Graphics card upgrade for AGP 4x computer

PertEagle · 08-21-2005, 11:55 AM

Can anybody advise me on a graphics card upgrade?

My 3 yr old computer currently has a Geforce Ti4200 fitted, but this has become faulty. I'm considering an upgrade to a mid-range card in the current Nvidia range (e.g., GeForce 6600) in the hope of being able to play modern games. However, my computer only has an AGP 4x graphics interface and I'm wondering to what extent this would limit graphics performance. Would it be the dominant factor, preventing the upgrade giving a worthwhile improvement in performance?

An alternative would be a cheap entry-level card like the GeForce 6200. Or a second-hand GeForce Ti4x00, which seem to be in reasonably plentiful supply.

My computer: Athlon XP 2200+ (1.8 GHz), ASUS A7V333 motherboard, 512 Mb DDR RAM.

Compumaniac12 · 08-21-2005, 12:06 PM

you can fit all agp 8x cards, almost all have capability to run on 4x, and your processor is still capable of playing the new games.
i would go with a radon 9600-800xt or a geforce 6200-600gt

**UncleMacro** · 08-21-2005, 05:08 PM

Limiting an AGP 8X card to only AGP 4X usually only costs a few percent performance so you won't notice it. All AGP 8X cards are compatible with your motherboard. Your CPU is still pretty quick so it will only be a problem occasionally. If you want to run current games then you should consider only DirectX 9 video cards. If you're trying to avoid spending a lot the cards I would consider are:

Radeon 9800 Pro @ $133
GeForce 6600GT @ $148
GeForce 6800 @ $169

You shouldn't consider anything below the 9800 Pro if you want to run current games. Personally, I'd get the GeForce 6800. It's worth the slightly higher price.

PertEagle · 08-22-2005, 01:26 AM

Thanks for the responses, guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UncleMacro

Limiting an AGP 8X card to only AGP 4X usually only costs a few percent performance so you won't notice it.

That's exactly what I wanted to know.

Compumaniac12 · 08-22-2005, 05:53 AM

i think the difference is around agp4x 1.5v but 2gb/s
and agp8x is .8v and 2.1gb/s
but im not exact on that

ebackhus · 08-22-2005, 07:38 AM

True, there is a difference in voltage and bandwidth but the card can auto-negotiate the voltage and the bandwidth difference is hardly noticable. I also agree that your CPU may be the most limiting factor in the end.

joshf · 09-01-2005, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebackhus

True, there is a difference in voltage and bandwidth but the card can auto-negotiate the voltage and the bandwidth difference is hardly noticable. I also agree that your CPU may be the most limiting factor in the end.

I don't have a lot of (well, any) money to burn on a new video card, so I want to make absolutely sure I can pull just about any AGP card off the shelf and plug it into my MS-6380E. Thanks in advance

comeasyouare · 09-02-2005, 08:34 AM

Well not any AGP card will work.
It depends on your AGP slot.
there are 3 notched cards and 2 notched cards.
Look at the connector side on these two cards for example:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail

(i know those are big links but you might have to copy>paste them into your address bar)

As i was saying the AGP slot will only fit one or the other so make sure you check that before buying.

ebackhus · 09-02-2005, 01:07 PM

The keying is set to prevent you from inserting cards that won't work with your board. Older cards used a higher voltage (3.3v) that would destroy the newer .8v cards.

joshf · 09-02-2005, 06:54 PM

So if it fits physically, nothing should be destroyed?

Also, I can look at my existing (flaky) AGP card and if I get one with the same connection, I should be all set?

ebackhus · 09-02-2005, 07:15 PM

If the board and card are slotted then you can't really screw up.

comeasyouare · 09-02-2005, 07:40 PM

Basically yeah if it fits you're good to go.

08-21-2005, 11:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
PertEagle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	Graphics card upgrade for AGP 4x computer Can anybody advise me on a graphics card upgrade? My 3 yr old computer currently has a Geforce Ti4200 fitted, but this has become faulty. I'm considering an upgrade to a mid-range card in the current Nvidia range (e.g., GeForce 6600) in the hope of being able to play modern games. However, my computer only has an AGP 4x graphics interface and I'm wondering to what extent this would limit graphics performance. Would it be the dominant factor, preventing the upgrade giving a worthwhile improvement in performance? An alternative would be a cheap entry-level card like the GeForce 6200. Or a second-hand GeForce Ti4x00, which seem to be in reasonably plentiful supply. My computer: Athlon XP 2200+ (1.8 GHz), ASUS A7V333 motherboard, 512 Mb DDR RAM.

08-22-2005, 07:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,328 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	True, there is a difference in voltage and bandwidth but the card can auto-negotiate the voltage and the bandwidth difference is hardly noticable. I also agree that your CPU may be the most limiting factor in the end. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

09-02-2005, 01:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,328 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	The keying is set to prevent you from inserting cards that won't work with your board. Older cards used a higher voltage (3.3v) that would destroy the newer .8v cards. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

09-02-2005, 07:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,328 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	If the board and card are slotted then you can't really screw up. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

08-21-2005, 12:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Compumaniac12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 209 OS: XP home sp1	you can fit all agp 8x cards, almost all have capability to run on 4x, and your processor is still capable of playing the new games. i would go with a radon 9600-800xt or a geforce 6200-600gt

08-21-2005, 05:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
UncleMacro TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,133 OS: Vista SP1 My System	Limiting an AGP 8X card to only AGP 4X usually only costs a few percent performance so you won't notice it. All AGP 8X cards are compatible with your motherboard. Your CPU is still pretty quick so it will only be a problem occasionally. If you want to run current games then you should consider only DirectX 9 video cards. If you're trying to avoid spending a lot the cards I would consider are: Radeon 9800 Pro @ $133 GeForce 6600GT @ $148 GeForce 6800 @ $169 You shouldn't consider anything below the 9800 Pro if you want to run current games. Personally, I'd get the GeForce 6800. It's worth the slightly higher price.

08-22-2005, 05:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Compumaniac12 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 209 OS: XP home sp1	i think the difference is around agp4x 1.5v but 2gb/s and agp8x is .8v and 2.1gb/s but im not exact on that

09-02-2005, 08:34 AM	#8 (permalink)
comeasyouare Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22 OS: Windows XP	Well not any AGP card will work. It depends on your AGP slot. there are 3 notched cards and 2 notched cards. Look at the connector side on these two cards for example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...d%20-%20Retail (i know those are big links but you might have to copy>paste them into your address bar) As i was saying the AGP slot will only fit one or the other so make sure you check that before buying.

09-02-2005, 06:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
joshf Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2 OS: XP	So if it fits physically, nothing should be destroyed? Also, I can look at my existing (flaky) AGP card and if I get one with the same connection, I should be all set?

09-02-2005, 07:40 PM	#12 (permalink)
comeasyouare Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22 OS: Windows XP	Basically yeah if it fits you're good to go.