Looking for advice on upgrade from AGP 6600GT
October 3, 2006 12:47 PM Subscribe
I am trying to figure out what are my options for a AGP video card to upgrade from XFX 6600GT AGP for gaming purposes.
I am a newbie at gaming and have been recently dabbling with Quake 4. I installed this card when it was considered to be one of the better cards out there. But at that time I never played anything!
So now it got me thinking what AGP card could I upgrade to for higher quality rendering, without breaking the bank. Its a AMD +3200 System with 1GB ram. Quake seems to run ok at full native resolution of the Dell 2001fpw monitor at High quality. With Ultra quality setting it starts to choke.
I know if I had a PCI-e system i would have many options. But right now I am not planning on a new box.
Looking for some advice from more experienced folks than myself.
many thanks
Is this socket A? If so, a new pci-e mobo will require a new processor and probably ram.
If that is a 64 bit chip, then the mobo upgrade is a valid option.
For AGP cards, you should check out something like a 7600 gs. The prices on the 7800 gs seems to be really high still, while the 7600 is sub $200.
posted by utsutsu at 1:09 PM on October 3, 2006
If that is a 64 bit chip, then the mobo upgrade is a valid option.
For AGP cards, you should check out something like a 7600 gs. The prices on the 7800 gs seems to be really high still, while the 7600 is sub $200.
posted by utsutsu at 1:09 PM on October 3, 2006
I've often made the same suggestion mphuie just made, but assuming that it's an AthlonXP and not an Athlon64, I don't think you'll find a PCIe motherboard worth having that will take your old CPU.
What are you imagining spending on this upgrade?
There are 7600gt for AGP bridges for $170 or so, but I think they are still pretty hard to come by. If you can find one though, that'd probably be the best value.
There are also 7600gs & ATI x1650 cards at the ~$130 level.
posted by Good Brain at 1:15 PM on October 3, 2006
What are you imagining spending on this upgrade?
There are 7600gt for AGP bridges for $170 or so, but I think they are still pretty hard to come by. If you can find one though, that'd probably be the best value.
There are also 7600gs & ATI x1650 cards at the ~$130 level.
posted by Good Brain at 1:15 PM on October 3, 2006
Response by poster: Should have mentioned. This is an Athllon 64 socket 939 Venice core chip
posted by flyby22 at 1:25 PM on October 3, 2006
posted by flyby22 at 1:25 PM on October 3, 2006
A coulple thing you should ask yourself:
1. Why do you want Ultra quality? Is the game unplayable at the current level? Are you aiming for bragging rights?
If its bragging rights you want, well, no AGP card is going to do it as the guy with the new dual cpu system and faster ram is going to blow you away. You can spend 200-300 dollars on a new card and then the CPU is yoru bottlneck. Then you have a card you cant even use on your new PCIe system.
If you honestly need a slight kick in the pants then you can try something like the X850XT or 7600. Tomshardware just did an article on best card for your money which included the new AGP offerings.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:12 PM on October 3, 2006
1. Why do you want Ultra quality? Is the game unplayable at the current level? Are you aiming for bragging rights?
If its bragging rights you want, well, no AGP card is going to do it as the guy with the new dual cpu system and faster ram is going to blow you away. You can spend 200-300 dollars on a new card and then the CPU is yoru bottlneck. Then you have a card you cant even use on your new PCIe system.
If you honestly need a slight kick in the pants then you can try something like the X850XT or 7600. Tomshardware just did an article on best card for your money which included the new AGP offerings.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:12 PM on October 3, 2006
HEy there's an ATI all-in-wonder 256 MB 8x AGP card out there too($133, but I've seen it cheaper). I don't have time to search but I bet there are some nVidia cards that will suit you as well. Go to newegg or tigerdirect and look around.
posted by Mister_A at 2:13 PM on October 3, 2006
posted by Mister_A at 2:13 PM on October 3, 2006
I have a 7600Gs, it's really very good.
To be honest though, I'm not convinced the difference will really be that great from your 6600GT, high quality should be more than enough to get the feel of any game. If you find a game that lacks features because of your current card, perhaps then would be a more appropriate time to consider a change. You might be ready to move to a PCI-e system by then as well.
posted by The Monkey at 3:06 PM on October 3, 2006
To be honest though, I'm not convinced the difference will really be that great from your 6600GT, high quality should be more than enough to get the feel of any game. If you find a game that lacks features because of your current card, perhaps then would be a more appropriate time to consider a change. You might be ready to move to a PCI-e system by then as well.
posted by The Monkey at 3:06 PM on October 3, 2006
I just wouldn't worry about it. the 6600gt is a decent card and a good match for your system, if you replace it you will have an spare piece of junk and you will be hard pressed to notice $200 worth of difference.
It's easy enough to add a HDD or DVD or some RAM or whatever, but if your new graphics card needs a new motherboard, which needs a new CPU and new RAM, then you're talking about a whole new computer. I'd just wait until I can afford a new box, and then I have an old box that I can sell or give away.
posted by Tixylix at 4:18 PM on October 3, 2006
It's easy enough to add a HDD or DVD or some RAM or whatever, but if your new graphics card needs a new motherboard, which needs a new CPU and new RAM, then you're talking about a whole new computer. I'd just wait until I can afford a new box, and then I have an old box that I can sell or give away.
posted by Tixylix at 4:18 PM on October 3, 2006
Response by poster: thanks for all the great advice as always :-) No, I am not looking for bragging rights. I just enjoy nice visual rendendering. May be I will save the money for a PCI-e unless I get a real good deal on a 7600 or 7800!
posted by flyby22 at 5:44 PM on October 3, 2006
posted by flyby22 at 5:44 PM on October 3, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mphuie at 12:56 PM on October 3, 2006