Best "Old School" AGP Video card?

[417]

It looks like I am going to be forced to buy a new video card if I want to play much at all (mine constantly overheats) [what I have now is Radeon 9800 Pro].

I can't afford a new system (which is what I really need) much less a high end video card so it has to be a good one that is fairly cheap. I'm actually going to put it on my Christmas wish list in hopes I might get it as a gift.

The video card has to have a good cooling system built onto it as it seems even with three fans in the case and the side off with a small desk fan blowing into it the video card still gets kind of warm. I think the video card is toast as the CPU never runs very hot

Thus far I have looked at the following:

Radeon HD 2600 Pro IceQ Turbo (512MB) $70 Tiger Direct

Sapphire Radeon HD 3850 (512MB) $140 NewEgg
I'm concerned a little about the cooling on this one

Any input you guys have in regards to a 512 MB video card with a decent cooling system on it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

[420]

it would be more economical to buy a motherboard cpu combo with built in sound and video, can get that for bout 140. built in vid cards are a much better idea these days, because of Nvidia SLI, which means when you can finally afford a new video card the built in one is still used to boost your new card, and all sli motherboard have at least an 8 series video card onboard, which is more then enough to run what you need. as long as you go with amd2+ compatible socket, you will be able to upgrade for a few years, and your cpu cost will be minimal.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...therboard-CPUs

saw a motherboard/cpu/ram bundle for $129

anyway good luck

[417]

Thanks for the input 420. I already considered this but it just isn't feasible for me right now.

The most I can do is utilize my existing computer system and upgrade the video card. For my limited gaming needs it should be able to last me a few more years with an upgraded video card (and an additional hard drive which I will add when I can).

My current system will be recycled once replaced (whenever it is feasible to do it) for my wife to use as her primary system.

Buying a new MB and CPU combo would result in also having to purchase a new case, extra fan(s), purchasing 2 GB more of RAM (I usually purchase high quality ram with heat spreaders (it makes a difference) and a good power supply, and a CPU Cooling Fan. Then later on I would still have to purchase a PCi Express Video Card (provided the MB has a built in video card that will run HL2 fine).

I can't bring myself to buy a cheaper MB/Processor just to get a new system either. By doing that one severely limits their ability to upgrade. When I buy a new system I try and make it the latest greatest so that it is compatible with new technology for as long as possible.

I know there is better AGP based video cards out there (I was going to buy a used one from Klute - I just can't remember which one it was) I can use for fairly cheap which I might be able to get as a Christmas gift.

If any of you guys running older system could tell me what your using then I could look into them as well.

[707]

Hey 417, I had a 2600 pro , and i was disappointed with it. I went from a AGP x800 to the hd2600 pro. I had it for about a month and decided that it just wasn't good enough. I made the move and bought a whole new upgrade as you know.

Any way My suggestion is to buy the best possible card you can afford.

My HD33870 is friggin great, but it is pcie so I cant vouch for the agp model. but I cant imagine it being all that bad. The new gpu is was better than the 2000 series gpu.

Nvidia isn't really an option, they seem to have abandoned APG. My suggestion

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161225

Or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131090

With these at least your getting 512 of gdr3 and 256 bit.

Happy hunting and dont forget to make sure your power supply can handle the upgrade

L8rs 707

[417]

Thanks for the input 707.

I haven't been disappointed with my video card it's just old and I think it got to hot a while back and it's slightly damaged now. It's fall and getting cooler quick so hopefully I can game a little bit more now with the side off and the fan blowing on the card.

I like the: HIS Hightech H385F512ANP Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card

I haven't had muck time to research cards and won't from the looks of it. I have always been leary of buying unknown brand name cards even though you know the chipset comes from a reliable source.

I will research the card further as time allows but it certainly looks a heck of lot better then what I got now. I just gotta convince someone to buy me one for Christmas now!

[417]

I'm considering getting a Sapphire Radeon HD 3850 AGP 512MB for $135.

Anyone have any bad experiences with this particular brand?