HELP- Whats the best AGP card to run WoW at max?

[xxfera6037xx]

hey guys i am in need of some help here,
my visiontek ATI radeonX1300 card just died yesterday so im in need of a new one asap, all i want it to do is run WoW pretty well....my X1300 ran WoW at max settings with 2xAA at about 25-35fps outdoors and 48+indoors.

it has to be an agp slot card and i would like it to perform about the same as my x1300 did cuz i am used to how that plays and would really dislike lower settings, unfortunately i need it to be as cheap as possible(my dad covered the $160 cost of the X1300 2 years ago so now i have to pay )

from the research i have done so far the most common ones ive heard are the Geforce 6600gt 6800gt/gs 7600gs/gt but i also have heard mixed reviews about each(i want to stick with Nvidia cuz of all the bad hype with ATI). as i said before all i want it to do is run wow on max settings with preferably some AA... also i dont want to pay more for a 7600gt if a 7600gs will run wow at those setting just fine, catch my drift?

heres the X1300 specs: http://computers.pricegrabber.com/video-cards/m/16392883/details/st=product_tab/

my system specs:
AMD Athlon XP 3000+ 2.1ghz
1.5gigs of DDR ram
250 or 300W psu (one of the two)
windows XP home edition service pack 2
(if you need any others just say so)

your thoughts/reviews/solutions/suggestions?

 

[sdrac]

You don't say what res you play at but I'm guessing no higher then 1280/1024.

I'd say 7600gt if you really want to stay with Nvidia or the HD 2600 XT if you decide to try ATI.

Have a look at http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-cards,1965-5.html for more.

Also, you're probably ok but you might want to double check your PSU/12V rail and see what the requirements of the card you select are (though they many times overstate actual power needs on the box/spec). Make sure you have enough power.

Sdrac

 

[th_username]

go newegg and look for agp 3850
it is the most powerful agp you can find

 

[pauldh]

ATI has had the better AGP options for some time now. A X1650 pro would be a step up from what you have and in the $60 range. The HD2600 pro, HD3650, and HD2600XT would be the next steps up from that.

The problem with NVidia is a 7600GS will probably cost the same as a much better 2600 pro, or the 7600GT will cost as much as the far better 2600XT.

 

[pmerritt]

go check out gecube.com they have several cards that will fit your needs. only thing i see about you computer that i don't like is the fact that it has a low wattage power supply. some of these newer video cards are power hungry. I recommend the hd2600 series cards for your rig, there are some faster cards but your cpu would limit their performance.

 

[sarwar_r87]

hd 3650 is ur best option.....

 

[xxfera6037xx]

@ sdrac
sorry yeah i think i do play at 1280x1024.

@pauldh
and the only reason why i was staying away from ATI was because ive heard that they have different issues anywhere from driver problems to premature death lol but if they arent really that horrible then i would def go for the better price to performance ratio

 

[pmerritt]

Well, i haven't had any problems with ATI i think you should try it. I have owned one NVIDIA card and that was a TI-4400 waaaay back in the day. Then I had a Radeon 9800Pro, Radeon 1900XTX and now i have a Radeon HD3870. I totally have nothing agains NVIDIA though i got the radeon this time because i purchased a board with crossfire support. I'm glad i did because i now plan on getting a Radeon 4870

 

[xxfera6037xx]

so based off of what you said pauldh im leaning towards the X1650 pro listed here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2687691&CatId=318

especially if it is going to be a step up from my X1300, run wow better too and for only 60 bucks! that seems like a really good buy.

what do you guys think?
the only thing i didnt see is how much power it requires.

edit: read the comments below it on the link i provided...some of them arent to good?

 

[IH8U]

Personally I'd go with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102762
for $90 (a little more, but a much better solution. As well as being one of the most powerful AGP cards you can buy)

 

[pauldh]

so based off of what you said pauldh im leaning towards the X1650 pro listed here: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] &CatId=318

I have a Sapphire GDDR3 X1650 pro AGP and a HIS iceQ X1650XT AGP and have had no problems with either card. I think that card would be fine. It's a GDDR2 version (hard to find GDDR3 now), so it would trade blows but overall be a bit below the 7600GS. I can't tell you which is better for WOW, but I suspect both are easily fine. A 2600 series would be better(factoring in other games besides WOW), but probably be $75-90 and maybe overkill for your needs.

 

[xxfera6037xx]

so assuming that GDDR2 is fine(thats what my X1300 was so would it even be worth looking for a GDDR3?) the X1650 pro is a step above the X1300 right?

all i need it to be is greater than or atleast equal to the X1300.

if so then it should run wow the same or better than i used to play it.


i did see the 2600pro on newegg but with shipping it would be 82 bucks... the x1650 from tiger would be 76 then 66 after a mail in rebate

just saw the same HIS 1650pro on newegg for 62 after the rebate, but there is also a sapphire version too that looks like its overclocked or something(has no rebate aswell) and a powercolor one, which would be a better buy?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...639+106790809+1067923258&name=Radeon+X1650PRO

 

[Keiki646]

The best one is the HIs ATi 3850 HD 512MB 256Bit GDDR3 IceQ Turbox2 AGp

 

[Keiki646]

so assuming that GDDR2 is fine(thats what my X1300 was so would it even be worth looking for a GDDR3?) the X1650 pro is a step above the X1300 right?

all i need it to be is greater than or atleast equal to the X1300.

if so then it should run wow the same or better than i used to play it.


i did see the 2600pro on newegg but with shipping it would be 82 bucks... the x1650 from tiger would be 76 then 66 after a mail in rebate

just saw the same HIS 1650pro on newegg for 62 after the rebate, but there is also a sapphire version too that looks like its overclocked or something(has no rebate aswell) and a powercolor one, which would be a better buy?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...639+106790809+1067923258&name=Radeon+X1650PRO

sorry about that, I misread your first post and you are on a budget I see. But with GDDR2 it will be the same
I don't see a differnce in performance from 1300X to 1650pro but from your computer specs I don't see a choice for you.
Don't buy the 1650X or the 2600pro ( I will say)
1650pro it will not be that good of a card for that
and 2600 pro is not the best video card for gaming but for video capture
but the 2600XT is best than the pro

if you want to learn more please click on the link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRKeAWHpOKw&feature=related

Teh review will let you the differnces


Link to video cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380048+1069609639+4027+106792278&name=Radeon+HD+2000+series

tigerdirect will kill your pocket kido, newegg will save you some cash

 

[pauldh]

so assuming that GDDR2 is fine(thats what my X1300 was so would it even be worth looking for a GDDR3?) the X1650 pro is a step above the X1300 right?

all i need it to be is greater than or atleast equal to the X1300.

if so then it should run wow the same or better than i used to play it.


i did see the 2600pro on newegg but with shipping it would be 82 bucks... the x1650 from tiger would be 76 then 66 after a mail in rebate

just saw the same HIS 1650pro on newegg for 62 after the rebate, but there is also a sapphire version too that looks like its overclocked or something(has no rebate aswell) and a powercolor one, which would be a better buy?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...639+106790809+1067923258&name=Radeon+X1650PRO

Yes, the GDDR2 X1650 pro is still much better than the stripped down X1300's. A X1550 would be like a top X1300 series. If priced about the same, the GDDR3 version is better (1380 effective memory clocks vs 800MHz), but you probably won't find one.

edit: BTW, X1650 pro GDDR3 > X1650 pro GDDR2 > X1300XT > X1300 pro > X1300. And keep in mind guys, he is on a budget, wants this for WOW, and is happy with his dead X1300's performance.

 

[spunks]

I would argue a platform change to PCI Express. He could do it for around 90 dollars seeing how he's willing to wait on rebates. Not only does he get an upgrade path to pci express, It changes the motherboard, in case that is whats actually broke (I had a motherboard that onboard video worked but the video card slot died). He'll need to find someone to put it in for him though and his power supply is questionable even if hes just upgrading the card. He could also get a 512mb 2600 pro for $10 more (after rebates). His memory size might drop, depending on what he has in his current machine (unless he has a 1gb stick and a 512mb) to probably 1gb, but that should suffice. For around $150, he could switch to a dual core platform with 1gb of ddr2 memory and a 512mb hd2600 pro. (Its my understanding that world of world craft is a CPU dependant game, but i'm not sure, if so this would be more ideal). If he does this, he will have reinstall windows, which is also a consideration for him


ECS Goal3+Athlon64 3200 AMD Athlon64 3200+ SiS 761 GX Micro ATX Motherboard/CPU/CPU Fan/Memory Combo - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135091

$65 dollars after rebate


ASUS EAH2600PRO/HTDI/256M Radeon HD 2600PRO 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121087

$24 dollars after rebate


spunks

 

[mathiasschnell]

Changing to PCI-E won't really help if you're getting a low powered card like that. I mean, heck, AGP only recently started reaching its limits.

 

[spunks]

That is true, the $90 setup is not going to be much faster than his current setup. But it pretty much covers averything that could be wrong with his system (the bundle even includes 512mb of ram, which i didnt mention) except the power supply. It also provides him with a PCI-express card for a future motherboard upgrade, if he chooses to do that.

The AGP bus is pertty much limited by the fact there are no modern CPU's to feed it and the fact that all newer mid to high power GPUS favor PCI-E (PCI-E 2.0 now). The HD3850 is the fastest AGP card right now, but his CPU is not able to feed it enough data for it to improve much over what he has now. (though if he likes shader effects and AA this would be his best choice)

If it is a question of fixing his computer and hes 100 percent postive the only thing wrong is the card, the $60ish cards would do fine. If hes in any way unsure, the I suggest the motherboard/video card swap for $90


either way, I think its a waste of money because the money spent could be applied to a much more effective upgrade. But the kid is on a budget and has one game in mind so its ok I guess



spunks

 

[xxfera6037xx]

hey guys first of all thanks for all the posts, i appreciate it.

@spunks i am positive it is the card that is dead cuz i took it down to a comp service place by my house and we put a different card in the agp slot and it worked fine. i also am trying to hold off on completely upgrading everything because ill be going to college after this year, so ill just hold on till then and get a whole new computer. thanks for the new suggestions tho

pauldh seems to have the right mindset for exactly what im looking for (thanks pauldh!)

and yes i was happy with the way my radeon X1300 ran WoW and performed overall,
so as long as i get a card that matches or exceeds my old X1300 for the cheapest would be my pick.... hence the $65 HIS X1650 listed here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161052


i was reading the comments on the HIS X1650 pro and a lot of ppl arent happy with HIS...should i look for a different version(maybe the sapphire Version)? they also say the card needs a 350W psu.... i have a 250W but ran my X1300 that called for 300W........AHH SO MANY OBSTACLES!

The Sapphire version(slightly more costly): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102073

 

[sdrac]

I'll still suggest the hd2600xt for a little bit of extra money.
But if you want to keep it to as minimal $$ as possible, I agree with pauldh.



(just in case, here's some prices on the 2600xt at the egg - some are pretty close to the x1650 prices. Though the card might push you to a new PS - you'd have to check that).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=2600xt+agp

 

[xxfera6037xx]

yeah i was just checking those out sdrac thanks, but that is a little on the high side for me.

any other agp cards out there(around the $60-70 mark) that will perform as good if not better than my old X1300?
(remember the most ill be doing is playin wow)



found a visiontek HD2600pro for $60 on the best buy website, would that be worth while?
(i heard visiontek was garbage, my x1300 was visiontek and died after 2years...should i stay away from them or no?)

i also am suspecting that i might need a better psu as mine is only 250W(but it ran a 300W card) though this would be a last resort upgrade.

 

[xxfera6037xx]

ok im getting ahead of myself here lol i dont want to buy a new psu.

just want an AGP card that will be on the same level as my X1300 and will run with my current power(250W ran 300W card fine) for as cheap as possible. (rough requirements right )

 

[sdrac]

Stick with pauldh's advice then and get a x1650pro.

Here's a decent link to what the cards really need for power:
http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354&p=0

looks like the x1650pro is about 44W, which means about 4amps on your 12V rail - I'm guessing your supply can do that w/room to spare for the rest of your system but check it (or post the PSU make/model so we can look it up).

Also check this link to see what your system as a whole might need if your underpowered or not:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

sdrac

 

[xxfera6037xx]

thanks sdrac i put my comp specs into that website and it came out with about 250w which is perfect.

so i think ill go with the X1650pro the question is which brand?
im leaning towards the HIS $65 version despite what the comments say about HIS at newegg.

making sure one last time you guys think i would be ok with the X1650pro on a 250W power supply? or do you have any other AGP card suggestions with similar performance and cost.


anyone got any better retailers i could get this from?

 

[xxfera6037xx]

@ sdrac
my power supply can be viewed here http://www.atxcases.com/item.asp?id=1658&desc=compaq-presario-sr1130nx-250

i know its not good lol but i have to make due

on that website you sent me sdrac, i did it once more but filled it in more accurately: with a x1650 pro i would need around 252W and when i put a HD2600pro in it tells me i would need around a 237W power supply...

seems as though everytime i come close to making a decision i find some other potential problem.

any other cards in between those that wont cost me much more money? dont forget about NVidia

just saw sapphire HD2600pro on newegg for $65(why so cheap?) but its out of stock........should i wait for them to get some in?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102756