GPU question
 

Just looking for a videocard, and I keep coming across NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS AGP 512MB DDR2, and almost every time it is cheaper than 6800. Is there a significant flaw to that card, or why would it be cheaper than 6-series?
Thanks

ddr2 is slower than ddr3. something to take into account. i have the 6600 gtoc which while only having 128mb the speed of the ddr3 allows me to play every single game, although many not on high settings. i wouldn't not upgrade an agp card to anything other than the 7800 unless you have a really bad card. but thats just my nonprofessional opinion. i believe i've seen the 7800 on newegg for a little over 200…

I can't recommend getting a 512 MB RAM budget card, as currently very few games need enough video memory for there to be an FPS increase compared to identical 256 MB RAM cards.

According to Tom's Hardware Guide the GF 6800 GT is the superior card in most of the games. Generally though, the times the 7600 GS wins, it's when both cards have unplayable FPS. One step up is the 7600 GT which quite clearly wins in all categories among all three cards. A rather big step up (performance-wise) is the 7800 GS, which will probably give you the most bang for your buck if you can get it for around $200 as Curious suggested.

Since the 7800 GS seems to be both the best and last AGP card available from Nvidia it will probably allow you to hold out the longest without getting a new motherboard as well.

I think 7600GS is decent card. You are not saying from which card you plan to upgrade. Anyway, I have to agree with KazikluBey on that it is really good for nothing to go for 512MB version of such card. 256MB should be enough and should be bit cheaper.

You should spend the ~$/EUR 50.00 difference for a 7600GT AGP rather than a 7600GS. The 7600GT is almost as fast (and sometimes even a little faster) as a 7800GS and it seems like the availability of 7600GT AGP cards has finally improved (just checked a German online retailer and they got Gainward and XFX models in stock).
The 7600GT only has a memory - GPU bandwidth of 128 Bit while the 7800GS has 256 Bit but the 7600GT is making up for the difference by means of its much higher core and memory clocks.

In the graphics card chart I linked to, the 7800 GS was significantly better in almost every game/graphics setting (and never worse than the 7600 GT), the difference between a 7600 GT and the 7600 GS was much smaller.

Naturally your own results will invariably vary, unless your setup is identical to the one used by THG, but the general pattern should stay the same.

Yes but -unless I'm blind- THG's chart only lists the GSa = Golden Sample (probably Gainward or XFX Extreme Edition) 7800GS which has much higher clock settings of the GPU and memory than the "regular" 7800GS. Those extreme editions of the 7800GS are actually 7900GTs for AGP(!)

The card that THG is listing as a 7800GS also has 512MB GDDR3 instead of the usual 256MB GDDR3 for a 7800GS.

That card on THG costs over ~EUR 320.00. Regular 7800GS cards sell at ~EUR 249.00 and the 7600GT sells at about ~EUR 179.00.
I was obviously talking about a regular 7800GS and not the "monster" 7800GS (=7900GT for AGP) that some manufacturers are offering ;) .

Here are some reviews that support my earlier statements, i.e. a 7600GT being almost as fast or even faster than a (regular) 7800GS:
- http://www.trustedreviews.com/graphi…-Group-Test/p1
- http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles…031&cid=3&pg=4
- http://xtreview.com/review140.htm

KazikluBey, thanks, that chart explained much. I'm upgraiding from an office card, and I'm in on a rather tight budget right now- that is why I'm trying to get something at around 200$. I'm mostly looking on eBay- and there is a new NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS AGP 512MB DDR2 for 200$ including shipping charges. I had a wonderful 6800 Ultra overclocked to (Core Clock) 425MHz- but it fried. So, I reckon 7600 GS won't be any good for G3? The only game I'm planning to devote my free time to in the near future… I have 2G of RAM and 2GHz processor.
Oh, yeah, another thing- how cautious one has to be when it comes to overclocked cards? Evidently mine burnt, but many people told me that overclocking was an unlikely cause.

Ah, yes. Guess I'm the blind one. ;) Only looked so far as the GS, and missed the + and 'a'.

Another nifty article on THG lists the "best video cards for your money" as of November 2006. According to both that article and the previous chart X1950 Pro is a better card than 7600 GT. I checked a Swedish price comparison site, and the cheapest X1950 Pro (for AGP) cost a bit less than $200 (and the others a bit above), if you convert the currency.

Edit: I have neither experience nor any knowledge when it comes to overclocking graphics cards.

somewhat superstitiously, I'm trying to stay away from ATI cards- had quite a few bitter experiences. Trying my best to get a GeForce… unless I get a really good deal on ATI

this is what i was referring to…if i had the money.
you might want to check this one out in detail. i'm pretty sure this is the best agp card you can get thats not at least 100 more. i'm really satisfied with my current bfg card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc…82E16814143046

oh and one thing important you want to check before buying a new card is that you have enough power supply!

(/big tag added by me)
You´re limited by the slow CPU. It won´t be able to feed a fast graphics card. Don´t waste your money, a mainstream card with SM3.0 will be enough.

Well I think 7600 GS is mainstream or is it not? The times are really changing what was once mainstream might be lower end quite soon…

Yes, the GF x6xx series are the "mainstream" value cards, x8xx and x9xx are the performance series and the x3xx real budget cards.

Thank awfully

I suppose it's either 6800 ultra or GT is my choice.

Thanks again