Video card upgrade

[Ace]

For anyone who'd like to shop, for me.

No... not shop for me.  No one would want to buy one of me, even if on sale... I mean shop around, for something, for me.  You don't have to buy it for me; I'll make the actual purchase.  Your work is free.

I'm thinking of upgrading my video card; got a nVidia GeForce4 Ti 4200 back when.  Motherboard is a Gigabyte 7VRX; video capability is 1 x AGP slot (4X/2X-AGP 2.0 compliant).  So would have to be a 4X AGP setup.

I want to stay with nVidia, just to minimize upgrade weirdness (being "like things") and I've had good luck with them.  Main reason for an upgrade would be to have a chance to run a Doom III or Quake IV type game.  I did ok on RTCW on mine, and it does Neverwinter ok and Madden fine...  But would figure it's gonna crawl with a high-resolution modern shooter.  It was bottom of the group on a Tomshardware comparison; nVidia 6800 was top.  I'd like to keep it $100ish if possible.  I'll check around, but know some of you know/study video adapters way more than me so would appreciate consult.

Right now I'm running 512 megs of Corsair 2700 and will likely goose it to 1 gig.  CPU is a AMD 1800+.  

Danke for any advising.

Ace; remember it's free, so I'm not gonna pay for it.  

[scuzzy]

This BFG 6600GT for $198 seems to be one of the better nVidia deals available.

My understanding is that this factory OC'd card is a real butt kicker, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

[Ace]

Thank you; I'll read all about it.  Probably do like I did with that Voodoo back when (that you know, so well) and look for one of the top of the line to drop when the next great thing arrives.  

I just looked; big dang fan on it...  The "BFG" name just clicked, with me.  I remember the BFG in Quake II; that could clear a room.  I think Monarch has a 6600 for $158, so was wondering how the 6600 stacked up to the 6800's.

As(e)

[pat]

This may help some. Here are three searches from newegg and I did limit the search to 4X/8x compatible. If nothing else this should at least show you what?s out there.

The first one is for Geforce 6600 prices start out in the 100$ range.

Next is Geforce 66GT prices start out in the 130$ range.

Next is Geforce 6800 prices start out in the 160$ range.

Once you jump up to the 6800GT prices jump up to the 289$ starting range.

Happy shopping, if you need help putting it in, I?d be happy to stop over and try my best not to spill a margarita all over your motherboard???

[Ace]

Thanks for the links.  I usually just have a beer or 3 when I'm doing detail work.  It's too cold in Michiana for frozen drinks.

Like when I forget I put the Moosehead in the freezer to chill...

I like GT's but I'm thinking they're out of my price range.

nVidace

[scuzzy]

Which GT series is out of your price range? 6600GT? 6800GT? Or anything GT, such as 1GT?

What is your price range?

[scuzzy]

I just looked; big dang fan on it...  

As(e)

The BDF (Big Dang Fan) is likely a plus. A smaller fan would have to spin much faster to do the same job, which would mean more noise.

[Ace]

Agreed.  I'm about ready to try to stick a house fan in the Monarch.  The CPU as up to 69-70, which depending on where you read is "ok."  Has dropped to 64-66 now that the temp outside has, too.  I may add a fan after I look up just what case I got...  

I'm at $100ish, per my original statement.

If I convince myself I just gotta have something that's currently 150-200 I'll likely wait for it to drop...  I may try overclocking the Ti4200, but would have to see how the heat holds up if I do.  Plus, I still figure it's going to be lame on any modern game.  

ac.

[halokid]

Kinda have to be carefull as far as expectations go.......if your planning to keep using your 1800+ cpu do not expect to play doom 3 with any smoothness or minimal smoothness..

basically with your rig i would say anything above a 9800 pro to 6600gt would be a waste considering your cpu will be a bottle neck....
if your upgrading... sounds like you want to keep it pretty cheap if you can still get a 9800 pro
that would be a good choice given your cpu.
any combonation paired with your 1800+ cpu is
ultimately holding you back from playing the latest and greatest....with a 9800 pro im guessing everything will be smooth from games 1 or 2 years ago...... but many games from here on out will make you desire more frames per second.....

What i would do is start contemplating a 64-bit rig prefferably AMD....I upgraded  to athlon xp 2500+ @3200 a lil more than a year ago and if
i woulda waited till right now i woulda upgraded to amd 64......

but if you are one who is easily content with slower frames per second then perhaps
a smaller upgrade would do you good......
just remember this upgrade will not get you completely up to date......graphically my 3200+ with a 6600gt is already getting outdated.

i would say a safer bet would be to get a 9800 pro so your not buying any extra graphics power that will go to waste.

the plain 6600 might also be an option but imo i would leave it at those 2 cards at the most.

[scuzzy]

I have to admit that the Radeon 9800Pro that I installed in my daughter's computer provided some really nice, quick video. Although I never tried any games, it had no problems editing large graphics. I recall being amazed with how quickly images went across the screen. My equivalent system that has the Radeon 9600XT is still quite fast, but noticeably slower compared to the 9800Pro.

[Carskick]

I would get a 6600GT, preferably the Gigabyte edition. I got it, and it is awesome. It will stabily overclock very high, but I leave it at 550/1100, from the stock 500/1000, and it give a nice boost while staying fairly cool compared to other 6600GTs. I got it for about $160 on newegg, but I haven't looked recently. If you do buy a 6600GT, make sure the memory is 1000mhz, not 900mhz, as the 1Ghz version is the newer, faster one, and generally costs the same.

[Ace]

I found a 6600GT at Monarch for @157; thanks for the 1000mhz advice too Cars.  If I was going whole new I would definitely consider a Radeon, but I had a bad experience before in updating a card from one style to a different and trying to clean up the debris...  I'm ok with nVidia and figure any detritus at least is of a similar nature.  I have no interest in TV out or HDTV or stuff like that; still using the MAG crt.  

I thought about goosing the cpu... I'll see what the Gigabyte can take.  Naturally an all new whatever would be nice but it's not like I'm struggling with this.  It was clean and coordinated from the get go, so it's holding up ok.

Acer