 2.1 can do almost all fo the eye candy that 3 can, you should keep in mind if you are going to play shader 3 "i forgot what word comes here, i think it starts with ext" games.