Just another query.. When I was playing HL2, I noticed a slight lag in performance even though a benchmarking site I went to proclaimed that I have enough power to run it smoothly. And I was only running it at low to medium gfx. (I rarely ever run any game at maximum resolution and gfx)
My question is; d'you think the lag in performance was due to the card, the X700 being a mid-ranged card, or was it due to the fact that my comp is 3 years old and not handling graphics all that well (buffers and front side bus and stuff like that)?
Well it depends, there are some CPU limitations as well as GPU limitations. Depending on the features you chose (reflect world water is a no no IMO) it should easily be playable. Now CPU limitations can greatly impact performance, and it's not always obvious where that is. I had HL2 quite playable @ 1280x1024 without issue and most things turned on and fairly far up, but in some scenes my framerate would drop, I tried lowering the resolution to no effect the same are was a constant 20FPS, even overclocking the card to my benchmarking pretty insane levels +35% core + 20% memory had no impact. So it was obviously cpu limited in that section.
Now the question becomes do you still have those same performance drops when YOU change resolutions? If it still happens at the lower resolution then it's likely the system that's holding you back too. If lowering the resolution solves it then it's the graphics solution that needs more oomph, and I say that as an owner of the R9600Pro (@ XT+ level) and MobilityRX700 who's completed HL2 twice (once on desktop and once on laptop).
If it's the X700 that's lagging HL2, d'ya think I should get the X1600 and d'ya think the lag will go away?
Perhaps, but not by much, look at this mobile review that compares the desktop versions of the X1600XT (more powerful than the X1600Pro you're considering) to the Desktop X700 (less powerful than the one you currently have);
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-x1600-mobility_7.html
Does that look like a significant difference to you, of rven such an extreme difference? I'd say your card and the X1600Pro will be neck and neck.
I know I said I won't play newer games and such, but what if a nice one comes out later this year and I'm crippled by the fact that my card is one generation behind?
Then that's when you buy, not before. There will be cheaper and better solutions out by the time that happens, and unless you play Oblivion right now, I don't think there's a game out there where the X1600Pro will show enough of a difference to justify you spending money. Now at this point your interface comes into play, since you're AGP (which I assumed you were due to age of rig) your options will be limited. There is really only the X1600Pro, X800GTO and GF6800GS in that range (maybe GF7600GT in future), but none of them are a 'worthwhile' long term upgrade IMO. If the X1600Pro isn't worth it for $110US, then those other cards aren't likely to be any better in the future for $50-90 more. If you find a cheap full GF6800GT or X800XT or are lucky enough to mod a GF6800GS or X800GTO into their ful 16pipe brothers, then maybe it'd be worth it. But my motto has always been, upgrade the card when you need to, not in anticipation of something that might not only need a new card, but if you need a new CPU as well and you're stuck with another AGP card that cost more and may perform worse than it's possible PCIe option you may be kicking yourself for upgrading before you knew for sure what you needed.
[/quote]I forgot to also mention that I'd like to play BF2 on a regular basis. Would the X1600 improve my gameplay performance?[/quote]
Yes, but once again, only slight. IMO still not worth it.
Did I also mention that I need my video card to be an AGP slot?
No, but I guess that based on your statements. It does mean no 'great deals' for you though, since the X800GTO PCIe can be had OEM for under $100, the X1600XT PCIE can be had for about the same price as the X1600Pro AGP, The AGP version of the GF6800GS isn't as good/fast as the PCIe version unless you're luckey enough to unlock it, and the X1800GTO and GF7600GT and other nice options are unfortunately not available. Alot of this plays into what's good and what's not for the dollar, and for AGP the options are getting slimmer and less attractive, especially the closer we get to next gen games.
Again, thanks for all the replies! It's helped alot. I appreciate the patience and time y'all put into answering my fears and doubts.
No worries man, people helped us, just passing the the same help on to you, and you can do it too in the future.
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