I started testing socket 754 and I used Leadtek 7600Gt and 7800GS reference models. I gave up on 7600Gt because it got smoked by the GS at 1600*1200 in all tests and games. Yes at 1024*768 they are more or less equals but as soon as AA & high resolution come into play it's all over for the GT.
Please go ahead and test on your socket 939 build.
I go back to socket 754 to continue testing all the platforms.

Let's have dedicated topics for socket 754 and 939 AGP cards, then we can compare.

I will create soon a topic regarding socket 754 with all the chipsets, processors revisions and generations where I will present performance data, compatibility and various issues encountered 😀
Going back to this topic I suggest a geforce 7600GT as an AGP card because the price is lower than a 7800gs and is more available. Or go with an ATI radeon X1950 pro if the money does not represent a problem and want to avoid the bumpgate problem.

Archer57 wrote on Yesterday, 07:45:

I am going to build a fun S939+AGP system, already got the important parts, so may be i'll bench a bunch of AGP cards i got on that for fun and post it. The only thing i am not sure about is which games have built-in benchmarks and which of them to use...

Looking forward to seeing the results. I’m also building a 939 AGP system and can’t decide whether to use a 6600GT or 7600GT.

Thanks a lot for the further advice guys. Sorry for the late reply was too busy with the real world.

nd22 wrote on Yesterday, 09:23:

I will create soon a topic regarding socket 754 with all the chipsets, processors revisions and generations where I will present performance data, compatibility and various issues encountered 😀
Going back to this topic I suggest a geforce 7600GT as an AGP card because the price is lower than a 7800gs and is more available. Or go with an ATI radeon X1950 pro if the money does not represent a problem and want to avoid the bumpgate problem.

Thanks for the advice. The x1950 did not cross my mind but looks a interesting card if money is no problem.

Budget-wise wise my further research also lead me to the geforce 7600 gt as sweet spot. Rather powerful and lower price compared to something in the 7800 gt range or the 6800 ultra. The 6800 ultra would be cool cart if money is not a big concern.

But that is just the agp frontier.

In case I should go with PCIE like recommended by @Aacher 57 getting a better card at decent price is a much easier task.

quote=AlexZ post_id=1367867 time=1753771878 user_id=46568]
You need to make up your mind whether you intend to build a socket 754 system for historical value purposes with a decent gpu or want something that can play Windows XP era games maxxed out at 1920x1080. An Athlon XP system can play games comfortably until 2004, socket 754 until 2005 (with 9800 GT). If you want to play at max settings at 1920x1080 then you need LGA 775 or AM2+ (with Windsor or Phenom II).

I have not had any bumpgate era GPUs die on me but I always asked for 1-2 days warranty when buying. We are probably buying the lucky ones that survived. I tested a GeForce GTX 275 yesterday in my socket 754 system and the GPU runs really hot, in Sanctuary benchmark it reached 86'C in open case. It would die if it was used like this for extended period. These GPUs had misconfigured fan profiles out of factory and will die if not fixed. I configured RivaTuner to regulate fan based on GPU core temperature. It would probably be better to flash BIOS with fixed fan profile. It is also necessary to change thermal paste which usually brings down temperature by about 4'C.

9800 GT have the same problem with factory fan regulation. Only with GTX 480 things got better.
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This is a good question. What I want is complicated. I want some rather powerful for winxp gaming from 2002 to 2005 or 2006, which still has contemporary flair.

A fast Athlon 64 or even better a lga 775 system with a Core 2duo would be right in my alley.