Good value AGP card

[Spitfir3]

Hey all,

I think this gonna be my final major upgrade before I make the step to PCI-E. So basically I want a new AGP card. I've got a 6800 nu 128mb atm

I've been looking a few, and yes, ive seen other posts about the x1950 pro being the best. But is this gonna be worth it? Im not sure about graphics cards as ive been stuck in WoW for the last year or so. I dont wanna be buying something that will useless in tomorows games.

So, the X1950 pro turbo, 256mb:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-071-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=403

1. Would I loose/see any major performance difference if I got the 512mb version intstead? (especially in Flight Sim X)

2. Would my AMD 64 3200+ at stock speeds bottle neck it?

3. Also, what are the ATI drivers like in Vista? im getting about 6 fps in the new WoW expansion pack with the nvida drivers grrr..

4. There's only LCD/TFT connections on the back of it, could I get it to my CRT?

5. Would it be worth getting a cheaper card considering its still AGP?

Thanks

oh and your personal opinions please, would a 19" widescreen be 'nicer'? especially since ive got a small 17" CRT.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

for £135 inc vat you should go for a sapphire x1950pro 512mb card. heard a lot of stories of fan failure on the his cards.

 

[Spitfir3]

Yeah ive seen a few 'rattling fan' complaints.. but the sapphire one's £150 inc VAT =/ plus, you loose about 80mhz core clock speed (ok i guess I could O/C it..)

then again, the fan on the HIS one seems v. power hungry and since my PSU is er 'N/A' you reckon id be better off with the sapphire one?

Thanks

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Boost in performance will be incredible.

Id definately stay away from the HIS cards, their x1950pro's are atrocious, rattly fans, buggered power connectors on the boards, crashing, black screening, you name it HIS does it.

To answer number 4, the card should come with a DVI to VGA adapter so you can just plug it into your CRT.

ATi's Vista drivers will be rubbish, bound to be as its their first ever set, will take a good few revisions before they get em anywhere decent, not gona be perfect right off the bat for their very first set thats for sure, going to take time.

A 19" Widescreen would be nicer, and get the 512mb card as well to go with it.

or you could wait a few more weeks for the G84, Nvidias 8 series card for AGP, will blow the pro away, and be next gen as it will be a Dx10 card.

 

[BlizzardX]

Boost in performance will be incredible.

Id definately stay away from the HIS cards, their x1950pro's are atrocious, rattly fans, buggered power connectors on the boards, crashing, black screening, you name it HIS does it.

To answer number 4, the card should come with a DVI to VGA adapter so you can just plug it into your CRT.

ATi's Vista drivers will be rubbish, bound to be as its their first ever set, will take a good few revisions before they get em anywhere decent, not gona be perfect right off the bat for their very first set thats for sure, going to take time.

A 19" Widescreen would be nicer, and get the 512mb card as well to go with it.

or you could wait a few more weeks for the G84, Nvidias 8 series card for AGP, will blow the pro away, and be next gen as it will be a Dx10 card.

Actually ATI's vista drivers are good, I'm using them now and vista is now my sole OS. I'm only getting a 100 marks less than XP in 3dmark 2006 and to be honest games run great without any issues... very quick!

 

[getcarter]

yeah stop trashing ATI all the time....at least they have a driver package out every month with a few improvements..

 

[MeatLoaf]

Have a look in the clearance section, theres a few decent AGP cards for not a lot of money

 

[Naffa]

yeah stop trashing ATI all the time....at least they have a driver package out every month with a few improvements..

lmao