Perhaps a new AGP card will work...

When I built my rig about two years ago, I didn't realize that PCI-E would be the way to go, so my mobo only has an AGP slot. I currently have an x800 Pro card: specs here. It's been a rather... petulant machine. It'll run when it wants to, which isn't much of the time. I think my video card is the problem because it only acts up when I'm playing games. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a DX10 capable AGP card on the market that's not too expensive. Like... less than $100. I doubt it, but if there is that'd be nice.

The other part of this post is another question: could the number of times I have the power line split be causing problems? I have four case fans, two eide hard drives, and a floppy drive all connected to the same line with a whole bunch of splitters and such. That's probably not a good idea, right? Could a lack of power to the video card at crunch times be causing the whole system to stop?

You may safely ignore the newbie's spurious advice in regard to VRAM, which has almost no bearing on gaming for the vast majority of game players. Only the more expensive (with "800" and "900" performance numbers in their names) are able to actually use more than 256 MBs of VRAM, and then only with very large, high resolution displays.

nVidia always seems to wait 6-10 months before starting to offer AGP in whatever its current GPU generation is, and up to a year to do so for any high-Mid level cards. ATI is not only more generous about the delay between their PCIe cards and a following AGP version, it is also more willing to offer higher performance GPUs in the AGP interface.

All of that being said, it is still too soon for either nVidia or ATI to have made the AGP move with their current cards, so your answer is that there are no Dx10 cards available for you to shop for.

lol u know little the memory does make a diffrence even if half of it is being wasted, most likely a 512 mb video card would only use 256 BUT the 256 would be over worked all the time even if it runs at 500 mhz or even 1ghz. I guess the fsb of the computer also has to do with the performance with the card but bigger is always better so next time you decide to call me a newb get your facts straight...newbTrooperManaic16

true I cant assume that every one has big monitors also, to further what people are sayig about the #'s in the video cars like 900 or 800. This doesent always tell you about how good the card is, People should do thir homework on what mobos they have, see what kinda fsb they have and what they can support on the mobo then make a decision on that video card to buy example a video card that has like 900mhz is pointless on a mobo that only can support 266 mhzalso did i mention that memory need to come from the memory stick and hd too so my advice to you is look up your motherboard info and see wether it can handle a big new card or not, i reccomend 512 mb even if you never use the extra space and wether it has a slower gpu cause in the end he OR she might not beable to handle the high gpu speeds.TrooperManaic16

L3rn 2 m4k3 p4r4gr4p}{s n00b.

When I built my rig about two years ago, I didn't realize that PCI-E would be the way to go, so my mobo only has an AGP slot. I currently have an x800 Pro card: specs here. It's been a rather... petulant machine. It'll run when it wants to, which isn't much of the time. I think my video card is the problem because it only acts up when I'm playing games. Anyway, I was wondering if there was a DX10 capable AGP card on the market that's not too expensive. Like... less than $100. I doubt it, but if there is that'd be nice.

The other part of this post is another question: could the number of times I have the power line split be causing problems? I have four case fans, two eide hard drives, and a floppy drive all connected to the same line with a whole bunch of splitters and such. That's probably not a good idea, right? Could a lack of power to the video card at crunch times be causing the whole system to stop?

The_Fell_One

Try getting a new psu with at least 500 watt and 20 A on the 12 v. and see if it helps. If the computer dont have enough power some things stop or slow down alot.

Well heres a good psu with plenty of power,connecters and extras

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2974508&CatId=106

Ultra / X-Finity / 600-Watt / ATX / Dual 80mm Fan / SATA-Ready / SLI Ready / Titanium / Power Supply7 Users Rated

NEW! Ultra X-Finity PSU - Featuring FlexForce Cables
Breakthrough technology! Phenomenal power distribution. Easy to manage cabling system! Extraordinary airflow! This sizzling new Ultra X-Finity power supply features the innovative new dual rail technology for better power distribution. You'll get the smooth, trouble-free performance that's perfect for your powerful gaming system. The FlexForces' incomparable cables are dressed in a great looking titanium silver finish. Specially engineered cable design promotes easy cable management and 30% better airflow than ordinary cables. Simply route cables under the motherboard, behind drive bays... anywhere that gets typically unsightly power supply cables out of the way of airflow. Crafted to accommodate both AMD and Intel CPUs! 24/20-pin motherboard connection. 4-pin +12V Molex connectors. 4-pin floppy power connectors. PCI Express, SATA and 8-pin EPS connectors. Versatile. Dependable. Affordable. The Ultra X-Finity FlexForce ATX power supply.

Specifications

Connectors

A Closer Look

Features

• Supports AMD and Intel Motherboards
• Low Acoustic Noise
• Dual 80mm Fans
• Meets ATX Version 2.2, v1.3, and
• ATX 12V Version 2.2 Specifications
• Short Circuit Protection
• In-Rush Current Protection
• Thermal Overload Cutoff Protection
• MTBF > 100,000 Hours at Full Load,
• 110VAC and 25°C Ambient Condition
• FCC and UL Recognized

I've already got a 550W PSU.The_Fell_One

What kind? could you also provide specs on the psu too