Tech Advice Please!

[Virago]

I read a topic about 128bit vs 256bit, still a bit confused on that. I'm trying to decide on weather a HIS x1650 GT 128bit, 512 mb 24 pipeline; is better than my BFG 6800 Ultra OC 256bit. What started out as no money for a new system, now has become a quest to see what I can get out of my old 2002 AGP Dell 4600. I've done alot of other things, even upgraded the cpu; and of coarse added the BFG 6800 Ultra OC, its 256 mb. My 6800 ultra has like over 100 million more transistors, than the 1650 GT 512mb. My 6800 ultra is 16 pipelines with 2 processors each, but the 1650 GT has 24 pipes. Cant find the 1650 GT on Tom's hardware, just the Pro, and the XT. Really just dont know enough about bits, transistors, and the like. To give a direct question, I will ask out right: Is the HIS x1650 GT 512 mb card, better that my BFG 6800 Ultra OC 256 mb card? Both are GDDR 3

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161205

http://www.nvnews.net/previews/geforce_6800_ultra/index.shtml

http://www.nvnews.net/reviews/bfg_geforce_6800_ultra_oc/index.shtml

I thank you all for any time spent helping me out on this!!!!

Virago

[fivefeet8]

The 6800 ultra has over 10 gbytes more memory bandwidth than the x1650gt you listed there. The x1650gt was actually an unofficial product from ATI and it's performance is lower than that of the x1650xt which by itself was marginally faster than the 6800 ultra(stock).

The x1650gt does have more memory though and for the latest games, 256megs is pushing it a bit. Neither cards can really use AA/AF in the newest games though, but the extra bandwidth of the 6800 ultra may help if you like to use some level of AA/AF.

I think both cards may be fairly even in terms of general performance. The x1650gt does have better Video features if you're into that though.

[CaptNKILL]

I think fivefeet is probably right. There wouldn't be much difference between those two cards.

If you're stuck on AGP and the rest of your specs are still reasonable (at least a 2Ghz Athlon 64 or 3.2Ghz P4) there isn't a whole lot you can get for a significant performance boost but this 7900GS is a pretty good buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174

Here is a review that covers most of the recent chips that are available in AGP:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/radeon_hd_2600_performance_preview/page13.asp

If you could find a 512Mb 7900 series AGP card of some sort you'd be set for a while, but the price would probably be outrageous ($200+ for 2 year old technology).

If the rest of your specs are weak, don't bother. It'd be much more cost effective to save up for a shiny new PCI-Express system.