AGP Video Card recommendations

[Lani]

Hi

I'm new to computers and I need to buy a new video card so my son can play
World of WarCraft.

A friend of mine said I need an AGP video card but there are so many to
choose from.

Can anyone recommend a good card for a budget price? and the best place to
buy from?

Thanks

Lani

 

[Lion Of Judah]

Not sure what you mean by budget, but best bang for the buck imo is the ATI
All In Wonder X800 AGP

 

[Tom Scales]

Why the All-in-Wonder? It's a mediocre TV card, without even a hardware
encoder. Better to get a good video card and an inexpensive TV card, like
the Hauppauge PVR-150.

 

[Lion Of Judah]

Why the All-in-Wonder? It's a mediocre TV card, without even a hardware
encoder. Better to get a good video card and an inexpensive TV card, like
the Hauppauge PVR-150.

The TV isn't even a consideration for me on this card, I mention the AIW
because it's the same core as the X800 XT and at the smae price, and I am
currently running at 556 core and 580 mem. It does over 13000 in 3Dmark 03.

Let me put it to you this way, I went from a 9800 XT to the AIW X800 and it
was like getting a new computer. I paid $270 for the card back in November
2005. My guess is it can be had for less now.

 

[First of One]

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=5&form_keyword=x800xt+agp&rd=1

The AIW X800XT is cheaper and more plentiful than the regular X800XT, at
least for AGP systems... 3D performance is exactly the same. Interestingly,
it's still around $270.

 

[Venger]

Hi

I'm new to computers and I need to buy a new video card so my son can play
World of WarCraft.

A friend of mine said I need an AGP video card but there are so many to
choose from.

Can anyone recommend a good card for a budget price? and the best place to
buy from?

Thanks

If you don't mind a used card or older card, a Radeon 9700 can be picked up
on eBay for $50...

Venger

 

[Dirk Gross]

Not an ATI flavor, but probably the best bang for your buck from a good
company, an Nvidia 6800GS:
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merc...ode=M&Product_Code=190288&Category_Code=VC-NV

A review here:
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODgyLDEsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

I think WOW is graphics intensive, so anything close to $100 isn't going to
cut it.

Dirk

 

[AAvK]

Hi
I'm new to computers and I need to buy a new video card so my son can play
World of WarCraft.
A friend of mine said I need an AGP video card but there are so many to
choose from.
Can anyone recommend a good card for a budget price? and the best place to
buy from?
Thanks
Lani

I think your son is probably going to want to move up into current tech games, I use
the ATI X800XL AGP that has 256 megabytes of RAM on it, and it handles current
games like a champ. Quite awesome. ATI cards that are designated as "pro" are a
little lower grade and thus a little cheaper, which would be fine for current tech games,
just a little less on resolution and eye candy features that are built into the game itself.

I paid $200 for mine, but now they can be had for around $160 or so. Check newegg
dot com and eBay. This card is very worth it. You'd want to pay a bit extra and give
it better cooling than it comes with, unless a specific maker has done it already. I gave
mine a Thermalright V-1. Not a hitch.

Look at the link, and look at the specs of the cards, there are pixel pipelines (the more
the merrier), core clock speed (speed of the graphics processor that is on the card,
it's like your CPU), and memory clock (speed of it's RAM). You'll notice the memory
and GPU speeds on cheaper "pro" cards are FASTER for the sake of less pixel
pipelines, and then vise~versa = $$$.

AGP:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9&showmore=60000679&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=48
The X1600 pro would probably be perfect for him ($120), and the X850 pro is a...

*rip off*

 

[tod]

Refurbished X1600 AGPs are going for just under $100
New X1600 512MB AGPs start around $145
X800GTO AGPs start around $155, after rebate.
I just checked prices at www.newegg.com

 

[AAvK]

Lani,

here's a really good choice, an X1600 pro card that comes with a nice big cooler
installed on it so no extra expense there, and two full games to play, not just demos.
Also a $15 mail in rebate, and $4.89 three day shipping.

Take a look:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161003

That's the way to buy a vid-card on a budget.

 

[Lani]

Thank everyone. I appreciate your opinions. Time for some shopping...