greymortis
Technical User
I was wondering if a an ATI Radeon 9600XT 256mb graphic card will work with my K7S5A motherboard and a 300W powersupply on XP. I think it will, but I want to be sure before I open the box.
Thanks.
Thanks.
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Graphics card compatibility?
- Thread starter greymortis
- Start date
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ski
Technical User
- Oct 11, 2000
- 2,467
The 9600XT is supposed to be compatible with either AGP 2X(3.3V), 4X(1.5V), or 8X(0.8V), so it should work with your MB's AGP slot which should be AGP 4X.
Your 300W power supply being adequate to run the system with the 9600XT depends on what your system's current hardware configuration is, i.e., CPU, RAM, drives, etc.
If it's inadequate, then the system will most likely experience instability problems, like automatic restarts, etc.
Your 300W power supply being adequate to run the system with the 9600XT depends on what your system's current hardware configuration is, i.e., CPU, RAM, drives, etc.
If it's inadequate, then the system will most likely experience instability problems, like automatic restarts, etc.
- Thread starter
- #3
greymortis
Technical User
Ah right, thank you for your help, that is what I thought.
But just to clarify, I have a SB5.1 livesound card, a LAN card,a dvd drive, a cd writer drive, and a 40gb HDD. I also have a ti4200 running, and the machine works fine. Is a 9600XT still recommended?
But just to clarify, I have a SB5.1 livesound card, a LAN card,a dvd drive, a cd writer drive, and a 40gb HDD. I also have a ti4200 running, and the machine works fine. Is a 9600XT still recommended?
This what I have in one of my systems. K7S5A and Radeon9600XT 256Mb, SBLive Value 5.1, a CD burner and a DVD reader, and two hard disks. I use the on-board LAN. Win98 instead of XP. It works great! Almost no noticeable speed difference with my other machine with the same 9600XT but with an L7S5A2 mobo (333 fsb CPU. The machine works great for games like WoW.
- Thread starter
- #5
greymortis
Technical User
Ah good to hear, so I can open the box then.
Thanks for the help all!
Thanks for the help all!
Not that it's an issue here, but I don't think the card supports AGP 2X at 3.3V. There is another AGP 2X type of slot that runs at 1.5V, which is what the spec supports. As far as I know, the card only supports 0.8V and 1.5V. But again, that doesn't really matter at this point - just wanted to clarify for anyone who might search this thread.
greymortis,
The 9600XT is not absolutely necessary, but would easily outperform the Ti4200 in most benchmarks. Plus, it's DirectX 9.1 certified, which the Ti4200 isn't. It's definitely a step up from what you have, but the money might be better spent towards building a newer system altogether in the near future. You don't want to go too high in the Video region, otherwise other components like your hard drive, RAM, and CPU start to bog down the card's potential.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
greymortis,
The 9600XT is not absolutely necessary, but would easily outperform the Ti4200 in most benchmarks. Plus, it's DirectX 9.1 certified, which the Ti4200 isn't. It's definitely a step up from what you have, but the money might be better spent towards building a newer system altogether in the near future. You don't want to go too high in the Video region, otherwise other components like your hard drive, RAM, and CPU start to bog down the card's potential.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
ski
Technical User
- Oct 11, 2000
- 2,467
This one is listed as being compatible with AGP 2X(3V):
The K7S5A is AGP 4X. The highest AthlonXP with FSB at 266 is 2600 I think. It is still not an underdog.
I have a 9600XT box right in front of me. ATI asks for an 1.5V or 0.8V slot, so AGP 4X or 8X.
If VisionTek uses the same Radeon chip I'd be scared to try it at AGP2X.
I have a 9600XT box right in front of me. ATI asks for an 1.5V or 0.8V slot, so AGP 4X or 8X.
If VisionTek uses the same Radeon chip I'd be scared to try it at AGP2X.
ski,
That is either a misprint or a spec that VisionTek modified. Instead, why not look at ATI's site:
There is no mention of AGP 2X there. So your post about having its support would then depend on the brand you buy, which is still an important thing to mention here.
Also even if VisionTek's card does truly support it, what would be the point of upgrading such a outdated system? It would be like putting a Ferrari's engine in a Ford Pinto.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
That is either a misprint or a spec that VisionTek modified. Instead, why not look at ATI's site:
There is no mention of AGP 2X there. So your post about having its support would then depend on the brand you buy, which is still an important thing to mention here.
Also even if VisionTek's card does truly support it, what would be the point of upgrading such a outdated system? It would be like putting a Ferrari's engine in a Ford Pinto.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
ski
Technical User
- Oct 11, 2000
- 2,467
I agree that I should have mentioned only specific 9600XT cards support AGP 2X.
However, I respectfully disagree with the analogy that installing a 9600XT in an AGP 2X compatible system is "like putting a Ferrari's engine in a Ford Pinto".
There are MB's that have 'Universal AGP' slots which support both AGP 2X and 4X, but that can hardly be considered 'Pintos', i.e., 533 MHz FSB, P4 2.53 GHz, and PC 2700 DDR SDRAM.
This setup will work very nicely with a 9600XT, IMHO.
However, I respectfully disagree with the analogy that installing a 9600XT in an AGP 2X compatible system is "like putting a Ferrari's engine in a Ford Pinto".
There are MB's that have 'Universal AGP' slots which support both AGP 2X and 4X, but that can hardly be considered 'Pintos', i.e., 533 MHz FSB, P4 2.53 GHz, and PC 2700 DDR SDRAM.
This setup will work very nicely with a 9600XT, IMHO.
ski,
First of all, my point was referring to systems that max out at AGP 2x. Those are the "Ford Pintos" I was referring to, and somehow I think you knew that was my intention. Besides, if you truly owned a Universal AGP slot that could run at 3.3v, then why would you when you could take advantage of the faster 4x interface? Simple answer - you wouldn't.
While it is true that the first Universal AGP slots supported both 1.5v and 3.3v, this is not true of newer Intel boards. Starting with the P-III 815e chipset, all the way up to the most current P4 chipsets, none of them support 3.3v. So in your case, you were just referring to the 845 chipset. Here's Intel's take on the AGP slot only supporting 1.5v:
As you'll find for any 845 chipset model on Intel's site, they all say to make sure you use a 1.5v compatible card only.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
First of all, my point was referring to systems that max out at AGP 2x. Those are the "Ford Pintos" I was referring to, and somehow I think you knew that was my intention. Besides, if you truly owned a Universal AGP slot that could run at 3.3v, then why would you when you could take advantage of the faster 4x interface? Simple answer - you wouldn't.
While it is true that the first Universal AGP slots supported both 1.5v and 3.3v, this is not true of newer Intel boards. Starting with the P-III 815e chipset, all the way up to the most current P4 chipsets, none of them support 3.3v. So in your case, you were just referring to the 845 chipset. Here's Intel's take on the AGP slot only supporting 1.5v:
As you'll find for any 845 chipset model on Intel's site, they all say to make sure you use a 1.5v compatible card only.
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
ski
Technical User
- Oct 11, 2000
- 2,467
cdogg,
Even though installing a Visiontek 9600XT(or any other high performance video card that claims to be AGP 2X/4X/8X compatible) on an AGP 2X only system would be considered overkill, it can also be a smart move for those who upgrade individual components.
If a value card were initially installed in lieu of a hi-perf card, and the owner decided to upgrade the system, then the video card would also have to be upgraded to keep up with the other components. Thus, the owner ends up paying for 2 cards.
On the other hand, if a hi-perf card were initially installed in spite of its performance being held back by a slow CPU, FSB, etc., then the owner would possibly end up paying for only one card when the system is upgraded. This assumes that the existing power supply can handle the power requirements of the hi-perf card, and the system is upgraded within a relatively short time frame.
Even though installing a Visiontek 9600XT(or any other high performance video card that claims to be AGP 2X/4X/8X compatible) on an AGP 2X only system would be considered overkill, it can also be a smart move for those who upgrade individual components.
If a value card were initially installed in lieu of a hi-perf card, and the owner decided to upgrade the system, then the video card would also have to be upgraded to keep up with the other components. Thus, the owner ends up paying for 2 cards.
On the other hand, if a hi-perf card were initially installed in spite of its performance being held back by a slow CPU, FSB, etc., then the owner would possibly end up paying for only one card when the system is upgraded. This assumes that the existing power supply can handle the power requirements of the hi-perf card, and the system is upgraded within a relatively short time frame.
- Thread starter
- #14
greymortis
Technical User
Well anyway, the card is running fine in my machine, now time to upgrade the rest of my machine I think.
ski,
I understand the points you've made here, but I think you've had to make too many assumptions. It seems the deeper we go, the more hypothetical the situation becomes.
The point in your last post depends on the length of time until the system is rebuilt. If less than 6 months, then perhaps you would save a few bucks getting the hi-perf card now. But if more than a year, then it would make more sense to get the cheapo card now, since there will be more high-perf options on the table a year or so down the road (not to mention faster in the same price range).
Besides, there is a chance that his/her next rebuild will involve a board that has PCI-Express instead of AGP. You might be stuck with having to sell the high-perf card now, instead of making use of it...
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
I understand the points you've made here, but I think you've had to make too many assumptions. It seems the deeper we go, the more hypothetical the situation becomes.
The point in your last post depends on the length of time until the system is rebuilt. If less than 6 months, then perhaps you would save a few bucks getting the hi-perf card now. But if more than a year, then it would make more sense to get the cheapo card now, since there will be more high-perf options on the table a year or so down the road (not to mention faster in the same price range).
Besides, there is a chance that his/her next rebuild will involve a board that has PCI-Express instead of AGP. You might be stuck with having to sell the high-perf card now, instead of making use of it...
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
Ski
"9600XT" high performance card? low to medium performance in todays market I would have said and around minimum spec to play HL2/FarCry/Doom3 at reasonable frame rates.
What I want to know is, with all this off topic technical muscle flexing, did greymortis get his original question answered?
Yes a 9600XT will work just fine on an ECS K7S5A although (as a side note*)and in our experience, anything higher than a Gforce 4 from the Nvidia range has issues with this particular mainboard.
Martin
We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.
"9600XT" high performance card? low to medium performance in todays market I would have said and around minimum spec to play HL2/FarCry/Doom3 at reasonable frame rates.
What I want to know is, with all this off topic technical muscle flexing, did greymortis get his original question answered?
Yes a 9600XT will work just fine on an ECS K7S5A although (as a side note*)and in our experience, anything higher than a Gforce 4 from the Nvidia range has issues with this particular mainboard.
Martin
We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.
Let me just say as a final note that I'm glad your issue has been taken care of, greymortis.
One of the best things about this site is to be able to have in-depth "professional" discussions, in order to reach more than one conclusion. Sorry if it seemed to get off track there, but the truth is that it will help others that might search on this thread later. After all, it is full-text searchable in a public forum.
Lots of issues were addressed - not just the compatibility one you brought up...
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
One of the best things about this site is to be able to have in-depth "professional" discussions, in order to reach more than one conclusion. Sorry if it seemed to get off track there, but the truth is that it will help others that might search on this thread later. After all, it is full-text searchable in a public forum.
Lots of issues were addressed - not just the compatibility one you brought up...
~cdogg
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884
Greetings,
I to am considering adding a radeon 9600xt to an ecs k7s5a version 1.0. My question is what are the known "issues" that Paparazi had mentioned with this particular hardware combination? Will I be dissapointed? Also, my motherboard is still running what appears to be bios version 1.0. Will this cause a problem? Hopefully not as I'm very nervous about performing a bios flash on my own. I'm currently running incredibly stable with an Athlon XP 1700+, 768mb DDR ram, and a Geforce 2 MX400. I can play some of my favorite's like IL2/Pacific aces at a decent frame rate but will be unable to play a new game called Silent Hunter 3 with an MX series Nvidia card. Thanks for any input or advice.
Sincerely,
Bon
I to am considering adding a radeon 9600xt to an ecs k7s5a version 1.0. My question is what are the known "issues" that Paparazi had mentioned with this particular hardware combination? Will I be dissapointed? Also, my motherboard is still running what appears to be bios version 1.0. Will this cause a problem? Hopefully not as I'm very nervous about performing a bios flash on my own. I'm currently running incredibly stable with an Athlon XP 1700+, 768mb DDR ram, and a Geforce 2 MX400. I can play some of my favorite's like IL2/Pacific aces at a decent frame rate but will be unable to play a new game called Silent Hunter 3 with an MX series Nvidia card. Thanks for any input or advice.
Sincerely,
Bon
- Thread starter
- #20
greymortis
Technical User
As far I can tell with my pc experience, it should as even the 4X AGP works on BIOS v1.0, but I would wait from an answer from one of the more experienced members of this board for a definate answer.
However, do not expect to get full performance from your card, due to the fact that you are running it at 4X. Though I imagine Silent Hunter 3 would run well with this new card.
However, do not expect to get full performance from your card, due to the fact that you are running it at 4X. Though I imagine Silent Hunter 3 would run well with this new card.
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