Some advice from you hardware guys please

[Sled]

I would like to know what is the best performing Vid car I can push with this system. I am not interested in getting a card that my CPU can't "handle". That's a waste of money.

I would like to know options for both Nvidia and ATI


specs.

Asus A8V Deluxe (AGP8X)
Athlon 64 3200 Venice
BFG 6800 OC 128M (current card)
1 gig DDR PC 3200 corsair value
SATA 150 160Gig

I currently run AH at 1600x1200, Detail at about 2/3rds, and distance at 1/2. Optimized settings.



advice appreciated

[wooley]

Hi SLED,

Your choices will be limited by the fact you're running an AGP motherboard. Almost all mid to upper end graphics cards now use PCI-X.

That said, a quick scan of AGP cards on Newegg shows top level is a GeForce 7600GT or ATi X1950Pro.

I'd guess either would offer a pretty good improvement over your current card - particularly given you are running at reasonably high reloution.

I wouldn't worry about the rest of your PC being able to keep up.

[38ruk]

The nvidia 7800GS and the ati X1950pro would be a good match for your system , i myself would go with the 1950 as it is the fastest AGP on the market .

[Sled]

Well, I know that there is a Geforce 7800 GS OC 256M, and a Geforce 7600 GS OC 512M.
Those appear to be the best nvidia has for AGP.

But like I said, I don't want to get a card that is better than my CPU can make use of.

[Flint]

From what i've read there's not much point going from your current card to the 7800GS. The latest agp ati card on the other hand gets nearly double the frame rates of NVidia's offering in many games on test setups similar to yours (Oblivion for e.g.)

I myself went from a 9800pro to the 7800GS late last year (p4 northwood), and difference was quite noticable. 4xAA,  max settings at 1280x1024 is smooth as butter now. These latest cards allow you to bump up the visual quality to "mmmmm nice" levels.

[Hoarach]

I myself have a system similar to yours sled.

I believe I have the same processor.  I have the AGP 7600GS 512MB from PNY and only 512MB RAM.  I do have 2 HDs hooked up 1 SATA and 1 peripheral.  I have everything maxed out in graphic detail, high res, and downloading skins in the background and I get over 100 FR easy in game.  Only time I see it drop in FR is when I hit a giant furball with a lot of fire and gvs it drop to about 70.

The PNY 7600AGP 512MB I got for about $150 from compusa with a rebate.

[38ruk]

I think your cpu will handle any AGP card out there . Take a minute and read this article, it's an eye opener .

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/02/01/agp-platform-analysis/

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/01/10/agp-platform-analysis/

[blackdog68]

Originally posted by SLED
I would like to know what is the best performing Vid car I can push with this system. I am not interested in getting a card that my CPU can't "handle". That's a waste of money.

I would like to know options for both Nvidia and ATI


specs.

Asus A8V Deluxe (AGP8X)
Athlon 64 3200 Venice
BFG 6800 OC 128M (current card)
1 gig DDR PC 3200 corsair value
SATA 150 160Gig

I currently run AH at 1600x1200, Detail at about 2/3rds, and distance at 1/2. Optimized settings.

advice appreciated

See my 'current - upgrade?' post below a page or 2.

I had almost the exact same as you, except my VC is a 256mb 6800GT which i believe is just an OC'd 6800.  In my case, it was the processor that was the weakest link.  I found a socket 939 FX-60 and went through the steps to flash my bios, install the new chip, and then run all the dual core optimization patches.  I now get 60 fps (refresh rate maxed) at 1280x1024 full details dropping to lows of high 30's on the deck with large number of trees, GV's, and planes.

There is a directx10 compliant AGP card coming out soon(http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37790) that I'm waiting on and is your answer to the best, but I really think your CPU is your weak link as it was in mine.  I could be wrong...your monitor supports higher resolutions than my 19" lcd.

[Krusty]

DirectX 10 my eye....

All they're doing is plopping the primary core from an 8800 into a 7600 card.

DX10 means you have to have multiple processors that can be used for whatever the most vital task-at-hand is, at any given moment. By just plopping a single central core into the card, that doesn't make it DX10 compatible. Methinks that's all just hype.

[blackdog68]

Perhaps, Krusty...but doing it "right" means starting almost completely over, don't you think?

I think with my recent upgrade to the FX-60 and planned upgrade to the G84AGP, I've bought myself another 2 years, and certainly have more than enough for AHII.

[Sled]

FYI, I bought the Sapphire X1950Pro 512mb, from new egg. ($250.00)

I have a 530 PS, and only two HD's, that should Handel it.

This card should be the last one I need for this system. The ONLY game I play is AH, I just don't have enough time for the others. I don't see me outgrowing this card any time soon. But that might change if HTC does a BIG graphics upgrade.


thanks for your help guys

[Hajo]

Gents running the same mobo ASUS A8V.  It's AGP of course.  Using an X800XT all in wonder AGP card.  X800XT has 16 pipelines which are 4 more pipelines then 99% of the vidcards out there.

My FRs' are maxed at 85.  Refresh rate at 85 on the 22in CRT I'm using.

The 1950 will be good for more then a few years.  Heck if you can find an X800XT somewhere buy it instead!

[Sled]

Hajo,

tell me what your settings are in AH.

Resolution, slider settings, AA, and other video card settings.

what CPU are you using? type and amount of ram? Power supply, so-on.


would like to compare yours to mine.

Thanks