nVidia 7600 or ATI1600pro

[WhatBackHand]

Chaps,
I'm looking to upgrade my old P4 3GHz which currently has on old nVidia 4400. The Motherboard is an Abit IC7-G and I've no plans to upgrade that in the near future so I'm sticking with AGP. The PC is used for a few games, MS Flight Sim and Civilization and is now connected to a wide screen TV that can run in 1366 x 768 1:1 pixel mapping and we're starting to download clips and watch DVDs via the PC.

As the PC is in the lounge noise is very important, so I'm looking at as quiet a card as possible, so was looking at some of the passively cooled 7600GS, can't run to the GT at the moment, but then started looking at ATI but can't find any passively cooled cards. In the same budget I found x1600Pro but I'm guessing that it is going to be too noisey.

Am I going down the right lines? I've not missed something glaring have I?

EDIT: Should add that the DVI has VGA and DVI inputs.

 

[melbourne720]

If you want to game, then your best bet would be to go with a card with a quiet, rather than passive cooler. I'd heard the HIS versions of ATi cards are quite quiet, and I can personally recommend and card fitted with a Zalman or Arctic Cooling aftermarket cooler.

What is you total graphics card budget?

 

[neil27]

I almost bought the pro as it looks good on paper.....but in the real world the 7600(GT) is way better, im not sure about the other 7600s mind. If i were you i would go for the 7600GT it is a cracking card

 

[WhatBackHand]

Budget is around £70 but could be persuaded to go as high as £100. I've seen other very positive reviews of the 7600GT, but can't find one for less than £120 and I just don't have that amount of cash. Something to do with the time of year!

As I want to keep the number of case fans low or eliminate if possible, some sort of card cooling would be better but I don't want the continuous whine, I (or rather the Mrs) wants a whisper quiet solution or the PC goes elsewhere!

 

[melbourne720]

From here, I'd go for the HIS x1650 Pro @£91

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-063-HT

Those HIS coolers are supposed to be quiet. Alternatively, you could get a second hand 6800 AGP and put either an AC or Zalman aftermarket cooler on it. Not as hard as it sounds, and on low fan settings they are quieter than most PSUs (so cannot be heard).

 

[WhatBackHand]

Ok, so around £90 gets me an x1650 and around £120 gets me a 7600GT, how quiet are each of those likely to be when watching a DVD? When gameplaying the noise of the PC is going to be acceptabel below the noise of the game. However, when watching a DVD it's going to have to be VERY quiet. Anybody have any personal experience of either?

Then of course which one is the best card for the money? That's assuming I can squeeze the extra budget out of my accountant....

 

[WhatBackHand]

I can find a Club 3D 7600GT for £110 inc delivery (3 days). I have no experience of this badge, are they any good???

 

[Gashman]

club 3D are pretty good, had one card made by them, no problems with it

 

[WhatBackHand]

...so around £90 gets me an x1650 and around £120 gets me a 7600GT...

Is the extra money for the 7600GT worth it? Or would I be better off with a 1650 and spend the difference on a quiter cooler if I need one???

 

[Magnum_Force]

In all honesty I'd got for a 7600GT if you do some gaming. At The resolution you want to use, even the X1650Pro would struggle. Your only viable option is the 7600GT agp to be honest.