Video Card Selection

[daddyof2]

I am putting together a second system for my wife with a few extra parts that I have. The only thing I still need to buy is the vid card. I will be using this one two since my kids have taken over mine. I need the best agp 4x card that is around. Dx 9 compatable would be a plus if I can get that on a agp 4x board.

[Nandro]

Without being very cpu limited I would go for the 6600GT or 9800pro. If you want cheaper you could go 9700pro or even a 9500. The best agp cart that will work is the x800xt-pe but it wouldnt do any good with that processor and would be very expensive at over 5-600 $

[Sentential]

Without being very cpu limited I would go for the 6600GT
My vote goes for the 6600GT. Very low power draw, high overclocks plus its faster than a 9800XT off the bat. I would go for that. Newegg has several brands in the $200 range

[Nandro]

He said he needed the best agp card around although that would be of no use unless he upgraded the whole system. Wouldnt the 6600GT even be cpu limited on a 1700+?

[Sentential]

He said he needed the best agp card around although that would be of no use unless he upgraded the whole system. Wouldnt the 6600GT even be cpu limited on a 1700+?
It would, but it also depends how highly clocked the 1700+ is. Ive seen plenty in the 2.5ghz range which would make the 6600GT perfect for this setup.

[Nandro]

Agreed. So there it is 6600GT! Go for it.

[daddyof2]

The computer that is in my sig is not the system this card is for. Thats the one that my kids have assumed was built for thier amusement. (not daddys) The current comp that I am building has a 3000+ athlon and albatron kx400+ motherboard. The board is only agp 4x so I think the newer 9800 is out. I would like to have dx9 compatable card if I can get that with agp 4x. Been out of the computer thing for a while and just now getting back into it.

[Nandro]

Almost all 8x agp cards will work in a 4xAGP board. The 9800pro and 6600GT will work on that board as will the top of the line 6800's and x800 cards.

[daddyof2]

Thanks nandro that clears up my main concern. One more question. How limited will the 8x card be in a 4x board. I can spend the extra money on a new board if this would be an extreme bottleneck. I dont have to have the highest 3d mark score, just something that will run the newer games at around 45 fps.

[Nandro]

Most cards will show little if any difference in 4x compared to 8x on agp. There may if anything be a couple hundred onions on 3d03, but nothing major, and deffinitly nothing noticable without a benchmark to show it.