A question on video cards..

hermiit · 07-04-2005, 12:36 AM

I had ordered a BFG-GeForce 6200 as my old Geforce ti 4400 is getting pretty dated and I wanted to play battlefield 2.

Anyhow, it's been backordered so during this time I actually got to reading my motherboard manual, you know just to make sure it will work(like I probably should of done before I ordered it). Anyhow, all it says is that I need to make sure it supports +1.5v agp cards. How do I tell what cards are that and what are not? The card says it needs agp 2.0.. by now I'm a little confused, as I don't know how to tell what my motherbord supports, and the card doesn't say anything about +1.5v. So I figured I'd ask while it's still on backorder and still have time to cancel it if it's something that wont work on my motherboard.

Fozzik · 07-04-2005, 10:05 AM

You're good to go.

AGP started with version 1, which was 1x AGP (266MB/s) at 3.3 volts. Version 2.0 came along, and allowed for 2x AGP at 3.3 volts, as well as 2x and 4x AGP at 1.5 volts. AGP version 3 is 8x at 0.8 volts.

So basically, the motherboard manual is telling you that it needs to be an AGP 2.0 card at the least, either 2x or 4x AGP. Current cards should all be backwards compatible at least one step, so although it might say 8x AGP on the box, it should work just fine at 2x or 4x AGP, and it should work fine with 1.5 volts.

Jave · 07-05-2005, 06:08 PM

Quote:

I had ordered a BFG-GeForce 6200 as my old Geforce ti 4400 is getting pretty dated and I wanted to play battlefield 2.

The 6200 is getting to be a tad old in the tooth itself. Why not upgrade to a newer card, such as the 6800, which can be had for around $200-$500?

Fozzik · 07-05-2005, 06:39 PM

Not everyone wants (or has the ability to) spend $200-$500 on a single component.

Jave · 07-06-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Not everyone wants (or has the ability to) spend $200-$500 on a single component.

True, however I was going on the assumption that if someone was posting on this site, then they are at least mildly interested in playing Vanguard. I am nearly positive that Vanguard will require a card with a bit more punch then a 6200

Fozzik · 07-06-2005, 05:06 PM

"Punch" is relative. One person might be completely happy with spending what they spend, and playing games at 1024x768 with options turned down. Another person might not. Vanguard will work on the 6200... certainly not with the options cranked up at high res and frame rates, but it will work.

With MMORPG's it becomes even more relative, since many people totally forget the graphics before too long in a game with good gameplay. For instance, I would be much more willing to turn down some options to improve my frame rate on a raid in EQ than I would in Doom3.

That said, it is true that people shouldn't expect to get cutting-edge performance from a budget graphics card. Going into any purchase with an understanding of what you're getting for your money is important. If hermitt can consider a higher priced card, it's true that really solid performance in Vanguard will probably require some pretty fancy hardware.

Raya · 07-06-2005, 07:13 PM

Good answer, Fozz. And even I understood it

hermiit · 07-09-2005, 12:28 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. Yeah, I am interested in vanguard(of course). I had considered buying a better card, and would of course really like to, but I honestly can't afford it. My price range is probably about 100-250.. and 250 is really stretching what I can afford. So I'm going to be stuck with a lesser card no matter what I do I'm afraid

Fozzik · 07-09-2005, 08:19 AM

Oooh!

If you have a price range of $100-$250, you can do better than the 6200. I guess if you already ordered it, just ignore what I write next. lol

For around $160, you can get a 6600GT, which is much more powerful and actually a pretty kick-ass card for gaming, one of the best values out there right now.

Jave · 07-13-2005, 01:06 PM

X800

$250, and 10 times the card the 6200 is. I am a bit partial, I purchased a very similier card