So, it looks like we've answered the question we set out to explore: an aging dual-core CPU is no longer enough to run the newest games, but even an old Athlon X2 4200+ can remain a viable gaming option when it's overclocked a little. Don't donate that AGP PC just yet, because with an inexpensive CPU, a little tweaking, and an upgraded graphics card, you might have a nice gaming rig for your buddy to use when you invite him or her over for a LAN party.
Exactly what upgraded graphics card are we talking about? The fastest AGP card we've tested is ATI's Radeon HD 3850, and you can get them for under $100. Unfortunately, the AGP flavor of the Radeon HD 4670--an even newer board based on a modern GPU--was released after this review was written. We know that the PCIe version of the Radeon HD 4670 is slightly faster than the Radeon HD 3850, and slightly slower than the Radeon HD 3870, so we can make some educated guesses as to it's relative performance. Since the PCIe version of the Radeon HD 4650 performs similarly to the AGP version of the same card, we can safely assume that the new AGP Radeon HD 4670 will perform closely to the Radeon HD 3850--perhaps even a little faster in most situations, and perhaps a little slower in others.
With the new AGP Radeon HD 4670 as low as $115, and the Radeon HD 3850 as low as $95, which do we recommend? Assuming these cards perform similarly, we'd choose the cheaper one, as we think the CPU bottleneck from the older AGP systems is going to limit both of these cards. However, the availability of Radeon HD 4000-series cards on the AGP bus is a telltale indication that the AGP Radeon HD 3850 is in the process of being phased out. Also, keep in mind that the AGP-based Radeon HD 4670 will likely drop in price over time, as there is a price premium associated with new products.

So, what about the Radeon HD 4650 we tested here? As our benchmarks showed, it's a fine upgrade from an older card like the Radeon X700 and similarly-performing boards (GeForce 6600 GT and Radeon 9800 XT). Having said that, the AGP Radeon HD 4650 is new and still suffering from out-of-the-gate higher pricing. At $80 to $90, it costs almost as much as the Radeon HD 3850. When things settle down and the price gets closer to where the PCIe Radeon HD 4650 rests, the AGP Radeon HD 4650 will be a better buy. It's also likely that future Catalyst drivers may support these cards, and perhaps even enable desirable overclocking functionality.
Regardless, it is nice to see that even as AGP systems fade into the horizon, they are being supported with more modern graphics cards. Clearly, there is enough of a market to warrant bringing these products to market. However, at the same time, the powers that be seem to have decided that it isn't worth putting the fastest GPUs on AGP-based cards.
What we’ve seen indicates that, in a couple of years, games will require CPU speeds faster than what an older chip can deliver, even when overclocked. Thus, we can't help but think that we have already passed the pinnacle of AGP gaming with the Radeon HD 3850. Accelerated Graphics Port, you've been good to us, and you continue to provide reasonable mainstream performance, but I can't shake the feeling that I might not be reviewing you again...
Thanks for all the good times. I will remember you fondly.
In the long run yes, seeing as the AGP Radeon 4650 is twice the price of the PCI-Express version anyway, so there's some money saved right there anyway. In the case that you have one of these ridiculous Socket 939 ASRock boards with the AM2 daughterboard...I mean really? You'd rather buy an overpriced GPU, new RAM and an outdated CPU so that you don't have to buy an ENTIRELY new motherboard? It's not even worth it.
Yes because buying a new motherboard AND cpu AND memory AND gfx card is cheaper than buying a gfx card and overclocking your cpu isnt it?
In the long run yes, seeing as the AGP Radeon 4650 is twice the price of the PCI-Express version anyway, so there's some money saved right there anyway. In the case that you have one of these ridiculous Socket 939 ASRock boards with the AM2 daughterboard...I mean really? You'd rather buy an overpriced GPU, new RAM and an outdated CPU so that you don't have to buy an ENTIRELY new motherboard? It's not even worth it.
IIRC, I said better not cheaper. Sure thing, you could save some money by buying AGP chips for your aging components. Spending $100 for an AGP card that is way below the performance of the equally-priced 4850. Is it worth it? No. For the mean time, you could survive playing at low settings but how long will your system hold on? By the time your system quits, you might be even thinking if you should've saved that $100 and just upgraded the whole system for the long run. This AGP cards recently released are just a remedy, not a solution. Still a full upgrade is an imminent path that those with old systems must take.
I think i would be a good idea, but the web y your, of course, but it will be fine for this people that say the 3850 AGP is not fine, the would see they are completly wrong.
It's my main computer.
It's my main computer.
Don't even bother upgrading because its still crap.
Either buy a new machine or don't even bother.
Did you actually look at the benchmarks? I'm running a PC about the same speed as the one being tested here and play most games at 1680x1050 with most details up fairly high or at max. I can't use heavy anti-aliasing but at 1680x I don't really need that too badly.
And my CPU isn't overclocked so that isn't necessary at all. The old dual core cpu's from AMD are dirt cheap, at any speed so there really isn't a need to buy a middle of the road one
So where did this 1024x crap come from? There isn't a single game out that I could only run at 1024x. The lowest res I'll select is a widescreen 1280x which can look just fine considering how old this PC is.
This is aimed at the article. I have the 3850 and have no problems using the overclocking built into the driver. Not sure why that wasn't an option for you guys.
thanks... enjoyed that article.
Wasn't expecting to see such a different between the O/C and the non O/C setup.
What about the people who have been using this same system for years and are still finding it holds up for most games? I'd be one of these.
As for upgrading an AGP card now. Well that would depend entirely on funds. From a performance perspective of course it would ideal to buy a whole new set of components but if money is tight, a top of the line AGP card does hold its own today and its today you'll be using it. Without the money to upgrade to more modern hardware you can't really blame a lack of future proofing as that's just not an option for those people on a budget in this situation.
Overclock my X2 3800+. Damn. It's only 4 years old.
Well, upgrading an Agp system diserves only in you already have a 3850 AGP, or if you already have a 939 o AM2 motherboard with a dual-core proccesor and if the motherboard only aceppts AGP cards.
For example upgrading a PC with a pentium 4 and a 1600 pro AGP card would be stupid, but upgrading a pentium 4 that already has a 3850 AGP oe 4670 AGP, will be fine for most os games.
There is one point of atention about the processor, if your processor is an dual-core 939 you must overclock it, by the other hand, if your processor is an AM2, like Athlon 5xxx o 7xxx you don´t need to overclock it, because ther is no bottleneck, or no so much between the am2 processor an the 3850/4670 AGP card.
Heres a better idea - forget "future proof" and forget "upgrading an old machine" (within reason) - my pc's usually survive 1 overhaul and 1 upgrade package then there scrapped etc - MUCH better lifespan
example: my rig started as a E6600 @ 3.2 + 2gb + 7900GT, and in one big batch i jumped to a Q6600, 8gb and 8800GT - final upgrade for it before i get a new rig.
And as for AGP vs PCIE - if i remember correctly, atleast with the Nvidia 6600GT the AGP variants were actually quicker then the PCIE variants and had to be underclocked to line up performance - AGP (8x) being "slow" compared to PCIE (1.0) is a myth.