Looking to upgrade to the RADEON X800 Pro... need to know if comp can handle it.

[John_Clark]

Hey, everyone. New to the forums...
My question is this: I am looking to upgrade my video card from my current nVIDA GeForce FX 5200 (POS card, I know) to the RADEON X800 Pro 256MB AGP video card.
(link below)
http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.Asp?IMODULE=CTVX800PRO256MB

My current specs for my video card and AGP slot are the following:

AGP Controller
AGP Version 3.00
AGP Status Enabled
AGP Device nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
AGP Aperture Size 128 MB
Supported AGP Speeds 1x, 2x, 4x, 8x
Current AGP Speed 8x
Fast-Write Supported, Enabled
Side Band Addressing Supported, Enabled

My computer also has a 2.8 Ghz Pentium 4 with HT and has over 2 GB of RAM. It's a pretty strong system, but the video card is its weakest point and is really making the performance really bad when it comes to graphics.

Again, with my current system, can I handle upgrading to the RADEON X800 Pro 256MB AGP? Is there a better video card out there, around the $200 range, that I am simply missing? Input appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wedge_00]

Yeah there better video cards out there, the X800 has real performance problems.... Not like the other X800's, the agp port looks fine but what about your power supply? how many watts does it have, to run a decent card you need a power supply carrying about 350-400 watts.

 

[wedge_00]

this may do the trick, but is at the high end of your budget...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202
It's a Nvidia 6800, it is a little soft the ram amount though, maybe even consider a 6600GT. The Nvidia series 6 is doing alot better for mainstream users then Ati right now, only in the high end market with the X800 Xt's and what not they are in closer competition

here's a good value 6600GThttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127150
THis has decent a software bundle with it that is why it is a bit higher priced, though with the mail in rebate it brings it back to 150 mark... MSI is an underrrated company too...

Check www.tomshardware.com and check the VGA charts and check the benchmark scores but more importantly the game performances, they will reflect more clearly...

Good luck and choose wisely, oh yeah have fun gaming !!!!

 

[John_Clark]

I currently have a 250 power supply, but I am looking to upgrade it to 350. Is there a large price jump between 350 and 400? If not, I'll go to 400.

I'll be checking out the Tom's Hardware Guide too. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[Nukem]

Look at newegg right now... they have a Leadtek 6800LE 128 meg AGP card for 124.00. Not a bad deal...

 

[beedubaya]

Look at newegg right now... they have a Leadtek 6800LE 128 meg AGP card for 124.00. Not a bad deal...

6800LE is not a good card. Don't get it. I would higly recommend the 6800 GT, which runs at about the same price as the X800 Pro you are looking at. The 6800 GT is much, much better than the X800 Pro at the same price. And believe me, I have an X800 Pro and I know people who did and they upgraded to the 6800 GT and there was an unbelievable difference in performance between the two cards even though they were the same price. Also, the X800 Pro doesn't have Shader Model 3, which is VITAL if you want to play new games at max quality. The 6800 GT has this feature.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150102

 

[PZEROFGH]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122195R

i can only find refurbished agp 6800GTs. i mean 230 dollars, not bad really