New Graphics Card

[matthobson]

Hi guys,

I used to be a member of this forum, but have been away for a while so needed to re-register. I was wondering if I could get some advice on a new graphics card.

I built my PC about 2 years ago with pretty much top of the range specs at the time including the following:

ABIT IC7-MAX3 Motherboard
3.2GHZ
1GB Corsair LL Pro
Abit 9800XT

The rig has done well, but is struggling a bit with some recent games such as GRAW. I have been thinking about upgrading my graphics card, but I am not sure if it would be worth it (have been out of the loop with PC tech recently).

I do not want to spend a silly amount of money, but at the same time I don’t want to pay £100 for a very small upgrade.

For example this: http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...63&GroupID=330 seems like a real bargain to me, but will it be THAT much better than a 9800XT?

I can see that the X1900 is one of the top in the market at the moment... where does the x700/800 etc. fit in?

Does anyone know where there are some good recent reviews of the cards that are available?

Thanks

Matt

[shaithis]

I beleive your motherboard is AGP, the graphics card you linked is PCI-Express.

The 2 are not inter-changable.


You are looking for a graphics card at a time when everything is transitioning to PCI-E......this leaves people in a dilema...

1. Buy an AGP card

2. Buy a PCI-E mobo (for your current CPU) + PCI-E card

2 Buy a new mobo + CPU + gfx card

You can put a 7800GS in there for a little over 200quid that would last you quite a while but that would almost certainly be the last upgrade to that setup ever. I personally wouldn't upgrade to anything less then that, although I would also seriously consider replacing the lot! (If you have branded PC3200, then you wouldn't have to replace that )

[teachmech]

As you are limited to AGP without a mobo, cpu psu and graph card upgrade follow the 7800GS for best performance if you can affoard then this

512Mb Gainward BLISS 7800GS+ Silent 512MB TV DVI * N.B. 7900GT GPU on a 7800GS AGP Card !!! * ie 24 pipes

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=392225

is currently the fastest AGP card avaible at over £300 but you can pick up a normal 7800GS with 16 pipes for around £210

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=344018

Hope this helps.

[sawyen]

7800GS+ FTW if u have a CPU that can keep up with it... basically a 7800GTX 512MB under the hood.. the 1.2ns mem should hit its rated 800MHz double-pump (1.6Ghz) easily... and the core hits 550MHz without any problems..

And thats a 7800GTX 512MB for you.. (almost anyways).. AGAIG for any AGP system..

[chazt]

6800GS is a much better value for money agp card according to this months custom pc http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=314618

[matthobson]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Would it be better to wait a few months for the conversion away from AGP to finish? If so then how long is that likely to take?

Hell maybe it is time to upgrade the system.. Below is what I can remember about my full specs (am at work). I have marked what I am considering replacing.

Motherboard: Abit IC7-Max 3 ** - for newer technology
CPU: P4 3.2GHZ 800MHZ FSB
Memory: Corsair XMS LL Pro (2x 512) ** - Possible upgrade to 2GB if you can still buy this, otherwise chuck current 1GB and get 2GB.
Case: Coolermaster Wavemaster - bit noisy atm.. maybe get new fans for this?
PSU: 450w (cannot remember make)
Graphics: Abit ATI 9800XT ** - struggling with new software
Sound: Soundblaster Audigy SE
Monitor: 19" Samsung TFT 4ms response
CD: Sony 52x32x52
DVD Sony: Single layer DVD RW ** (possibly get dual layer)

So basically the main ones are Motherboard, Graphics and memory.

Have I missed anything important?? What do people think of upgrading those parts? Would it be worth it? When should i do it and what to get etc etc.

I am not restricted by a budget as such but dont want to waste money on stuff i don't need (if a £50 motherboard will do the job then there is no need to get a £150 mobo for overclocking). I do not overclock or anything like that, just want a rig that will last a while.

[Koolpc]

Hi mate.

I would definitely thing about a complete upgrade. This is my idea:

Motherboard: Depends if you want an SLi one, ASUS do good ones
CPU: AMD definitely. Better and Cheaper. Dual core or single?
Memory: Get Geil Value ram, 2 x 1 gig Sticks
Case: Coolermaster Wavemaster - Just change the fans
PSU: Should get one with 24pin ATX connector as new Mobos have this connection (Seasonic are awesome and quiet)
Graphics: 7900 GT 256mb PCI-e card would be superb
Sound: Soundblaster Audigy SE (Fine as it is)
Monitor: 19" Samsung TFT 4ms response (Fine as it is)
CD: Sony 52x32x52, Get rid, no need for it
DVD: NEC Dual Layer DVD Writer

These are the changes i would make but it all depends on budget. Maybe someone else could recommend other components but these are fine. I have the ASUS A8N-E Sli Premium Motherboard and it is superb!! I don't have SLi graphics cards but the board is awesome. AMD is the way to go.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Koolpc]

Double post!! Sorry

[sawyen]

You still have a fairly capable system, and they havent gave up on AGP yet.. so this is wat I would do..

1. Overclock that 3.2Ghz to as high as you can get it stable.. (remember to read *4)
2. Sell the XMS LL Pro.. get 2x1GB of Corsair VS
3. Change the fans, probably get a 80mm to 120mm duct for the rear fan.. and a nice 120mm coolermaster (cheap and quiet) fan.
4. Get a decent PSu if the one you're using isnt, if its a Q-tec, remember to thank the lord your system is still working and then immediately the chuck that thing away. Then spend £60 for a decent one from Tagan/Seasonic and such..
5. Get a dual layer writer..
6. Get a 512MB 7800GS+ BLISS (7800GTX 512MB)

[matthobson]

Thanks again for the responses. I might see if I can upgrade for relatively small amount of money (about 300 – 350) to last another year or so.

I can get 2GB Corsair RAM for about £150, but I am still unsure about the graphics.

Is the Gainward GF Bliss 7800GS+ SLI 512MB 1.4ns DDR3, 8x AGP, Dual DVI, HDTV Out, Retail at £350 really worth two times:

Gainward GF Bliss 6800GS 512MB DDR3, Golden Sample, 8x AGP, DVI, HDTV Out, Retail at £170??? This seems like a very large difference for these cards. How long will the 6800 last me?

Is Nvidea definitely better than ATI? Have ATI got any better AGP cards out than this:

Sapphire ATI Radeon X800GTO 256MB DDR3, 8x AGP, DVI, TV Out, Retail at £112?

I know there are a lot of questions above and I appreciate your answers. I just don’t have a clue with up to date cards!
EDIT: JUST SEEN THAT I CAN GET THE 7800 BLISS (NOT +) FOR ABOUT £260. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE HERE BETWEEN THE BELOW:

Gainward GeForce 7800GS+ 512MB DDR3 AGP Dual DVI TV Out (£328)
or
Gainward GeForce 7800GS "BLISS" 512MB DDR3 AGP 2xDVI HDTV (£258)

[Hottentot]

Try this

MOBO: Asus A8NE - £70
GRAPHICS: X1800XT or a 7900 GT - £180
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3200 - £90

and a little adapter to convert your old PSU to fit the new Mobo (24 pin)
You can still use your current memory with an Athlon 64.
A cheap way to convert to PCI-E especially if you sell your old bits.
I would be hesitant to buy more DDR memory at the moment since its been phased out by DDR2 over the next few months.

[Koolpc]

Try this

MOBO: Asus A8NE - £70
GRAPHICS: X1800XT or a 7900 GT - £180
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3200 - £90

and a little adapter to convert your old PSU to fit the new Mobo (24 pin)
You can still use your current memory with an Athlon 64.
A cheap way to convert to PCI-E especially if you sell your old bits.
I would be hesitant to buy more DDR memory at the moment since its been phased out by DDR2 over the next few months.

Nice choice but for a tiny bit more you could get the ASUS A8NE-SLi Motherboard which has no fan on the northbridge (A8N-E one is loud) And it is a superb board. Don't worry about DDR as that will be around for a very long time!

[matthobson]

thanks..

given the speed technology is moving is it worth me upgrading to PCI-E now? if the:

Gainward GF Bliss 6800GS 512MB DDR3, Golden Sample, 8x AGP, DVI, HDTV Out, Retail at £170

would last me a year or so with new games then should I go for a cheap upgrade now.. then go for a whole new PC in about 12-15 months?

Surely it is best to let the new tech come in and get abit cheaper before I go for the new parts?

Plus i do not see the point in getting rid of my CPU at the moment as it is running fine.. I dont think the move to the AMD above will give me £90 worth of improvement.
What do people think?

[chazt]

I think the system you have now is good enough and a 6800GS will be enough to breathe new life into it for a while, and will be capable of playing most modern games at 1024x768 at high detail settings. The 7800GS is a crippled version of a 7800GT and would probably not perform much better than the 6800GS. 2 Gigs of ram would also be pretty unnecessary in my opinion.

[Rohan]

If you're happy with getting the 6800GS on AGP then go with that. It would be a good solution while you wait for Vista.

If you want something that will last longer, the Gainward 7800GS+ 512MB AGP card is bad value for money in my opinion. You would be able to get a pci-express motherboard such as this and a 7900GT pci-express for that price, and even have money left over for a RAM upgrade. Keep your existing CPU for now.

[matthobson]

Right, I am now at home and so have the full specs in front of me:

CM Wavemaster
450W CWT
3.2GHZ 800FSB
Abit IC7-Max3
Abit ATI 9800XT
Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Corsair TwinX Pro 1024MB 3200LL (2X512)

So. My thoughts are to do the following:

1) Upgrade graphics to: "Gainward GF Bliss 6800GS 512MB DDR3, Golden Sample, 8x AGP, DVI, HDTV Out, Retail at £170"
2) Upgrade memory to 2GB

Here are my questions

1) Will the graphics card last me for about 12 months (I know i will not have high performance on all games, as long as in 1 year I have a similar performance as my 9800XT gives me now)?

2) Memory.. Can I buy any memory to be compatible with what I have to make 2GB, or do i need to buy from scratch. If so then would corsair value select be enough, considering that I will not be overclocking.

e.g. would this work with what i have:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/52434

or if not then would the below do:

http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...5&GroupID=1113


Finally..

If i do the above what would i expect to get for my Graphics card and memory above?