TR Forums

supraman · Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:29 pm

I am considering updating my graphics card when I finish Uni in July. I currently have an XFX 6800GT (AGP) along with an Abit KV8 Pro 1.1 and a socket 754 Newcastle 3200. Basically the 6800GT isn’t cutting it with modern games.

I really don’t want to replace my CPU because it overclocks to 2.5GHz with no effort, so I am looking to replace the Abit with a socket 754 PCI-E board. Budget for the GPU will be about £220, but I will worry about that closer to the time. There is no real budget for the motherboard.

The available motherboards are:
Gigabyte GA-K8NE
Abit NV8
Epox 8NPA-SLI
Asus K8N4
Soltek SL-K890-754G

Reviews are scarce and mostly poor. Basically I need a nice stable board that I can use to overclock my CPU to 2.5GHz as it is now. I would also like 3 DIMM slots and a passive northbridge cooler. The Gigabyte SEEMS to be the best option, but is the cheapest.

The Soltek fails on all of those criteria. I included it in the list because it uses a Via K8T890 chipset. My Abit uses a Via K8T800 and I was hoping that would mean I wouldn’t have to re-install Windows. I went from a Via KT266A to Nforce 2 back in the day and that meant a complete re-install.

The OS will be Windows XP Home. The copy I have at the moment is OEM so if I re-install it with another motherboard, it won’t activate. I’d rather not have to spend an extra £60 on a new OS.

I wouldn’t mind SLI; I like the idea that I could get another card somewhere down the road to boost performance when it starts to lag. However, the choice of motherboards available to me is limited and sacrificing features now for something I may or may not want later would be stupid.

But then I could just get the 20 pipe Gainward 7800GS. It would cost around the same as the PCI-E GPU and mobo (£280) but I wouldn’t have to worry about re-installing or re-activation.

Opinions? Anybody have any of those boards I listed?

bhtooefr · Sat Apr 15, 2006 2:36 pm

What modern games do you play such that a 6800GT can't handle it?

Turn down the eye candy and/or resolution, and wait for Socket AM2. That's what I'd do.

Spyder22446688 · Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:04 pm

I guess the Gigabyte board would be ok. However, it would suck to have to spend money on a motherboard just to get a new video card, especially since you're keeping the same CPU.

Ever consider an AGP version of the 7800GS? Even then, I wouldn't waste the money unless you have a buyer or good use for your 6800GT. Oops, didn't read the end of your post. Disregard this.

supraman · Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:30 pm

Spyder22446688 wrote:
I guess the Gigabyte board would be ok. However, it would suck to have to spend money on a motherboard just to get a new video card, especially since you're keeping the same CPU.

Exactly, that's my main problem; I don't want to have to get rid of a perfectly good motherboard just because the graphics card is weak. The only significant AGP upgrade would be the Gainward GS. But that £280 can get a PCI-E mobo and a 7900GT now, by July maybe something even better.

I don't have a buyer for anything, I was going to put them on ebay. Judging by current auctions, I should be able to get around £150 for the pair :-?

bhtooefr wrote:
What modern games do you play such that a 6800GT can't handle it?

Turn down the eye candy and/or resolution, and wait for Socket AM2. That's what I'd do.

NFS:MW, Oblivion and BF2. I don't want to turn down the eye candy and/or resolution, that's why I want a new card.

Why wait for AM2?

bhtooefr · Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:40 pm

The waiting for AM2 is going to do one of two things.

Make the S939 stuff much cheaper - and give you time to get the money to build a SWEET 939 rig
Have something released on AM2 that you want instead of what you've got

Of course, seeing as you've got a 3200+... that just makes it that much harder to decide for you...

Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:42 pm

supraman wrote:
bhtooefr wrote:
What modern games do you play such that a 6800GT can't handle it? Turn down the eye candy and/or resolution, and wait for Socket AM2. That's what I'd do.
NFS:MW, Oblivion and BF2. I don't want to turn down the eye candy and/or resolution, that's why I want a new card. Why wait for AM2?

Because it will require different RAM than currently-available AMD-based systems use. Even if you aren't an early adopter of Socket-AM2 and DDR2, you can expect prices on Socket-939 and DDR1 to drop in price in the short run when the new stuff appears.

Really, a GeForce 6800GT is pretty good as far as AGP cards go. I agree with bhtooefr on this one.

supraman · Sat Apr 15, 2006 3:58 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
Because it will require different RAM than currently-available AMD-based systems use. Even if you aren't an early adopter of Socket-AM2 and DDR2, you can expect prices on Socket-939 and DDR1 to drop in price in the short run when the new stuff appears.

I know that, but I am not on socket 939, and do not require any more RAM. AM2 is likely to drive 754 prices up because the hardware will be even harder to get than it is now, so surely waiting would be detrimental.

supraman · Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:05 pm

bhtooefr wrote:
The waiting for AM2 is going to do one of two things.

Make the S939 stuff much cheaper - and give you time to get the money to build a SWEET 939 rig
Have something released on AM2 that you want instead of what you've got

Of course, seeing as you've got a 3200+... that just makes it that much harder to decide for you...

Ah ok, I see what you mean. I hadn’t even considered switching to 939 or AM2. My 3200 at 2.5GHz gives the same performance as a single core socket 939 3800 so I didn’t see the point. Especially as I like my eye candy turned up high

EDIT: Damn, you got me thinking, supposing a nice 939 board and an X2 4400 are reasonably inexpensive after AM2 is out. How much faster would that be with a 7900GT than my 3200 with the same? Assuming 1280x960 and everything maxxed.

Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:38 pm

Video card is still the bigger factor, although video drivers can make use of the 2nd core now so you should see some boost.

kvndoom · Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:26 pm

I say hold out for the Gainward 7800GS. If it ever makes it to the US, I know I'm getting one. Then you don't have to worry about any kind of uninstalls or reinstalls, just drop in the card, update drivers, and roll on with bliss (no pun intended).

Sat Apr 15, 2006 5:48 pm

Or the 7600GT (even 7900GT if what the French said is true on the frontpage)...

Spyder22446688 · Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:12 pm

Yeah, if the Gainward AGP 7800GS/GT can reach the US market and have a reasonable price, it is really a desperate pill for those of us with high-end CPUs stuck into AGP motherboards.

Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:18 pm

AGP is dead. Let it go. PCI-Express is where you want to be.

Spyder22446688 · Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:25 pm

JustAnEngineer wrote:
AGP is dead. Let it go. PCI-Express is where you want to be.

Ok, come over and give me money for my AGP motherboard and socket 754 CPU so I can afford the new platform.

I am not interested in SLI. My socket 754 CPU is plenty fast. Therefore, my AGP platform is anything but dead. An AGP card such as the 7800GS is the most cost-effective solution.

So no, I don't want to be at PCI-e.

flip-mode · Sat Apr 15, 2006 6:58 pm

Now is just a bad time to buy unless you *have* to.

Limited 7900GT availability.
$300 for an AGP card that can't transition to your next mobo.
AM2 imminent
Conroe semi-imminent

I'd say you'd be a dodo to upgrade *now* just because your 6800GT struggles to run uber-max. I'd advise you to cool your jets and count your blessings, then bide your time.

If you do get an agp, just make sure to get an EVGA so you at least have the option to Step-Up for the next three months.

Shintai · Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:08 pm

Squeeze you butt together and wait if you can. As others have stated:

1. AM2 is some 50days away. (They should end up in shop before, or atleast japan.)
2. Conroe is some 70-80days away and should make AMD do massive pricedrops.
3. 7900 are rare right now.
4. More new ATI cards coming out.

So, save some more money and do the full plunge.
MB with PCIe, PCIe GFX, DDR2 and a cheap dualcore.
Rest is just delaying the pain till later, when you are on the PCIE and DDR2 path, everything else in the future becomes much more easy.

Spyder22446688 · Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:20 pm

Luddites for life!

flip-mode · Sat Apr 15, 2006 7:31 pm

You're not a luddite :roll:

Either way you're buying one of the most advanced pieces of silicon in teh wurld.

supraman · Sun Apr 16, 2006 5:46 am

Ok, I see the general consensus is to grit my teeth and bear the burden of the GT. Fair enough. It’s basically an unlocked XFX 6800GS with crippled memory, despite being sold as a proper GT. My hatred for the thing is well documented. Damn thing won’t overclock either. Maybe a volt mod and waterblock will release a few extra MHz. Plus, if I kill it, I then have a perfect excuse to buy new

The Gainward 20 pipe GS is in stock practically everywhere and is so tempting. But I was going to replace the whole PC in just over a year so I suppose buying AGP would be a mistake. By the way, only 2500 were ever made apparently, and almost all of them came to England. So they may never grace American shores.

flip-mode wrote:
If you do get an agp, just make sure to get an EVGA so you at least have the option to Step-Up for the next three months.

EVGA cards are quite rare over here and I don’t think they offer a step-up program either. Plus all the EVGA GSs only have 16 pipelines so it’s not going to be that much of an upgrade.

I thought that if I got a new PCI-E mobo I could get a new GPU that I could carry on using when I switch platforms in the future. Even if it is just a stop-gap. That way all I have really lost is the cost of my original Abit (£50).

I didn’t realise 7900s were rare in America, I can get 7900GTs from any shop for anywhere between £210 and £260 :lol:

supraman · Sun Apr 16, 2006 6:06 am

A little history, followed by the original plan:

XP2400 + MX440 = useless

6 months later:
XP2400 + 9800 Pro = CPU limited

3 months later:
A64 3200 + 9800 Pro = GPU limited

12 months later:
A64 3200 + 6800GT = still GPU limited

10 months later: (now)
pissed off with 6800GT

2 months later:
A64 3200 + 7900GT

12 months later:
Conroe/AM2 + 7900GT

Maybe I will wait instead.

Jigar · Sun Apr 16, 2006 7:23 am

I dont get it i have the same rig accept the card Mine is a bit fast but hey i just forgot i play the same games but i never turn down any eye candy down and getting atleast 40 FPS in Oblivion.... Oops i forgot my system is OCed to 3.0 :lol:

My advice get a 7800GS or wait for 7900GT ur system is cool

MadBrad · Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:44 am

The 7800GS looks like a decent upgrade, and will be your "final" upgrade on the platform. Your next upgrade will probably be a whole new machine.

BTW, you can try to sell your 6800, I suspect quite a few people would still be willing to paya fair amount for their own upgrade. Then, you'd be able to apply that towards your new GS.

Edit: Spelling

supraman · Sun Apr 16, 2006 12:40 pm

Jigar2speed5095 wrote:
I dont get it i have the same rig accept the card Mine is a bit fast but hey i just forgot i play the same games but i never turn down any eye candy down and getting atleast 40 FPS in Oblivion.... Oops i forgot my system is OCed to 3.0 My advice get a 7800GS or wait for 7900GT ur system is cool

Thanks, I always thought so :wink:

Your improved framerates are probably something to do with the 6800U at 470/1100. My GT's absolute limit is 400/1000

I found this nice comparison over at Tom's. It shows my overclocked CPU is more than capable. So thanks a lot to everybody who told me to wait and upgrade to AM2 or 939 :-?

I will NOT be switching sockets for at least another year. But in the mean time I would like a new GPU to tide me over.

So the bottom line:
Gainward 7800GS vs. 7900GT + new mobo + new OS
Simplicity vs. Performance

flip-mode · Sun Apr 16, 2006 1:10 pm

Aw hell, just get the 7800GS. Then do the full upgrade after Vista gets here and DX 10 cards get here and the verdict is in on K8L. If you're going to keep it for that long, and maybe as a second system for even longer, it'll probably be worth it.

And yes, you CPU is more than capable enough.

TR Forums

Socket 754 graphics upgrade: PCI-E vs. AGP

Socket 754 graphics upgrade: PCI-E vs. AGP

Upgrade Option

Who is online