Help with graphics card...

SwampThing

I know, I know - it's been done to death and apologies if it pisses ye off.

It's the one area of PC's I'm not 100% up to speed on - graphics cards.

I need to get a new one - my current Radeon 9600 served me well but is feeling the pain in CoD2.

I read here that XFX make the best cards around. I don't want to spend a small fortune as my PC will be in need of attention soon enough - Intel 875 PBZLK mobo / 3.2GHz chip.

So, I was thinking of a - XFX Geforce 6800 GT 256MB AGP8X

I don't know anything about pipes, RAMDAC etc - what say you experts?

angelofdeath

bout as good as you'll get for agp these days

K.O.Kiki

That or an ATi X850XT PE.

Ri_Nollaig

unless u can pick up a x850 xtpe cheap, the 6800gt is the best for agp
i have it and it will play cod2 no problems
can be overclocked easily to ultra speeds too, should get u round 5500 in 3dmark05
it also had shader model 3.0 support so it will last u a good bit yet

/edit
overclockers.co.uk (cant seem to get komplett to work atm) have a x850 xtpe for 427.644 EUR not including delivery, unless komplett is much cheaper (wud seriously doubt) the 6800gt at about 300eur is much better value

K.O.Kiki

I think I was remembering the cheap end-of-the-line X850XT (non-PE)'s they had a short while back; my mistake.
*edit* Oh wait, Komplett do have an XT for €300: link

SwampThing

Thanks lads - Kiki (not very comfortable calling anyone that) - the card on the link is a PCI, not AGP, but thanks anyway.

Gez, they're more expensive than I thought they would be, but I suppose you get what you pay for.

Ri_Nollaig

keep an eye on the FS computer hardware, graphics cards pop up all the time and u might find a bargin

SwampThing

Right, I've been having a wee think - dangerous pass-time I know.

No doubt I'll have to look at a PCI Express mobo in the future, so maybe spending €300 or there abouts on an AGP card isn't the smartest move.

So, to get a decent performance improvement over a Connect 3D Radeon 9600 128MB, what about a 6600 GT or a Radeon X800 XL 256MB?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but piplines seem to be a critical component of a graphics card - what's the low-down the two I've mentioned above?

TerrorFirmer

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054872496

Can't go wrong. 180 for a nice card. Agp.

youcancallmeal

MobileInfantry wrote:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054872496

Can't go wrong. 180 for a nice card. Agp.

Thanks for the plug
Edit: sold, unlucky.

SwampThing

What about this little doozie ....

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=605232

About €205 incl. delivery - Good, Bad or what?

Anyone dealt with these guys before?

RuggieBear

MobileInfantry wrote:

http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054872496

Can't go wrong. 180 for a nice card. Agp.

Britvic got there first!:)

SwampThing

Right, I've gone for the card in my previous post.

I'd obviously like to measure the difference it makes to the system - what apps can/should I use on a) the existing card and b) the new one to measure performance - 3dMark? Is is a free tool? Anything else?

ShiverinEskimo

3Dmark05 and AquaMark3 - both have free versions but both are big files - so I hope you or a mate has broadband.

These will give you more that enough of an idea of the difference your upgrade made.