Is upgrading worth it?

[pbsuds]

I have an older Dell 4550 2.5Ghz 1 gig ram with a GeForce Ti 4200 64mb card. AGP is also my only option, no PCIe. Surprisingly, I am just starting to notice performance issues in more recent games. Not a hardcore gamer, but Civ4 slows once lots of cities show up, and Star Wars Galaxies plays, but really nothing more than acceptable. A new computer is not in the budget. Now, more RAM is obvious, but will I get noticeable results with one of the newer, top rated AGP cards, or am I just trying to shine a turd? Thanks in advance.

 

[BassBomb]

Don't get something high end or you will pay a premium.

Try to find something like a used 6600GT

 

[panfist]

You will notice a HUGE performance increase with a new AGP video card. The only reason I might hold back from upgrading is that any AGP card you buy now won't be able to migrate to whatever new system you might try to put together in a year or two.

But seriously, if you drop $50 on a used card you will get AMAZING gains. I don't know the AGP market very well but I'm guessing for a $100 upgrade you'll be able to play SWG at maxed out settings, silky smooth framerate.

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The difference in graphics quality you get for under $100 will be something like going from a nintendo 64 to a Wii. That's just an estimation but I used to have a ti4200 128MB in a computer with a 2.4ghz p4, so that setup was very similar to what you have.

Basically...you're not polishing a turd. If you upgrade, you won't be disappointed. Just make sure your power supply is good enough, or add on an extra $50.

 

[daveybrat]

This Asus Geforce 7600GS 256MB AGP card is really about the only thing i'd put in that machine.

ASUS N7600GS SILENT/HTD/256M GeForce 7600GS 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail

For $84.99 it should be a huge boost over a Geforce4 card. A complete system upgrade would be a much better option of course, but seeing as you said you can't afford that right now, this would be a decent option for the games you mentioned.

 

[pbsuds]

I appreciate the feedback...thanks all

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

ati 3850 is the fastest agp card on the market rt now:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...=Radeon+HD+3000+series

 

[pbsuds]

Uggh..started to get all jazzed up on a new card and more RAM to buy myself another year or more out of this box, but I just realized the max on my motherboard IS 1 gig RAM. I think I'm just gonna pout and save up 'till I can justify the expense of a whole new setup. This is otherwise a good computer and I'm mostly a console gamer, anyhow.

 

[MrUniq]

Radeon HD 2600 PRO or XT..

 

[betasub]

pbsuds is probably right to hold off if his system is so limited in terms of upgrades - and very little on that system is likely to carry over to a new build. However dropping 50-100 on a used AGP card might be worthwhile if it's to provide gaming for the rest of the year, YMMV.

 

[pugh]

Speaking of a greatly cared for 6600gt.. I have one that i stopped using due to upgrading . If you are interested shoot me a PM. Was a great card for me.

 

[Denithor]

The 6800XT is a neutered card (only 8 pixel pipelines), not worth the cash.

x1650pro $65 after MIR

HD 2600pro $77 after MIR

Either of these cards will yield a much better gaming experience than your current card at a lower price than the other options presented so far (these are both better & cheaper than the 7600GS and/or 6800XT). The 2600pro is about 20% faster than the x1650pro and is priced about right for this improvement. It also features better video offload capability than the x1650pro if this is a factor for you.

 

[MrUniq]

If he's not a heavy gamer his system is still adequate..he prob just needs a cheap ddr2 stick along with what Denithor suggested and he is good to go. Geforce 6 is great..but IMO there are far superior options at low price points now.