Although PCI Express is now easily the most prevalent interface for new graphics boards, there are still plenty of people out there with AGP-based systems, many of whom are now seeking an upgrade to their graphics capabilities. Elite Bastards take a look at potential upgrade for AGP users - the Galaxy GeForce 7600 GS AGP:

Before talking about the Galaxy's GeForce 7600 GS AGP here, I have to start by saying how impressed I am with how the GeForce 6600 GT has retained its worth for a mid-range part - Although you won't be able to enjoy modern titles with all the eye candy you might want, it still does a sterling job at 1024x768 across most of the titles we tested in.

Moving on to the GeForce 7600 GS AGP though, it has to be said that it is certainly a step up from the GeForce 6600 GT, offering some quite large performance improvements more or less across the gamut of our benchmarking suite. If you consider the possibility that many of the users currently contemplating an AGP-based upgrade will be doing so from the much maligned GeForce FX series of boards, the performance on offer here for 150 Euros is very tempting indeed and would represent a massive leap in the gaming abilities of such a system.

At the end of the day though, your choice should really be governed by the system you currently own. If you have pretty much a top-end RAM and CPU setup from the AGP era that simply needs a graphical boost, then the relatively modest outlay for Galaxy's GeForce 7600 GS may serve you in good stead, provided you can factor in the simple fact that it will only ever be a stop-gap solution before upgrading to a new system with PCI Express support becomes a necessity. If, on the other hand, your entire system needs something of an overhaul, then you may well be better off pooling your money towards changing your motherboard and any relevant associated parts, leaving you with both more choice in the graphics market and a more future-proof (if there is such a thing) system in the process.