Best AGP card on the market - between 200 and 300 $US?

Basically, what I have right now is:

2.8 Ghz P4 (AGP only, no PCIe)
1 Gig RAM
ATI Radeon 9700 All in Wonder 128mb video card

I'm looking for an upgrade in video cards in order to run Oblivion and other games at a respectable level nowadays.

I tried to pick up a $200 ATI X1600 512mb card, but it turned out that the fucking thing was incompatible with my Dell Dimension 4550 system's motherboard, even though it was 4X AGP compatible. Bastards.

Anyone have any recommendations? I'm willing to spend 200-300 bucks.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

The 7600GT is going to have an AGP counterpart released soon. That would be a best bet.

[edit] It might have already been released in the states ~

[edit] I forgot all about the 7800GS =0 that's been out for a while now, though might be outside of your price range.

Most amazing jew boots

Thanks for the help.

I was about to order the 7800GS card, but I saw that it requires a lot of power (300-350W) from the PSU.

Dell's stock PSUs are only like 200/250W, so that would tack on another $120 to upgrade, and I have absolutely no experience with those devices, nor do I want to go messing around with them.

Screw PC games, I'm sticking with consoles.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by JazzFlight

Thanks for the help.

I was about to order the 7800GS card, but I saw that it requires a lot of power (300-350W) from the PSU.

Dell's stock PSUs are only like 200/250W, so that would tack on another $120 to upgrade, and I have absolutely no experience with those devices, nor do I want to go messing around with them.

Screw PC games, I'm sticking with consoles.

=(

But it's not to hard to change out the PSU. Unless of course your Dell case has one of those proprietary bays for the PSU.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

It doesn't really matter how hard it is, it's another 100+ bucks and a headache, especially if it doesn't work after all that effort and money.

The most I know how to do with computers (hardware speaking) is opening the case and swapping in RAM or video cards or a new hard drive.

Anything vital, such as motherboards or PSUs or even fans and cooling systems, I'm clueless about.

I was speaking idiomatically.

PSU's are one of the simpler things, if you can change out RAM or a video card, this isn't any harder. Basically, you unplug it from everything, pull it out, put the new one in, and plug stuff into wherever you pulled stuff out from.

I would recommend that you do upgrade your card for Oblivion (if you already own it) cause it is worth it. I have a X800XT and it runs Oblivion well at 1360*768. Though it might be hard to find these (6800GT's or X800/X850's) they play Oblivion well for AGP slots. This X850Pro might do well for you. Yes it would mean a PSU upgrade but this card (w/ mail-in-rebate) and a PSU would be about $250...

Also B&M stores might be carrying X8x0's or 6800's. Check your local computer store for details. I also do not recommend a 6600GT because it will be too weak for Oblivion.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Dayvon

Also B&M stores might be carrying X8x0's or 6800's. Check your local computer store for details. I also do not recommend a 6600GT because it will be too weak for Oblivion.

It's not too weak for Oblivion, but upcoming games, yeah, it'll become outdated. I use a 6600GT and Oblivion runs fine, not sure of its life span though. But regardless, you're probably better off waiting for the AGP counterpart of the 7600GT.

FELIPE NO

I've pretty much given up on any upgrade, since my Dell's PSU probably won't cut it. All the reviews of the 7800 card (which is what I would have gotten) say that it needs a lot of power.

Plus, Dell makes proprietary PSUs, so I can't just replace it with any PSU. I'm royally screwed. I'm gonna have to stick with my ATI Radeon 9700 AIW.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Jazz, I was gonna suggest the card in your first post...but that's what you get for using a dell.

(Do you have a mid size case and a micro card?)

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Radeon X850XT 256MB - $240
Postage - $6.67 three day shipping

PSU - $28.
Postage - $7.70 three day shipping

Total = $282.37

I know that you said that you didn't want to go playing about with the PSU, but this is a fairly decent one, and won't cost you the earth.

Most amazing jew boots

Like I said, the PSU most likely will not work in my Dell.

For some reason, they switch the wires around in their PSUs, so if a standard one is connected, it has a chance of frying the mobo.

The only one I see for a Dell Dimension 4550 is here:
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...php?show=S41D2

And it's $120, which is a lot.

Plus, I wanted to get the XFX GeForce 7800GS, which is around $305 at Amazon.

This is putting it into "let's just buy an XBox 360 and forget PC gaming" territory.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Sadly i would advise the same, i was considering a similar upgrade recently, then i thought channeling the money through to a console is much MUCH better. Be it an X360 or a PS3, when it launches (i can wait).

I feel your pain, Jazz. Consider this (this is how i reasoned it) :

- To play modern games, i need a good card
-good card means a PCI-E one, as you can see AGP doesn't cut it anymore.
-I can only get AGP ( )
-PCI-E = New mobo (80 bucks here last i checked)+New processor+Card+PSU (None separate here, must get new case = $400+Processor, if necessery.
-New PC games are shit / have console counter-parts which sadly are leaning towards always being better than the PC versions OR are just unjustifiable gfx card whores. I won't upgrade for over 600 bucks to play 3 good games for one year before having to upgrade again.
-Need i say more?

PS3 here i come.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I have a Dell 2400 which was the latest and best model from the company at the time it was released(2004). You have the better model.

I've had to change my card three times to run Oblivion to atleast *low quality* levels and that says something. From MX 440 -> geforce 5500 > geforce 6200OC. MY PSU is 135/233vlz, the 6200OC requires 250. I'm not fucking with that red switch on my PSU >_>.

Basically Jazz, Dell computers are designed to outlast cockroachs. They are not designed to be PC gaming machines.


Oh man ._. didn't realize this is a semi old thread. Oh well, I figure some info from another dell user would help. I'm not suggesting buying a more powerful computer. Just the truth you know..Dell owners are screwed in this department.

I was speaking idiomatically.