New video card worth it?

[jayclark]

I have a a antique system to some of you

Athlon Xp 2500 oced to 2 ghz
1 gig 2700 DDR
80 Gig 7200 WD Sata
GeForce 5600

I was going to build a new system this summer, but decided I don't really need to yet. As this rig is doing all I need it to except for video. I don't need a high performance rig where I can see the sun refelecting off a drop of dew on a blade of grass as I'm playing games. Currently I mostly play BF 2142. Of course on low settings, chugging along with low FPS, but its playable. So I started look at a new video card. And it seems most people recommend a Geforce 7600GS 512M for a AGP system. Found them going for $130ish on newegg and I think I can manage that. And I plan on adding another stick 512 of ram. My question is it even worth it? Would my cpu bottleneck the card? And would the 7600GS be my best option without going above $130?

[usil]

Personally, I would not go ahead with this. As you said, the processor will certainly be a bottleneck, as will the 2700 RAM speed. I'd save the money and get a newer system a bit sooner than planned.

[lgbpop]

If you had to keep the system for a while longer, a 6600 or 6800 (any version, GT is the best) would be a better fit for it. The 7600 would be overkill. IGB RAM is plenty for that system. Unless someone gave you more RAM for nothing, don't bother.

If you can afford to build the new system, go for it. That's where I am right now. The hardest part of building the new system will be relegating my current one to the back burner. It's a good, solid, quick performer.

[jayclark]

Thats what I thought to. The 6800GT on newegg cost more than the 7800 would cost and I found the 6600GT for $90. ATI have any cards that compete in the same range as these 2 cards? Would like to compare ATIs offers to these 2.

[Train]

AGP charts might help out.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/...vii/page4.html

Now for the new rig, Might want to play around here.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

Granted they are a bit dated.

[lgbpop]

Heck, if the 7800 is less expensive get that instead.

I don't understand how the 6600 and 6800 are holding their value so well; by the numbers the 7800 should be a better card. However, having used both 6-Series cards it's good to see.

FWIW, those cards command good prices on eBay so when you were to upgrade your system you'd make some money back on either one. I've sold several used 6600GTs and got over $80 apiece on 3 out of 4.

I'm not partial to ATI (large footprint and the GUI is too busy for me) but I think the X800 compares to the 6800GT and the X1900(?) to the 7800. Don't hold me to it!

[liam858]

but I think the X800 compares to the 6800GT and the X1900(?) to the 7800. Don't hold me to it

Yep, ish, an X800 GTO/X850 XT would be similar to a 6800GT/Ultra, and an X1800 to a 7800GT/GTX, i'd assume the OP found a 7800 GT for about the same price as a 6800.

Make sure you're looking at good brands, Asus/Gigabyte/Leadtek/BFG/Evga etc, Newegg seem to sell every brand, but some are worse than others, and the price is the giveaway.

If you can find a 7600GT and add another 1gb of RAM, then you should be able to crank up the settings in BF2142, res and eye candy.(AA/AF)

Liam

[jayclark]

Seems like a cheap 6600GT came up on newegg now

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143083

Only bad part is these cards seem to come and go quickly. And if any are there they are seriously over priced. And it'll be a few weeks before I order. As I'm going to add another stick of 512. And I'm informed by the "boss of the house" I'd need to come up with the extra cash first So I'm hoping it'll still be in stock then. And I feel the 6600GT will be better suited for an old system than a 7 series card. Only thing that bothers me is there is a thread over at the nvidia forum with a 1000+ post with people having issues with the card... But I mostly have good luck with adding hardware so I'm still going to order if its in stock.

Edit: just noticed its your b-day today Liam. Happy Birthday!

[lgbpop]

Without going back to that forum and refreshing my memory, I'll bet it's the thread where half of the posters were using RivaTuner or CoolBits to overclock their cards for extra performance, and either set their cards out of range or burned them up overclocking them. This card was the preferred choice of those who couldn't afford the 6800, but wanted the 6800's performance nonetheless.

[SuperSparks]

And I feel the 6600GT will be better suited for an old system than a 7 series card.

If you can find a 7 series card at a better price, I'd say go for it, it will work just as well in an older system as a 6 series.

[Byan]

Personally, I would not go ahead with this. As you said, the processor will certainly be a bottleneck, as will the 2700 RAM speed. I'd save the money and get a newer system a bit sooner than planned.

If you had to keep the system for a while longer, a 6600 or 6800 (any version, GT is the best) would be a better fit for it. The 7600 would be overkill. IGB RAM is plenty for that system. Unless someone gave you more RAM for nothing, don't bother.

If you can afford to build the new system, go for it. That's where I am right now. The hardest part of building the new system will be relegating my current one to the back burner. It's a good, solid, quick performer.

I disagree about the bottlenecks, you'd be surprised how much a graphics card is needed over the CPU. I also disagree about getting a 6800 instead of a 7600. the 6800U is comparable with the 7600GT. (and GT > GS)

Getting a new system would be optimal, but getting a 7600GS would be a goo way to go. The 6600GT is also a great card. I had one of them in my old system. but 7600GS are cheap enough that you minds well get one of those.
the 512MB, however, is overkill. You'll never need that much VRAM

the only problem is that when you get a new PC, you will want to get PCI-e, meaning you will have to get a new card when this happends.

EDIT:
I'd get this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130076

I've got a PCI-e 7600GT in my box and it works great