Member Avatar for Qwazil

when i bought my computer i got a agp motherboard (BIG MISTAKE)
and now i have been using my old ASUS A9550GE 256mb video card while i look for a good AGP video card
what are some good mid range ones to look at?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by vicec64

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Short, practical guidance for upgrading an AGP system without repeating specific model chatter in the replies.

If sticking with AGP, the three most important checks are slot compatibility, power/cooling, and driver support. Confirm the motherboard’s AGP voltage and supported mode (check the manual or board silkscreen), make sure the PSU has the headroom for the card, and verify the vendor still supplies drivers for your OS. Legacy AGP cards are common only on the used market now, so expect limited warranty and driver updates.

Quick checklist to evaluate any candidate card:

  • Verify physical fit and cooling clearance in the case.
  • Confirm AGP slot voltage and mode against the card specs before buying.
  • Check PSU wattage and whether the card needs a Molex/aux connector.
  • Search vendor legacy driver pages and community forums for stable driver versions for your OS.
  • Ask the seller for a working test (or video) and a short return window if buying used.

Troubleshooting notes if a new AGP card won’t POST or shows artifacts: update the motherboard BIOS, try lowering the AGP mode or disabling AGP Fast Write in BIOS, reseat the card and power connectors, test with another PSU, and install clean legacy drivers (boot to VGA/safe mode first). Softmodding or firmware hacks can sometimes unlock extra performance but carry real risk—only consider them after confirming you can recover firmware and accept voiding warranties.

The long view: migrating to a PCIe platform is the more future-proof route if budget allows. For immediate mid-range gains on the existing board, prioritize cards with solid legacy driver support and known motherboard compatibility. For technical background on AGP versions and bandwidth, see Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP).

Notes on the thread: raised the modding angle (exercise caution), mentioned platform upgrade as a strategic option, pointed toward buying options, and emphasized gaming performance — use those perspectives to set priorities before spending.

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Member Avatar for BamaStangGuy

when i bought my computer i got a agp motherboard (BIG MISTAKE)
and now i have been using my old ASUS A9550GE 256mb video card while i look for a good AGP video card
what are some good mid range ones to look at?

The 6800GT from nvidia should be pretty decently priced and provide great graphics for gaming.

Member Avatar for Dortz

look into the Radeon X800 pro VIVO

make sure it is the VIVO version, it will give you the most bang for your buck, because it is relatively easy to softmod it to a much more powerful XT PE. I have this, and i have no problem playing top end videogames on moderately high settings.

Member Avatar for reezin14

If you look at tigerdirect that have a decent selection of AGP cards at great prices 256mb to 512mb. I seen a x1600 for $109 after mail-in rebate.

Member Avatar for Qwazil

after i posted this thread i had another look at some agp cards,
and i saw a 7800 gs video card which fits agps is it good

Member Avatar for Dortz

I wouldn't recommend it. You get essentially the same performance with the x800 XT PE, for far less, and for even less if you take my route and aren't afraid to mod it.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2686&p=4

as you can see, it's only marginally better than the x800, and it's a solid 150$ more, depending on where you go.

Member Avatar for vicec64

If you have and AMD socket 754-939 system you can easily transition to a PCIe motherboard and open yourself up to a much wider array of video cards -- that way you can have a vast choice of cards thats SM3 capable and later DX10 capability instead of getting stuck with an SM2 spec'ed X800 Pro.

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