Opinions Please

[Clifra Jones]

My current System:

Intel P4 2.0 Ghz
Intel D845HV MB (Only support 4x AGP)
1gb RAM
Msi GeForce MX440-SE (61.77 driver)

I am not totally disatisfied with my performace. I get 30(+/-) FR most of the time and only get a slight stutter in large furballs. I've stripped Windows down to the bare minumum and I know there is no spywar or other processes hogging the system

Is it worth upgrading the video card? I'm having trouble finding 4x 128/256 MB video cards that look like they will out perform my current card. Overclocking the current card produced mixed results and I set it back to defults.

Are the Omega drivers any better?

Other option is to replace the MB/Proc/Video card.

Here is what I've looked at for a replacement.

MBM-8I915G-530 :: Gigabyte 8I915G-MF Intel Socket 775 MicroATX Motherboard and Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0Ghz Processor  299.99  
 
ULT31088 :: Ultra Dual Channel 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory ( 4 x 512MB) - Premium Wood Box  $399.98  
 
P450-8530 :: XFX GeForce 6600 / 256MB DDR / PCI Express / VGA / DVI / TV Out / Video Card  $159.99

I would rather not spend the $ as I can play AH fine. All I am looking for is to smooth out the performance in high traffic situations.

[JB73]

most of the better video cards support both 4x and 8x, they can run in either mode.


getting a 6600 alone should boost performance a TON over that mx card... even a ti4600 if you can find one.

[whels]

hi Clifra,

any AGP card will run in you computer. they all are backwards compatable i think  (skuzzy?) 2x/4x/8x agp.  with your current system id say a 9600  9700 or 9800 pro would be good for you. if you want to stay with Nvidia id say GF 5900xt if not backward compatable, if they are then id get a GF 6600GT.

9800 pro
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-511&depa=1

9700 pro
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-199&depa=1

9600xt
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-510&depa=1

GF 5900xt
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-072&depa=1

Originally posted by Clifra Jones
My current System:

Intel P4 2.0 Ghz
Intel D845HV MB (Only support 4x AGP)
1gb RAM
Msi GeForce MX440-SE (61.77 driver)

I am not totally disatisfied with my performace. I get 30(+/-) FR most of the time and only get a slight stutter in large furballs. I've stripped Windows down to the bare minumum and I know there is no spywar or other processes hogging the system

Is it worth upgrading the video card? I'm having trouble finding 4x 128/256 MB video cards that look like they will out perform my current card. Overclocking the current card produced mixed results and I set it back to defults.

Are the Omega drivers any better?

Other option is to replace the MB/Proc/Video card.

Here is what I've looked at for a replacement.

MBM-8I915G-530 :: Gigabyte 8I915G-MF Intel Socket 775 MicroATX Motherboard and Intel Pentium 4 530 3.0Ghz Processor  299.99  
 
ULT31088 :: Ultra Dual Channel 1024MB PC3200 DDR 400MHz Memory ( 4 x 512MB) - Premium Wood Box  $399.98  
 
P450-8530 :: XFX GeForce 6600 / 256MB DDR / PCI Express / VGA / DVI / TV Out / Video Card  $159.99

I would rather not spend the $ as I can play AH fine. All I am looking for is to smooth out the performance in high traffic situations.

[eagl]

I'd say start with a GeForce 6600GT.  If that doesn't work, swap out the mobo/cpu for an Athlon 64 combo.

[Clifra Jones]

Originally posted by whels
hi Clifra,

any AGP card will run in you computer. they all are backwards compatable i think  (skuzzy?) 2x/4x/8x agp.  with your current system id say a 9600  9700 or 9800 pro would be good for you. if you want to stay with Nvidia id say GF 5900xt if not backward compatable, if they are then id get a GF 6600GT.

9800 pro
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-511&depa=1

9700 pro
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-199&depa=1

9600xt
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-510&depa=1

GF 5900xt
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-072&depa=1

I can get the GeForce 6600GT for $179.99 that's only $4.00 more that the 5900XT. Chaintech's site stated it will work in a 4x slot.

The 9600XT is interesting at $125.00 but I say some bad reviews on the 9600xt. Any thoughts?

[whels]

Originally posted by Clifra Jones
I can get the GeForce 6600GT for $179.99 that's only $4.00 more that the 5900XT. Chaintech's site stated it will work in a 4x slot.

The 9600XT is interesting at $125.00 but I say some bad reviews on the 9600xt. Any thoughts?

id say wiithout a doubt, if they  say 6600 gt will work 4x, then id
get it. its alot better card.

whels

[StarOfAfrica2]

ATI's 9600XT is a good card, no doubt.  But the Nvidia's 6600 is a whole new generation of video card.  

All 8x AGP cards are backwards compatible with 4x slots.  Thats all you really need to know about AGP compatibility, since you have a 4x slot and they only make 8x cards now.  

[Clifra Jones]

Chaintech GeForce 6600GT 128 just arrived.

Won't have time to install it until next week tuesday as I'll be down in Key West help to get my kid and her Navy husband settled at his new duty station.

Thanks for everyone's input, I'll let you know how it works.