Need to upgrade my AGP video card, any suggestoins?

[REPO]

My machine currently has an ATI 9500/9700 AGP card in it. This came from Dell this way. I have a Dimension 8250 @ 3.06. I have been thinking of upgrading to a 256 AGP card. Is there any specific ones I should be looking for?


Thanks!

[-=CrAnSwIcK=-]

memory doesn't have all that much to do with performance...like i knew a guy who had a 9800pro 128mb, and he sold it and bought an fx5200 256 cause he thought 256mb made it better...lol, i still make fun of him when he tries to out-nerd me...so what's the most you would spend on a graphics card?? and what games are you looking to play??

[REPO]

Well we bought the new Age of Empires III and the current card doesn't work at the high end settings.

I could easily spend $500 on a new card.

Also I have been looking around since I posted and the ATI X850 XT seems like a good one.

Would this be ok?

[chris000001]

The card in your current dell isnt integrated is it? if so then you probably dont have an AGP port.

The X850XTPE is the best AGP graphics card you can get

[-=CrAnSwIcK=-]

yeah if you're willing to spend 500 bucks...then you can pretty much get anything under the sun...in the world of AGP that is...except for like quadros..but yeah, like chirs said, the x850xtpe is the best you can get for AGP...

[omga14]

the 7800GS is agp and will be available here shortly. here's a review for your viewing pleasure: Anandtech 7800GS review. not much i know but it gives you a little info on the card. i't should best any current agp card current. price point will be way under the $500 you want to spend as well.

[Avid6eek]

Radeon X850's can be had for just over $200. That is your best option on the market right now. AGP doesn't offer any room for expansion so this will most likely be your last video card upgrade before you have to replace the whole system.

[PCgeek]

If you can spend 500 bucks....

Socket 939 Mobo ~ $100
Athlon64 3200+ ~ $160
Radeon X850XT ~ $240

Sticking with AGP doesn't really make sense if you can drop 500 bucks... Might as well go PCI-express and be ready for the future.

[-=CrAnSwIcK=-]

yeah that's true...if you're willing to spend 500 bucks US, just get a new mobo, cpu, and GFX card...but like avid said, if you're not gonna make the switch, don't get anything too pricey in the AGP department cause there's really no point...

[turnerma]

I have same 8250 and am also looking to upgrade videocard for use with flightsim and play video files on 32inch LCD TV. Problem is that all the topend AGP cards I've seen -- including the ones mentioned here -- require at least a 300W power supply and the Dell comes with 250W. Are there any with a lower power requirement so I don't have to replace power supply? And if I do replace power supply, so I have to ugrade mobo as well?

[ElrichMeister]

i believe dell uses propriety PSU's so your gonna have to upgrade the mobo as well, cause if you buy an aftermarket psu, it may fry your current mobo

[PCgeek]

Oh ********e. I forgot it was a Dell. With a Dell you're going to need a new PSU, and maybe a new case. Cases are cheap though so its not a big deal. Topower is an OEM manufacturer that manufactures PSU's for the big guys such as Enermax and OCZ. I've bought some of the PSU's branded with their name and they've been very reliable so far. You might want to check them out if you're shopping for a PSU on a budget. Just remember read reviews cause you never want to cut corners on a PSU cause its not worth it saving 20 bucks on a cheap PSU to have your whole PC die.

[turnerma]

Comments are really helpful -- thanks. Does anyone know of a good AGP card that will do at least 1600 x 1200 and will work with a 250W PSU?

[Stone Fox]

Comments are really helpful -- thanks. Does anyone know of a good AGP card that will do at least 1600 x 1200 and will work with a 250W PSU?

I would SERIOUSLY advise upgrading your PSU. I don't think you'll be able to run a decent card with that.

Is that 7800GS AGP? I didn't think they were planning on releasing any of the 7 series in AGP...!

Also, (I know you can't buy them new anymore) how does the 6800 Ultra stack up against the best of the best AGP wise?

[therealwesty]

The Dell PSUs are very well built. If you haven't made many other chages to the system I would think the system could handle a higher-end videocard. The OEM builders can get away with a little lower rated PSUs because they generally know how the systems are going to be configured. Obviously they need to leave some room for those looking to upgrade though.

The 300W requirement slapped onto the graphics cards are also a little conservative. They cards do guzzle some power, but the manufactures are also being aware of the people running those awsome generic branded 450W POS.

To be sure check the current (amps) for the various voltage rails and post them here. With a bit of a look and some quick math we can probably figure out if you will be allright.

[turnerma]

I haven't looked inside yet -- but I did find another thread with details of PSUs which are (allegedly) designed for Dell mobos. I was thinking of getting one of these to be safe.

Course, once I've spent all that, I might as well build a new machine.

[AKHandyman]

Course, once I've spent all that, I might as well build a new machine.

I agree with you there, it's probably a better idea to build from scratch and be ready for the future ...

[Stone Fox]

I'd still say 250 is a bit lite. I had a pc ages ago('bout 5 years) with a 250 watt, (Athlon 1ghz, 512 PC133 SD, 40gb Maxtor, 32mb Geforce2 MX) I upgraded the graphics card to a 64mb Geforce2 Ti6400 I think it was and the system kept rebooting - turns out 250watts wasn't enough...

This is something you'd probably need to ask St.Louis, but dells' proprietary kit I believe has an emphasis on low heat and power consumption, changing stock parts may dramatically increase power draw. That IS second hand information though, I could be wrong. As I said, St.Louis is a dell expert, Not that he works for them or anything! *cough*

[-=CrAnSwIcK=-]

My celeron 2.4 @ 2806mhz, and my 9600pro @ 460/650 ran on my emachines 250W PSU without any issues...but i got a 300W just in case...they were both generic PSU's too...but i didn't care much cause i was switching to s939/PCI-e

[stlouis1]

ya, but if he keeps the dell, he can still use dell on call and i'll help him out....if he's lucky