How much Better is this AGP video card then the one I have now?

[Scottie]

I Have a 256MB X800XL video card I want to upgrade to be able to play Team Fortress 2 abit better.


Would this card below be alot better then what I Have now?

Saphire 3850 512MB (http://infonec.ca/site/main.php?module=detail&id=352259)

ALso I have a XP3200 and 1 GB or RAM.

[torseller07]

I would say yes. However, beware that the HD series card is pretty long (my HD 3870 is about 20-22cm long). So if you are using an old motherboard, it may not fit as there could be capacitors or resistors in the way.

[nm486]

You would gain noticeable FPS, but your CPU at stock speed would probably bottleneck the 3850. If you haven't already...overclock it!...most Source games have nice CPU scaling too.

p.s. and make sure your PSU can handle the 3850!

[toalan]

I think you posted in another thread that you wanted 2 gb of ram and most people told you not to waste your money buying DDR1 ram and instead upgrade the whole rig.

In this thread you are looking to waste even more money as AGP is dead, and you will not be able to bring that card over to your next PC.

Again you are better off getting a new rig, however getting another gb of DDR1 ram is a better choice than a new AGP card as it is much less money.

I was running an x800xl PCI-E on my rig but recently I got a new 8800gs for $90 after $30 MIR from NCIX. The 8800GS is a competitor to the 3850. My rig is an AMDx2 4200+ with 2 gb of ram, I feel that the 880GS is a good match for my system, but I am pretty sure my cpu is limiting the card.

In your system I would be almost certain that you will not get close to fully utilizing the 3850 because of your old CPU and 1 gb of ram.

The x800xl is still a decent card IMHO and TF2 is a game that can run well on very modest hardware. What kind of rez are you running and @ what details? Rather than waste money I would just turn the details down.

[JAC]

I'm in the same boat as OP, except my CPU is better. OP: don't throw any more money away. Your CPU sucks, and a 3850 will just be wasted.

[cwb27]

Wow, I thought I was behind in the times when I finally got rid of my AthlonXP 3000 last year... ;)

[gargarensi]

I would advise AGP cards altogether. Go for PCI-E

[gargarensi]

I would advise against AGP cards all together, go for PCI-E

[Scottie]

I have all the setting turned down my Res is 1024 by 768 in the game it lags abit, I was hoping I could get another year out of my system maybe 2 if I added more ram and a newer video card.....

[torseller07]

I would suggest upgrading to PCI-E as well. The last AGP card has already been released (HD 3850). So it's either that or PCI-E 2.0 or integrated graphic processor (IGP). But since IGP is intended for HD movies, it would eventually come down to what you plug into that PCI-E 2.0 slot. :)

Geforce 9600GT isn't that expensive now (around $150 after MIR and taxes). It is more than enough for TF2.

[GVRtrader]

Big performance difference but not worth the money. You need more Ram and better CPU more than a video card. Once games start forcing Vista (its bound to happen sooner or later once MS finishes their "work in progress"), 1GB of ram won't work for any new games. Your CPU also isn't dual core which is almost standard now.

I recommend you goto Staples regularly and wait for them to have some sub 300 clearance computers and buy that then add a video card. Would be a low budget complete upgrade.

You can also consider grabbing the following parts as upgrades
Gigabyte DS3L (~90)
e2160 (~70)
2GB PC2 6400 ram (whatever is cheapest for you, as low as 14.99 after MIR)
8800 GT video (~150-200)

Cost should be around 300-400 depending on prices your find but the upgrade would last you much longer and performance will be far greater than a single 3850 can do.

[silentio]

OP seems dead set on doing foolish upgrades that will force him to upgrade AGAIN in 1 year's time if not sooner. This time he'll have to dump his whole current setup including the ddr1 ram, and the AGP vid card.

Does the OP know what throwing money down a hole means?

[Scottie]

Damn it you guys are making me want a new computer now !! What should I get I haven't really looked into computer in about 5 years when I bought this one? What should I pay for a half decent system where should I Buy it?

[terrybear]

you should look at buildin a box for around $1000 that will give ya a decent system for the next 2-3 years