Deciding on an AGP card, please reply QUICK!

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SLiGuy

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jan 20, 2006
Messages
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System Specs:

-AMD Athlon 2500+ XP (OC'ed to 3200)
-Shuttle AN35N-Ultra mobo
-1GB DDR400 PC3200 RAM (I'm upgrading this too, either Crucial Ballistix, Corsair XMS, or OCZ Gold Series, haven't decided yet)
-Inno3D GeForce FX5700LE (as you can see, I really need an upgrade)

I'm trying to decide which of these to get. I would get a 7800GS, but that's out of my budget right now.

HIS X700

ATi X800 Pro

Sapphire X800 GT

Sapphire X800 GTO

Sapphire X1600 Pro

Chaintech 6600GT

Gigabyte 6600GT (a bit more expensive than the Chaintech, but features Silentpipe)

BFG 6800GS OC

I would like some help picking out which to buy, and quickly. X800 AGPs are being taken off the shelves at lightning fast speeds, probably to promote the X1xxx family.

Does anybody know how many amps on the 12V Rail of my PSU I need to run these cards? Right now I only have 12 amps and I'm afraid that won't be enough.

Thanks for the help.
 
Don't even bother with the silent pipe 6600. Those things run HOT (90*c under load in NORMAL conditions) and radiate that hot air right into the case.
 
I have the same cpu as you with one gig of ram and an x850pro, can play anything at decent resolutions still.
 
I have a x800 XL ati brand boxed id sell you cheap.. pm me if you want it.
 
I KNOW the x850XT is good, the problem is, I can't find any in AGP, and when I do, they're over $300. The whole entire x800 family is being taken off the shelves very quickly.
 
You from the states?

I am sure there is tons of graphic cards in AGP around.
I am from Canada and i don't see much top end AGP cards anymore
Most stores replace their stock with PCI-E now.

The X850XT i saw for sale was 450 bucks =/ cdn
expensive
 
Yep, I'm from the states.

I see tons of x800s in stores, but they usually charge WAY more than online. I can't find a single x800 AGP for under $200 anymore. A few months ago, they were everywhere.
 
How good is that processor?

The reason I'm not upgrading now is because I want to wait for Windows Vista, Socket AM2 proccys/mobos, and DirectX 10 cards, which (if on schedule) should all be available by the end of the year. I just need a good card for BF2/WoW/CSS/NFS:MW (main 4 I play) to hold me out until then.

I'm going to re-sort these by price range.

Which is the best out of thses?

-x700 (NOT pro)
-x1600 Pro
-6600GT

And out of these?

-x800 Pro
-x800 GTO
-x800 GT
-6800GS

Refer to first post for links.
 
SLiGuy said:
How good is that processor?

The reason I'm not upgrading now is because I want to wait for Windows Vista, Socket AM2 proccys/mobos, and DirectX 10 cards, which (if on schedule) should all be available by the end of the year. I just need a good card for BF2/WoW/CSS/NFS:MW (main 4 I play) to hold me out until then.

I'm going to re-sort these by price range.

Which is the best out of thses?

-x700 (NOT pro)
-x1600 Pro
-6600GT

And out of these?

-x800 Pro
-x800 GTO
-x800 GT
-6800GS

Refer to first post for links.
Click to expand...


Yeah, thats the reason why I wouldn't invest too much into an AGP video card right now. If you are going to upgrade to AM2 and all that stuff later on thats proabably the way to go. Out of the first group, its between the x1600pro and the 6600gt, depending on the game. The 6600gt being the cheaper of the two.

Out of that second group I'd say the 6800gs, especially if you can unlock the pipes.
 
How do I know which games use which technologies? I mainly play the 4 listed in my previous post, but I have no idea which uses OGL, SM3.0, etc.
 
I just slapped a BFG 6800GS in my machine and LOVE it.

The extra shader unlocked no prob, however the extra 4 pipes gave artifacts while playing.

I also slapped a NV Silencer on it, and the temps are wonderful.

I play WoW, Fear, Quake 4...all without any problems. Great last upgrade before I do a complete system rebuild with the new AMD socket.
 
wassup61 said:
7800gs Agp?
Click to expand...


For the price, the 7800GS is not a good choice.....especially since you can pick up a 6800GS for under 200 bucks.

I couldn't be happier with my 6800GS...wonderful card for squeezing the last bit of life from your AGP system.
 
7800GS is WAY out of my budget, especially since it's not THAT better than the 6800GS.

Would somebody like to answer my previous question? (the groups and also the type of technology used in games)

EDIT: Adding one more card to the list, in the second group along with the 6800GS/X800s

Connect 3D X850 Pro
 
Asus 6800XT Sorry for double post. Adding another card to the first group, Asus 6800XT. Weaker than a vanilla 6800 but I hear it can be unlocked to 16 (!!!) pixelpipes.
 
no here is your solution buy a x800GTO and flash it into a X850xt easy and cheap for 200 at newegg
 
I found a link to one for $220-ish in my first post. However, could someone fill me in: What's a BIOS Flash? Is it similar to OC'ing, and is it safe using a stock cooler and all that stuff that you normally have to worry about when OC'ing?

EDIT: New card for group 1.

ATi X700 Pro
 
i went with the BFG 6800GS....up from a 9600XT....A HUGE upgrade....for it's price, i couldn't recommend anything else for the AGP platform.

i was able to use rivatuner, got the extra 4 pipes/1 pixel shader unlocked....doesn't make a HUGE difference, just gives you the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing it's done :D

i too had the problem with finding a decently priced x800 series card, so i gave in, and bought the 6800gs...even my girlfriend loves it LOL!

anywho, whatever choice you make will be the right one, because it's YOUR choice! ;)
 
I have a X850Pro that I unlocked, and is now running over X850 XTPE speeds. It was a BBA model, it pulls in respectable numbers in 3DMark05 (6700pts). I vote ATI!!!
 
Can somebody tell me what a BIOS flash is? And how hard is it to unlock pipes? Does doing these two require non-standard cooling like normal OC'ing and is it noob-proof? I have honestly owned only TWO video cards in my computer's history (I'm still on my first ever OWN computer), a GeForce 4 MX440 and my current, a FX5700LE, and I've kept both stock.

What are the standard speeds of a 6800GS?

Also, I'm kinda skeptical about buying refurb. Has anyone ever purchased a refurbished card from Newegg, and if so, could you tell me how good condition it was in?
 
SLiGuy said:
Can somebody tell me what a BIOS flash is? And how hard is it to unlock pipes? Does doing these two require non-standard cooling like normal OC'ing and is it noob-proof? I have honestly owned only TWO video cards in my computer's history (I'm still on my first ever OWN computer), a GeForce 4 MX440 and my current, a FX5700LE, and I've kept both stock.

What are the standard speeds of a 6800GS?

Also, I'm kinda skeptical about buying refurb. Has anyone ever purchased a refurbished card from Newegg, and if so, could you tell me how good condition it was in?
Click to expand...
Flashing the bios means your changing the basic programming of the video card, and CAN be dangerous doing it to a video card, as it CAN be dangerous to do it to a motherboard (much more common)

Unlocking pipes is not so dangerous, and in the case of the BFG card (and probably all other 6800GS's) they are essentially 6800GT's, with the same clock speeds (350MHz), memory frequencies (1000MHz), but 1 quad (4xpipes) and 1 vertex shader disabled. However, it's only masked. Riva Tuner is a program that can unmask those pipes and shaders, and will not damage your card. The pipes/shaders were disabled to save money or they were defective and the card was made a GS instead of a GT. If your lucky, the pipes/shaders still work, but sometimes it won't. It doesn't physically modify the card, and is completely reversable. If you have a problem with the card, and need to send it back, it would be to your advantage to change it back :D

I'm still using the reference cooler for my card, and the GS shouldn't have any issues with heat with proper air flow if only the pipes/shader is unlocked. OC'ing frequencies however will generate much more heat and require better cooling. All of the changes "will void your warranty"...just so your warned ;)

I personally wouldn't buy refurb, because i like my warranty, but it's more of a personal decision to buy refurb, I wouldn't.

Hope this helps!
 
What are temps on your BFG? People on Newegg keep complaining it's too hot...

What bout the 6800XT? Is that good with when unlocked?
 
hell yeah 6800gs and try unlocking the extra quad... there is a good chance it is still good.

the 6800gs is a good deal.

the 6600GT is a nice card... but the 6800gs is faster.
 
SLiGuy said:
What are temps on your BFG? People on Newegg keep complaining it's too hot...

What bout the 6800XT? Is that good with when unlocked?
Click to expand...
the 6800XT is a waste of money! spend the extra and go with the GS...i'm sooooooooooooooooooo glad that I did.

my GS idles at 62C (according to drivers) and when i get out of games it's around 70-75C....it's unlocked, and the settings are maxed at 1024x768 and things plays just great.

the only downside (for the moment) is that the 6800GS series isn't supported by WHQL NVIDIA drivers....right now i have to use BETA drivers (comes on BFG disk as well)....but as soon as the next WHQL drivers are released i'd feel more comfortable, i get directx errors in COD2....i'm almost positive it's driver related, but i won't know for sure until i get new drivers....but COD2 is the only game i've yet to have any problems with....
 
mrmodman said:
no here is your solution buy a x800GTO and flash it into a X850xt easy and cheap for 200 at newegg
Click to expand...


Or just buy a X850xt like the rest of did for $239.00 with MIR of $50.00 from micro center and ur good to go
 
SLiGuy said:
I KNOW the x850XT is good, the problem is, I can't find any in AGP, and when I do, they're over $300. The whole entire x800 family is being taken off the shelves very quickly.
Click to expand...

http://www.microcenter.com/ should have no problem getting one

239.00 with mir of 50.00
 
6800gs if you plan on having agp for another year or more. 6600gt if you will upgrade anytime within the year(less money). If you like to play newer games and have them look better then you want sm 3.0. older ATI cards do not support it. 12a on your 12v rail will more than likely not be enough. I had 16a on my old Antec ps and it was not enough for my 6800.IMHO you should save money by getting a used agp card. AGP is on its way out, more expensive, and did I mention on its way out. :eek:
 
SLiGuy said:
I can't find it on the site. Is it an in-store only thing?
Click to expand...

Well it seems the deal the rest of us got is over..Sorry man..I called them and they said no more
 
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