Graphics for 4x system - how much is it worth spending?

[id_wright]

hi there,
i've got an old computer and want to get a new graphics card to (hopefully) run oblivion.
stats are:

ASRock K7VM2 mobo (only got AGP 4x)
512mb DDR PC2100
AMD Athlon XP T'bred 2400+

Most concerning thing is the AGP 4x. Was wondering how good a graphics card it is worth getting - can't see any point putting an amazing graphics card in a 4x slot. Have looked at 2nd hand Sapphire 9800 pro 128mb for about £60 or a new Sapphire X1600 pro 256mb from here for about £90.
Which would be the better buy for oblivion? As far as i can see, its a case of Dx9, DDR1 memory, 256bit interface and 8 pipelines versus Dx9c, DDR2 memory, 128bit interface and 12 pipelines.

Any other models that i'd be wise to look at? £90 is pretty much my upper limit.

Cheers in advance.

 

[Ender]

well the x1600pro is a crap card, problem is for 90 quid, you wont really be getting that good performance in oblivion - i think your best bet would be to save up and get a better card/ or the 9800

 

[wellibob]

Oblivion & any 4x agp card, isnt going to be spectacular im afriad. Ive ran it on a 3200xp 64 chip, 2 gig of ram, and a radeon 8500, and only at 800x600 can it be just about playable...just, everythink on low. I`d think a top end NEW AGP card would be needed.

 

[id_wright]

ok thanks - still wondering if its worth spending much money on a graphics card that's gonna run on a 4x slot?
i'm going to be getting a new computer with pci-e next year - just want to play oblivion in the meantime.
reckon i'll get the 9800 and cross my fingers - unless anyone has other suggestions?
cheers

 

[Codmate]

ok thanks - still wondering if its worth spending much money on a graphics card that's gonna run on a 4x slot?
i'm going to be getting a new computer with pci-e next year - just want to play oblivion in the meantime.
reckon i'll get the 9800 and cross my fingers - unless anyone has other suggestions?
cheers

I ran oblivion on a 9800Pro for a while, and it is playable at 800x600 with virtually no grass and the shadows turned off.

I ended up upgrading though.

 

[hp7909]

Ran a 9800pro @ 4x on my A64 system thanks to stability issues Did not make much of a difference in games even the likes of HL-2 & GTA San Andreas. Just only in benchmarks, but very small.

But TBH, the rest of your system, processor & memory especially, would be a real bottleneck, i.e. while the graphics card is up to it, it will be let down by the other components.

 

[id_wright]

ok, thanks for all replies.
look like i'll have to get saving for a new computer!