GeForce 7800 GS

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 18 Mar 2009, 16:07

Anyone have experience with this card? I have an older machine with an AGP interface so as far as I can tell, this card is pretty much the best I can do for AGP compatible graphics cards. It is no longer in production and as far as I can tell, is only available through limited sources.

My system specs are:

P4 2.4
1.25 GB RAM

I guess my question is this: Will my machine handle this card ok? The card itself seems to be a good fit for FS9 and Windows XP with good memory throughput but it appears that I may have to buy it used.

On that note, has anyone else bought a "used" graphics card and if so, did it last or do you regret going the used route?

I don't know that I have much choice as far as upgrading my graphics at this point. I can't afford right now to get a new machine so I'd like to at least put one last upgrade into the current one and get another couple of years out of it. I plan to updgrade the RAM as well but would like to start with the graphics card first.

One final question: Are there currently any new AGP capable cards being produced?

Post by **Firebird** » 18 Mar 2009, 16:45

Mike, my last AGP was the 6600GT and that was fine. As far as I know both Nvidia and ATI stopped producing AGP cards about 3 years ago, only PCI-X now.
There maybe a smaller manufacturer that does AGP cards but that could be fraught with problems.
If you are determined to stay with your steam driven motherboard then I think that card is about the best that you can get, although anything second hand is only going to be as good as the previous owner.
You might be lucky and get one from somebody who knows nothing about PCs and left the card alone, or you could get it from a nerd who has a constant desire for wringing every ounce of performance from it and its on the verge of breaking down. Its a lottery. The only second cards I have ever had are from people I know.

For memory, on XP, you can only really go to 2GB anyway.

ronniegj · Post by **ronniegj** » 18 Mar 2009, 18:49

Not true. I have a 32bit XP system with 4GB of RAM. Only something over 3GB will be reported as there is some overhead (my system reports 3.25GB available).

In spite of that report, I have 4GB of memory installed. Just make sure that the motherboard supports 4GB.

A resuffle of the deck of the solitaire deck happens so fast now that the sound effect file doesn't have time to play, nor is there time for the animation of the cards falling at successful completion of the game before it recycles for next game.

I've not tested FS yet as I'm in the process of upgrading my household to a fully connected WiFi setup with Windows Home Server (a separate computer running the server software) and a Media Interface Unit to connect all my media to the home entertainment gear (streaming movies to the tv. stereo theater sound system, etc).

I have the nVidia 6800GT AGP card with 256 mb on board, which was just below what you are looking at, and it is very good with FS9, but falls short with FSX. As a used card is your only path anyway, and as long as the price is acceptable, I'd say go ahead and give it a try. I bought my card new at around $300, and I've had it for a number of years, and it only disappoints with FSX. Worth the risk. Good luck.

Ron

Post by **Firebird** » 18 Mar 2009, 21:23

You are right Ron, you can install more than 3GB but the 32bit XP system doesn't allow you to use more than 3GB, it utilizes the rest internally. When I was doing research for my own built system, there was a general consensus that there was no proof that 3GB held any advantage over 2GB, for the 32bit system, 4GB for the 64bit system was a different matter.

Due to the nature that most modern motherboards use the twin sticks of similar memory, it therefore seemed to be a complete waste to buy a third GB to then waste it if I went to Vista. So I went with 2 GB with room to upgrade.

In a nutshell, you are absolutely right and maybe I am guilty of being overly simplistic in my last comment. I just tried to avoid adding a long explanation, which I appear to have done now anyway

.

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 18 Mar 2009, 21:29

Firebird wrote:If you are determined to stay with your steam driven motherboard.........

Careful, that's my motherboard you are talking about........

Post by **Firebird** » 19 Mar 2009, 07:10

*hehe*

Dave YVR ATC · Post by **Dave YVR ATC** » 19 Mar 2009, 18:24

I know it's a tough call, but you might want to switch sides and look at the X1950 Pro. It was the fastest card produced for AGP and aimed directly at knocking the 7800series off that spot.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/pow ... efault.asp

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 01 Apr 2009, 22:00

Got the new/used card today. Just a wee bit of improvement over my sub 25 FPS!!

Lots of tweaking to do still but I'm quite pleased as of this moment.

Post by **BadPvtDan** » 01 Apr 2009, 22:05

Nice to see you have things going, Mike. Well done.

Post by **campbeme** » 01 Apr 2009, 22:06

Luke should be a good test for it.

Mark

MIKE JG · Post by **MIKE JG** » 02 Apr 2009, 01:34

I've been testing it at Yuma, the AI still kills it though. All those textures to load really slows things down.

That being the case, I wonder if upping the RAM would make a big difference? I currently have 1.25 GB.

Post by **BadPvtDan** » 02 Apr 2009, 02:09

Memory is cheap man. It can't hurt.