Upgrading from a Radeon graphics card

Snowcr4sh

Snowcr4sh

New Member
Hello all, I had a few questions on upgrading my current graphics card.

I'm currently running a Radeon 9800 Pro (128mb) AGP card, which isn't bad but it is starting to struggle on current games, unless I want to play them in an extremely low resolution with very low settings.

My system specs are in my sig below. I built it about 1 1/2 to 2 years ago on an AGP based mobo. I am happy with the system and I don't have the money to build or buy a new one just to get PCI Express capabilities. I'd prefer to have an nVidia card rather than ATI, I previously owned a GeForce 4 MX card years ago in an older PC and was very happy with it.

I'm looking into a Geforce 6800 GS, or the 7800 GS if I want to spend the extra money. I figure if I get the 7800 my comp will last for at least another 1-2 years. I'm also thinking of putting another 512mb of ram for a boost and maybe a processor overclock.

I just wanted to see what you may think of the upgrade (including the compatibility with my system) and if it is worth paying the extra $100-$150 for the 7800.

Wow I typed way too much..:P
Thanks!
 
The 7800GS is a very good card, I would recommend it. I would definately put in at least another 512 of ram, though adding 1gb would be much better. Your processor should be fine, but overclocking never hurts:D
 
The extra RAM would be hugely beneficial if you do decide to upgrade. You may find it's actually cheaper to get a PCI-E motherboard. A 7800GS, for example, is ~$280, while a far superior PCI-E 7900GT is only ~$230. The difference there would likely fund the motherboard upgrade, and leave you with a superior system.

A similar situation applies with midrange cards. A 7600GT, at around $140, will outperform cards like the 6800GS easily.

Personally, I wouldn't be putting $200+ into an AGP card.
 
Thats right! Afterall you´ll just have to buy new motherboard for like 40-100$ ant then 7900GT for like 239-270$.. Your processor will be compatible wiuth your new motherboard and those other parts too! :) Believe us it´s highly recommended that you upgrade to PCI-E system now cause PCI-E parts just cost lesser compared to AGP cause AGP costs more to manufacture I heard..

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130539R

Graphics card:
This would be reald good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130028
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814141024R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150144R
Memory:
512Mb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145026
1Gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
1Gb http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820220037
 
Last edited:
I was strongly considering a mobo upgrade, its cheap and pci-e capability would be great...

So your saying I can gut my current system out, put it in a new mobo and then press the power button and windows would start up? :P

I was figuring you would have to reformat the HD and start over again..which I don't want to at all, or maybe there is a way to set setting in the bios to start it properly?

Thanks again for the advice:)
 
liuliuboy said:
You'll most likely have to reinstall windows again if you chose to get a new motherboard
Click to expand...
I almost did that with my old system but decided to build a new one
That is exactly why I am most likely getting the 7800gc
 
Running at least a Repair Reinstall is highly recommended when changing motherboards, although there is a way around it.
 
And depending on the price, a conroe compatible mobo would be good. It would leave room for upgrading, since single core is slowly going away.
 
ok upgrade ur mobo instead of getting a 7800gt and spend the 150 on the mobo then get a 7600gt sam price as a 6800 gs and will pwn it in any game.
 
Last edited:
liuliuboy said:
You'll most likely have to reinstall windows again if you chose to get a new motherboard
Click to expand...
so i will have to reninstal m ywindows xp when i get my new mobo tomorow because i dont got teh cd we lost it when we moved andim doign a big jump from a p3 to a 3200+ and my mobo now is so old cpu-z doesnt egrecocknize it
 
ceewi1 said:
Running at least a Repair Reinstall is highly recommended when changing motherboards, although there is a way around it.
Click to expand...
I never thought about that, that would probably work without losing any of my information.

Alright looks like i'm upgrading my mobo, but the problem is I can't find too many socket 478 mobos that support PCI-E. I'd like to stick with ASUS and the only one i've found one (it was from another link, looks like they discontinued it, or its just the fact that noone sells it) http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=12&l3=27&model=167&modelmenu=1
Also found an albatron board (but can't find anywhere on the net that sells or supplies it) http://www.albatron.com.tw/english/it/mb/specification.asp?pro_id=160#

Nutcase said:
Thats right! Afterall you´ll just have to buy new motherboard for like 40-100$ ant then 7900GT for like 239-270$.. Your processor will be compatible wiuth your new motherboard and those other parts too! :) Believe us it´s highly recommended that you upgrade to PCI-E system now cause PCI-E parts just cost lesser compared to AGP cause AGP costs more to manufacture I heard..

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130539R
Click to expand...

That MSI board only supports Celeron processors
I appreciate any other help
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top