Graphics blast from the past...

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Zombie, 3 Jan 2010.

  1. Zombie

    Zombie What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    17 Dec 2003
    Posts:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0
    AGP!

    I'm looking for a 'new' graphics card for my old pc. I rarely play games, this is more of a development machine. I do however run max / photoshop occasionally as well as doing a small amount of 3d development. Unfortunately I need an AGP card. It's really difficult to actually find reviews about them as it's such old tech, can anyone suggest anything with better price/performance than:

    http://www.ebuyer.com/product/185912 (powercolor HD4670 1GB for £70), I currently have a X700 pro but need more memory and dual DVI output.

    Any thoughts would be appreciated.
     
  2. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

    Joined:
    9 Sep 2005
    Posts:
    8,616
    Likes Received:
    197
    the 4650 and 4670 are very nice cards, under XP drivers are easy to install.

    however you hit a snag when it comes to the nforce 3 chipset. What motherboard you got?
     
  3. azrael-

    azrael- I'm special...

    Joined:
    18 May 2008
    Posts:
    3,852
    Likes Received:
    124
    Well, there is this, also at EBuyer.

    Should give you a bit more oomph than a 46xx card, unless you need UVD2.

    EDIT: Don't know if the 512MB is a deal breaker for you.
     
  4. Zombie

    Zombie What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    17 Dec 2003
    Posts:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0
    ABIT ic7 max 3, which I believe is the Intel chipset so all should be well...

    How much more oomph? Obviously, it's an earlier generation card, what would I lose out on other than memory?
     
  5. azrael-

    azrael- I'm special...

    Joined:
    18 May 2008
    Posts:
    3,852
    Likes Received:
    124
    It's significantly faster than any HD46xx model. Of course it also needs more power and cooling.
     
  6. Burnout21

    Burnout21 Mmmm biscuits

    Joined:
    9 Sep 2005
    Posts:
    8,616
    Likes Received:
    197
    personally i would get the 4670. However is it worth throwing £70 into that machine when ebay could turn up a bargin
     
  7. Zombie

    Zombie What's a Dremel?

    Joined:
    17 Dec 2003
    Posts:
    40
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think it's a coin toss between the two. Not a bad call on ebay though - already seen some for a tenner less.
     
  8. MaverickWill

    MaverickWill Dirty CPC Mackem

    Joined:
    26 Apr 2009
    Posts:
    2,658
    Likes Received:
    186
    1GB 4650 for £56

    You could pick up a VGA-DVI converter for a couple of quid, so all in all, under £60?
     
  9. azrael-

    azrael- I'm special...

    Joined:
    18 May 2008
    Posts:
    3,852
    Likes Received:
    124
    I don't think he needs a DVI->VGA converter (you can't go the other way).

    Usually I would have advised to take the same route I did, which was to switch the motherboard with one that has a PEG slot, but since the IC7-MAX3 is a socket 478 board I'm not even sure this would be possible.
     
  10. Elton

    Elton Officially a Whisky Nerd

    Joined:
    23 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    8,577
    Likes Received:
    196
    Ebay: X1900Pros and 7900GS AGPs(and 7950GTs) for under £40.
     
  11. azrael-

    azrael- I'm special...

    Joined:
    18 May 2008
    Posts:
    3,852
    Likes Received:
    124
    Chances are with eBay he gets an oc'ed to death card. I'd be very wary of buying a graphics card off eBay. Also, as far as I recall, the only "7950GT" was the Gainward 7900GS. Gainward wasn't allowed to label it as it was. In any case it's the same GPU. :)
     
  12. Elton

    Elton Officially a Whisky Nerd

    Joined:
    23 Jan 2009
    Posts:
    8,577
    Likes Received:
    196
    I've bought a X1650AGP from ebay for friend works well.

    Just read carefully and you'll be fine.






    And Use paypal. :D:thumb:
     

Share This Page