What is the best 4xAGP card available today?

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MxM

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May 23, 2005
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Hello,

I am thinking about upgrading my video card, which is 6800GT, I wonder what is the best option I have if my computer has only 4x AGP slot? And I do prefer NVIDIA cards...

Or is there any significant performance improvement for available AGP cards when compared with mine?

Thanks.
 
You can use an 8X AGP card in a 4X AGP mobo. What are the rest of your specs?
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Actually, MxM is already using an 8x AGP card and probably about the best AGP card there is for that system. Any better card available will make little or no difference as no matter what the specs are, if it's only got an 4x AGP, the current setup will bottleneck any better card.
The only sensible upgrade at this point would be an entirely new system.
 
if it's only got an 4x AGP, the current setup will bottleneck any better card.
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There will be a very minor slowdown with only the fastest AGP cards. By minor, I mean too small a difference to be noticeable. The only difference you'll see is a couple points in some benchmark. I'd worry more about the rest of the OP's system bottlenecking the new graphics card.
 
if it's only got an 4x AGP, the current setup will bottleneck any better card.
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False.

What I meant to say(or a better way of putting it is), the cost of any card better that his current 6800gt likely wouldn't be worth any performance increase on MxM's system as that's still a halfway decent card.
 
I just re-read your post, and noticed that you currently have a 6800GT. In that case, you should't upgrade your video card, as the 6800GT is still one of the best cards available for AGP. Just save your money for a new build once Vista/DX10 cards come out.
 
if it's only got an 4x AGP, the current setup will bottleneck any better card.
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False.

What I meant to say(or a better way of putting it is), the cost of any card better that his current 6800gt likely wouldn't be worth any performance increase on MxM's system as that's still a halfway decent card.
I thought you meant that 4x AGP interface would be a bottleneck. :wink:
 
AGP 4X/8X is not an issue. What it boils down to is the 6800GT is pretty high up on the AGP scale of things. While a 7800GS is clearly more powerful, if your mobo is AGP4X, then your system specs are probably not all that high end. It would be a waste to go 6800GT to 7800GS in an older rig. Even if you had a high end AGP system, You'd be better off gaming on your rig as it is now until you are no longer happy with it and can afford to build/buy a new faster PCI-e rig.
 
I have the same question. I have a 4X AGP slot, with a GeForce 3 (eeek ancient technology) 64mb. What card could i get to bridge me over till high end directX 10 cards are ~ 400ish?

Something between $100-$200 preferably but willing to go to if its really worth it to $300.
 
i have a p4 2.8 ghtz with a gig of value brand ram, and for now running on a 17inch CRT with a x-fi platinum sound card (if that matters)

Would love to play Battlefield 2142 and Warhammer 40k Dark Crusades at decent resolutions with medium eye candy?
 
Try this when it's in stock again. Or if you can't wait and want to save a few bucks go for this.
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what you suggest is a DOWNGRADE. far slower than a 6800GT. The faster cards are 6800 Ultra, Radeon 850 and 7800 GS (look at Tomshardware website and find videocard charts) But not really worth the upgrade from a 6800GT.

If I was replying to the op, MxM, then you'd be right. But I wasn't. The suggestions were for Lunky545 who wanted an upgrade from a GF 3.
 
Try this when it's in stock again. Or if you can't wait and want to save a few bucks go for this.
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what you suggest is a DOWNGRADE. far slower than a 6800GT. The faster cards are 6800 Ultra, Radeon 850 and 7800 GS (look at Tomshardware website and find videocard charts) But not really worth the upgrade from a 6800GT.

If I was replying to the op, MxM, then you'd be right. But I wasn't. The suggestions were for Lunky545 who wanted an upgrade from a GF 3.

Yeah, he missed that important fact. He must have thought you were crazy. :lol:

Reguardless, he was wrong anyway. A 7600GT is not a downgrade from a 6800GT, but it is not a worthwile upgrade either.
 
I have the same question. I have a 4X AGP slot, with a GeForce 3 (eeek ancient technology) 64mb. What card could i get to bridge me over till high end directX 10 cards are ~ 400ish?

Something between $100-$200 preferably but willing to go to if its really worth it to $300. ......

i have a p4 2.8 ghtz with a gig of value brand ram, and for now running on a 17inch CRT with a x-fi platinum sound card (if that matters)

Would love to play Battlefield 2142 and Warhammer 40k Dark Crusades at decent resolutions with medium eye candy?
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2.8GHZ P4B and 1GB ram is still pretty decent. I'd think the 7600GT AGP would be a good/best card for you if you could find one in stock and wanted to spend that much. Otherwise, coming from a GF3, even a cheap used 9700 pro, 9800 pro, or 6600GT would be a huge step up, although most likely not stellar BF2142 cards by an means.

If you can't find/afford the 7600GT, You may find the best performance per dollar in higher end AGP to come from the Radeon X8xx series (X850XT, X800XT, X800XL, X850 pro, X800 pro, X800 GTO). It depends on timing and where you live as the best deals come and go.

The 7800GS is top notch in AGP and a reference speed 7800GS is about equal with the X850XTpe. But both of these cards are probably too expensive and not worth the premium over the next step down...A 7600GT, X850XT, X800XTpe, and rare 6800U (all about equal performance). Coming in just below them is the X800XT often cheapest found in it's AIW (all-in-wonder) format with tv tuner and remote. Next down is the X800XL/X850 pro/6800GT. After that the X800 pro/X800GTO/6800GS OC. Then would come a 7600GS. ANyway, that pecking order should give you a place to start looking as it pretty much covers the $125+ AGP contenders.

(Going by current prices I know about)
My first recommendation:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122009

If you are in the USA and the 7600GT AGP doesn't come back in stock, this is a pretty decent card for the money. It's not quite a 7600GT/X850XT level performer at stock speeds, but it's above a 6800GS in performance. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102606


next down on my list would be the X800GTO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102609

The 6800GS is most often a tad slower out of the box, and it's a more money, but if you want SM3.0 then the 6800GS isn't too bad if you don't mind the rebate. But the 6800GS is not a good value IMO considering the rebate and the much better but just slightly more expensive Leadtek 7600GT mentioned above. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143045

Lastly, not often thrown into account when I recommend cards, but I'll mention it. The 12 pipe X800GTO, 6800GS, and X850 pro all can potentially be unlocked to 16 pipes, as well as be overclocked like the other cards. It's not a given that it will work, and some specific cards will have a better success rate than others if you wanted to research into that. But in effect could potentially turn these cards into X800XL, 6800GT, and X850XT level cards. Just a thought to run by you if that interests you, as I am sure someone would have piped up about it. :roll:
 
For those cards that have been listed will the AGP 4x bus speed be a bottleneck? And this is just a shot in the dark but do you suppose that in the DirectX 10 line graphics cards will some models still have some AGP interfaces?

Thanks everyone. Esp you Pauldh i dont see many reponses on these forums with that length and effort and minimal spelling mistakes lol ur help is much appreciated.
 
For those cards that have been listed will the AGP 4x bus speed be a bottleneck? And this is just a shot in the dark but do you suppose that in the DirectX 10 line graphics cards will some models still have some AGP interfaces?
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No, and no.

EDIT: oops
 
Have we actually seen what the specs of this machine are? I don't see it listed, but might have missed it.

With that said, yes, you can get a better card. If you wanted to spend the money, a 7800gs will still give you some performance increase over the 68gt, if you machine will support it that is. I know this to be true because I have a 78gs and also a 68gt, and I get better performance from the 78. Is it worth it. Only you can say if it is. What Paul said above is probably the best advise overall, and decide if the upgrade is worth it based on the platform.
 
AGP is dead. long live AGP!
don't even think about the 7800GS unless you have a 400watt power supply. (little known fact, 400w is required for that bad boy.) also while you would have a bad ass video card your cpu might still crash with many current games. good luck, but don't get stuck throwing too much money down the AGP rabbit hole.
 
little known fact, 400w is required for that bad boy.) .
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Not really. Total systems require certain power supplies. Video cards are only part of the systems. That card pulls around 75W, full load, give or take, right?
 
I did alot of testing on a 6800U (basically 7600GT/X850XT caliber) between 4X and 8X, and no, there was no noticeable difference in any of the games/ settings I tested. Matter of fact, the benchmarked difference was useally less than 1 fps. I am not saying there would never be a rare moment during some games where the AGP4X bus is saturated, but it's not an issue to be concerned about even on the 7600GT/X850's.
 
btw, link is for lunky545
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Good thing you pointed this out. You wouldn't want anyone trying to expose your ignorance for recommending this to the op! If this could actually be found in-store somewhere, it would be an awesome deal.
 
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