REplacement for my nVidia 5200 FX

[vaslo]

Everyone,

I have an nVidia 5200 FX card (AGP) in my 3.0 Ghz pentium PC. Its about 3 years old, but everything is still doing well. I would like replace the card in my Sony VAIO computer. I see the sticky about the best cards for the buck, but I would like some opinions about what to replace it with, if thats appropriate. Price is not a huge deal, though I don't want or need a $700 512MB video card, but something that will kick butt with games.

Thanks for a possible redundant post!

 

[rodney_ws]

Because you have an AGP slot instead of the newer PCI-e your options are rather limited... if you're willing to drop around $300 an NVidia 7800GS is generally considered to be the best AGP card available. In terms of performance it's slightly behind a 7800GT.

If NVidia isn't your thing, ATI has some good AGP cards in the $200-$300 range as well.

No matter what you choose, you will be taking a huge step up in performance from your 5200 FX.

 

[PX7800GT]

OK , OK , ... You Want To Upgrade Your VGA Only ??
Then You Must Find The Best AGP Video Card ... ( I Belive You Shold Change Your PSU Too )
OK , Go For XFX GeForce 7800GS Extreme Edition Or ATI X850XT PE , They are The Only AGP Monsters :!:
(But Remember To Change Your PSU Too , And Dont Worry Your CPU Isn`t a Bottleneck)

 

[rochin]

Well the 7800gs is an AGP. That would be the best choice. I went from a 5200 to a 6600 non Gt and it was like night and day. A 6600gt is a good choice, but people here will tell you its dated and gives crap performance. ATI also has a few AGP cards that should hold up well. the X800 series has a few AGP. Check out www.newegg.com and do some checking. Hope that helps.

 

[cleeve]

The 7800 GS is the best AGP card available, but it's not worth the cash. For the same cash you'd almost be able to get a whole new PCI-express motherboard and 7800 GT, which is much better than a 7800 GS.

If you're upgrading AGP, don't spend much more than $200... look for deals on X850 XTs.
For a bit less than $200, look for 6800 GS and X800 GTO cards.

Any of the cards listed will give you gaming performance many, many times better than your 5200. The differenmce will be astronomical, even with an X800 GTO or 6800 GS.

 

[Mach5Motorsport]

If you're upgrading AGP, don't spend much more than $200... look for deals on X850 XTs.
For a bit less than $200, look for 6800 GS and X800 GTO cards.

Any of the cards listed will give you gaming performance many, many times better than your 5200. The differenmce will be astronomical, even with an X800 GTO or 6800 GS.

The "deals" on an x850 is long gone. (The ATi version of an 6800 Ultra)You will also spend well over $200 for an X800 too. Not an option for your budget.

Prices on the 6800GS will only be comming down closer to $200. (some are already there)

and upgrade you PSU....

 

[cleeve]

You will not spend more than $200 on an X800 GTO AGP. They have been under $200 for months.

Here's one for $193, quick search on newegg. Lots more out there:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102608

 

[rochin]

here is a x800gto for 193.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102608

as for a power supply, your current powersupply should be ok for the x800gto. I have a 2 and a half year old Dell 8400 and it has a 350 watt.

 

[rochin]

Found it at the same time. 😀

 

[cleeve]

X800 XL is also a good AGP card. $230 is a bit pricey though, but it's probably the only 16-pipeline card worth buying for AGP. Anything over $250 is too much to invest in the old platform:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102542R

Asus 6800 might be your best bet though... not a true 6800 GS because the RAM is slower than spec, but it's cheap and the GPU is clocked at 350 mhz. If there is a chance at unlocking the 4 pipelines it'd be a great deal, but still OK stock at $174

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121216

 

[vaslo]

These have been amazing posts. Thanks so much for the helpful answers!