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Quick AGP upgrade question...

Countcussy

Countcussy

Countcussy

Associate
Joined
10 Nov 2006
Posts
1,369
In short, is it worth it?

I currently have a self built rig with the following core components:

ASUS P4PE
P4 2.8ghz 533fsb
1.5 Gb ram
Leadtek GeForce 6800 (Pipes unlocked) AGP 4x

Now it pretty much does everytning I need, but some games struggle. I am not into FPS games, but even Tiger Woods and RCT3 struggle at the higher resolutions. This is obviously going to get worse if i get a 19" or bigger LCD.
Question is, is it worth throwing a more up to date AGP card in, or am i just flogging a dead horse.

I could build a new rig, but i would really like to use the money on a nice LCD and a Laptop.(Been following the Vostro thread closely :))

Any assistance would be really appreciated.
 
Even if you got something like a x1950Pro you'd be bottlenecking it with your CPU mainly, also lack of Dual Channel DDR and 4x AGP bandwidth don't help.
I'd look into an entry level C2D upgrade with a new gfx card, dependant on budget.
 
i currently have

2gb corsair 6400c4
gigabyte d34 mobo
conroe 2.4ghz
seagate 250gb
belinea 19 inch
corsair 620w
ati 1800xt

im thinking of an upgrade for my gfx card, the hd2900 pro looks tasty but i have a few questions, will dx10 run on xp? will my psu handle extra power consumption? would it be better to wait until dx10 is fully in flow then buy a gfx card especially if vista is required for dx10? thanks Dom
 
As an update to my OP, it clearly looks like i am going to have to upgrade. My Vostro 1700 is on its way, and after reading many posts on here, it looks like its going to blow my self built P4 dektop rig away.

Question is, what can i salvage from my system. I know the HDD`s and CD/DVD`s will be ok for now. Obviously i will change them to SATA eventually. Main thing is my case. Its an Antec and has been a belter. It came with a TruePower 330 PS installed. If i swap out mobo, memory & gfx, Is my PS going to power a C2D & mid/high end PCI gfx card? Will it even be compatible in terms of connectivity?

I know the general feeling is to have a nice big PS, but there are conficting views as to what is actually required.
 
Countcussy> The Leadtek 6800's had big copper heatsinks on them which is a fantastic opportunity for you. Take off the dust grill, and with cable ties strap over the top of the small fan a 92mm fan blowing onto the copper. The cowling including on the leadtek cards helps direct 'some' of the air onto the back of the cards copper heatsink as well :)

This should allow you to vastly increase the overclock (if you haven't already) on your 6800 :)

Get a nbitor (a fgx card bios reader) and check the voltage your running the card at. It should either be 1.4volts or 1.5volts (on the core), if less than that, increase it to 1.4volts at least :) This along with the 92mm fan blowing on the card will seriously improve the performance of this card.

It will also mean you can have a virtually silent card by using rivatuner to reduce fan the standard fan speed in 2D down to 25%, and if really needed have it spin up faster in 3D :)

Matthew
 
If your true power is ok, then keep it and just buy a cheap (£25ish) Thermaltake Graphics Card PSU :) It's dedicated just for the gfx cards so will stop you spending mega money on a new psu :)

EDIT: Thermaltake PurePower it's called.

Matthew
 
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i posted previously about buying new gfx card and decided to go with the hd2900 pro, i think this is best idea because once new dx10 games etc come into flow i coudl just buy another hd2900 pro to crossfire the other one with, my only concern is will my corsair hx 620 be able to cope with

2gb corsair 6400c4
gigabyte d34 mobo
conroe 2.23ghz
pioneer dvd burner
akasa fan controller
2X seagate 250gb
2x sapphire hd2900 pro

thanks dom :D
 
ANOTHER UPDATE

I have been offered an ASUS GF7600GS Silent 256mb for under £40 (New)

Is it worth it in the short term? Considering my plain 6800 has a whopping great HS + fan, and this is fanless, am i likely to see any performance benefits or should i leave well alone.

My spec is at the top of this page.
 
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