Graphics last videocard for my agp rig...

hi guyz

i really like my nf7-s 2.0 rig. i really do, especially since it took ages to tweak everything right and install the optimal watercooling gear (incl. pretty cool mosfet-cooling ;-)

so heres the specs:
xp-m 2500@4000+ (2.6ghz, 200x13, 1.85v)
1 gig ocz pc3200 2-2-2-5 platinum rev 2.0
9800pro@ 450/355
everything waked with alphacool and heattrap gear

so, elderscrolls: oblivion is ought to get out in about a month, and i wanna play it (and other upcoming eye candy) in a decent style. thus, i am planning to boost my system with one final agp card, before i go for s939/pci-e sometimes next year. (provided, i still got my job next year ;-)

in germany there´s a reseller giving out a x800xt for 250€, with is quite a bargain.
but i wonder if i should go for a nvidia card this time, since upcoming games will probably support sm 3.0, a feature ati cards lack. but for about the same amount of money i could only get a 6800gt (without an o.c. guarantee)
i surfed through a lotta forums lately, and opinions are ambigous. is sm3.0 really a necessity or should i go for the raw power of a x800xt with only sm 2.0+.

the next thing with nvidia is the enormous power consumption. i got a fortron 350w psu with passiv pfc, and 15A on the +12v. i heard rumours that 6800gt, and ocing the 6800gt to 6800ultra niveau and beyond takes a better psu.

anyway, does anyone know if the oc-wonder card x800gto2 vivo is getting out for agp? i heard the pcie version ocs like hell and can easily be flashed to be a proper x800xt.

i am eager to get your guyz 2cents...

thx

cpt.

 

I would personally go for the X800XT, as it is a very capable card. It doesn't require huge amounts of power like the 6800 series does. SM3 isn't really a necessity, especially when you are looking at going PCI-E next year. When games start requiring/using SM3 to run well, the 6800GT will be long gone.

250 Euro is a good price to be getting a X800XT at, so go with it. Also look at the memory type, 1.6ns will give you great overclocking results

(Note: I may be biased because I've just purchased an AGP AIW X800XT... )

 

thx for the input, kreator666

cu