Graphics card recommendation please

[BarryS]

Friend has Dell computer with what appears to be ATI Rage XT video card. they have recently bought a 'Star Wars' game for their children. On trying to play the game, a message appears to the effect that the card doesn't support TnL.

What does the panel suggest as a suitable graphics card (AGP slot, currently have 17" crt will probably go fo 17" TFT at some point) passive cooling would be nice (or really quiet fan)

Many thanks

Barry

[agallag]

I would recommend a Radeon 9600 or X700. Both are well under $100 and should handle the game fine. I think you can find both of them in passive cooled versions.

[BarryS]

Thank you very much, I shall have a browse around the shops and see what's available

[JTD]

I know Sapphire makes (or made) a silent version of the 9600 called the Ultimate (i had one), they also made an Ultimate 9800.
The fact that it has to be an AGP card, seriously limits the choices, but the 9600 and 9800 are both AGP.

[Elie]

I just ordered the ATI X1900XTX with 512MB ram!

[Wombat]

Where are you located? I have an AGP ATI 9800Pro sitting in my closet. I bet we could find a fair price.

[Mehen]

Check out Wombat's card - I bet it would work well.

If not find a 6600GT AGP on ebay. If it is on the expensive side, check out the 9600XT as well, they are dirt cheap now.

The 9800pro is an awesome card though and would be my first pick amongst those.

[BarryS]

Thanks Wombat, I'm in the UK.

I've found a new Sapphire 9600xt at £45 inc taxes and delivery but agp 8x, will this fit older agp slots?

Hmm, have now found an Ultimate @ £75

[az]

Regarding the 6600GT, be advised that most aftermarket coolers don't fit the AGP version! There is a Zalman cooler that does, though (700-something).

[Mehen]

yeah, and 8xAGP card will automatically turn down to 4xAGP on an older motherboard, I used to have this 8x 5900ultra running in a 4x board. Can't remember if this holds true for even older boards (2x or 1x).