Video Card Advice

[Shifty_GMH]

I am looking into buying a new video card. I would like to purchase a card that allows me to play with unit sizes on huge with graphic settings on high. Currently looking at the following three cards, but am open to suggestions...

ATI X1650 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814195031

ATI X1600 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102678

XFX GeForce 7600GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150166

Looking for 512mb card that has to be AGP 4X/8X (not willing to upgrade to PCI-Express yet)

Also considering 256mb cards that have 16 pixel pipelines instead of 12 (like those listed above)

BFG GeForce 7800GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143046

My system Specs...
Intel P4 3.0E Prescott (3.0 GHz) with HT
ASUS P4P800-E Deluxe
1 GB (2x512mb) DDR 400 PC 3200 Corsair RAM (looking into getting another gig)
ATI 9800 Pro 128mb video card
300 GB Samsung SATA HD
Antec SP-500 (500 watt) Power Supply

Looking for some feedback... Thanks in advance.

[keravnos]

I would advise also checking out X 1950 from Ati as it too can be used on a AGP system.

I am doomed here. I have a 4X AGP which cuts down my X800Pro card. Overall happy with EB, though.

Deffinitely keep from going PCI, yet.

[Shifty_GMH]

I would advise also checking out X 1950 from Ati as it too can be used on a AGP system.

I am doomed here. I have a 4X AGP which cuts down my X800Pro card. Overall happy with EB, though.

Deffinitely keep from going PCI, yet.

I'll check it out. Thanks.

[Birka Viking]

Well if u want the best performance u must buy 7800gs..That card is absolute the best card of those. Then that day u shall uppgrade to pci/express u shall buy geforce 8800 gts or 8800 gtx.
What ever u do never buy some ati cards...They suck bigg times against geforce...trust me on this because I have pci/express ati x1950xtx 512 and I have never liked it....Then are ati very slow to have good force ware also to their cards..
Cheers

[Hydromorph]

Your asking for a lot out of AGP i am sorry to say, it would help to know what resolution you plan on playing at aswell.

Example

Dell XPS M1710 Laptop

CoreDuo 2.0GHz (Dual Core)
2GB DDR2 5400
GO 7900GTX 512MB

I cannot play Huge with Max setting but i run a resolution of 1920x1200 with Large Units and Max settings very smooth.

I think the best you can hope for is Large Units and Max settings at a 1280x1024 or 1440x900 running the 7800GS or 1950PRO.

You might be able to get 1600x1200 or 1600x1024 with Large Units and Max settings but i would not count on it.

[Shifty_GMH]

Your asking for a lot out of AGP i am sorry to say, it would help to know what resolution you plan on playing at aswell.

Example

Dell XPS M1710 Laptop

CoreDuo 2.0GHz (Dual Core)
2GB DDR2 5400
GO 7900GTX 512MB

I cannot play Huge with Max setting but i run a resolution of 1920x1200 with Large Units and Max settings very smooth.

I think the best you can hope for is Large Units and Max settings at a 1280x1024 or 1440x900 running the 7800GS or 1950PRO.

You might be able to get 1600x1200 or 1600x1024 with Large Units and Max settings but i would not count on it.

Still limited in my resolution settings as I still have an old AOC CRT monitor. I believe it is a 19" monitor (17" viewable). Settings are 1024x768 (will look into if my monitor can support a larger resolution). I currently play with large unit sizes but details mostly on low...except unit detail which I set on medium. Handles ok, but gets a little slow with large battles and when cities are involved.

I guess the goal is overall better graphics with unit size set on huge. Would be willing to put most graphic options on medium, or lower, if need be. Just as long as game play is smooth.

[Hydromorph]

Well at 1024x768 the 7800GS or 1950PRO should be able to pull off Huge Units and Max Settings with AA 2-4 and AF 4-8.

The X1950PRO (12TU - 36PS - 8VS) has more power than the 7800GS (16PP - 6VS) so if you need power the x1950pro is by far your best choice.

Hope this helps

[MaximusGauis]

I would advise also checking out X 1950 from Ati as it too can be used on a AGP system.

I am doomed here. I have a 4X AGP which cuts down my X800Pro card. Overall happy with EB, though.

Deffinitely keep from going PCI, yet.

X800Pro. Heck on my Desktop I'm still using my ole TI4200 for RTW and BI. On my Lappy X200M.

[MaximusGauis]

I am looking into buying a new video card. I would like to purchase a card that allows me to play with unit sizes on huge with graphic settings on high. Currently looking at the following three cards, but am open to suggestions...

ATI X1650 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814195031

ATI X1600 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102678

XFX GeForce 7600GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814150166

Looking for 512mb card that has to be AGP 4X/8X (not willing to upgrade to PCI-Express yet)

Also considering 256mb cards that have 16 pixel pipelines instead of 12 (like those listed above)

BFG GeForce 7800GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143046

My system Specs...
Intel P4 3.0E Prescott (3.0 GHz) with HT
ASUS P4P800-E Deluxe
1 GB (2x512mb) DDR 400 PC 3200 Corsair RAM (looking into getting another gig)
ATI 9800 Pro 128mb video card
300 GB Samsung SATA HD
Antec SP-500 (500 watt) Power Supply

Looking for some feedback... Thanks in advance.

How soon will you be upgrading to PCIe?

[hoom]

We have tested game after game which one who preform best under tough gaming and his preform better on almost everygame.

Then there is something very wrong with the rest of your PC because an X1950XTX should beat a 7900GS in absolutely everything.

[Shifty_GMH]

How soon will you be upgrading to PCIe?

Probably around 2 years.

Once I get my tax return I will decide between the two following:

ATI X1950 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102071

GeForce 7800GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143046

I will also be getting another brink of RAM (1 GB) to bring my system up to 2 gigs.

Want to thank all you guys for your responses. Happy gaming to all.

P.S. - Games I play when I find the time are EB, Roma Surrectum, RTR (will play this one more when they release 7.0), and MTW2. Might start playing AE (when they finally release 3.0). Used to play BF1942 (a classic), BF2, and COD. Looking into Battlestations: Midway and Storm of War: Battle of Britain.

[MaximusGauis]

Probably around 2 years.

Once I get my tax return I will decide between the two following:

ATI X1950 Pro
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102071

GeForce 7800GS
http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814143046

I will also be getting another brink of RAM (1 GB) to bring my system up to 2 gigs.

Want to thank all you guys for your responses. Happy gaming to all.

P.S. - Games I play when I find the time are EB, Roma Surrectum, RTR (will play this one more when they release 7.0), and MTW2. Might start playing AE (when they finally release 3.0). Used to play BF1942 (a classic), BF2, and COD. Looking into Battlestations: Midway and Storm of War: Battle of Britain.

Since you are waiting two years befire you go with PCIe. Buy the X1950PRO. That's the best for the ole AGP.

[MaximusGauis]

I just checked NewCard. The have the X1950 Pro. In stock from HIS. That vid card is the best. The one you want is 256 with the ICEQ3. It's on sale with a $20 rebate. If I was not flat broke. I would buy that vid card for my Desktop. The HIS with the ICEQ3. Is clocked higher with the 256. Than the one with 512. Plus the ICEQ3 is their best vid card cooler.

[Birka Viking]

If anyone dont belive me that the pipes is the most important on the old generation graficcards...then can someone explain this then..On my old comp I have geforce 6800le 128 mb card. The card has only 8 pipes original..I then downloaded a program called Rivaturner and managed to open 8 more pipes. So my card had 16 pipes and become almost a 6800 gt card. My game performance almost doubled after that...
Cheers

[Puupertti Ruma]

Didn't have time to read the whole thread so not sure if this has been said but:

If you wan't a good AGP-based card, either take one based on Nvidias Geforce 7600GT or 7800GS chipset. 7800GS is the best you can get with AGP, but it's quite costly, near 300€ (~300$).

7600 GT in the otherhand doesn't cost too much, while giving a lot better quality and performance than 7600 GS. Price of 7600 GT is usually just 30-50€ more than 7600 GS. And yes, there is 7600 GT out there for the AGP, it's not a mistake. I have one, and boy does it rock.

All in all, regarding RTW, my old Geforce 6600 GT was more than enough to play on huge units, had to just scale the details.

So, if you have AGP, GET THE 7600GT. Or 7800GS, if you can handle the price.