What new video card should I get?

[briantadhorrocks]

aaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Radiator]

You have 512MB of RAM , right ? Buy a 1GB stick ( so you'd have 1.5GB total ) , and get a X1950 Pro AGP .. it's cheap and it's quite good .
And what PSU do you have ?

[briantadhorrocks]

aaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Radiator]

They may be slightly different ( manufacturing companies often customize the cards ) , but they're still the same card .

[wyz135]

Usually cards with 2 DVI connectors will give you a DVI-VGA converter, they of course don't want you to waste money. Cards have diffrent brands of course (PowerColor, Saphire, MSI, ASUS etc.) but don't worry, there's not much differnce performance because they're powered by the same GPU chipsets manufactured by the original companies(RV515, R600, RV630 etc.)

[Luftwacko]

If you're using an AGP slot I suggest HD 3850 AGP.

[Radiator]

If you're using an AGP slot I suggest HD 3850 AGP.

A Pentium 4 severely bottlenecks a HD 3850 , by the way .

[wyz135]

the funny thing here in singapore is that a AGP card is more expensive than a PCIe card, same goes to RAM, DDR is more expensive than DDR2 RAM here:confused:

[Radiator]

the funny thing here in singapore is that a AGP card is more expensive than a PCIe card, same goes to RAM, DDR is more expensive than DDR2 RAM here:confused:

AGP because of the PCI-e-to-AGP bridges ( making the bridge costs , hence the added price ) .
As for the RAM... the DDR RAM is older... and I THINK more expensive to make . Not sure about that though

[wyz135]

must well say it's because it's antique....lol:p

[Deathmarx]

Video card selection varies on 2 things, A) your monitor (more specifically what res you play at) and B) Money

If Money is no option go for a 7900GS AGP or X1950 -(whatever) AGP

Otherwise go for a X1650XT if gaming at 1024x768 or 1280x1080 (may have to turn some settings to medium or so) Otherwise a 7600GT AGP.

Honestly, my recommendation would be to save up for a newer system. I will have to agree with Radiator, that a stick of 1GB RAM will be very beneficial. A) your load/boot/shut down times will dramatically decrease and games will run 'smoother'.

In Short:

1024x768 / 1280x1024 = 7600GT/X1650XT AGP
1280x1024 (High) / 1600x1200 + = 7900GS/X1950Pro/GT/XT
Oh and a GB of Handy-Dandy RAM :D

[Radiator]

A X1950 Pro AGP doesn't cost a ton... and it does outperform the 7900 GS by a significant enough margin for me to recommend it over the GS .

[-RK]

If money isn't a problem, the XT is the best bet.

[Radiator]

If money isn't a problem, the XT is the best bet.

That CPU bottlenecks a X1950 Pro even , let alone a XT ... so I'd still recommend the Pro ... or a new PC.. but he called me an idiot for recommending a new PC in one of his other threads , so.. I'm not going to recommend a new PC this time .

[Deathmarx]

Generally in my situation (Cause I live in this Island called Australia which the rest of the world is content in believing it doesn't exist) Video card purchases are based on what >you can get<. I mean it's nice saying 'oh yeah i'll just go and order a X1950XT AGP' but good luck finding one. (I am a computer reseller by the way so don't say I don't know where to look :p) There should be a www. downunderegg. com or something, would help so much.

[Radiator]

Generally in my situation (Cause I live in this Island called Australia which the rest of the world is content in believing it doesn't exist) Video card purchases are based on what >you can get<. I mean it's nice saying 'oh yeah i'll just go and order a X1950XT AGP' but good luck finding one. (I am a computer reseller by the way so don't say I don't know where to look :p) There should be a www. downunderegg. com or something, would help so much.

A X1950 Pro AGP should be quite easy to find ... I have never seen a locally sold X1950 XT AGP here.. but tons of X1950 Pro AGP's .

[Deathmarx]

Anyway, GL to TC in trying to find a good AGP card :)