AGP Video Card Suggestions

[MasterMind]

I'm looking to build a new PC soon and was wondering what kind of cards you all would recommend. I haven't been keeping up with the latest ones but I have been looking at Radeon 9600XT or 9800Pro. How long would these things keep me going for? Another couple of years? I don't do much gaming, just a little now and then and never the latest games.

I would be upgrading from a Radeon 7000. I also have looked at buying refurbished from Newegg.com. Any one buy that before? Or just new? Looking to spend <$150 so latest and greatest are out of the question unless I find something worth justify spending a little extra on.

Any Nvidia cards aroung that price that I should look at?


Specs of main components for the new computer I'm trying to piece together:

Athlon 64 3200
1 GB RAM
ASUS A8v mobo
1 or 2 SATA HDDs(still deciding if I should run a RAID setup)
and all the other necessities

Until I get everything together, I'll be putting the video card in my current PC.

Also what's your experience with newegg.com? I've never bought there before but I could save some money if I did.

[Happydude]

so you have all the latest and greatest for your new PC...but you're looking for a video card below $150...doesn't make sense.

also, why do you have all that if you don't do much gaming? what's t he point of having a GB of RAM? or an Athlon 64 for that matter?

[Jonbo298]

Get a 9800Pro. Its the best mid-high range card for your buck. Granted, they are roughtly $200 or less but still, its worth it. a 9600xt is getting out of date 'kinda' for the newest games

[MasterMind]

I doubt those are the latest and greatest, but they are an upgrade from what I currently have. I'm just trying to put something together that will last me the 3+ years this one has lasted me without having to upgrade constantly. I just want a video card that will last me 3 years as well as play some games on the side without struggling like mine is doing now. I can barely handle Warcraft III with this card and PC when the screens get too crowded.

[Jonbo298]

9800Pro should last you 3 years. Granted, 3 years from now you'll be in hte same scenario but at least it'll serve ya

[Happydude]

if for 3 years, you need something with 256MB of VRAM...i would recommend the 9800 pro...but as jonbo said, it's over $200, but if you're going all out (which it seems to me that you are so far) it's the best you can get...well, best for a reasonable amount of money.

[Null]

best bet right now for the money, is a nvidia 6600 or a 6600gt. im thinkin of getting a 6600gt for $159.

[thatmariolover]

best bet right now for the money, is a nvidia 6600 or a 6600gt. im thinkin of getting a 6600gt for $159.

That's exactly what I went for and I haven't regretted it for a day. Excellent performance for the price.

[MasterMind]

Well I just bought a 9800 Pro, just the 128MB version though. Looks good so far. I can play Halo at full settings now. Yes, a little late, but I wanted to try it and it was cheap. I also ordered a athlon xp 2600+ that will hopefully work with my mobo. If it does, I may just run this setup a little longer. If not, I'll put the CPU in my sister's pc and start building my new one.

[Happydude]

i got a radeon 9500pro (128mb), XP 2600+, 512 DDR RAM, and the only game that i can't run at full settings now would be Morrowind....those effects are insane!


hell, i can run Half-Life 2 at full settings and it runs smooth. :)

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

i'd recommend an x600 either XT or pro, it's in league with the nvidia 6600GT, it should provide quite a bang for your buck.