ATi Compatibility

[jec_6152]

I'm using 7600GT and just found out the best AGP card right now is the HD3850. If I decide to change, would there be any problems since my mobo has been using nVidia cards for so long.

 

[EXT64]

No, as long as the board has AGP 8x and you have enough power for a 3850, it should work. Be careful when changing the drivers though (might need driver cleaner).

 

[jec_6152]

No, as long as the board has AGP 8x and you have enough power for a 3850, it should work. Be careful when changing the drivers though (might need driver cleaner).

Ok, here's my spec:

CPU: Intel P4 2.8ghz (Northwood)
RAM: 2GB PC133 SDRAM (2x512MB Winova + 1x1GB Kingston)
HDD: Maxtor 320gb
M/board: MSI 845 Pro2 (MS-6528)
Sound: Creative SoundBlaster Live! Value
PSU: CoolerMaster 450W

Since my mobo is only AGP 4x, would there be any significant difference if I upgrade from 7600GT 256mb to HD3850 512mb?

If I need to clean the old drivers, how do I do that?

Thanks.

 

[Helloworld_98]

don't bother, the 3850 uses the majority of the bandwidth so it won't improve performance that much.

I think you should just build a new PC.

 

[jec_6152]

don't bother, the 3850 uses the majority of the bandwidth so it won't improve performance that much.

I think you should just build a new PC.

I knew someone would say that. Believe me, ur not the first. As much as I want to, I can't build a new PC right now because

a) I don't have the budget yet. And since PC's technology is fast improving, I may never will catch up.
b) I still love my PC cuz I still can play most of the latest 3D games, albeit with the slightest of lags.

Anyways, can you recommend a good setup? Who knows, maybe I'll get a fat bonus this year so I could spend it on a new PC.

Thanks.

 

[EXT64]

Well, if you did want to do a budget gaming build, I'd suggest a Phenom II with AM2+ Motherboard (so you can use DDR2, 4GB of or so) plus a 4770 or 4850. That would be a pretty good system for a very low price. Don't know what that would all come out to off the top of my head, but back in January when I built mine it was good I thought, and it has only gotten cheaper since. Not saying that is the right choice, but it may be better to wait until you can do a full upgrade than to spend a sizable chunk of money on an upgrade that will only improve performance moderately.