[KappaWing]

I use a GeForce4 Ti4200 128mb and I think its time for an upgrade. I'm planning to upgrade to a GeForce7800 or 7900 512 mb, But my CPU isnt compatible with the newest graphics cards. I need a PCI port or something like that. I'm looking for a top-end CPU that is PCI(?) compatible to last me several years. Any sugesstions? 

[Dranon]

actually, you need a new motherboard...

Look around, there are still AGP video cards out there, although probably not for the 7900's.

If you were to upgrade, you would need new motherboard and new vid card, and depending on what cpu, possibly a new cpu...


New vid cards use PCI Express as the graphics card slot.

[CP5670]

A CPU that's PCI compatible? Do you mean motherboard?

There are no decent high end AGP cards anymore. The few still out there are so overpriced that you would spend less buying a PCIE card and a PCIE motherboard to go with it.

[phatosealpha]

If he's running an athlon XP, then it's sort of incompatible, in that you can't get PCI-e mobos for Socket A, right?

[aldo_14]

A CPU that's PCI compatible? Do you mean motherboard?

There are no decent high end AGP cards anymore. The few still out there are so overpriced that you would spend less buying a PCIE card and a PCIE motherboard to go with it.

Doesn't necessarily have to be high end AGP, though, just better than his current card.  I'm in the same situation, myself

[CP5670]

He said he wanted a GF 7 series card though. The best thing you can still get on AGP that isn't a ripoff is the 6600 GT.

If he's running an athlon XP, then it's sort of incompatible, in that you can't get PCI-e mobos for Socket A, right?

If it's a higher end XP, putting it on ebay is a great option. Those command top dollar over there and will easily cover the purchase of an A64 and often even a motherboard too. I guess anything lower would probably have a considerable CPU bottleneck with a GF 7 card anyway.

[Mefustae]

I recently upgraded from a GeForce Ti4200 myself to a GeForce 6600GT 256Mb, which is a pretty big damned improvement for only AU$250. I'd recommend you get that.

[GodisanAtheist]

Good combination is an Asus A8N5X (or the A8N-32X if you want Crossfire or some other variant of asus if you want SLI) and an Athlon 64 3700+ or A 64 X2 4000+.

You're better off waiting right now though. Intel and AMD are lining up their new chip and board sets, and its going to be all out war (meaning dirt cheap prices for the consumer). When Intel launches its Conroe core design, you can either get the most powerful consumer CPU ever released, or you will be able to pick up an extremely competative A64 X2 4800+ proc for dirt cheap (that's what I'm waitng for anywhoo).

And you're looking for a board with PCI-E support, not PCI (totally different).

Hold off on the videocards too, since Microsoft Vista will launch with Direct X 10 support (current cards support up to 9.0c), so you can either buy a current gen card for cheap or a DX 10 card to be up to date.

Just hold off on the upgrade until around september this year and you'll be very happy. Hell, or upgrade now and be very happy, but don't complain.