Good AGP video card to get?

[IglooDame]

All,
I'm running an XP Pro SP2, Pent-4 3.0GHZ processor, 1.0GB of RAM, and up until a few weeks ago I had a NVidia GeForce FX 5500 w/256MB RAM video card. In Civ4 I didn't have any of the black-map TnL problems, but mid-game on standard maps would slow down to a crawl (probably a memory leak problem rather than a video card problem, but oh well).

The video card died when I was migrating my computer's guts to a new (Antec 150, much quieter with better airflow) case, so now I'm looking for a new one, and since Civ4 will be my main graphics-hog application, I'm looking for a card that is "known-good" with the game. Since quietness/cooling is a factor, and price is too, I'm not looking for the latest and greatest, but I'd like it to run adequately at the highest settings on Civ4, medium settings at least on Doom3, and bottom settings on FEAR.

Any suggestions, anyone? Specifically with regard to being solid with Civ4 at least?

 

[VimesUK]

Have a look here....

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/05/vga_charts_vii/

...you will find a review of many AGP cards there and you can then make an informed choice, depending on the depth of your pocket. I can only speak for myself as I find that my ATI 850XTPE works perfectly well with CIV 4 at 1280x1024 with 2xAA and all the eye candy on. I get zero graphical problems, or any other problem, when playing the game.

 

[Zydor]

IglooDude
"In Civ4 I didn't have any of the black-map TnL problems, but mid-game on standard maps would slow down to a crawl (probably a memory leak problem rather than a video card problem, but oh well"

If you main reason for buying a new card is this slow problem, this might save you some money

Try here - you indicated a slow mid-late game, that indicates the known memory issue in Civ IV - not a-fix-it-all, and may not work for you. This patch has been vvv successful at its target (slow game, late game, CTDs), its benign, easy install / deinstall and does not touch game code. Mega endorsemnts in the thread, currently at 111,000 hits

http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=146309

Post 1 has instructions

Keep expectations level, not worked for all but has been v successfull. The guys on the thread are v helpful and will assist with the settings on the patch - its not a technical one to install, ask on the thread if you are unsure.

Regards
Zy

 

[Markus5]

My personal choice would be nvidia 6600gt AGP as the most bang for the buck. Usually available at newegg.com for under $140. Look for rebates to bring the price down, too.