Upgrade from 9800 pro

[backatu]

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade from a 9800 pro (128mb) to play some of the latest games on higher quality. Can anyone suggest an AGP video card to upgrade to.

My system specs
AMD 3200+
ASUS A8V Deluxe
1 GB OCZ Ram
ATI 9800 Pro
160 gb Maxtor SATA

Thanks

 

[bob5568]

I bought an agp version Nvidia geforce 6800gs. I was lucky, and my card unlocked ok, making 16pipes, 6 shaders functional.

I also had a 9800.

the difference is impressive. Half life 2 is a different game, the beauty in the graphics is astounding with the new card.

Lots of cards, probably others will have similar stories of their upgrade. Some will tell you not to buy an agp card, but to change your motherboard also and buy pci-express...valid concept.

All I can tell you is I really like my system right now.

Good luck..

Bob

 

[7H4_D00D3]

yup, that's a nice path for upgrade bob5568
how much did it cost you?

oh! and how didya unlocked the pipes?

 

[backatu]

Thanks for the advice. However I was wondering if the upgrade from a 9800 pro to a 6800gs is worth the money. I was also looking at the Asus N6800 512 mb AGP version. Can anyone tell me if thats a good card?

Thanks

 

[spontayo]

512mb on any 6*** series card is a waste, as the card wouldn't take advantage of it. Go for an evga 6800gs. You'll get a lifetime waranty.

 

[angry_ducky]

512mb on any 6*** series card is a waste, as the card wouldn't take advantage of it. Go for an evga 6800gs. You'll get a lifetime waranty.

I agree.

 

[backatu]

How big is the performance difference between the 9800 pro and the 6800gs? Is the 6800gs better than the ATI x850xt PE?

 

[tenaciousleydead]

the x850xt pe will give you better performance but it lacks PS3.0, id stick with the 6800GS, im to lazy to look around but i think the x850xt pe's are pretty spendy like 300?(250above?) the agp version atleast. it all depends how much you want to spend.

 

[GeneticWeapon]

7800GS cards are around $250 online now, and much better than the 6800GS.

.....(and also the X850XTPE IMO)

 

[bob5568]

yup, that's a nice path for upgrade bob5568
how much did it cost you?

oh! and how didya unlocked the pipes?

I spent $229 from newegg, a month or so ago. As far as unlocking pipes, a freeware utility called rivatuner makes that possible. Its cool, you see which pipes are lock, and just click to include them.

Bob

 

[perz]

Why upgrade? Do you have to much money? My 9700 Pro runs COD2 really nice and everything i throw at it.

At least wait a while and you maybe get DX10...?

 

[7H4_D00D3]

lol, and I've been useing atitool all this time xD

 

[angry_ducky]

7800GS cards are around $250 online now, and much better than the 6800GS.

.....(and also the X850XTPE IMO)

If you can get the 512Mb one with the 20 pixel pipes, that would be ideal. It's the closest 7800GS to a 7800GT.

 

[cleeve]

Yep, the Gainward 7800 GS is actually a 7800 GT.

 

[backatu]

I'm planning to spend around $200-250 (USD). However will the 7800gs last another 3 years or should i buy the 6800gs as a temporary card and upgrade to PCI-E in the future?

 

[marneus]

on agp, except at lower resolutions, there is little between the 7800GS & 6800GS, +-5fps for the most part in the reviews that i have seen

 

[krogoth1989]

your situation is kind of similar to mine, i need a new video card, but i currently have an agp 6600gt in a dell. I need want to play some of the latest multiplayer games as whenever i play cs i get owned by some random person called penis on fire, maybe its cause cs has been around for a while, so by starting a new game, i get a new chance.

i debated quite a bit on what to do, whether buy a temp card or not, and the conclusion was to just save for a new pci-e rig, for you it shouldnt be much. if you are willing to spend 250 now, then lets say 100 for a new mobo, and you can save for lets until you have a lil more to spend on the video card, atleast for a 7900gt. you probably will be getting twice the performance than any current agp card. you really only need 150 more dollars.