Which new video card to buy (PCI express and .AGP speeds worries)

[axlecrusher]

Hello, I received about $400 for Christmas and want to buy a new video card. Current I have a GeForce 3 TI 200. I would not be so hesitant if it were not for the fact that my mobo (K7D Master) is only 4x agp. I don't want to waste money on a card that I can't use the full potential of. Further more I am afraid that if I buy a high end card, which are 8x agp, I will not be able to use it in future computers because of the upcoming tansition to PCI Express. I'm at a loss of what to do. Any one have any advice? I'm thinking I am going to look on Ebay for around a $100 Radeon 9700.

Axle

[Overclocker550]

dont think youll get a working 9700 pro for $100 till like 2006. a 9800xt for $100 can be had in like 2008. wait till around there

[axlecrusher]

LOL, I found a few thah are currently around a hundred with a few days left on the bid. I doubt they will stay that low but it is worth a try. I just don't want to get stuck paying a lot for something I can't fully utilize now or in the future.

Axle

[Evnas]

8x AGP is just a feature that offers nothing in terms of gameplay performance, so dont let that hold you back. You will still be able to use the card for 100% of its potential

[Falcon-K]

yea you will see no difference what so ever with 8x, how much of the 400 are u willing to spend. if you are looking for a high end card i would get the 9800 pro at newegg for 290

[axlecrusher]

Isn't 8x agp supposed to provide more bandwidth? What is the purpose of 8x agp if it does not affect graphic performance?

Axle

[Evnas]

Originally posted by axlecrusher
Isn't 8x agp supposed to provide more bandwidth? What is the purpose of 8x agp if it does not affect graphic performance?

Axle

It does provide more bandwidth, but with 128mb cards, 99% of games today the textures are all stored in the video cards on board memory, negating the need for more bandwidth. The only time AGP bandwidth comes into play is when there isnt room on the card for all the textures, and some have to be stored in system memory.

[axlecrusher]

Makes sence, but does the card have to communicate large ammounts of data to the CPU? Would it be better to look for a 256MB card because of games like HL 2 and Doom 3 if it ever comes out? Sorry for all the questions.

Axle

[BLIssID]

now and days, 256MB cards are only for users who want to use high AA/AF settings at high resolutions.

[axlecrusher]

Well I found a Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB for $255 on Ebay. New in box and everything included, so I bought it. Can't wait till it shows up!

Axle

[snyper1982]

nice choice, let us know how it works out.

[Kenshiro]

Make sure it's an ATI, Sapphire, or a Gigacube (or Gigabyte????).

BTW, does anyone knows the difference in performance between the 8X agp and PCI express?

[Evnas]

Originally posted by Kenshiro
BTW, does anyone knows the difference in performance between the 8X agp and PCI express?

When it comes right down to it...absolutly none.

The only time the bus bandwidth comes into play is when: A) when the game is loading B) when the textures wont all fit in the onboard memory, and some have to be stored into the system memory

Thats the only time the bus speed effects performance, and with 256mb cards most likely being the standard of PCI-Express, they can, with much head room, store all textures onboard

[axlecrusher]

Originally posted by Kenshiro
Make sure it's an ATI, Sapphire, or a Gigacube (or Gigabyte????).

BTW, does anyone knows the difference in performance between the 8X agp and PCI express?

It's an ATI, not a 3rd party card. I think it was a good buy. I am trying to decide how to overclock it, possibly epoxying (SP?) some RAM heat sinks on.

Axle

[Th0r]

Excellent BBA cards overclock the best :)