Replacement For Radeon 9800XT

gestapoid · 12-06-2005, 11:32 PM

I previously posted about trouble I was having with my 9800XT. To make a long story short, I cleaned it out with canned air as recommended, which did help to some degree. However I don't believe the problem has been entirely solved and I have the suspicion that I might be forced to make a new vid card purchase soon.

Im looking at the BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC. I have had several problems with my ATI card, including its adament refusal to accept new drivers, and I think I would prefer to go with Nvidia if I do need to get a replacement. Bottom line is will I see a significant performance increase with the BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC over the 9800XT or should I just go with something cheaper? Benchmarks dont mean all that much to me so generalized opinion will suffice.

steelman2202 · 12-06-2005, 11:52 PM

God.... I should learn how to read. Well, now that I have -

Quote:

will I see a significant performance increase with the BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC over the 9800XT

My generalized opinion is - YES

Quote:

should I just go with something cheaper?

go for the GT instead of the Ultra!

That is all

P.S. switch to Pci-e, AGP is dead.

gestapoid · 12-07-2005, 12:45 AM

I plan on making the switch to PCI-express with my next PC. I might be mistaken, but having to buy a new mobo, vid card and possibly RAM and processor would be pretty expensive. Seems like it isnt worth the upgrade costs, though again its entirely possible I am wrong.

Thanks for the response to my question. Is the GT a step down from the Ultra or a step up?

steelman2202 · 12-07-2005, 12:58 AM

The only reason I told you about the switch to Pci-e is because I was faced with a similar situation. - The best gfx card i could afford/get for my socket A/agp PC was a 6800GT. It was A LOT of money to spend for me. Considering that AGP was dying out - I thought I would get a set of new components (cheap mobo, good CPU and VGA), and then I reused the remainder of my existing parts. Yes, I spent A LOT of money - but now I do not worry about upgrades for some time. The next thing to upgrade for me will be the motherboard, but I will be able to re-use my CPU and VGA. I thought I saved more money in the long run, instead of invesing into a dying system.

I hope that ^ made some kind of sense to you, it is a bit late over here, my brain must not be working right.

The GT is a step down, but IMO the Ultra is not worth the extra $$$. You will get almost as good performance for a lot less with the GT.

Out of curiosity, what is your current setup?

P.S. - All that I said about the AGP/Pci-e is not taking into consideration this motherboard. it offers you more flexibility as long as you go to AMD in your upgrade path.

gestapoid · 12-07-2005, 01:10 AM

Windows XP Pro
Athlon 64 3400+
Asus Kv8 mobo
1022 GB ram
Radeon 9800XT

Another question. I have two sticks of 512MB RAM in my computer right now. I was tooling around inside the case the other day and noticed what looked to be another RAM slot. Would I be able to put a gig stick in there or do I have to use the same size i already have?

steelman2202 · 12-07-2005, 01:22 AM

Yes you would be able to put a gig stick in there, as long as it is another ram slot (it must be one, if its by the other two, but I cannot find your mobo on asus - you sure its not K8V-something?)

I can also see that you have a good amount of money invested in that system. If you say will switch - then it is just a matter of time. Rumors are the next AMD socket will be coming out in late '06, which will of course render the rest of the sockets as "old".

It is all up to you. If money is not such an issue - you may want to wait until the "next cool thing" AMD socket comes out and do a full blown upgrade. A 6800GT will hold you over till then just fine. Yet again - it is all up to you.

//Steelman

P.S. - did you consider buying the vga used??

<EDIT>Does THIS look like your board??</EDIT>

gestapoid · 12-07-2005, 08:53 AM

You are right. Its a K8V rather than a Kv8. Momentary bout of dyslexia.

12-06-2005, 11:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
gestapoid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 15 OS: xp	Replacement For Radeon 9800XT I previously posted about trouble I was having with my 9800XT. To make a long story short, I cleaned it out with canned air as recommended, which did help to some degree. However I don't believe the problem has been entirely solved and I have the suspicion that I might be forced to make a new vid card purchase soon. Im looking at the BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC. I have had several problems with my ATI card, including its adament refusal to accept new drivers, and I think I would prefer to go with Nvidia if I do need to get a replacement. Bottom line is will I see a significant performance increase with the BFG GeForce 6800 Ultra OC over the 9800XT or should I just go with something cheaper? Benchmarks dont mean all that much to me so generalized opinion will suffice.

12-07-2005, 12:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
steelman2202 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 381 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 My System	The only reason I told you about the switch to Pci-e is because I was faced with a similar situation. - The best gfx card i could afford/get for my socket A/agp PC was a 6800GT. It was A LOT of money to spend for me. Considering that AGP was dying out - I thought I would get a set of new components (cheap mobo, good CPU and VGA), and then I reused the remainder of my existing parts. Yes, I spent A LOT of money - but now I do not worry about upgrades for some time. The next thing to upgrade for me will be the motherboard, but I will be able to re-use my CPU and VGA. I thought I saved more money in the long run, instead of invesing into a dying system. I hope that ^ made some kind of sense to you, it is a bit late over here, my brain must not be working right. The GT is a step down, but IMO the Ultra is not worth the extra $$$. You will get almost as good performance for a lot less with the GT. Out of curiosity, what is your current setup? P.S. - All that I said about the AGP/Pci-e is not taking into consideration this motherboard. it offers you more flexibility as long as you go to AMD in your upgrade path. Last edited by steelman2202; 12-07-2005 at 01:03 AM.

12-07-2005, 01:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
steelman2202 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 381 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 My System	Yes you would be able to put a gig stick in there, as long as it is another ram slot (it must be one, if its by the other two, but I cannot find your mobo on asus - you sure its not K8V-something?) I can also see that you have a good amount of money invested in that system. If you say will switch - then it is just a matter of time. Rumors are the next AMD socket will be coming out in late '06, which will of course render the rest of the sockets as "old". It is all up to you. If money is not such an issue - you may want to wait until the "next cool thing" AMD socket comes out and do a full blown upgrade. A 6800GT will hold you over till then just fine. Yet again - it is all up to you. //Steelman P.S. - did you consider buying the vga used?? <EDIT>Does THIS look like your board??</EDIT> Last edited by steelman2202; 12-07-2005 at 01:27 AM. Reason: typo

12-07-2005, 12:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
gestapoid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 15 OS: xp	I plan on making the switch to PCI-express with my next PC. I might be mistaken, but having to buy a new mobo, vid card and possibly RAM and processor would be pretty expensive. Seems like it isnt worth the upgrade costs, though again its entirely possible I am wrong. Thanks for the response to my question. Is the GT a step down from the Ultra or a step up?

12-07-2005, 01:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
gestapoid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 15 OS: xp	Windows XP Pro Athlon 64 3400+ Asus Kv8 mobo 1022 GB ram Radeon 9800XT Another question. I have two sticks of 512MB RAM in my computer right now. I was tooling around inside the case the other day and noticed what looked to be another RAM slot. Would I be able to put a gig stick in there or do I have to use the same size i already have?

12-07-2005, 08:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
gestapoid Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 15 OS: xp	You are right. Its a K8V rather than a Kv8. Momentary bout of dyslexia.