New AGP card :)

[arisgr0]

Hello all!New here
Ok let me tell you my specs
Athlon 2500+
1GB RAM
Sapphire 9800 pro(128 MB)
Win XP(SP2)

I like playing FPS games so im considering buying a new vga.
I know that bying new pc with would be better but no money for now

What do you think about Sapphire 1950 pro (512MB) ??
I know that my cpu will bottleneck it but....
And because im not up to date about video cards:
There is the same card in pci express(with less money)
What about this guys?Does the interface make great performance difference?
Please enlighten me :

 

[mikilys]

PCI-E and AGP x8 are almost on the same level of performance. There won't be big performance "hole" between two same cards - one AGP and second PCI-E.

Back to card for you.
X1950PRO is to much for yours Athlon 2500+ (this probably also socket A processor :/)!
I suggest to overclock him (2,1-2,2GHz).
Then you could buy 7600GS/GT (DDR3) or X1650XT.
If you don't want to overclock then think about X1650PRO (DDR3) or better 7300GT (DDR3).
I think that this is better choice than X1950PRO (you won't put it into new PC, because of AGP port).

 

[Eru]

Hi!
Your CPU might be a serious bottleneck based on what games you would be playing, but i think the more problematic factor would be the AGP.

All new motherboards come with PCIe. AGP is a dead end technology.
If you buy a new video card with AGP, you most probably will not be able to transfer the video card to any new machine you might build.

Of course, you can go for a AGP motherboard but that will limit your choice of motherboards and maybe even processors.

What kind of games would you be playing?
You might want to buy a cheap upgrade if you want to get an AGP card.

 

[fredgiblet]

Given your relatively low specs and AGP port I'd say you should get the X1650 or 7600 like the other guy says, buying a top-end AGP card is just throwing away money for you.

 

[kaotao]

The X1950pro would also be a bit much because you'd most likely have to get a new PSU (450W with 30amps on the 12v rail) as they're pretty power hungry. A 7600GT or X1650XT would be a nice fit. You also might want to look for something like a used X800XL on ebay. Any of those would be a huge upgrade for you.

 

[quantumsheep]

That x1950pro would be a good choice allowing you to maximize the possible performance of your current system.

However, it could also lead to large bottlenecks in CPU intensive games (Source engine especially). So preferable would be a card such as the 7600GS.

I've also come up with a different idea to help you upgrade:
Have you thought about investing the money into a new Dual Core (E4300?) CPU and Asrock Dual vSATA (the one with a PCI-E 4x slot and AGP 8x slot AND it takes DDR and DDR2 allowing you to use your old memory!)? This would probably be a much better upgrade choice which would make your rig a fair amount more future proof than just adding a new graphics card.

 

[bfellow]

If you are thinking of playing Stalker, Supreme Commander, C&C 3, Alan Wake, or Crysis, then good luck.

 

[ladic]

if you want a cheap short term solution, try picking an Radeon X800pro on ebay, they could be had for about $60-$80

 

[sayuki288]

do the rock come with the card?

 

[arisgr0]

Thank you very much for the replies!
First of all:
i have a 550W PSU with 20amps on the 12v rail.Isnt that enough?
And btw do i need a new power connector type?I know the classic ones with 4 pins(GND,12V,5V)

The point is that i will be using my pc intensively for the next year and then i will relatively stop using it for another whole year!

Thats why im sceptical about a new pc.I know i will enjoy it for only a year.So,the case of buying a new CPU,RAM M/B and VGA is off.

Of course the combo things about buying only new M/B and CPU gets me confused 8O

 

[arisgr0]

Ok.
I forgot sth
I like sports,racing games and FPS mostly
Of course there are exceptions like C&C which im buying tomorrow

 

[kaotao]

Your just short on amps. It's all about the amps. I know of one guy here on the forumz running one with a 380W PSU with 22amps on the 12v rail. While it's worked for him, it's not recommended.

 

[Darkchyld]

While I cannot debate the reasons that others have given for not going with the 1950 card I am one that got it anyway. I've been most pleased with it. Its performance has been outstanding! I've got an XP 3000+ CPU, which is a little more than yours. You do need to be aware of the power that card requires. You do need the AMPs on the 12v for sure.
Some interesting links for you:
http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=9382
My Results with Oblivion:
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/darkchyld738/setting01.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w149/darkchyld738/settings02.jpg

DC

 

[blade85]

Your just short on amps. It's all about the amps. I know of one guy here on the forumz running one with a 380W PSU with 22amps on the 12v rail. While it's worked for him, it's not recommended.

dang it... beaten yet again.

 

[pauldh]

Just a few suggestions:

Check out these two articles, they were written for people just like you:
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/02/01/agp-platform-analysis/
http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/10/agp-platform-analysis/

That PSU will not be enough for a X1950 pro and probably not enough for a X1650XT either. My HIS iceQ X1650XT recommends a 450W PSU with 30A 12v rail just like the X1950 pros'. Both are great cards but consume alot of power. IMO, the best AGP card that PSU could possibly handle would be the new XFX 7900GS. Then the 7600GT, then the X1650 pro or 7600GS. If you want to play it safe, go for the 7600GT. Problem is with the current cost of them, a GDDR3 X1650 pro might be alot cheaper. See here for power consumption: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-x1650xt_4.html

AGP 8X is not going to limit these cards, but that XP2500+ sure will at times as you can see in those two links above. Have you ever thought about overclocking? Every XP2500+ I have ever used has been able to hit 2.2GHz, which is XP3200+ speeds. So you may want to consider overclocking it. Some were even unlocked so you can change the multiplier. Say if 2.2GHz (11 *200) is not stable for some reason, then you could run 12 * 166 instead. If it's locked you are stuck with an 11 multiplier. Anyway, just something to think about as it can give you a few more fps in areas you are cpu limited. I run a X1650XT with a mobile XP2500+. In some games I see huge gains OC'in the cpu to 2.4GHz. Others I stay at the regular clocks to cut down on volatge, heat, and cpu fan noise.

 

[kaotao]

Your just short on amps. It's all about the amps. I know of one guy here on the forumz running one with a 380W PSU with 22amps on the 12v rail. While it's worked for him, it's not recommended.

dang it... beaten yet again.

I was wondering when you were going to show up.

 

[blade85]

well i wasnt gonna click on this topic, but then saw your ID and thought....uh oh..i missed one.. :lol:

 

[arisgr0]

Hello all!
Well,first of all i bought today C&C and rocks!
Well,i play it in medium texture detail and most of other options on low(its what the game chose for my system).It plays smoothly.
Anyways, ill forget about 1950 pro and look a bit lower:

There is GAINWARD BLISS 7600GT 256MB with 157 EURO and
SAPPHIRE ATI X1650PRO 512MB with 150 EURO
The point is that ive heard for ati that there are models with DDR2 which a lot worse right??

 

[Dr_asik]

The 7600GT is a lot better than the X1650Pro, it's more than worth the extra 7EURO, although the X1650Pro should not cost 150 in the first place. But, if that's the cheapest you can find, then it's a decent upgrade.

 

[quantumsheep]

Hello all!
Well,first of all i bought today C&C and rocks!
Well,i play it in medium texture detail and most of other options on low(its what the game chose for my system).It plays smoothly.
Anyways, ill forget about 1950 pro and look a bit lower:

There is GAINWARD BLISS 7600GT 256MB with 157 EURO and
SAPPHIRE ATI X1650PRO 512MB with 150 EURO
The point is that ive heard for ati that there are models with DDR2 which a lot worse right??

Just wondering what EU country you're in?

 

[arisgr0]

Hi
Im from Greece
Are you in EU too?
Maybe you could tell me the prices in your country

 

[blade85]

a Ati x1650 pro costs about 75-80 £ in the UK

so thats...umm....110-117 euros

infact you can get a x1650XT for 135 euros


And I thought i was getting ripped off here :?

 

[arisgr0]

No way!
Greece is the best in HIGH prices! :lol:
Lets dont talk about average salaries....

 

[quantumsheep]

a Ati x1650 pro costs about 75-80 £ in the UK

so thats...umm....110-117 euros

infact you can get a x1650XT for 135 euros


And I thought i was getting ripped off here :?

x1650pro can be had for about £60 in the UK if you look closely! The 7600GT can be had for around £75.

 

[arisgr0]

i wish i could buy via internet from another country but a credit card is needed....
In addition,if your card is faulty,what r u going to do?