Christmas Present - Questions about x850 AGP and cooler

[Robkins]

Hi I'm new to this forum so I'm not quite sure on the proper procedures, but..First let me give you my system specs:

AMD 64 3200+ 754 socket
1 GB DDR
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
120GB HD
500 W PS

I am considering an upgrade to a Radeon X8** based video card. My system has an AGP slot so that rules out some cards. From what I have read the X850 line is pretty much the best you can get for the aging AGP slot.

Now for a question: Does anyone anticipate the prices of the Radeon X850 Pro/XT to go down before christmas? I know that at one point the X850 was around 99$ at newegg. So far two candidates that I have been looking at are: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102606

and: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102526&CMP=AFC-C8Junction

From further research I have also noticed that most people recommend an aftermarket cooler for these cards such as the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835186129

I just have one question about the cooler installed on a say.. x850. Obviously the cooler projects downward into the PCI slots that are vacant for me, but does any part of the cooler reach upwards? I have heard something about it interfering with RAM slots, which are quite close to my 3d card.

Thank you for taking the time to read this! Will include pictures!

 

[tenaciousleydead]

at one time the pci-e versions were around 99$ but i doubt the agp ones were also, and as far as going down i highly doubt it theyre just trying to get rid of inv at this point and i see no reason theyd cut prices. no it will not hit your ram slots, the card is just longer...not somehow taller, and it looks like you have room. i vouch for that cooler also.

 

[Robkins]

Thanks for the reply, sorry my message was a little vague. I was inquiring whether a part of that fan would hit the RAM (when installed on an x850). Doesnt part of the fan extend to the back?

So apparently the x850xt from sapphire is a better deal. I've never had any experience taking off GPU fans/heatsinks. Is it considerably harder than CPU?