Yes, it’s another “Which Video Card Should I Buy?” thread. But it’s a little more complicated, as I have some fairly odd parameters which will require the expertise of the pros on this forum. Full system specs are at the bottom of this post.

First, the card must be AGP.

Second, it’s going into a Shuttle PCX System. That means it’s got to be roughly the same size – or a bit larger – than the current card that fits properly, an ATI Radeon 9700. I could go about an inch or so longer, and maybe a half inch higher, but the size issue is a real consideration.

Third, the power capabilities of the system as it exists now are a concern. I have a 200 watt power supply as of now, which operates just fine. I can add a 300 watt version, if needed, and I may anyway.

Fourth, I am not all that worried about DirectX 10. It would be nice, but any next generation game would probably tax my system to the breaking point anyway. So if it’s possible to go DirectX 10 that’s ok, but mainly I’m trying to get the card that will provide the best performance for my current system specs. A nice fast 512 would be cool.

This is for a box I use for games. The ones I’m playing right now are WoW, Half Life 2, and those run well. The game I’d like to play is The Elder Scrolls – Oblivion. Oblivion chokes up quite a bit. It’s playable to some extent, but it’s not a smooth experience. I’m not sweating the cost much, but of course bang for the buck is always good. This is the last card I’ll put in this computer and it’s going to have to last me until I build a new one from scratch.

I await your wisdom, and I thank you for your assistance.

SYSTEM SPECS
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2

> Mainboard : Shuttle FN41V20
> Chipset : nVidia nForce2 IGP
> Processor : AMD Athlon XP @ 2250 MHz
> Physical Memory : 2048 MB
> Video Card : ATI Technologies Inc Radeon 9700/Pro, 9500 Series (R300)
> Hard Disk : WDC (80 GB)
> DVD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4480B
> Monitor Type : Dell Computer DELL 2007WFP - 20 inches
> Network Card : Nvidia Corp nForce MCP-T Networking Adapter
> DirectX : Version 9.0c (November 2006)

<<< Processor >>>
Internal Specification : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2800+
Codename : Thoroughbred

> Video Card : RADEON 9700 PRO
>> General Information
Manufacturer : ATI Technologies Inc (PC Partner Ltd)
Model : Radeon 9700/Pro, 9500 Series (R300)
Bus Type : AGP
Total Memory : 128 MB
Texture Memory : 373 MB
Processor : ATI Radeon Graphics Processor AGP (0x4E44)
Converter : Internal DAC(400MHz)
Refresh Rate (min/max) : 56/75 Hz
>> GPU Information
Number of GPU : 1
Codename : R300
Bus : 256-bit
Memory Type : DDR
GPU Frequency : 297 MHz - [initial : 300 MHz]
Memory Frequency GPU : 290.25 MHz - [initial : 290 MHz]
DirectX Support : 9.0
Pixel Shader Version : 3.0

Audio : EMU10K2 Audio Chipset (SB Audigy Series)

How in the hell does oblivion run on that machine? The computer i put together for my mom it just kills it, her machine is 3200XP(2.2Ghz) and an X1300PRO AGP, with 250W PSU>

Similar specs in respect to yours.

I would suggest for your gaming needs a

7600GT AGP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150210

7600GS AGP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130076

X1600 AGP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103004

these cards are small so you shouldn't have to worry about length

X1950Pro, probably the best agp card you can get:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102071

As for its size...I'm not exactly sure if it'll fit in your case.

Xazax310, what would you think about this one?

http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/pro [...] =163&grp=2

As compared to the 7600GT? I like the 512 memory, and it appears form your post that the PSU would be ok if I get a 300.

I think the larger cards would exceed my max PSU size.

Thanks for responding, still looking for some more thoughts on this.

After doing some research I think I need to rephrase the question originally posed, and instead ask...

What is the best AGP video card I can run with a 300W PSU?

Depends whether it's a quality one or some cheap generic brand. To be on the safe side, don't put anything faster than a 9800XT with that.

A quality one (Fortron, Seasonic, OCZ, XClio) would do with a 7600GS probably.

I LAN with a guy that's running an FX60, 2gb RAM, and an 8800GTX in a shuttle PC with a 350w PS. Barely fitted but he go it in.

the 7600gt would do you fine, you wont be able to run oblivion on max gfx but it will at least be playable, check the length of that card compared to your 9700 though

It doesn't seem to be much longer, if any.

Is there a 512 7600 GT? Obviously I'm trying to get the max video card in a system that will never be upgraded again. It's got to last me for a while though.

What other card might be of interest? I would like whatever I end up with to take a good hard whack at Oblivion.

Hi i like oblivion too and have been through all this myself the 7600gt is a solid card considering the power issue im not sure you can run much more.
Cards like the x1950s are the only ones on agp that you would get realy good frame rates on but they are big and power hungry(sorry i know i couldnt run one either)
I went with a x1650xt which has matching performance with the 7600gt but uses more power and is about twice as fast in oblivion as my old 9800.
The other option is to try and find a x850 i had one of these as well they have raw power ,faster than either the x1650xt or 7600gt but no hddr lighting or sm3
oh and you wont need any thing above 256 imo 512 would be a waste of money.

Hope it helps
Mactronix

Wow mactronix. Great response, thank you.

Could I ask, what is SM3? I have pretty much decided on this -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150210

I am hoping to get a nice boost in Oblivion.

You might be able to get by with this.

It will certainly outperform the 7600GT but I'm not certain about the card's power requirements. If you can find a single slot X1650XT it would be a better buy over the 7600GT for Oblivion.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help with this.

How about this card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814241049

Looks like the top of the line so far. How would this be, both for running Oblivion and in comparison to the 7600GT? I have heard that it will work with a 300 Watt PSU.

While that is the best AGP card you can buy, I seriously doubt it'll run on a 300W PSU. Hell, the X1950pro requires a 400-450W PSU with a minimum of 22-30amps on the 12v rail.