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old system dillema: video card options?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - old system dillema: video card options?

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dude_here   03-01-2007 at 08:12:18 PM

Hi all, I'm new here and hope this isn't too dumb of a question:

I have an amd xp 2100+ system, asrock k7vm3 mb, 768mb ram (pc2700), 250w power supply i just revived for my kid. it has an ati radeon 9200 LE vid card with I think 256mb (agp).

Was wondering if there was a better budget card i could put in there that is worth it. i realize its an old sys and don't have a ton of money, but would like to make it better for him.

Any help would be appreciated!

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Cleeve   03-01-2007 at 08:27:16 PM
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A used $40 9700 PRO or 9800 PRO off of ebay woukld work wonders for that system.

Reply to Cleeve
dude_here   03-01-2007 at 08:35:15 PM
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Forgive my ignorance on the subject, as I have been out of the loop for sooo long (didn't even know agp was obsolete til the other day!). haven't even had a working system for 2 years due to personal strife. are those cards newer or older than like a sapphire radeon 9550 256mb? or better? I found one for 60$ new here in town, but no idea how or what to compare it to.

Thank you for your advice!

Reply to dude_here
skyguy   03-01-2007 at 08:38:19 PM
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^^ Listen to The Master ;)

Yep, better to get a used one instead of anything new in that price and performance range.....you'd be paying far too much for little improvement.

Reply to skyguy
Scougs   03-01-2007 at 09:02:56 PM
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The 9550 I think is a slightly newer model than the 9800Pro, and the 9800Pro is a little newer than the 9700Pro. However, the number is indicative of the perfromance. e.g. 9800Pro>9700Pro>9550

The 9800Pro should be much better than the 9550.

Reply to Scougs
Cleeve   03-01-2007 at 09:02:57 PM
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The 9700 PRO or 9800 PRO are older, but much better than a 9550, 9600, and even X600.

They're about as good as newer cards like the X700, X1300 PRO, or Geforce 6600.

Reply to Cleeve
dude_here   03-02-2007 at 03:25:52 PM
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Ok thanks guys! Yeah, I thought that might be the case, Scougs, but wasn't sure if I could trust those numbers... thought the 9550 might be a different generation or something.

Do you think swapping out the ram for newer would do anything, or since it worked for several years just leave it alone-it will be fine and no speed advantage by changing?

Reply to dude_here
Cleeve   03-02-2007 at 04:38:44 PM
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New ram won't make a difference, your bus speed is probably 266 MHz anyway.

Reply to Cleeve
dude_here   03-02-2007 at 05:21:53 PM
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Yeah it is. didn't think it would make a difference, but figured I'd ask anyway. If I don't ask, I won't know, right?

Reply to dude_here
blunc   03-02-2007 at 05:37:57 PM
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I suggest you also get a better power supply for that system if you want it to last much longer, an inexpensive 350W power supply should keep it going till you can't upgrade it anymore.

Reply to blunc
AdamBomb42   03-02-2007 at 05:47:26 PM
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I suggest a 7600GT.

Reply to AdamBomb42
Cleeve   03-02-2007 at 06:40:29 PM
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Quote :

I suggest a 7600GT.



On an AGP AthlonXP 2100+ with a 250w power supply, when the guy is looking for something cheap?

I have to disagree...

Reply to Cleeve
dude_here   03-05-2007 at 04:06:31 AM
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I'll probably get a 350w for this system, but yeah not looking to dump money into it. Hoping to make it a garage system by next year, and will be a emergency system too. This year just trying to make it good for the boy.

Any advice on ebay shopping for one of those 9800 pros Cleeve? Never done ebay before, and have heard horror stories, so alittle gun shy on that. Can't find one locally though!

Reply to dude_here
georgelawton   03-05-2007 at 04:45:26 AM
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type ebay.com, go to search type 9800pro, push buy. wtf?

Reply to georgelawton
dude_here   03-05-2007 at 05:44:44 PM
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Quote :

type ebay.com, go to search type 9800pro, push buy. wtf?





Wtf? Are you having a bad day? I didn't think it was that bad a question. Maybe it was. :?

Reply to dude_here
blunc   03-05-2007 at 11:05:31 PM
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there are many vendors for used/tested computer parts that have reputations to maintain, I have used compuvest.com in the past and have no complaints. I'm leery of ebay since I have heard the horror stories also. good luck on your shopping.

Reply to blunc
dude_here   03-06-2007 at 05:14:04 PM
- 0 +

Thank you. I'll check out compuvest.com and see what I can see.

Reply to dude_here
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