graphics card info

[gyrene81]

The picture is that you make a huge deal about nothing, AGP is dead and PCI-E is the way to go for upgrades.

AGP is only dead if you can afford to upgrade to PCI-E 2.0 mid to upper tier...otherwise, as of right now, it's still a viable option for people who don't have the money that you have.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

AGP is only dead if you can afford to upgrade to PCI-E 2.0 mid to upper tier...otherwise, as of right now, it's still a viable option for people who don't have the money that you have.

As I said the problem with AGP upgrades is that most likely the user will be heavily CPU bound after the upgrade. This means that if the performance still isn't up to task the user must dump EVERY component in his system including the new and expensive graphics card that will have no use anywhere after that.

[gyrene81]

As I said the problem with AGP upgrades is that most likely the user will be heavily CPU bound after the upgrade. This means that if the performance still isn't up to task the user must dump EVERY component in his system including the new and expensive graphics card that will have no use anywhere after that.

Ok since we have officially hijacked this thread and the OP has enough info to make an informed decision on his own. For the sake of argument here...let's say you're right and even with the purchase of the new card he isn't getting any better graphics performance with that Radeon 4670, he has 30 days to return it for a refund and I'm very sure anyone would know within 24 hours...and he's out the cost of return postage $20 and now he can firmly plan for his future system purchase knowing without a doubt that it is necessary.


How do you figure "cpu bound"? I have a P-4 2.4 GHz HT system with a (borderline adequate) Geforce 7300GT OC 512MB in it running on an AGP 8x interface (it runs the newest FPS and RTS games without an issue). It handles AH fairly well with 40 to 60 frames and only 75% max cpu usage, and that is with teamspeak running. I could put that Radeon 4670 in the P-4 system and improve the graphics settings without taking any more of a cpu hit than I am now...in order to get AH to run smoothly with my Core 2 2.4 GHz system I have to run AH in compatibility mode and I'm only getting 75-80% cpu usage on a single core and that's also with teamspeak running...and I have a brand new GTS 250 in it. The P-4 system is no more cpu bound than the dual core.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

How do you figure "cpu bound"?

There is a limit to what the GPU can do alone. In order to fully utilize the GPU processing power the CPU must provide enough cycles at the background. Without enough CPU power the GPU gets throttled i.e. wasted.

AH2 is not the most demanding gaming title in the world but then again it's rarely the only title the user wants to run. A P4 system is going to set clear restrictions on overall performance. Where the limit goes I don't know but I've seen several gaming reviews where the CPU has become the limit instead of GPU (different graphics cards show frame to frame similar performance because CPU is limiting them).

So keeping this in mind you can only do so much with AGP before you're inevitably going to have to switch to PCI-E to get more punch.

[gyrene81]

There is a limit to what the GPU can do alone. In order to fully utilize the GPU processing power the CPU must provide enough cycles at the background. Without enough CPU power the GPU gets throttled i.e. wasted.

AH2 is not the most demanding gaming title in the world but then again it's rarely the only title the user wants to run. A P4 system is going to set clear restrictions on overall performance. Where the limit goes I don't know but I've seen several gaming reviews where the CPU has become the limit instead of GPU (different graphics cards show frame to frame similar performance because CPU is limiting them).

So keeping this in mind you can only do so much with AGP before you're inevitably going to have to switch to PCI-E to get more punch.

Yeah, you're right on that...agreed.

[SPKmes]

Ok guys...this has really gotten stirred up...I will add to it and give you all a face/palm moment now...I went and looked for the 4670..I didn't buy online I went to a shop I use.. They didn't have one...they could get me one but the price was what I'd consider a bit too much considering the fact that this is only for a cheap fix so to speak... I ended up getting a 4650 with the option to bring it back if it didn't perform good enough....... well...I can now run full graphics with average of 50 frames over land. over water it gets up to 80...when in a very busy area....20-30 cons I turn off reflections as my frames are very up and down. In all other cases though it seems to be good...I will have to check another couple of maps yet to be sure, but it seems to be doing the trick...
cheers guys, thanks for all your input....I always learn things with posts like these....

[MrRiplEy[H]]

.20-30 cons I turn off reflections as my frames are very up and down.

This is most likely due to running out of CPU. Glad to hear you could get satisfactory results though.