Old School, AGP upgrade for poor guy!

[foomangoo]

Hi All,
Well it doesn't look like I will be able to round up the $700 or $800 it takes to build my new system, sooooooo...

I was thinking about pluggin in a "newer" vid card. I have an Asus 6600 in my p4 2.8 ht socket 478, 2gig, system. I usually play CoD UO and want to get CoD4.

I was thinking about a 7600GS or X1650Pro, something in the $70 range. I am not sure about my PSU, but I do have a small 175w psu I could run simultaniously (if that can be done) if the psu wont cut it.

Would any of this even be worth doing to hold me over for another year with my agp system?

Look forward to your ideas suggestions!

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums mate

1_Well, first of all post the full specs of your PSU
2_Pentium 4 2.8 may bottleneck those cards
3_7600GS and X1650Pro are good APG cards and will play COD4,but dont expect to set every option @ high

I dont think that system (Even with 7600GS or X1650Pro) will hold you for another year

 

[Shadow703793]

^Agreed.
Just get a P35-DS3L+ E21xx + 3850 + good PSU + 2GB DDR2 RAM

 

[blade85]

if u let us know how much u can round up, we maaay be able to give you a better alternative.

 

[OOOwatah]

Did you guys even read what the OP said?

OP: In that price range if you can find it, go ahead with the 1650.

 

[uri]

well, I've got a similar rig and I've bought a few months ago 7600GT istead of my 9800Pro.

I saw a big difference and I was able to play new games like COD4.

The problem is that some games (like Bioshock) are CPU limited - during the game it run smoothly but loading times were unbearable.

It will be a good upgrade and will keep your system running for some more time but you should consider buying a new rig if you can afford it.
As for the card the 7600GS and 1650Pro (gddr3) will give you about the same boost, you should consider the 7600GT or 2600XT, I know that the prices are very close were I live...

 

[Anoobis]

If you're worried about your PSU then stick with the 7600GS or this HD2600Pro:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102709

If you're willing to spend money on something as high as a AGP 7600GT card, don't. Not unless you can find one in your price range on eBay. Otherwise this card is a better alternative to the AGP 7600GT:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102711

 

[bildo123]

^Agreed.
Just get a P35-DS3L+ E21xx + 3850 + good PSU + 2GB DDR2 RAM

Exactly what I did, except I got a 8800GT and 4 gigs of ram. I got over $100 Rebates coming in as well and it fits very nice with your budget. If you want to save even more money you can stick with the 3850 but know that it doesnt pull near as much horsepower as a 8800GT even the 256MB flavor (Afterall it's just a 8800GT with half the Vram) I picked up a ThermalTake 500W purepower PSU for $25 AR at the Egg. Powers everything great, dead silent, and the 120mm fan exhaust even more hot air out of my case. I picked up a CM centurion case for $15 AR at zipzoomfly. I believe nows a good time to upgrade. Plus when the Q6600 gets dirt cheap you can throw that in the DS3L and OC it to 3Ghz if not more, and be good to go. Oh ya I got a nice CM TX-2 HSF for $8 AR as well. But like I said over $100 of this build is on rebates which is a little annoying.

 

[Anoobis]

How does all of that fit within $70?

 

[foomangoo]

Yea, I spec'd out parts for a P35, E2160, PSU, 2gig Ram, 8800gt and box, its a good deal, but I dont have the cash

Soo..... My psu is 250w and the other one i have is out of a Compaq minibox 185w. (Can I just use the 185w for the vid card? ... like a external power supply? )

I was surprised to see prices on ebay were in most cases more than newegg!

and is there any problems if my mobo is 4x? I cant remember or never knew what it supports? Guess I need to find out..

So the 1650 is the way to go???? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102073

@ Anoobis - Those are nice prices on the 2600's, but can my system utilize them?

*Edit* - Here is what i have now http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=7&l3=154&model=408&modelmenu=1

 

[Anoobis]

I would say your best bet would be to stick with the 7600GS or the HD 2600Pro. If your system can handle the plain jane 6600 you've got in there then you should be fine with either card although the 7600GS would be the safer bet with your power supply. The HD 2600Pro is the stronger performer but draws a little bit more power and could stress the limits of your PSU.

Yes, you will see instances of the CPU holding you back. The issue of an AGP 4X slot is very minor and not worth worrying about. I'm sure there is a way to rig up the 185W PSU you have but I really doubt it would be worth the time and effort and possible damage that could be done to your system to warrant it. To top it all off, you may not see a huge increase in performance that you might want. There will be an increase, no doubt, but don't expect anything like double what you have now.

EDIT: Oh, and an X1650Pro uses more power than the HD 2600Pro or 7600GS so I don't recommend it.

 

[foomangoo]

okay guys, back for more....
I think I am gonna order a card this weekend, more than likely one of these unless anyone has a better option (rather not do the mail-in-rebate thing) -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102709
SAPPHIRE 100217L Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
* Free 3 Business Day Shipping
* Your Price:$86.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161210
HIS Hightech H26PF512ANP Radeon HD 2600PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
* Free 3 Business Day Shipping
* Your Price:$104.99
* Mail-In Rebate: $20.00
* Price after rebate(s):$84.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076
EVGA 256-A8-N542-T2 GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
* 3 Business Day Shipping $5.84
* Your Price:$99.99
* Mail-In Rebate: $20.00
* Price after rebate(s):$79.99

What ya think?

 

[geofelt]

It is sometimes hard to completely get rid of nvidia video drivers to install ati, and vice versa. I think you are safer keeping things nvidia based.

 

[foomangoo]

Hmm, I would like to stay with nvidia, but I hate those dang mail-in-rebate! Wait forever to get those, if there isnt problems!

What is the deal with removing nvidia drivers?

(Thanks for the help) hoping to order tomorrow.

 

[cnumartyr]

Hmm, I would like to stay with nvidia, but I hate those dang mail-in-rebate! Wait forever to get those, if there isnt problems!

What is the deal with removing nvidia drivers?

(Thanks for the help) hoping to order tomorrow.

I just uninstall from the Control Panel.

I've changed motherboards and video cards that way.. lol. I'm too lazy to reinstall windows.

 

[Evilonigiri]

Not much really.

Remove the display driver. Run registry cleaner. Then install.

 

[Evilonigiri]

I just uninstall from the Control Panel.

I've changed motherboards and video cards that way.. lol. I'm too lazy to reinstall windows.

Looks like you've started to invade the graphics card section

 

[cnumartyr]

Looks like you've started to invade the graphics card section

Your fault.

 

[Silverion77]

you can go into motherboards too.
There is an amusing thread by Nel

 

[Evilonigiri]

you can go into motherboards too.
There is an amusing thread by Nel

For me, the instant I set foot there, my head spins.

I don't like motherboard talk I suppose.

 

[Silverion77]

^agreed...its pretty boring

except cnumartyr did go in and post on the thread I said. Lol

 

[Evilonigiri]

^agreed...its pretty boring

except cnumartyr did go in and post on the thread I said. Lol

Yeah I noticed...

 

[cnumartyr]

^agreed...its pretty boring

except cnumartyr did go in and post on the thread I said. Lol

I only have time to devote the amount of my attention I want to to CPUs and Components and Overclocking with Overclocking being my primary field... Besides if I posted everywhere I'd never leave.

Kinda like tonight... Seriously.

 

[Silverion77]

I'm just here because im bored and not tired enough to go to bed. I was playing CS:S but my server cut out from too many laggers

 

[foomangoo]

Is it common to have problems/events with ati drivers for agp cards, enough to deter me away from the 2600 as pointed out above?