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Hi, as we all know this budget board only has a PCI-E 4x slot and some identical GFX cards have tested faster on the AGP slot (Anandtech I think). So is it worth getting something like a 8800GTS or will it be not performing at its maximum ability?
Would a fast AGP card (x1950 Pro, 7800GS Bliss) be the best to hope for the motherboard, whatever CPU it has?
Cheers for any pointers...
it might be a better idea to upgrade the motherboard as well to a all pci-e board some thing from the p5b range
If you can afford an 8800GTS, you can afford a new motherboard and a 8600GTS :)
Beware there have been reports that the 8800 range don't work on this motherboard.
Best to check it up to confirm first.
Dump the motherboard and get a new one and a graphics card. 8800GTS prices are softening all the time and will probably get a cut from nvidia come R600 launch day. Also a new motherboard will let you get some overclocking done on that C2D.
From current reports there is a problem with the 8800 series geforce and this board, weather or not the problem extends onto the 8600 and 8500 I don't know.
If your in the same situation as myself ie cannot afford to get new memory and graphics card then a 7600GT PCI-e will work fine and save a good chunk of cash, I saw a review that showed that the loss from x4 vs x16 was not so bad
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2006/asro...al-VSTA/b9.htm
Test setup
VIA PT880 Ultra Series
* ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA / VIA Hyperion 5.08A
* Intel QX6700 Quad Core processor
* 2 x 1024 MB Corsair CMX1024A-8500C5 (total 2GB)
* 2 x 512M Corsair CMX512-3200XL (total 1GB)
* ASUS EN7900GT TOP with Forceware 91.31
* Hitachi 7K80 SATAII HDD
* Windows XP SP2
Intel 965P
* Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6 / Intel INF 8.0.1.1002
* Intel QX6700 Quad Core processor
* Intel X6800 Extreme Edition processor
* 2 x 1024 MB Corsair CMX1024A-8500C5 (total 2GB)
* ASUS EN7900GT TOP with Forceware 91.31
* Hitachi 7K80 SATAII HDD
* Windows XP SP2
Doom3 and riddick were both run at 1600x1200x32
So an FPS loss of 16% on Doom3 and 2% on Riddick
I don't know agp vs pci-e performance but I doubt that the AGP beats the PCI-e even at x4
EDIT: ps the best geforce agp card I've seen is a 7900gs
I wouldn't go pouring money into an AGP vid card if your mobo can take a PCI-E card. At least if you get PCI-E now you'll be able to carry it over when you upgrade.
Also what's your budget as there's a big gap between the 7900gs/x1950pro and the 8800 cards.
Hi guys, thx for the helpful input. Only just got this mobo up and running so won't be changing it for a while! Reason why I got it was due to budget constraints: had to use old items off other PCs including hard drive (slow) and DDR RAM. Have got decent GPU (Gainward Bliss 7800GS+ AGP) so perhaps isn't the time to upgrade the graphics, especially as there is doubt whether next-gen boards will work...
Now got 2GB DDR-II, think hard drive should be next on list.
Will put off major upgrades until later this year when new Intel chips & mobos come out (and rival ATI/Nvidia revisions too).
Asrock still a sterling effort for the price, very pleased! :-)
I had the Asrock 4core, and then I bought the 8800GTS 320mb.
As soon as I loaded the drivers in windows it all went to ****.
tried Vista too (dual booting) same problem.
Screen messes up then windows just crashes. tried all drivers available, nothing worked.
Bunged the card into my new DS3p motherboard, without even installing a new windows, it worked perfectly, instantly.
So in my experience, 8800gts doesn't work with the Asrock. I don't know why exactly. I've read that motherboard doesn't provide enough power to the card, so I'm guessing when trying to run with anything above VGA 16 colour graphics it couldn't cope.
Yeah I noticed no DX10 cards listed on Asrock's site being supported by 4core VSTA. Wonder if it's fixable with new BIOS/Driver or if it's a lost cause...
Don't regret getting it tho, still fantastic value for money! :thumbsup:
I have an Evga 8800GTS 640 in my asrock, last thing i decided to buy before i get a new mobo. I was on a budget, and i just HAD to have a C2D. :P (All purchases made at various times)
So it does work, the only thing i have to complain about is that Vista is total fail. Oh, and i BSOD'd twice when alt-tabbing out of a full screened game. I haven't tested much else, but i will let ya know if i find more things to complain about.
Current specs:
Asrock 4core-VSTA
2 GBs of Corsair XMS2 667
Evga 8800GTS 640mg superclocked
320 GB hard drive
550w Ultra X-connect 2
Intel C2D E6320
Ran a 8800GTX for a couple of months before changing the mobo, sold it on fleabay,. Nary a bump crash or anything untoward.
Was using Vista 32 Ultimate.