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[sonicfan]

OK, its time. I've got a 2.5 year old compaq with a Geforce 2Mx 64, 512M DDR, P4 1.8Mz, Intel MOBO. Not exactly a gaming rig, but it was pretty good for its time. However, with a decent new card, it should play some of the new games coming out.

First, I'm going to have to upgrade the Power supply, it has a pathetic 235W, I'll put in a 400W at least.

Now for the cards,

First choice:

ATI 9800 pro AGP, 128 megs ram. I can get it for $179.99 after rebate right now at Best buy.

2nd choice:

PNY Geforce FX 5900XT 128 Megs, I can get it on sale right now at Circuit City for the same price.

3rd choice: (really a tie for 2nd)

Visonek radeon 9600XT, 256 Megs. $169.99 after rebate at CC.

The 9800 pro clearly is the best, but I wonder about heat, sound, and (potentially) having to take up an extra slot in the case.

Anything else to consider? Is the system powerfull enough to take advantage of the 9800?

Thoughts? Comments?

 

[Bregor]

9800 Pro

 

[Dagless M.D.]

I have a similar rig to you and I picked up the 9800pro, you wont be dissapointed with it.

 

[Deg]

There was a thread earlier about the exact same cards. The 9800 PRO is the best choice for that price range.

 

[sonicfan]

Thanks.

I have a similar rig to you and I picked up the 9800pro, you wont be dissapointed with it.

Does the 9800pro take up a slot or a bunch of room? How about the heat and noise?

 

[Shompola]

9800 pro is pretty small. it isnt much bigger than a 9600 pro. its single slot and has molex connector. dont forget to connect the molex lol.

 

[Tabris]

Definitely upgrade PSU.

I would suggest invest in a 9600 Pro instead, and spend the rest on a new mobo and cpu. Like go with something cheap but solid, like a Athlon 2500+ Barton.

Then upgrade the ram (to PC3200) and case later on. Until you upgrade your case (with an extra fan), maybe think about leaving the case off. Those Athlons get pretty hot.

 

[Slo]

Definitely upgrade PSU.

I would suggest invest in a 9600 Pro instead, and spend the rest on a new mobo and cpu. Like go with something cheap but solid, like a Athlon 2500+ Barton.

Then upgrade the ram (to PC3200) and case later on. Until you upgrade your case (with an extra fan), maybe think about leaving the case off. Those Athlons get pretty hot.

I disagree. Buying a 9800 pro will turn that PC into a decent to good gaming PC. Upgrading everything to a 2500 Barton and a 9600 pro will be much more expensive and you'll still only have a decent gaming PC.

 

[sonicfan]

!@#!%$#! Compaq.

I went and got a new power supply, but my crappy Compaq uses a non-standard one, so I can't replace it, except by spending big $$$ from Compaq.

Soooo, I went and got an ATI 9600XT with 128 megs. It doesn't need an external power supply, and seems to run fairly cool so and quiet so far. Not the power of the 9800pro, but a still a big improvement. The crappy thing is, I spent MORE for it than I would have on the 9800pro. But it does work.

 

[Teknopathetic]

Leaving the case off a computer is NOT a good idea, causes poor ventilation and air flow which eventually means heat related crashes.

 

[Izzy]

9800 Pro. But you've already made your mind.

 

[DCX]

I have a Athlon 2500 XP Barton, 512MB RAM PC2700, on board audio and a RADEON 8500, how can i upgrade my sound and video that won't break the bank.

DCX

 

[Deg]

I have a Athlon 2500 XP Barton, 512MB RAM PC2700, on board audio and a RADEON 8500, how can i upgrade my sound and video that won't break the bank.

DCX

Video isnt that expensive. 8500 is nothing now. Get a 9800 Pro

Sound depends on what you want? Do you want 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 , 7.1?

 

[Slo]

Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - OEM
	
$82.00

Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS PCI Sound Card, Model "SB0350" -RETAIL
	
$87.99
		
	
SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800 PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK
	
$198.00
			
  	Extended Warranty Coverage
  	Extended Warranty: 	$0.00
	Product total:  	$367.99
  	Shipping & Handling:  	$ 0.00
  	Total (Before tax):  	$ 367.99

 

[Shompola]

I have a Athlon 2500 XP Barton, 512MB RAM PC2700, on board audio and a RADEON 8500, how can i upgrade my sound and video that won't break the bank.

DCX

get yourself a 9600 PRO for 100USD or so or 9800 PRO for twice that. Both are good choices.

 

[AirBrian]

What are the power requirements for the 9800 pro?

Also, can anyone tell me the main differences between the 9600 XT and 9800 pro? (In layman's terms.)

One more thing, what's the deal with Visontek 9600XT? Why is it cheaper than the Radeon 9600XT?

(Excuse my video card ignorance.)

 

[DCX]

Video isnt that expensive. 8500 is nothing now. Get a 9800 Pro

Sound depends on what you want? Do you want 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 , 7.1?

Well i have a 2.1 speaker system but i don't want to surpress myself, 5.1 sounds good.

DCX

 

[ravingloon]

It would be nice to see the performance differances between the 9600XT and Radeon 9800 Pro with that processor.

Because if they were fairly similiar, the 9600XT was the 1st card that was done on ATI's new production procedure. Much more efficient from a power needs point of view (Which I would assume also means it's cooler. Which is probably a really big bonus for a Compaq.)

Obviously the 9800Pro is the best card in that price range, but given your case and specs, the 9600XT has some appeal.

P.S. I'm going to assume you're computer literate and know that that Compaq model has an AGP slot (and the Geforce isn't built-in to the mobo).

 

[ravingloon]

Well i have a 2.1 speaker system but i don't want to surpress myself, 5.1 sounds good.

DCX

You can get an Audigy 1 for 48.00 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=29-102-166&DEPA=0

Or Audigy 2 for 78.00

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=29-102-158&DEPA=0

 

[Late Stage Marxist]

We should have a sticky thread that simply states: get the 9800 pro.

 

[Deg]

Well i have a 2.1 speaker system but i don't want to surpress myself, 5.1 sounds good.

DCX

You need speakers to compliment your card of course for 5.1 I love having 5.1 sound myself on my pc.

 

[DCX]

i don't have the space for 5.1 spks.

DCX

 

[teepo]

Leaving the case off a computer is NOT a good idea, causes poor ventilation and air flow which eventually means heat related crashes.

explain!!

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Leaving the case off a computer is NOT a good idea, causes poor ventilation and air flow which eventually means heat related crashes

That's bullsh!t. First of all, air flow is dictated by the case and fan assortment. Intake, exhaust etc...

Leaving the case off will lower the temps in most cases.

 

[goodcow]

Can somebody tell me the 3.3, 5, and 12V amp ratings for the Radeon 9800 Pro? (for the power supply)

I'm not sure if my new 350W power supply is going to be able to handle this...

3.3 - 20A
5 - 32A
12 - 16A

3.3
---
3.0 (motherboard)
3.0 (VGA)
0.5 (sound)
0.4 (ethernet)



5
-
2.0 (motherboard)
16.0 (RAM)
0.5 (sound)
0.4 (ethernet)
0.8 (hard drive)
0.8 (hard drive)
0.8 (hard drive)
1.2 (CD-RW)
1.2 (DVD)
0.5 (USB)
0.25 (keyboard)
0.25 (mouse)
1.6 (firewire)



12
--
9.707813 (processor)
0.3 (motherboard)
0.25 (fans)
2.0 (hard drive)
2.0 (hard drive)
2.0 (hard drive)
0.8 (CD-RW)
1.1 (DVD)

 

[tenchir]

We should have a sticky thread that simply states: get the 9800 pro.

IAWTP.

Anyway, I am currently using a 300W PSU for my Radeon 9800 Pro. Before that, it work on my brother's computer which had 250W PSU. Also, when I built a computer for my friend, he wanted those miniPC, so I bought him a SN45GV2 with Athlon 2800+, 512MB, and Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB.... there was no problem considering it had 220W PSU instead of 250W it was suppose to come with.