3 Card Debate : Input Appreciated

[mantaphor]

As of now I am running a 9800 pro (see sig) that gets by in most situations and gives me a constant 75-100fps in CounterStrike:Source with my settings -- I play CAL seriously and rely on my constant frames. Someone recently has offered me 100$ cash for my 9800 as is, and this gives me some leeway in a not so needed upgrade. Here is my situation:

-I do not want to upgrade platforms to pci-e.
-Am willing to spend a total of 300$ (200 in addition to card profit)
-More source frames = better (ATI ftw w/r_3dsky --sneaky valve)

I've narrowed my choices down to three AGP cards...all quite similar.

x850pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102606
x800pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814121519 (Asus isn't my preferred manufacturer but only in stock at newegg. Will find elsewhere)
x800gto
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102608

Each card seems to have its advantages.

x850pro: many claims of the agp version unlocking to 16pipes and reaching xt/pe speeds (280$)
x800pro: also claims (lesser chance) of unlocking to a potential 16 pipes i believe (239$)
x800gto: the cheapest with 4 more pipes than my pro and 256mb. i have seen no results of 16 with the agp version (200$)

All of these would give me an increase in Source frames and allow the play of more advanced games.
Any input or advice towards theese cards or any others not mentioned is appreciated. Right now I am leaning towards the x850pro, it only being ~50$ more than the x800pro.

-Thanks

[Dan0512]

Don't know for sure, but you could probably find an x800xt for $300 somewhere, 16pp out of the box.

Dan

[Dan0512]

x800xt AIW for $315 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102492)

cheers

dan

[mantaphor]

I'll certainly take that into consideration. For now I have found a good deal on a used x850xt w/silencer that I am investigating.

Thanks for the information.

[>HyperlogiK<]

check out the x800GTO2 and it's special x850 XTPE hidden goodness http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=421622

[HousERaT]

If the AGP version is the same as the PCI-E, I'd go with the Connect3D X800GTO. With the very high success rate of flashing open all 16 pipes it's basically an X800XT for under $200.

[mantaphor]

check out the x800GTO2 and it's special x850 XTPE hidden goodness http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=421622

x800GTO2 = pci-express
-something out of the question


And yes Houserat, I will consider the connect3d version in AGP if it can be readily found. Newegg only carries AGP with the Sapphire tag.

I am possibly getting a x850xt with Artic Silencer 5 for around 250$, so that has my attention for the next day or so.

Thanks again for the ideas. :rolleyes:

[mantaphor]

So......I was outbid on my x850xt =X, but with my search i ran across an x850xtpe AGP for around 349$. Not too bad if you ask me. My only concern is the Visiontek brand. Any present problems or qualities to the brand?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814129048

[IWasHungry]

My only concern is the Visiontek brand. Any present problems or qualities to the brand?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814129048
If you're really that concerned, you can look around for reviews on that manufacturer.

As for what card to get; I would suggest the X800PRO VIVO over the X850PRO VIVO. I don't think the $50 difference is worth having a X850XT over a X800XT. They perform really similarly. But then again both cards (X800PRO, X850PRO) are really good deals anyway. :)

[mantaphor]

:santa: Ordered the x850xtpe. Results to come.


To think...I started off looking at 200$ cards. This should be the last this AGP system sees :cool:

[jcw122]

check out the x800GTO2 and it's special x850 XTPE hidden goodness http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=421622

I vote for the x800GTO2 also.

[mantaphor]

I vote for the x800GTO2 also.
Pci-e is a no go, but thanks for the suggestion.

[jcw122]

Pci-e is a no go, but thanks for the suggestion.
Woops, forgot that card was only PCI-E...my bad.

[>HyperlogiK<]

X800 Pro VIVO?

[Enablingwolf]

:santa: Ordered the x850xtpe. Results to come.


To think...I started off looking at 200$ cards. This should be the last this AGP system sees :cool:


I was in the same boat last not to long ago. Started thinking of a certain range, by the time I went for the buy button. I was over budget. I went with the Visiontek X850XTPE. So far I am happy on the extra I have spent on the card. Unless they start making new models of AGP. I know that being topped out is a nice feeling.

I got 6650 in 3D Mark 05 with the Visiontek card(ran the test with no tweaks). The disc that ships with it is nakkie. What it lacks in goodies, it has in hardware. No it is not a top of the line card maker. It is a good deal for a good card. I have yet to seriously overclock my card. So far 577 seems to be the core I got cleanly. I did not mess around much.. yet.

You may not like the startup sound it makes. Soon as drivers load it goes to normal. That is my only gripe with the card. The card also has lifetime warrantee if that concerns you.

[mantaphor]

Got the card today =D.

Mostly I have been enjoying it -- but I was able to reach 600 core (stock cooling;while all case fans @100% and a box fan in my window blowing in cold air) with a few artifacts. Seems to be a pretty nice core frequency for an xtpe. I will seriously mess around with the core and memory in the next few days, and may consider better cooling if the clocks look promising.

-gl hf make babies :p
(real results to come)

[Enablingwolf]

Thank you for the update. It is very cool to read a follow up. :D