old system dillema: video card options?

[dude_here]

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!

 

[cleeve]

A used $40 9700 PRO or 9800 PRO off of ebay woukld work wonders for that system.

 

[dude_here]

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!

 

[skyguy]

^^ 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.

 

[Scougs]

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.

 

[cleeve]

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.

 

[dude_here]

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?

 

[cleeve]

New ram won't make a difference, your bus speed is probably 266 MHz anyway.

 

[dude_here]

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?

 

[blunc]

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.

 

[AdamBomb42]

I suggest a 7600GT.

 

[cleeve]

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...

 

[dude_here]

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!

 

[georgelawton]

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

 

[dude_here]

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. :?

 

[blunc]

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.

 

[dude_here]

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