Need new video card for PC

[BrianG]

Poo. Started up the computer and the video was all messed up. Tried cleaning and reseated everything and no luck. Computer boots fine with no errors, no the issue must be with one of the RAMDACs or something.

Was running an old ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (128MB RAM). Happened to have a REALLY old Nvidia Geforce4 Ti 4400 that still works, so that's in here for now.

So, now looking for a new video card that's at least as good as the ATI card. Don't do too much gaming anymore, but would be nice to run some of the less GPU intensive newer games as well as what I already have. What's the best bang for the buck out right now? Looking to spend about $200 or less. Gotta be AGP (on an older Athlon64 socket 754 mobo).

Any ideas?

[MTBikerTim]

Finding a card that uses agp is hard enough these days. You can get some 7600 series nvidia cards in AGP form and they will kick the 9800 pro with out a problem. Will not be a big improvement in graphics performance but it should be able to do what you said you wanted too.

[BrianG]

Thanks! Yeah, I know AGP is a dying breed. Gonna get a new machine fairly soon, but need something in the meantime, so don't wanna spend too much on a new card. I'll check that one out!

[BrianG]

Looks like my options are:
ATI: 1650xt, 1650gt, 2600xt, 2600pro
Nvidia: 6800xt, 7600gs

Which one? Currently looking on Newegg.com in the AGP section, $100-$200 range...

[MTBikerTim]

Personal preference is 7600gs. I haven't had much experience with the ati cards since my 9800 a few years ago. I'd just make sure to go with a name brand manufacturer. I find the fans and caps on the name brand gear to be far better quality and last longer. I have had the heat sink and fan assemblies fall off a lot of cards recently and they have all been from the cheaper card manufacturers.

I have ended up back with gigabyte as my manufacturer of choice at the moment. After moving away from them to get better performance I have come back to them for the reliability and stability of their gear. Their software isn't the best and I would stick with nvidia/ati drivers rather then their custom ones.

[bdebde]

I would go with either one of the ATI 2600's, but I always lean toward ATI.

[BrianG]

Yeah, I hear ya about crappy products. My last ATI card was an actual ATI card and have had no problems up until now.

This is the search page I'm using to get my choices: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...GP+4X%2f8X

And I've been looking at Tom's Hardware guide for overall performance ratings: http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...=722&chart=318

[MTBikerTim]

Originally Posted by bdebde

I would go with either one of the ATI 2600's, but I always lean toward ATI.

The 2600's do look good compared to the single 7600 in the newegg search.

I'm liking this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102718. Cheap and seem reasonable spec wise. Just be careful you don't overload your power supply with a new card. I've done it a few times. Also check it's not the power supply which has gone in the first place and not your video card. I've had that happen to me a few times too.

[BP-Revo]

I personally stick with Nvidia chipsets. I have always used Nvidia and love it. My old Dell Inspiron 8100 laptops run the GeForce2 Go (first mobile Nvidia card!), my Inspiron 8600 laptop runs an Nvidia Geforce FX5650, and my Desktop runs an Nvidia Geforce 8800GTX (the thing is KILLER).

But yea...stick with Nvidia.

[Arct1k]

For me this is it - My logic is;

- APG is dying so don't spend too much money
- I've had ATI and NVIDIA - Its a preference thing but I prefer NVIDIA's drivers
- EVGA is like castle - they will warrantee it for EVERYTHING but physical damage - Overclock till it breaks is fine
- EVGA have a step up program if you decided to get a new rig within 90 days they will give you the cost of teh card towards a new card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130076

Sorry I checked the PC cupboard and sold it on fleabay for probably $50!

[phidailo]

I agree on not spending too much on an agp card. You could just stick with what you have now until you need a new PC.

[aqwut]

if it's AGP 6800GT or 6800 Ultra from Nvidia. you could get them pretty cheap off ebay dude.... I have one of those cards... get the one from leadtek if possible... nice huge heatsink...

doesn't matter what brand you get, the performance would be all similar... I wouldn't doubt it if FoxConn made them all.. :)

[squeeforever]

Brian, I have a old ATI around somewhere. I think its a 9600 Pro or a 9800. Not sure. Let me know if your interested in it.

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by MTBikerTim

I'm liking this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102718. Cheap and seem reasonable spec wise. Just be careful you don't overload your power supply with a new card. I've done it a few times. Also check it's not the power supply which has gone in the first place and not your video card. I've had that happen to me a few times too.

That's one of the cards I was looking at. $115 is perfect and should be a definite improvement over the old 9800. It's been a while since I've been into knowing all the brands out there, but I remember Sapphire. I'll just need to also get a PCIe power adaptor cable... then again maybe not, I'll have to re-check my PS.

And I'm using an Antec TruePower 550w PS, so that shouldn't be a problem. But, just for giggles, I hooked up my fluke meter to the rails, set it to record min/max voltages, and ran the PC for a while. All the rails stayed to within about 5% of their rated values under load.

@BP-Revo: I've used cards from both chipsets and they both worked well for me. When I bought the ATI, it had the best picture quality at the expense of a few fps, so I got that. Before that card, I had a GeForce4 Ti 4400 (currently using), GeForce2 gts (still have and works, but doesn't have DVI), and an old ATI All-in-wonder Pro (back in the Pentium 266 days, so it's long gone now).

@phidailo: No, I don't intend on spending much. I will be getting a new one fairly soon, but it'll still be a while and I simply can't live with a GF4 card.

@Squee: Thanks, but I already ordered the Sapphire 2600xt. $115 plus $3 for the PCIe adaptor cable is pretty good I think.

[aqwut]

a Geforce 4 is not so bad.... I had the Ti4800 as well... I still have a 3DFX Voodoo 5500 on of of my PCS.. hahaaa