Graphics Card recomendations

[Pyrocitor]

I wasn't sure where to post this so I posted it here

Ok, I need a new graphics card as I'm still using the old GeForce2 that my PC came with. But as I'm a total noob to computer hardware I need some help.

All I can tell you is that I'm looking to get something mainstream thats not too expensive, preferebly with 256mb RAM or more

Pyro

[Andrew March]

By the sounds of it you need an AGP card, I would recommend Nvidia to start with, but aside from that you're probably going to have to say how much you've got to spend.

[startrekfan001]

i would say something like an Nvidia 6500 or a 6600. I use the 6600 (i bought the 6500 but when it suddenly broke the warranty sent me an 6600 ) and it fullfills all my needs. 3D gaming, 3D modelling and stuff, and does it fast and silent. A 6500 costs about 60 euro. (so something like 60 dollar as well) And it comes as AGP or PCI-Express, so you can choose.

[Andrew March]

Yep, I used to have a 6600 256mb and it really was a decent all rounder, not brilliant but certainly good enough for all my needs.

[Spry]

Mate, you can pick up a nVidia GeForce 6600GT (GT is goood) or about $100AUD on eBay. You need a PCI Express port tho.

[Deks]

I have a question.

I`m gonna get myself a new AGP graphics card and I`ve set my eyes on
Leadtek GF 7600 GT AGP, 256MB
It would cost me about $244.
I think that one should be a decent upgrade.

It`s a solid boost from my current Fx5700 and only slightly more expensive than x1650 Pro (which sounded decent enough before, but 7600 GT has faster processor and memory which would make it that much more durable for the future 3d stuff and possible gaming until I buy an entirely new computer, and it`s only about $54 more costly than x1650 Pro ... at least it is that much here in Croatia ... *sigh*).

What do you guys think ?


Spry ... the 6600 GT comes in AGP version as well ... my friend has one in his comp.


Pyrocitor ... If you require an AGP card, and from the looks of things you do (given the fact you mentioned an old Geforce2 card) then I recommend you go for GeForce 6600 GT, or 6800 GT (from Nvidia of course).
Out of ATi I would recommend cards such as: x1600 Pro, and x1650 Pro.

It really depends on how much money you can spend, but if you can spare about $150 then you could easily get 6600 GT or 6800 GT in that price range (I think) ... hmm ... possibly something more powerful.
Although keep in mind I`m giving you prices as they are in Croatias official stores.
In the States and on ebay, you can most likely find same stuff for cheaper ammount.

[Westonian]

make sure that if you get an NVIDIA card, it has either GT or GTX as a suffix (eg: 6600GT). The other types (for example, 6600GS) aren't as good.

The GS and other types may be built like the GT's and the GTX's, but the GT's and the GTX's have the extra pipelines, processing speeds and other techno-bits that ensure that the job gets done.

A 6600GS is like a 4 cylinder Ford Focus, a 6600GT is like a 6 cylinder Ford Focus and the 6600GTX is like an 8 cylinder ford focus. Obviously you can do anything with a 4 cylinder car, but when you want to tow a boat around or go up a big hill, then the extra 2 cylinders would come in handy. The same goes for the GS, GT and GTX's.

now i got the 7900GT recently and its great. If you want to get a card thats good value for money then get the 7800 or 7900. They are very powerful, relatively new and not expensive.

[Hangman]

I have to agree with Westonian. also remember that the 6600 is already 3 generations behind the newest cards and getting one now will mean that very soon you will have to upgrade again. you might notice a performance boost for a while but sooner rather then later you will be in the same state as you were before.

My advice, Spend a bit more money now on a better setup that will last you longer and that way don't spend small amounts of money more often for setups that you need to upgrade more frequently.

[citizen]

If you're still using a computer that came with a Geforce2 modernisation is going to take a lot more than a new graphics card. New cards are pretty exclusivly PCI-E, you can get AGP for older revisions, but really sticking to that is false economics.

You really, money allowing, need to replace the core components. Motherboard, CPU, RAM and then Graphics, it's doubtful you'll even notice much of an improvement by just updating the graphics card.

[Deks]

Setting aside the needs of upgrading the core components (as obviously that`s not an option) a solid gfx card would be a great improvement.
The new GFX card alone will give him a solid boost for games and 3d work for example.
I myself cannot expend money on new core components for now, which is why I`m gonna buy a GFX card alone ... and I need it.
It may be AGP, but if you compare PCI-E and AGP card that are of the same type, the difference is hardly noticeable in games or in 3d (as far as I saw from the comparison tests ... true that it will be the extra few frames per second, but still, if you have an AGP slot and not an option to upgrade for now to PCI-e, then a same card of the AGP version should do the trick decently).

I would like to repeat my question as to how good is the upgrade from current FX5700 AGP 8x to 7600 GT AGP 8x ?
I would look into x1650 Pro for example if I would have to go for a lower price, but I think the performance of 7600 GT is way above x1650 pro and has newer technologies incorporated in it that would run certain games and 3d studio Max VERY decently, which would also in turn make me relax on the issue of upgrading for a few years.
Is it a good choice for an AGP card ?

And on another issue, AVOID `GS` type cards since they are lower budget cards that won`t last for long in these times ... that much I agree with.