AGP GeCube 1950XT vs Sapphire/HIS 1950 Pro

[devilman_079]

I am in a quandary about choosing an AGP graphics upgrade. I think I am going to pursue this path as it’s a quick and simple change to give some life in my trusty system for more recent games.

A few questions I have is I am using the ANTEC Sonata rev1 case with a 380w PSU that outputs 24A on the 12V rail.

Now will this handle a GeCube 1950XT?

Also how loud are the following cards in comparision:

GeCube 1950XT 256 mb vs. Sapphire 1950 pro 512mb vs. HIS rev2 1950 pro 512 mb

I plan to use my system as a Media Centre before I embark on a complete new build later this year when I have saved up the cash, hence I just want to change the graphics card to give it some more life. If I start thinking about other changes I get into the new CPU, motherboard, DDR2 ram, PCI-E gfx, which in short means scrap my entire current build! (which seems a waste ...)

Current system for reference is A64 3000 (winnie), MSI Neo Plat 2, Sonata case with 380w PSU, Leadtek 6600GT gfx, X-fi, 1Gb DDR ram, 500GB, 120GB, 160GB Samsung Barracuda HDs.

Thanks for any advice.

PS Likely to be getting an A64 4000 san diego from a mate for cheap/free.

 

[PieEater]

PSU Wont be good enough, you'll need 450w for a 1950, at least that's what OCUK told me when I asked if my 350w was OK. If you stick with your 380w and have problems I doubt you'll be able to RMA the card.

 

[honestjohn]

PSU Wont be good enough, you'll need 450w for a 1950, at least that's what OCUK told me when I asked if my 350w was OK. If you stick with your 380w and have problems I doubt you'll be able to RMA the card.

Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB is the best bang for your buck. If you want the fastest, although not significantly, the XT would be the choice for another $40 or so. As Pie-eater said, for either card, you should also be prepared to upgrade your PSU if need be to a quality unit - $70-$100.

 

[m_cozzy]

well I ran a 1950pro in my shuttle with a 250w psu and also a prescot 3.4ghz cpu. Not exactly light on power requirements. All ran fine. However I believe the shuttle psu are of a very high quality.Personally I would try it, the 1950pro is a great upgrade

 

[devilman_079]

Well my thoughts are that my ANTEC 380Watt PSU should be good enough to run the 1950 pro (thinking the x1950xt gecube might be too cheeky to try)

Anyone have any feedback on noise from the cooler from the Sapphire vs. HIS rev2 1950 pro cards?

I mean which is quietest? And which has the slight edge? Looks like my choice is between these two rather than consider the XT Gecube. I know the rev1 HIS has well documented problems but think if HIS are goode enough to release a rev2 to sort it then that sounds reasonable from the manufacture.

 

[YorkshirePadd26]

I am in a quandary about choosing an AGP graphics upgrade. I think I am going to pursue this path as it’s a quick and simple change to give some life in my trusty system for more recent games.

A few questions I have is I am using the ANTEC Sonata rev1 case with a 380w PSU that outputs 24A on the 12V rail.

Now will this handle a GeCube 1950XT?

Also how loud are the following cards in comparision:

GeCube 1950XT 256 mb vs. Sapphire 1950 pro 512mb vs. HIS rev2 1950 pro 512 mb

I plan to use my system as a Media Centre before I embark on a complete new build later this year when I have saved up the cash, hence I just want to change the graphics card to give it some more life. If I start thinking about other changes I get into the new CPU, motherboard, DDR2 ram, PCI-E gfx, which in short means scrap my entire current build! (which seems a waste ...)

Current system for reference is A64 3000 (winnie), MSI Neo Plat 2, Sonata case with 380w PSU, Leadtek 6600GT gfx, X-fi, 1Gb DDR ram, 500GB, 120GB, 160GB Samsung Barracuda HDs.

Thanks for any advice.

PS Likely to be getting an A64 4000 san diego from a mate for cheap/free.

Get the XT version, and your PSU will be fine. I was running my kit on an antec 420wattt psu up until recently and it only output 17Amps on the 12V rail !

x2 3800 @ 2.6Ghz
x1900 xt oc'd to 695 and 830
2gb Ballistix pc4000
200GB SATA2 WD harddrive
80GB Samsung Spinpoint.
2 DVD burners

 

[devilman_079]

Well if your 420Watt PSU can do it with 17A then maybe just maybe my 24A can run the GeCube just fine.

Man am I torn between which AGP card to choose, am playing mind ping pong between the pro and the XT

Could always flip a coin! Thanks for your replies ...

 

[islandhoppers]

I've read that the Gecube runs hot and is quite noisy, is this true? Or would the Sapphire 1950Pro suffice?

 

[jrodga2k5]

TBH those Antec PSU's are true power and give you very close to 380w so that means it will probabaly be sufficent man I would give it a go as the Antec PSU's are awesome build quality and should be fine