Replacement Video Card

[mcp6453]

My son has a Radeon 9800 Pro (AGP) in his 3GHz PC. He wants a new
computer and video card. The computer is easy, but what's the next
logical step for a video card? I'm not familiar ATI's model numbers.

Is PCI-e a big improvement over AGP?

The price cap is about $250 US. What card should we consider in that
price range?

His present card has worked flawlessly except for the one time that the
fan and heat sink got lodged with dust. After disassembly and cleaning,
the problem cleared.

Is VisionTek a good brand name? I have always been partial to ATI Tech
products rather than boards made with their parts.

Should I consider another card, such as an Nvidia, instead of ATI?

 

[Augustus]

My son has a Radeon 9800 Pro (AGP) in his 3GHz PC. He wants a new computer
and video card. The computer is easy, but what's the next logical step for
a video card? I'm not familiar ATI's model numbers.

Is PCI-e a big improvement over AGP?

The price cap is about $250 US. What card should we consider in that price
range?

If you're looking to replace a 9800 Pro on an AGP motherboard, your only
option is a better AGP card. PCI-e requires a new motherboard. Two of of the
best AGP cards out there are the Nvidia 7800GS or the X1950Pro AGP. Both
come in under your price point.

 

[mcp6453]

If you're looking to replace a 9800 Pro on an AGP motherboard, your only
option is a better AGP card. PCI-e requires a new motherboard. Two of of the
best AGP cards out there are the Nvidia 7800GS or the X1950Pro AGP. Both
come in under your price point.

Thanks for the quick response. I plan to get a new motherboard (PCI-e).
With a new motherboard and a new PCI-e video card, will he see enough
improvement over the 9800 Pro to make the money worth spending?
Unfortunately I don't know what games he plays, and I know that is
important information. If I ask him, I'll give away the surprise.

 

[Augustus]

If you're looking to replace a 9800 Pro on an AGP motherboard, your only

Thanks for the quick response. I plan to get a new motherboard (PCI-e).
With a new motherboard and a new PCI-e video card, will he see enough
improvement over the 9800 Pro to make the money worth spending?
Unfortunately I don't know what games he plays, and I know that is
important information. If I ask him, I'll give away the surprise.

The new Radeon HD 3870 512Mb PCI-e can't be beat for power/value. Way above
and beyond the two AGP cards I mentioned. You are aware that in all
probability you'll be looking at a new processor, new RAM with that new
motherboard? Odds are you're running a Socket 478 or 939 unit with PC3200DDR
or even RDRAM.

 

[mcp6453]

The new Radeon HD 3870 512Mb PCI-e can't be beat for power/value. Way above
and beyond the two AGP cards I mentioned. You are aware that in all
probability you'll be looking at a new processor, new RAM with that new
motherboard? Odds are you're running a Socket 478 or 939 unit with PC3200DDR
or even RDRAM.

Yes, new system actually. I can get black box systems fully configured
with Intel motherboard, 2GB RAM, hard drive, optical drive, case, no OS,
for less than $600. His present computer is still worth at least a
couple of hundred or more, so the upgrade is not from scratch. In fact,
I'll probably take his computer since I'm on an old one as my main computer.

 

[Ed Medlin]

Yes, new system actually. I can get black box systems fully configured
with Intel motherboard, 2GB RAM, hard drive, optical drive, case, no OS,
for less than $600. His present computer is still worth at least a couple
of hundred or more, so the upgrade is not from scratch. In fact, I'll
probably take his computer since I'm on an old one as my main computer.

The Nvidia 8800GTS is not far out of your price range right now and a very
good performance card for about any gaming. The new Core 2 Duos and Quads
overclock so easily and many get 30-50% increase in CPU speed with stock
cooling. The reason I am mentioning this is that many Intel motherboards do
not have a very robust overclocking bios and it is almost criminal to run
these newer processors at stock speeds with their potentials.......

Ed

 

[JT]

Yes, new system actually. I can get black box systems fully configured
with Intel motherboard, 2GB RAM, hard drive, optical drive, case, no OS,
for less than $600. His present computer is still worth at least a couple
of hundred or more, so the upgrade is not from scratch. In fact, I'll
probably take his computer since I'm on an old one as my main computer.

Don't skimp on the power supply. Make sure it's a solid brand with plenty of
juice on the 12V line.

As far as the videocard in that price range I would definitely get the ATI
3870 or Nvidia 8800GT. The 3870 will be cheaper, but the 8800GT is the
better performer in benchmarks. Either card should be a good choice for
value and performance and both support DirectX 10. Both cards are a little
hard to find right now, but should be better stock in December from what I'm
reading. I'm leaning towards upgrading myself with a new mb/cpu and getting
one of those cards.

 

[mcp6453]

Don't skimp on the power supply. Make sure it's a solid brand with plenty of
juice on the 12V line.

As far as the videocard in that price range I would definitely get the ATI
3870 or Nvidia 8800GT. The 3870 will be cheaper, but the 8800GT is the
better performer in benchmarks. Either card should be a good choice for
value and performance and both support DirectX 10. Both cards are a little
hard to find right now, but should be better stock in December from what I'm
reading. I'm leaning towards upgrading myself with a new mb/cpu and getting
one of those cards.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. My son will be pleased.