Advice need moving from AGP to PCI-E

Hi all,

I'm thinking about upgrading my my current Radeon 9800 Pro to a new graphics card but from reading reviews on the web, it seems that a lot of articles recommend leaving AGP behind and getting a PCI-E card. Hence, not only will I require a new graphics card but a new mobo too.

My current spec is MSI Neo Platinum 2 Skt 939 board, AMD Athlon 64 3500 cpu and 1 GB (2x 512MB) Corsair Value PC3200 Ram.

If I get a new mobo, should I look at getting an SLI/Crossfire board or just a replacement board with 1 PCI-E x 16 slot. I'm thinking a non-SLI/Crossfire board should do just fine. I'd like to stick with MSI too if possible as the Neo Platinum 2 is a great board and was a doddle to install.

So, questions are:
1. SLI/Crossfire - yes or no ?
2. Recommendation on good non SLI/Crossfire socket 939 boards

I'd be using the machine for gaming mostly but not at the rediculous frame rates that the top end gamers aspire too, middle of the road would be just fine. In fact, if I could play Company of Heroes at 1280 x 1024 pretty comfortably then I'd be more than happy.

Cheers,
J.

1. No. Unless you want to spend big bucks on the latest and greatest. Just get the biggest baddest single GPU you can afford at the time. There are hundreds of posts at the moment cos the variety of cards is huge..... best think about how much you want to spend then search through the recent posts to pick one! The 7600GT and 7900 GTO seem favourable atm.... as do some the X1800/X1900 which seem to be going for a song!

2. Just bought one of those ASRock AGP/PCIEx combo boards. People say they're great boards, but I haven't gotten around to installing it yet xo)

Whats your budget would be the first question that comes to mind.

IMO Might as well pickup a board that will support SLI, then you always have the option, and we are not talking a huge amount of money either.

Though I'm not too sure of which. I'd say stay away from the the DFI, as you dont sound like someone too fussed about OC'ing. Maybe an Asus or an Asrock board.

Personally after a bad experience with a Neo4 MSI 939 board, I wouldnt buy a MSI board again. But again thats just me.

As for V/card I think a 7600 GT will be great for CoH. I currently use my 6800GT and it plays it fine @ 1280 x 1024. (Dont know much about ATI side of things so cant really comment)

If you fancy Crossfire and some ATI loving

Get yourself a nice Abit At8 32
http://www.abit.com.tw/page/uk/mothe...E=Socket%20939

And match it to a ATI X1800XT or if your budget allows a X1900xt