AGP Graphics card <£100 to replace my FX5200 (LOL)

[sharingan_sasuk]

Hi, currently have a FX5200 in my Shuttle SN45G and would like to upgrade to something a bit better for handling RF Online. Currently also have a XP-M 2500+ at 2.2Ghz with 1GB PC3200 DDR RAM. I've had the Shuttle running without the case for ages so obviously most cards should be possible.

I would like maybe something a bit better then a Radeon 9700Pro, which I used to have in my Shuttle running at stock speeds. I play RF Online, WoW and CS:Source ONLY. Also, I only have the 200W stock Shuttle PSU in there.

So any ideas? I wouldn't rule out a 9700/9800Pro again completely if I could pick it up cheaply with an Arctic Cooler and overclock it quite a bit, even though I didn't manage to overclock even a little bit with my previous one (with stock fan).

 

[Vegeta]

theres an x800pro @ xtpe going for a little over £100, that would absolutly obliterate the 5200 and 9700 (9700 at stock would score what on 3dmark 05? 2500 or less?, the x800pro@xtpe will score above 6k im guessing), cant really get many decent agp cards under £100 new as they are rare.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17545511

 

[charltonfan1]

Buy a second hand 9800pro or 6600GT and then another GB of RAM

 

[sharingan_sasuk]

@charltonfan1 - sorry, I don't need any more RAM atm as 1GB is fine for me. I don't play BF2 or something. This £100 is just for graphics atm. RAM will probably come later in the summer if I do decide to build a completely new Athlon 64 system then.

@Vegeta - thanks for the find but the guy doesn't look like he will sell for £100.

I don't suppose someone could tell me which is faster than which out of the X800 Pro, XL, XT, GTO and PE? Lol

 

[ajgoodfellow]

From slowest to fastest

X800GTO
X800Pro
X800XL
X800XT
X800XT PE

For new graphics look at a 6600GT or a 6800 standard

Second hand X800GTOs should be about £100 considering their new price, you might get lucky with an X800Pro

The X800SE isn't a dreadful card, performing about on par with the 6600GT (later rebadged to the X800GT)

 

[sharingan_sasuk]

Thanks for the comparisons. I was thinking of something along the lines of a 2nd-hand 6800nu or a X800GTO. How much better is the 6600GT compared to say a Radeon 9800Pro?

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Not much - only a small improvement

The X800GTO & the 6800 offer a better improvement, the X800GTO being a little faster at stock but the 6800 should be a great overclocker with the potential to unlock more pipes

 

[sharingan_sasuk]

Does anyone have any opinions on OcUK's B-Grade components because I found a:

**B Grade** Asus ATI Radeon AX800 Pro/TD 256MB DDR3 TV-Out/DVI (AGP) - Retail (BG-119-AS)

for £105 inc. It says X800Pro in the description

If it is a good deal, I hope it doesn't go out of stock straight way, lol.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

I'd buy it personally

I bought my motherboard as B-Grade stock - it came without the original box and it had no manuals, drivers or cables but it worked fine and I saved a lot of money

Usually they're pre-owned returned stock. They're only likely to have the one too!

If you get it and it doesn't work then you can return it for a full refund - they come with a 14 day warranty.

The box doesn't really matter - nor does the manuals and drivers. I always download the latest drivers off ATI's website anyway when I buy a new card

 

[egt]

Not much - only a small improvement

Small improvement? When i went from a 9800pro to a 6600GT, i doubled my framerates, although i did upgrade my system at the same time. If those scores are correct in your sig, my 6600GT even stomped your x800pro! Plus i had the benefit of SM3.0.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

Perhaps it's dependent on games played?

I know that 3D Mark will show a large increase but that's not the be all and end all. Your 6600GT is also heavily overclocked - stock 6600GTs don't get 5k+ in 3D Mark 05!

I think your 06 score will be about the same, even at stock, but that's only because 3D Mark 06 cripples your score if you don't have SM3

My scores are with the card at stock - anyway I very nearly bought a 6600GT (still on a GF4 Ti4200 at the time and a P4!) but the X800Pro was rather cheap for what it is - only £40 or so more than the 6600GT which for close to 6800GT performance is a bit of a bargain

 

[sharingan_sasuk]

Haha, thanks for the quick and early reply. Well, although it seemed like a good deal at first, it comes to £115 with delivery and I think I could get it slightly cheaper on MM, such as the one posted above which runs at XT PE speeds. Oh well, I'm not particularly desperate so if the B-grade one does go, I'm not too fussed, even if I could just order it now, lol.

 

[ajgoodfellow]

I always tend to forget about delivery too!

 

[Old Wino]

I'd buy it personally

I bought my motherboard as B-Grade stock - it came without the original box and it had no manuals, drivers or cables but it worked fine and I saved a lot of money

Usually they're pre-owned returned stock. They're only likely to have the one too!

If you get it and it doesn't work then you can return it for a full refund - they come with a 14 day warranty.

The box doesn't really matter - nor does the manuals and drivers. I always download the latest drivers off ATI's website anyway when I buy a new card

Ditto,

Have also bought a naked 'B' grade Mobo + a small form factor box and no problems with either. Saved enough to feed a small African village for a month..but...spent it on beer again as usual..