Help me pick a new graphics card

[thatmariolover]

Well, I know the great sites to look for new cards (NewEgg, PriceWatch, etc.), but I'm having trouble finding new cards that aren't PCI-Xpress. Is everything new PCI-Xpress, or are there bridges or adaptors to make stuff AGP, or what?

I can't find any Radeon x cards that are AGP.

I was also thinking of just getting a Radeon 9800 pro and reflashing the bios to an XT.

What do you guys think?

[Jonbo298]

How can you not find AGP versions of the x800 series of cards? They are more common then the PCI-E versions.

But you can get a 9800Pro and OC it to a 9800xt without any major issues as most 9800Pro's nowadays are made with the xt core (just underclocked)

[KillerGremlin]

Get the PCI card, it will run better.

[thatmariolover]

Get the PCI card, it will run better.

Dude, I'm not going to buy a whole new motherboard with new RAM just to support a different kind of graphics card.

When I get a new computer it will have PCI-X; but until then I'll settle with something else. :D

I'm thinking of getting the x800 pro and reflashing it to the x800 XT.

[quiet mike]

ATI folowed the PCIe and made all of the R4** PCIe native and AGP native. Because of this production is very slow for both versions. Compared to them nVidia just made an AGP version for the 6800 series and made a bridge to PCIe, and then made native PCIe 6600 series with a AGP bridge. They just release yesterday the AGP bridged 6600GT. Look for it at BestBuy, CompUSA and other retail stores first, and maybe next week or in December at Newegg and the likes.

[thatmariolover]

Yeah, I was thinking of getting the XFX GeForce 6600GT AGP:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-150-080&depa=0

[Professor S]

This example is a microcosm of a huge problem that I have with PC Gaming recently. Hardware is changing not only in power too quickly, but also compatibility. It was just a year or so ago that AGP cards and RAMBUS were all the rage and Pc makers were designing their systems to meet that demand. Now PCI and SD(?) are considered the best and now all of the compatibilities are changing, leaving many PC's in the dust.

Its one thing to have to upgrade RAM and Video Cards every couple of years, but its another thing when the industry forces you to have to reconfigure your entire PC or purchase a new one to keep up with the times.

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

This example is a microcosm of a huge problem that I have with PC Gaming recently. Hardware is changing not only in power too quickly, but also compatibility. It was just a year or so ago that AGP cards and RAMBUS were all the rage and Pc makers were designing their systems to meet that demand. Now PCI and SD(?) are considered the best and now all of the compatibilities are changing, leaving many PC's in the dust.

Its one thing to have to upgrade RAM and Video Cards every couple of years, but its another thing when the industry forces you to have to reconfigure your entire PC or purchase a new one to keep up with the times.
yeah, i know what you mean, i have an Athlon XP for example and to upgrade it to one past 3200+, i have to get a new motherboard, not to mention paying through my arse for an Athlon 64 chip.