Whats the best ATI 4xAGP video card available?

[TJourd]

I am looking to upgrade my video card as the one I am using is very sluggish. What in the opinion of those with nice cards is the best ATI solution for a older motherboard with only 4x AGP? I will not be building a newer system to incorporate a 8x AGP so 4x is the best I will be going.
ThankX
Dr. Fishy

[MarkG]

Better to get a nVidia...

see our vga guide

http://civilization4.net/3/177/

[Nailfoot]

If you insist on an ATI, the X850 XT-PE is the BEST agp card ever to be made, and since PCI-E is the "wave of the future", I doubt a better AGP card will EVER be made.

[MarkG]

wow, i never spent so much money on a vga card

Radeon X850 Xt 256MB Agp

Radeon X850 Xt Platinum Edition 256 Mb Agp

[xxFlukexx]

Why only ATI?

Well if you must get an ATI, the good ol' 9800pro can probably run civ4 at mid-high settings. But I suggest either grabbing a x700 for a cheap ATI agp card or if you have lots of money, grab a x850 like nailfoot said.

Personally I am loving my nvidia 6800 and I'm on a 4x agp mobo too. 6600GT and 6800 are great mid price agp cards.

MarkG: That's nothing, check out this crazy 512 MB card, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143028

[TJourd]

not to be off topic...

The reason I want an ATI is to have the functionality of Video in and Out which I have used before (I don't just play games with this machine). But one question is still in my mind. Are the cards like the X850 4xAGP only or are they 8X? I have not had time to check them out online this morning, and will do so this afternoon when I come home from work. Money is not the problem...
I built the system back in 2001 nov. and have to build again sometime I just do not have the time right now.
D

[alva]

he good ol' 9800pro can probably run civ4 at mid-high settings.

I run it at highest setting even 4 x AA, no stutter, no lag.

The only map that starts to protest is a huge Terra map in the worldbuilder, that map is really huge though.

[TJourd]

After checking the Pricewatch.com prices for 4XAGP cards I found a "Sapphire ATI Radeon 9550 256MB TV/DVI/2H Video Card " for under $70. Thats what I'm talkin' bout. Thanks for the input all.

BTW the 9800pro is an 8x AGP not 4X AGP

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[Ellestar]

Originally posted by TJourd
BTW the 9800pro is an 8x AGP not 4X AGP

8x AGP video cards are compatible with 4x AGP motherboards.

[PLaci]

Radeon 8500 are AGP 4x

[alva]

Originally posted by Ellestar

8x AGP video cards are compatible with 4x AGP motherboards.

Not only that, it hardly makes a difference.
Big difference between AGP 1 and 2, after AGP 4x it's minimal.

[PLaci]

A screenshot from ati.com:



AGP 8x cards can be inserted into AGP 4x slots, and the AGP 8x cards Radeon 9200/9500/9700 are compatible for AGP 2x slots.

[TJourd]

I've decided on an excellent card...

VisionTek Radeon X850XT PE XTASY
It is 8X but as stated above that will not be a problem for my system at present. Best price online I can find is at Newegg.com (bought stuff there before and have great feelings about doing business with them again. $350 seems like a good price.

[BleckLord]

Dude,

don't you think that's a little excessive for Civ 4. My 9800XT runs Civ4 with highest detail settings.

[TJourd]

Originally posted by BleckLord
Dude,

don't you think that's a little excessive for Civ 4. My 9800XT runs Civ4 with highest detail settings.

I have plans for many other things for this machine in the future including playing another hot title coming up called The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. So the extreme price will take this machine to the next level for that but more so for specialized video in and out, and graphics capabilities also using CADD software.
If I had more information on the usage from people who have had CADD and other usages for the 9800 you mention I might be swayed into a cheaper card and as I could save the money for some other upgrades (much needed) such as a better CPU (1.6 at present, it would be pretty cool.