Help about video cards...

[Pleasing05]

I'm sorry if the topic was already done, ive searched the site and no topics arised.

Ok, I've got 4 questions:

1. Which is better, a Geforce FX 5500 256mb or ATI Radeon 9550 256mb? Will they run on an AGP 4X slot? BTW I have an Asus P4V533 w/ AGP 4x that supports 3.3V and 1.5V. I've researched the Radeon's compatibility and it says that it supports AGP 2X, 4X and 8X with 3.3V, 1.5V and 0.8V respectively. Does that mean it automatically reconfigure itself when I put it on my computer?
2. I can't find the Nvidia's stats, so does it run on AGP 4X with 1.5V or 3.3V option or does it only support AGP 3.0?
3. Is this upgrade worth it? I curretly have GeForce 4 MX440 (yeah yeah I was a noob buying that piece of trash)
4. Concerning pixel shaders, can these two run pixel shader 3.0 games and above? (the motive of the question is to find out how long it takes before no games can be compatible to the card, even at minimum settings)

Concerning these questions, I am aware that:
1. the cards will cause a bottle neck to my PC.
2. I can't find a motherboard with AGP 8X that has a socket compatible with my P4 2.0 Ghz. Anyways can someone tell what socket is my P4 2.0 GHz?
3. I do not have enough money to buy the processor that comes if I buy a new motherboard. I'm still a college student and have no income whatsoever except allowance savings.
4. I badly need the new video card to run the new games I received from my birthday. They all require pixel shader support.
5. Its my first post in this thread... Hi guys

All help will be greatly appreciated...
Thanks guys

 

[TimeParadoX]

Ok, I've got 4 questions:

1. Which is better, a Geforce FX 5500 256mb or ATI Radeon 9550 256mb? Will they run on an AGP 4X slot? BTW I have an Asus P4V533 w/ AGP 4x that supports 3.3V and 1.5V. I've researched the Radeon's compatibility and it says that it supports AGP 2X, 4X and 8X with 3.3V, 1.5V and 0.8V respectively. Does that mean it automatically reconfigure itself when I put it on my computer?

2. I can't find the Nvidia's stats, so does it run on AGP 4X with 1.5V or 3.3V option or does it only support AGP 3.0?

3. Is this upgrade worth it? I curretly have GeForce 4 MX440 (yeah yeah I was a noob buying that piece of trash)

4. Concerning pixel shaders, can these two run pixel shader 3.0 games and above? (the motive of the question is to find out how long it takes before no games can be compatible to the card, even at minimum settings)

1. ATI Radeon 9550 256mb will beat the crap out of the GeForce FX 5500 because it's a more recent card while the 5500 is still pretty old, Do you have 4x/x8 AGP or x2/x4? When you put the card into your system and install it right then it should work, If you need help with setting it up you know where to ask!

2. the nVidia stats I cant find either but you could try www.newegg.com and see if you find it there

3. Yes, It's worth the upgrade because the card is pretty cheap ( the ATI card ) and is still pretty good with the stuff it has, You could save a few dollars and get this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814195027 it's better then the 9550 and runs pretty good

4. The card I listed can run 2.0 games no problem but newer games like Oblivion & F.E.A.R you would have to get this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150157 ( nVidia ) or this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102069 ( ATI )

The ATI one is probably the better between the two, my Friend has the ATI card and can run Oblivion no problem at medium-high and good resolution


Hope I helped and answered your questions!

Also the question about your Processor is that it is a Socket 478, you should get this ATX Intel mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131527 and if you already have the CPU from your old machine you could just use that ( make sure to get a CPU fan to fit Socket 478 and get some Thermapaste from your local computer store! )

Also be sure that your case can fit a Normal ATX motherboard and not hold something like MicroATX or BabyATX because it wont fit, If you know what case you have then give me the name and i'll look and see if it holds ATX

 

[Pleasing05]

Time Paradox, I have a 2X/4X motherboard. Will ATI still run?
Oh ok ATI is better. Thanks for the tip bro
My case is normal ATX btw.
EDIT: another question: will the radeon 9550 still run the Oblivion and FEAR game? Even at the lowest possible setting?
Another edit: searched the boards a little, and found out PSU wattage is important. I've used that calculator thingy and came up with around 255W. My PSU's maximum capacity is 300W. I already have a GeForce 4 MX attached in my PC. Will that be enough wattage to replace the MX440 with the radeon 9550 without wattage problems?
My voltage readings: 12.736, 5.107, 3.232 with the MX440 in the PC
Thanks for your help Time Paradox, greatly appreciated

 

[TimeParadoX]

I think x2/x4 will run x4/x8 because they are just Speeds but you can still run it with a x2/x4 but not at maximum performance

Also I believe the 9550 would run on a 300w PSU since it's not a high end card, It cant run Oblivion & Fear but it will still be able to run games like Half-life 2 and Counterstrike: Source no problem

Plus you could always save up about $200 and upgrade to that mobo I linked and have that x1600pro and run any game ( but DX10 games like Crysis because those need nVidia 8800 or the new ATI card coming out but those are like $600! )

 

[Pleasing05]

Hmm... new games need more than pixel shading 2 support? Problem is that all gaming companies might convert to the next gen graphics, so that means another upgrade might happen. Do you think the card can run most of the new games released in the next two years without having another upgrade?

 

[DonNagual]

I have a 2X/4X motherboard. Will ATI still run?

You'll need to give us your motherboard make/model to confirm. It sounds like your board is AGP 2.0, which means it puts out 1.5v. AGP 3.0 cards (AGPx8) require 0.8v slots, but are backwards compatible. The 9550 card you are looking at will run fine on 1.5v.

99.9% chance it's going to work, but you may as well give us your board make/model just to confirm.

As for what kind of framerates you can expect using various cards, here is some great reading for you:
http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

You'll notice the 9550 card isn't on there. That card is quite dated now, and not designed for today's newer games. You'll be turning down all the game settings to low in order for the game to be playable.

 

[Pleasing05]

OK... Asus X-Series P4V533 Motherboard. It says that it can run AGP 2X and 4X at option 1.5V and 3.3V

 

[DonNagual]

Looks like you should have no compatibility problems then. The 9550 will downgrade and run on 1.5v no problem.

Your only concern now is whether or not your PSU will be up to the task. It's going to be a close call

 

[TimeParadoX]

Yeah, Once you have it all built and everything tell us how it works

 

[Pleasing05]

I still have 50W left with the MX440 included. will the 9550 really take up that much watts?
also, there is a matter of upgrading. If I upgrade, will the card still run games even on very low settings in the next two years? If the 9550 is a bit dated, then maybe it won't be long until I upgrade again to a video card totally not compatible to my system. That's another problem.
What do you guys think? Should I upgrade the video card now or save for a new CPU later?

 

[TimeParadoX]

I thought you already had a Processor? A socket 478, Just get the motherboard I linked: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131527

and pick between these 2 cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102069 ( ATI )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150157 ( nVidia )

Total: $192 ( with the ATI card ) or $199 ( with the nVidia card )

Also you could upgrade your PSU to this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817116001 ( It's not the 700w!! ) and it could hold all these parts, I dont think your PSU you have at the moment can hold a upgrade

 

[Pleasing05]

oh sorry
I got confused with the technician i've met earlier last week.
ok, guess I just have to save first. I only have enough money for one video card, about $80. And I am still in college, so it will take a long tiime since I do not have a part time job.
Thanks for the help guys. You just save me $80 and possibility of another upgrade in the next 10 months.
Thanks again

 

[TimeParadoX]

Well im glad DonNagual and I could help, If you have any questions on computers or on gaming you know where to ask!