So I'm kind of shying away from the full on new system because of the expense. I'm now considering an upgrade of my current system. These are the graphics cards I'm looking at, what do you think?

Newegg.com - CHAINTECH GSA73GT GeForce 7300GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X Video Card

TigerDirect.com - EVGA GeForce 7600 GS / 256MB GDDR2 / AGP 8x / DVI / VGA / HDTV / Video Card

TigerDirect.com - Visiontek Radeon X1650 Pro / 512MB DDR2 / AGP 8x / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card

In addition, will these cards play nice with my CPU? The item description for the 7600 GS said that the Athlon XP or better was required. Mine is only a Athlon 64.

And, what do you think of eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5? It says that my rig would consume less power, than my current build, with any one of these cards.

Thanks in advance for your expertise.

Quote: Originally Posted by Wurum So I'm kind of shying away from the full on new system because of the expense. I'm now considering an upgrade of my current system. These are the graphics cards I'm looking at, what do you think?

No, I'm not stalking you ... just seem to be on at the same time.

Those cards are fine, but I think that if you're going to upgrade the graphics at this point, you want a price-performance ratio. The 7800GS is one of the best in that category. Somehow, "new" 7800GS cards are still going for 150-200 ... probably a supply/demand issue, as most folks are already in the PCIx stage, and AGP is almost completely out. (Almost ... I still run it.

I was pretty lucky, I suppose, to get KillerT's XFX7800Gs, which is still kicking butt.

However, you can pick them up for lower off eBay. This one, for instance:
eVGA GeForce 7800GS CO AGP 8x 256MB Video Card Nvidia - eBay (item 250209543580 end time Jan-31-08 12:22:45 PST)

Meanwhile, check out the ForSale threads here at PCApex and other locations (Slayer is an admin at ... another site, can't remember ... but it's a great place. [edit: that's Slaymate, and he's from HardwareHell.com, another excellent tech site.]

As ever, check your references when buying through forums and eBay.

-godling

See if you can't pick up an AGP Radeon X1950. Probably the best AGP card currently available, although bear in mind that there are AGP Radeon 3850s launching soon.

AGP Radeon HD 3850 | News | Custom PC

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux See if you can't pick up an AGP Radeon X1950. Probably the best AGP card currently available, although bear in mind that there are AGP Radeon 3850s launching soon. AGP Radeon HD 3850 | News | Custom PC

that sounds good but at what price?

i may hold on , on my old pc for a bit longer & save myself some money...?

anyhow thanks! for the news i'll be checking that closely

I'm upgrading my videocard again as well, and I'll be selling my X1950 Pro here in another week if you think you might want it.

Quote: Originally Posted by godling Somehow, "new" 7800GS cards are still going for 150-200 ... probably a supply/demand issue

Yeah, I had forgotten about the 7800 because it didn't show up on either Newegg or Tigerdirect.

Quote: Originally Posted by godling However, you can pick them up for lower off eBay. This one, for instance:

Good idea, didn't think about picking up a used one.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux although bear in mind that there are AGP Radeon 3850s launching soon. AGP Radeon HD 3850 | News | Custom PC

Would any AGP card get along with my CPU?

Quote: Originally Posted by Jobistober I'm upgrading my videocard again as well, and I'll be selling my X1950 Pro here in another week if you think you might want it.

I would be interested, is it AGP?


Thanks guys!

Oh, and I just ordered one of these last night.

Quote: Originally Posted by Wurum I would be interested, is it AGP?

Yes it is. I'll have a sale thread up in a week or two.

AGP is steadly dieing and good cards are hard to find. The only way you'll find a
7800GS, 7900GS or a X1950 is from a site like ebay or a forum trading post. I'll
keep my eyes open but I wouldn't count on it. I have a Radeon 2600XT in a back
up PC and it seems to be an ok card, but I've never tried to game on it. I would
either wait on that X1950 from Jobistober or save up for a new PCI Express system.

While I wait for Jobistober to post his x1950 for sale, what do you guys think generally of GECUBE? Newegg has their x1650 512MB for $50 after MIR. Then there's Diamond's for $60

7600GS > X1650 as I recall.

You can get a fanless one (at $90) too.
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-N76G256D-RH GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X Video Card - Retail

I tend to favour fanless because I figure that a fanned sink will inevitably rattle or fail in ways that drive you insane and force you to spend $30 on a Zalman product

Quote: Originally Posted by Hak Foo 7600GS > X1650 as I recall. You can get a fanless one (at $90) too. Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GV-N76G256D-RH GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 8X Video Card - Retail I tend to favour fanless because I figure that a fanned sink will inevitably rattle or fail in ways that drive you insane and force you to spend $30 on a Zalman product

Thanks for the input. I've been lucky on my current 3 year old actively cooled card, no squeaks yet.

Also, I just read this interesting thread at x-bit labs about the power requirements for the x1950 PRO (I hope it's not taboo to link to other hardware forums). I have a 350W PSU with 16 Amps on a single 12v rail. I can't run the x1950 PRO. I might be able to run the x1650 PRO and maybe the 7600GS, I'm going to do some more research.

My MOBO has a 20 pin power connector, so I couldn't upgrade the PSU unless I could find a 400-450W with the 20 pin and 20 Amps. I don't really want to buy a PSU anyway, might as well buy a new system at that point.

Quote: Originally Posted by Wurum Thanks for the input. I've been lucky on my current 3 year old actively cooled card, no squeaks yet. Also, I just read this interesting thread at x-bit labs about the power requirements for the x1950 PRO (I hope it's not taboo to link to other hardware forums). I have a 350W PSU with 16 Amps on a single 12v rail. I can't run the x1950 PRO. I might be able to run the x1650 PRO and maybe the 7600GS, I'm going to do some more research. My MOBO has a 20 pin power connector, so I couldn't upgrade the PSU unless I could find a 400-450W with the 20 pin and 20 Amps. I don't really want to buy a PSU anyway, might as well buy a new system at that point.

Ultra X-Connect 500-Watt ATX Dual 80mm Fan Titanium-Color Modular Power Supply ULT33153 at TigerDirect.com

they have a darker color also and a uv green one.

Quote: Originally Posted by nemwhaa Ultra X-Connect 500-Watt ATX Dual 80mm Fan Titanium-Color Modular Power Supply ULT33153 at TigerDirect.com they have a darker color also and a uv green one.

Ah, thanks for the link. I'll def. check it out for $30! I see it got a Pimp Gear award too. It doesn't bother me that it's 4 years old either, it will fit right in with the rest of my stuff. That is until I get the new graphics card. 28 A on the 12 V rail. That 12 more than I have now and would give me what I need to run the x1950 or 7800GS and OC my Athlon 64 2800+

If you didn't already know your CPU is going to bottlekneck your x1950 pretty bad. I had my x1950 running with a 3.6 ghz pentium 4 and even that was holding it back pretty bad. Just some advice for you to consider.

Quote: Originally Posted by Wurum Ah, thanks for the link. I'll def. check it out for $30! I see it got a Pimp Gear award too. It doesn't bother me that it's 4 years old either, it will fit right in with the rest of my stuff. That is until I get the new graphics card. 28 A on the 12 V rail. That 12 more than I have now and would give me what I need to run the x1950 or 7800GS and OC my Athlon 64 2800+

I'd avoid an Ultra PSU. They really aren't very good, regardless of awards.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux I'd avoid an Ultra PSU. They really aren't very good, regardless of awards.

I agree. Ultras' specs may look pleasing, but quality is not the greatest. At least in my personal experience, they don't last too long and overclocking is a nono on these things.

Motion thirded, honestly do yourself a favor and stay away from Ultra PSUs and buy something from a solid brand. It may cost a bit more but you really don't want to skimp on the power supply.

Some recommendations:

Newegg.com - SeaSonic SS-500ES ATX12V/V2.2, EPS12V/V2.91, 500W, PFC, 80+, 2PCI-E (6Pin), Power Supply - OEM

Newegg.com - FSP Group AX500-PN ATX2.2 500W Power Supply 110-120/ 220-240V UL, CSA, VDE, NEMKO, TUV, CE, CB, FCC - Retail

Newegg.com - Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB - Retail