PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

[Mr. ADHD]

Hey hey,

I know PCI-E is the "new" technology, so is it worth it to purchase an AGP card? Or will it be awhile before we move to PCI-E?

When will prices drop? So many questions....

ATI Radeon X850 XT PCI-E 700$cdn.
or
ATI RADEON X800 AGP? 400$ cdn

or do I get an interim card? for 200-300 bucks?

[imported_bosx2]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

currently there is no real reason to invest into a new mobo to get pci-e

current AGP cards are still fast enough, even fast enough to run future games

[Mr. ADHD]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

Thanks buddy...I'll buy ya a beer...if you're of age.

[Sniper_13]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

but if you have a couple bucks its nice to invest in a pci e cause most new cards have PCI-e insted of AGP. theyre starting to ditch the AGP. and plus PCi-e u can notice better preformance than AGP

[cha0tic]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

Actually on higher cards AGP versions are more expensive than PCI-e because all new cards are being made for PCI-e and not for AGP, so therefore manufacturers have to include a chip to convert the PCI-e to AGP. Its a good idea to get a PCI-e video card because AGP ports are most likely going to start phasing out in the next couple of years, as they are less efficient and slower than PCI-e.

[DrunkenPirate]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

PCIe systems are fast becoming well established in the PC market and although current AGP cards are indeed fast enough to rn todays titles they will be phased out completely within the next year, even now the 7series will not see an AGP version, the current AGP cards will be the last ones made since the technology can't be bridged to AGP.

I would personally plan for the future and get an above average PCIe system and then build upon it in the future, rather than get a top end AGP system that will but be future proof.

[`danny]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

PCIe systems are fast becoming well established in the PC market and although current AGP cards are indeed fast enough to rn todays titles they will be phased out completely within the next year, even now the 7series will not see an AGP version, the current AGP cards will be the last ones made since the technology can't be bridged to AGP.

I would personally plan for the future and get an above average PCIe system and then build upon it in the future, rather than get a top end AGP system that will but be future proof.

What he said ^

[Slaytanic]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

PCI-e are the best cards out

[tommy]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

Upgrading to PCE-E isn't as simple as that, you see it will mean a new motherboard, new RAM(DDR2(in the case of P4's), new CPU(no point in selling your old gear without a CPU).

PCI-E is indeed the way to go, but you have to ask yourself........Do I need to upgrade yet?
Can I afford to upgrade yet?

If the answer to both questions is 'yes', hell upgrade and I know what I'd buy.

[imported_bosx2]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

well alot of craphic cards already have pci-e AND agp connectors on it! so if you want to be sure to use the card on your next mobo, buy one of these

by the way, the difference by these two cards you listed is "huge" because one is a X850 and the other one onlly a X800! performance wise, its reason to be more expensive

[Ion]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

I'm struggling with this decision..and just can't justify upgrading to a non PCI-e mobo. Sure there are still lots of good cards out there and may be out there for a while...but why not get leading edge stuff for around the same price within the confines of the future of graphics slots?

I see so many great deals on AGP mobo's - bundles galore...fine fine upgrades from what I have now..but it would just speed and nothing more...I'm babbling.

PCI-e for me

[BryanG]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

ATI Radeon X850 XT PCI-E 700$cdn.

Naw dude, I bought x850 xt pe for 520 CAD. Tigerdirect.ca

[[=RDR=] RadoN]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

Go with PCI-E the next chance you get. I bought an AGP Mobo with my Shuttle SN95G5, and I regret it every single day. Because the only upgrade options I have over my X800 XT-PE is the AGP X850, which will not fit in my Shuttle Case. So I will be building a new System the moment ATI, or nVidia released their new Cards.

[DrunkenPirate]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

well alot of craphic cards already have pci-e AND agp connectors on it! so if you want to be sure to use the card on your next mobo, buy one of these

Link me to one of these magical cards please.

[ChopperKill]

Re: PCI-E or AGP, what's worth buying?

Well personally I just bought a second hand 6800GT AGP upgrading from a 9800PRO because I have an XP 3200 and 1.5GB RAM. I got a good deal on the card and I figure the system will be fine for 12-18 months now.

I chose not to upgrade the whole kit now because I am waiting for dual core to drop in price and the new socket M2 is coming out as well. Dual core is pretty much useless for gaming now but by mid-late 2006 it should be coming into it's own and will be relatively cheap. If I bought a 939 single core kit now I would only have to upgrade the whole system again come 12-18 months so by just buying a new AGP card now I figured I saved myself pretty much 1 whole upgrade.

Doing it depends on what system you have now and what you want to do in the future. The rest of your PC seems pretty good so in the long run just doing your card now wouldn't be a bad move.

As for the card. ATi's new cards will be out soon so this will force down the price of the older ones and you will save money if you wait. Although if you're not against Nvidia I'd try and get 6800GT. It's a great card and should last nicely until you do the whole system. Prices are also falling since the 7800's came out.