Alternative Graphics Cards to Upgrade to?

[Biggles]

:confused: Can anyone recommend a SM3.0 AGP card to upgrade to? I've got an ATI Radeon 9800XT. I know it's not exactly new:D , but it does kick ass. The problem is that I want to play BioShock, therefore needa card that supports SM3.0, but I don't want to get a less capable card than my 9800XT. What do you guys recon an acceptable upgrade would be, without breaking the bank?:D

[Sinclare]

Try this:
GECUBE GC- HV195PGA3-D3(R) Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814241041


I'm building a new system and planned on passing my old one down to my son (it has a 9700 PRO...more than enough to run Oblivion on High). I was going to let it ride and get another year out of it but due to this game I reluctantly decided to go ahead and get the above for it. Toms Hardware rates it the best AGP card out there at the moment for the money.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/08/06/the_best_gaming_video_cards_for_the_money/page6.html


I know a lot of people scoff at a AGP system but if you design/build it well with quality componets there still isn't much it can't run on high settings. I've got a good 3-4 years of use out of mine and it still runs like a champ but time to build another :)

It's a shame though that 2k is so arrogant about older but still capable systems, I doubt they will ever get my money again after this. :mad:

[Viz79]

Don't bother yet its inevitable they will patch this game because of the outrage this is causing and an unofficial patch is also in the works. For PS 2.0, you may still be in luck. No way am I upgrading my X850XL which owns most games and is three times faster than its equiv Nividia 3.0 PS card for this game. Its barely 2 years old!

[Biggles]

Thanks guys, I'll probably wait a bit. But I think the 1950 Sinclare recommended is the one I'd choose!!

[garath]

Don't bother yet its inevitable they will patch this game because of the outrage this is causing and an unofficial patch is also in the works. For PS 2.0, you may still be in luck. No way am I upgrading my X850XL which owns most games and is three times faster than its equiv Nividia 3.0 PS card for this game. Its barely 2 years old!

Unfortunately I don't think there will be an official shader 2.0 support patch. Bioshock may be the first game to require shader 3.0, but it won't be the last. Its unfortunate that 2.0 cards are losing support but its inevitable that old technologies will be phased out. Don't see many DirectX 8 cards supported anymore eh?

[pointblank187]

Unfortunately I don't think there will be an official shader 2.0 support patch. Bioshock may be the first game to require shader 3.0, but it won't be the last. Its unfortunate that 2.0 cards are losing support but its inevitable that old technologies will be phased out. Don't see many DirectX 8 cards supported anymore eh?

Nope, not the first game to require it. Splinter Cell: Double Agent required it. I know there are at least a couple others that require it and have come before Bioshock.