Dad's new videocard

[Shakermaker]

My mom is getting my dad a new videocard for his birthday so he can play MS Flight Sim X properly. Well ... if he wanted to play it properly, he should get his whole rig upgraded but since it's not entirely obsolete, we're gonna go for just the videocard. His system right now.

Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000-G (AGP 8x)
Pentium IV 3.0 Ghz processor (socket 478)
1 Gig of RAM

I'll probably get my dad another gig of RAM for his birthday but what videocard should my mother get? I found this 7600GS that seems to fit pretty well. I also found a 7800GS but that's a little too expensive and it might be a bit too mighty for my dad's rig.

Any suggestions? Bear in mind: it has to be an AGP card.

 

[[RnL]Stefan]

the 7800gs will just do for that rig, as long as its AGP. its still fast enough.

 

[Shakermaker]

the 7800gs will just do for that rig, as long as its AGP. its still fast enough.

But won't it be a bit too much for his processor and / or motherboard? Those are about two to three years old.

 

[Keane]

Here's a 7800GS that's a lot cheaper. Plus it has better reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143046

 

[Hazar]

8800 gtx should be good

 

[giant384]

8800 gtx should be good

he only has agp

 

[Hazar]

O Rly

 

[hungryduck]

7600gs or 7800gs would be best.....

 

[The Brick]

There's no newegg here in holland

I think a 7600GS is a good deal, but the x1950pro is soon coming in AGP form as well. I don't know what it's gonna cost, but it's gonna be the fastest AGP card available.

 

[hungryduck]

wow.....x1950pro in AGP? That would do the trick...

 

[Shakermaker]

A X1950Pro probably wouldn't fit. Too big and too hungry on the power.

I'll think I'll go for the 7600GS by BFG. It's a bit more expensive than that eVGA card (€140 vs €160) but it's a lot more value. Higher clock speeds, 512MB vs 256MB and it's a brand I trust.

 

[[RnL]Stefan]

those 512mb cards are a waste of money, go for 256mb cards, since this pc will not last long enough to play games that require such a large amount of video ram.

also its pretty slow (128bit - 420mhz), so the 512mb won't be of any real use. the 7600gt has more than 420mhz (~600+ mhz) and a twice as fast bus (256mb) for only a few more bucks.

fewer but faster ram > more but slower ram

 

[The Brick]

And I wouldn't be surprised if it takes less power from the psu, it's a new 80nm chip, so it's more stable and requires less power and produces less heat. Though you should probably get the 7600GS, it's a good idea. Either from BFG or eVGA. They are both a good deal. And Stefan, it has the same memory speed, though the core has been overclocked a liiiiiiiiitle bit (420mhz instead of 400). Personally I'd go with the cheaper eVGA one. There's no advantage over the BFG model.

 

[Shakermaker]

I looked for a 7600GT AGP card since that would be better but I couldn't find any over here in the Netherlands. So I'll probably go for the BFG 7600GS 'cause that's the only card that I can get for sure. The shop where I wanted to get the eVGA card can't promise me they'll have it by saturday.

 

[The Brick]

Then the BFG one would be good.

 

[Shakermaker]

Then the BFG one would be good.

Well, my dad has a GF5600XT atm so anything will be better