x800pro vs x1950pro agp?

[ragingazn628]

I was wondering if it's worth it to get an x800pro for 50 dollars (used) rather than a new x1950pro for around 175. As far as performance goes how much better is the x1950pro than x800pro?

 

[pauldh]

What are your system specs, what games do you play or hope to play, and what resolution do you play at? The SM2.0 X800 pro is not supported in some games already. Also, if your system isn't up to it, the X1950 pro could be a waste. The HD2600XT AGP is an option too as it has been as low as $99 (newegg), and without fsaa often comes close to X1950 pro performance. With fsaa, the X1950 pro typically leaves it in the dust. In the most demanding new games neither would have the oomph to use fsaa unless you are running a low resolution.

Edit: what country are you in? If in the USA I'll pick some good AGP deals right now. But you need to answer the questions above about your system and games or it may just be bad advice.

 

[Xazax310]

about $125 worth more performance.

but if you want a cheap AGP card that can be potenitally unlocked to a full 16 PP X800(using some modifications ofc) then yea the X800PRO is a good deal.

But if you got the cash the 1950PRO hands down.

 

[ragingazn628]

What are your system specs, what games do you play or hope to play, and what resolution do you play at? The SM2.0 X800 pro is not supported in some games already. Also, if your system isn't up to it, the X1950 pro could be a waste. The HD2600XT AGP is an option too as it has been as low as $99 (newegg), and without fsaa often comes close to X1950 pro performance. With fsaa, the X1950 pro typically leaves it in the dust. In the most demanding new games neither would have the oomph to use fsaa unless you are running a low resolution.

Edit: what country are you in? If in the USA I'll pick some good AGP deals right now. But you need to answer the questions above about your system and games or it may just be bad advice.

Built this durable system about 4-5 years ago for around 800 dollars:


3.2Ghz Prescott P4 HT
Asus Mobo
2x512mb DDR Kingston Ram PC3200 - Dual channel
160x2gig WD HDD Raid 0
Radeon AGP 9600xt AIW 128MB
350Watts PSU

I will use to play games...no FPS (first person shooter)

 

[Xazax310]

Ah, weak link would be the PSU depending on the Quality, if you upgrade to a X1950PRO, you would need a 450+ PSU i recommend Cosair PSU:
$70 Cosair 450w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=Corsair%2b450W

i cannot agree with PaulDh about the 2600XT its simply junk and underpowered the older gen cards stomp it in games and who wants to play without FSAA? the X1950PRO would be the better choice for performance.

 

[ragingazn628]

What is the SM2.0? I do live in the US. Right now I have WoW, Warcraft 3 , and Guitar Hero 3. Guitar Hero 3 is lagging a bit so that is why I am trying to get a cheap video card (AGP system). What AGP deals can you pick for me?

 

[Xazax310]

SM2.0 is simply the shader model used, your old 9600XT only supports 1.1 i believe, hence why in those newer games you might lag.

Those are good deals however i would shop around local stores as well as other E-Tailers and see what they sell

 

[KyleSTL]

Built this durable system about 4-5 years ago for around 800 dollars:


3.2Ghz Prescott P4 HT
Asus Mobo
2x512mb DDR Kingston Ram PC3200 - Dual channel
160x2gig WD HDD Raid 0
Radeon AGP 9600xt AIW 128MB
350Watts PSU

I will use to play games...no FPS (first person shooter)

Looks familiar. LOL :lol:

Anyway, I'll agree with pauld about the HD 2600XT upgrade. PSU suggestions would be an Antec Earthwatts 430W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006
it's a good quality, high efficiency unit with 30A on the 12V for $55 w/ free shipping. Can't really beat that on a budget.

Good luck finding an X1950 AGP, Newegg hasn't had them in a while, and a quick froogle search showed they're crawling north of the $300 mark (for the Pro version). That cost is NOT justifiable. Period.

 

[ragingazn628]

Well the x800 pro I am trying to get is only 40 bucks... any opinion on that?

 

[KyleSTL]

I believe your PSU would be pushed pretty hard with an X800. When I upgraded to the 7600GS, my PSU started giving out on me and I kept getting "Video card is not receiving sufficient power" messages. I'm fairly certain my PSU was succumbing to an decrease in its peak output due to capacitor aging and a newly elevated level of demand. My PSU was a Delta 365W OEM and the 7600GS and X800 have similar power requirements (27W and 37W, respectively from http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354&p=0 ). So, with a 350W PSU, it looks like you'll be upgrading either way. I'd say go for the 2600XT still, even with the X800 at that pricepoint.

 

[pauldh]

Ah, weak link would be the PSU depending on the Quality, if you upgrade to a X1950PRO, you would need a 450+ PSU i recommend Cosair PSU:
$70 Cosair 450w
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=Corsair%2b450W

i cannot agree with PaulDh about the 2600XT its simply junk and underpowered the older gen cards stomp it in games and who wants to play without FSAA? the X1950PRO would be the better choice for performance.

Really, I'll give you some links to hot new games to look over so you can rethink that. In AGP you don't do much better than the HD2600XT. And for 75% more money the X1950 pro is a terrible buy compared to it. You'd rather have him put $175 into that? SHow me a new AGP card for $100 brand new that comes anywhere near the HD2600XT. And who plays without fsaa? ... People who play newer games at over 10x7 with a $100 or less AGP card, that's who. I'm an fsaa junkie myself, but let's face it we are talking AGP here. Throw in crysis, does fsaa matter with any AGP card? Anyway, just comes down to price/performance IMO. I've seen the HD2600XT in action, and in my eyes at $99 it's by far the best bang for buck solid AGP gaming card.

Crysis: http://www.legionhardware.com:80/document.php?id=698&p=2

UT3: http://www.anandtech.com:80/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3128&p=4

HL2 ep2: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3122&p=3

TF2: http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=691&p=2

 

[pauldh]

OP, those are good enough specs to justify almost any AGP card made IMO, but I highly recommend you look for getting alot of performance for your money. In some games you will be more cpu limited to some extent, and your X1950 pro price is pretty terrible. Combiine those two and I would avoid a $175 X1950 pro. But it depends on your pricing on other cards.

Also, an older 350W PSU is probably has a single weak 12v rail and will greatly limit what you can put in it. With the X1950 pro they recommend 30 amp 12v, although you could be fine with 26 amp I'd think depending how loaded the system is. Yours may be 14-16 amps only if it's an older 350W PSU, and factor in aging on top of that even. If that's the case, you won't go far upgrading while keeping it in the system.

edit: In the USA, here is the card I recommend. But again you will need a good 22 amp 12v or more IMO to confidently run it. Then use the latest Cat 8.1 hotfix drivers from ATI or Sapphires site with it.
http://www.newegg.com:80/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102711

 

[enewmen]

The X1950Pro will easily beat a x800pro.
If you care about performance, I think it's better to get new everything. Even a new low-end system will run much better or just save your money. Totally useless? Yes until you can't get replacement parts anymore. I was in the same boat 1 year ago.

 

[jitpublisher]

I can't speak for the AGP version, but I went from a X850XT Plantinum Edition to a X1950pro, and there is quite a difference. I would highly suggest thinking about the 1950pro if you are any kind of gamer, and you can swing the extra cash for it and a power supply. But then, if your cash is limited, the 2600
XT that has been mentioned is a good choice for the money.

Too bad you don't have a PCIe slot, I have that X850XT PE sitting in the closet, ran it only for about 3 months, it's in perfect condition and would make you a screaming deal on it.

However, both cards would need a good power supply to run them.

 

[ragingazn628]

but definitely x800 pro is better than the 9600xt right? I just plan on having this card for a little while and save up some cash and build a brand new system =) I mean a 40 dollars upgrade sounds alright.

 

[pauldh]

X800 pro is way better than the 9600XT. Matter of fact it's way better than the 9800XT that ruled that generation.

 

[pauldh]

Quick review example:
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/r420preview/9.html

 

[ragingazn628]

is the x2600xt WAY BETTER than the x800pro? is it worth the extra 50?

 

[pauldh]

IMO yes. Not only way more powerful, it's supported in all games. The X800 pro is an SM2.0 card with no official support in SM3.0 only games like Bioshock, MOH:Airborne, etc.

Edit: Let me put it this way, the HD2600XT would very often do to the X800 pro (double it's performance) what the X800 pro does to your card. If I run upon any direct comparisons in my favs, I'll post it.

 

[Guest]

Although I'm looking forward to rebuilding soon - I've had an X800Pro for almost 4 years now.

I'm not sure about power supplies - I've always had a 550 watt.

But the x800pro has been good enough to play COD4 demo on medium settings and Crisis demo on medium settings for a good enough single player experience. (at 1280x1024)

I've always played the Novalogic Delta force games including Joint Operations/escalation etc and the card has worked fine.

Depends on your cash situation and how longer you can wait to save and what other bottlenecks could slow any upgrade component down etc. Good Luck.

In life - if it isn't a HUGE risk - maybe just go for it and see what happens! Follow your heart and be happy..

 

[ragingazn628]

hmm - will the x800 pro be good enough to handle Starcraft 2? ETA 1 year or more?

 

[pauldh]

AFAIK, Starcraft 2 is rumored require only SM2.0 cards like the your 9600XT/9500 pro even. We will have to wait and see though.

The X800 pro is a good card, I have owned one and used many. Also owned a X800XL, and still own an AIW X800XT and X800XTpe. Those two have plenty of power for most current games, just get left out in sm3.0 only games.

 

[ragingazn628]

See I only play strategy games and MMOs - the only MMOs I play are WoW and Guild Wars (it's been months since I touched them due to college etc.) But I think I might be getting back to it. I play FPS games on xbox360 ps3 etc not computers but yeah I think the x800 pro is good enough until like the geforce 9 series come out or something then I will build a new system ... maybe =D

 

[pauldh]

Unless a specific game you want to play doesn't support the X800 pro (requires sm3.0), it should be totally fine for you.

edit: BTW, what games that you play are hurting on the 9600XT? Something like C&C3 can be very demanding, but also can play on a radeon 8500. If I'm not mistaken, GuildWars is the same min R8500, rec R9500/9600.

 

[ragingazn628]

=D thank you for your time now I hope to win that bid =)