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D'oh, looks like you're limited then, as the two slots run at different voltages it could get messy if you risk using a 8x card.
Best bet maybe to get a new motherboard as you've mentined, the question is though, do you have a budget of $300 for just the video card or in general?
Couple of examples: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131460 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128285
Liam
300 on the graphics card. buying the motherboard isnt a problem. but if im gonna get a motherboard should i just buy the PCI-E if im getting a new one?
either way now im gonna have to buy a new motherboard so should i keep with AGP or go to PCI-E?
and when i get my motherboard it will be able to support 8x. which then i will be able to get the graphics card. but first i will have to choose AGP or PCI-E
I don't think you'll get a board that has PCI-E and supports your CPU as socket 478 boards are dying out, you should find one with AGP 8x no problem, and it will support all soundcards as they will either be PCI or external USB soundcards, most boards have decent onboard sound now anyway, which would eliminate the need of a card in a PCI slot.
Liam
why wouldnt a PCI-E support my CPU?
Socket 478 boards are not being made with PCI-E support, so as your CPU is a socket 478 P4, the board that it will have to be paired with will not have a PCI-E slot as they have been wiped out by socket 775 boards and better CPU's being based on that architecture.
Liam
would i be able to take my CPU out of my 478 board and put it into 775 board?
Nope, afraid not, the number reffers to the number of pins on the CPU, so to get a board that has PCI-E and probably some newer revisions, you'd need to upgrade your CPU....that's the vicious circle of upgrades, as soon as you buy something that is brand new technology, something bigger and better arrives, and lack of features are found when you want to upgrade one link in the chain.
Liam
i know its a pain. when you try getting one new thing you have to upgrade everything else that can support it. so to save myself 10000000000000000 of dollars i guess i will just buy a AGP 8x motherboard and then buy myself a graphics card. can u send links for good motherboard and graphics card. Im looking for a graphics card that can support BF2 on max graphics and fear too.
If you don't mind splashing out for a board, i'd go for the Asus board linked above, and the X800XT for $299 @ Newegg, should be just under $400 with shipping for the combo.:)
GFX Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102492
Liam
recommend the $100 or $50 motherboard? what the difference?
I actually prefer Asus, so that is why i suggested that, but looking at them there isn't that much difference, so you could go for the $50 Gigabyte board, one last question, do you have a full size ATX case? because one of the boards in Micro-ATX and one is standard ATX, in other words are different sizes, 9.6" and 12", so if your old board is a micro the full ATX board may not fit your current case.
Liam
yeah i have a full size ATX case
will the screws of the micro fit the ATX the same?
You shouldn't have to mess around too much, some extra standoffs should be included, so if the holes don't quite line up you can add some more standoffs to screw the board into,and the manual included should show you how.:)
Standoffs: http://www.electronicsoutfitter.com/.../screwnutm.jpg
Liam
oh, well thats good then :) I was looking at some other ASUS motherboards and i came across this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131527R it has almost everything the same as the other ASUS board u sent but the onboard video (which i dont need cause im getting a graphics card) AND the chipset. is there a difference with the chipset?
Easy way to explain it: http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...Achipset&meta=
If you have no problem with purchasing a refurbished board, then i'd say it looks fine.:)
Liam