2900Xt 1Gb Or 8800GTX 768MB

[RaptureMe]

I want to get a new grafics card for DX10 games ect....
What is the best or will be the best after all the drivers are all sorted out?
These are the 2 I am thinking about 2900XT 1GB version which is 512bit and the 8800gtx 768MB which is only 384bit?
I would assume the 2900XT being 1GB and 512bit would kick the crap out of a 8800gtx am I right?
If this is so why are all the reviews saying the 8800gtx is still beating the 2900xt?
Wouldnt this be like comparing nintendo wii (8800GTX) to the say xbox 360 (2900xt) in terms of grafics?
What I need for all you that ned to know is.
I need to play all DX9 and DX10 games for the next couple years without having to upgrade for a while.
I need to be able to play HD-DVD's and Blu-ray movies.
I want to l pay most games maxed out with setting that means full eye candy AA everything!!
No sli or crossfire for me either thats why I want a super high end card.
Thanks for all the reply's in advance.

 

[solofly]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: RaptureMe
I need to play all DX9 and DX10 games for the next couple years without having to upgrade for a while.</end quote></div>

How bad do you need the card at very moment. If you could wait till the end of the year I'm guessing refreshes should show up by then if not sooner. If you can't wait I would go with whomever drivers you prefer or trust more. Remember, good hardware without good drivers give you bad experience.

 

[TheUnk]

Originally posted by: RaptureMe
Wouldnt this be like comparing nintendo wii (8800GTX) to the say xbox 360 (2900xt) in terms of grafics?

Are you for real? ...........................

Originally posted by: RaptureMe
I need to play all DX9 and DX10 games for the next couple years without having to upgrade for a while.

You are...

Originally posted by: RaptureMe
I want to l pay most games maxed out with setting that means full eye candy AA everything!!

Strange.

 

[n7]

I just reviewed both.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2065772&enterthread=y

8800 GTX is better overall, though nVidia's drivers are worse overall in regards to issues.

 

[lyssword]

lol are you serious? Sure Radeon has higher memory bandwidth, but that's just it, memory.. Radeon is 0-20% slower than GTX from what I read, depending on tests.

 

[soybeast]

If you live in a cold climate, the 2900xt doubles as a nifty space heater

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: n7
I just reviewed both.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2065772&enterthread=y

8800 GTX is better overall, though nVidia's drivers are worse overall in regards to issues.

Nice job on the comparison. I've been really tempted to pick up one of the 2900XT 1GB cards myself and do the same thing. It really does seem like a tough call between these two cards though. It's not as if the performance difference is huge between the two, and if the ATI drivers are better I could see that tipping the scales for some.

To the OP: I posted this comparison between the 8800GTX/Ultra and the 2900XT 512/1GB on AT forums yesterday:

http://hardware.gotfrag.com/portal/story/38332/?spage=1

...their testing methodology leaves something to be desired, but it still gives you a rough idea of what the card can do.

 

[bryanW1995]

I'm going to put a quad core Q6600 and a dual core opteron 180 in my wife's already-warm office in a couple of months. We live in south tx. Maybe I should get a couple of 1gb 2900xt's in sli to ensure that it stays warm in there...

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: soybeast
If you live in a cold climate, the 2900xt doubles as a nifty space heater

Also if your wife nags alot the noise from the fan should block her out.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: soybeast
If you live in a cold climate, the 2900xt doubles as a nifty space heater </end quote></div>

Also if your wife nags alot the noise from the fan should block her out.

sorry .. whatever credibility you used to have is shot
---NO woman nags that quietly

you picked on the most BS "issue"

 

[nitromullet]

A few other points for the OP to consider:

I need to play all DX9 and DX10 games for the next couple years without having to upgrade for a while.

...

I want to l pay most games maxed out with setting that means full eye candy AA everything!!

Video cards simply don't last that long when you run them with full eyecandy + AA etc... With either of the two cards you are considering you will most likely be able to do that with most of the games out right now. However, this will not be the case even a year from now. Either of these cards will probably still be able to handle next year's games, but you will certainly have to play with the settings a to find the best balance between eye candy and performance (no more just pushing all the sliders to right).

I don't mean to discourage you, but it's a fact that video cards become obsolete before any other component in your system. Basically, you either have to spend a lot of money to keep up with games or you have to buy smart... The reason I bring this up is because IMO now it not a good time to buy either of these cards. The 8800GTX has now been out for over 8 months, and NV has only put out the Ultra as a minor step up. Chances are that NV is going to be launching their next generation of cards before the end of the year. Usually at this point the top end cards would have dropped in price considerably, but due to the lack of competition from ATI for so long prices have remained high. Personally, I would consider getting a less expensive card and maybe not plan on keeping it as long. I would consider an 8800GTS 640MB, X2900XT 512MB, or even an 8800GTS 320MB, and look to replace it sometime next year. Any of these cards would probably still resell for about half of what you pay in a year from now, and you could put the money you save + the money from the sale towards a new card. Just something to consider...

 

[RaptureMe]

Wow!! Thanks guys for all the replies.
Some of you went a little off topic though but hey what the hell life is to short to start nagging right!!
So video cards are the first thing to get outdated?
Crapola!!
So since the ati 2900xt 1GB is the newest thing should I go with that to ensure that I get the full life span out of it?
Or should I go for the 8800gtx?
Thats is the question that has yet to be answered.
I really love Nvidia and thats really the only brand of grafics card I have ever used but I am not really a fan boy so I am up for what ever works best.
Currently I am using a Nvidia Evga 7950GT 512MB Ko and it still works super great for me.
So far it plays all games at max setting with full eyecandy with out anyslow down.
But Like I said before these are all DX9 games.
It wont be able to play DX10 games with all the full setting with this card.
So this is why I want a newer DX10 card.
Well me fate is in your hands guys so please do me right!!

 

[theprodigalrebel]

So far it plays all games at max setting with full eyecandy with out anyslow down.
But Like I said before these are all DX9 games.

In that case, try and milk it until it runs dry. A $500+ video card upgrade (that you really don't need) isn't worth the few extra effects that Call of Juarez/Company of Heroes/Lost Planet will throw your way. Lost Planet doesn't seem like a must-play title - and the CoH DX10 update gives graphic cards panic attacks and you need to do screenshot-comparisons to see the differences. Call of Juarez does seem to have some pretty awesome graphics but the game itself isn't that hot (or so I hear).

Not worth the upgrade. You have perfectly capable hardware that is suiting your needs - keep it and scrap your plans of future-proofing.

Wait for a real DX10 game or two to come out. Think: C-R-Y-S-I-S.
And I'm going to bet Crysis will run fine on R600/G80 - but really fly on the G90 due later this year.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: RaptureMe
Wow!! Thanks guys for all the replies.
Some of you went a little off topic though but hey what the hell life is to short to start nagging right!!
So video cards are the first thing to get outdated?
Crapola!!
So since the ati 2900xt 1GB is the newest thing should I go with that to ensure that I get the full life span out of it?
Or should I go for the 8800gtx?
Thats is the question that has yet to be answered.
I really love Nvidia and thats really the only brand of grafics card I have ever used but I am not really a fan boy so I am up for what ever works best.
Currently I am using a Nvidia Evga 7950GT 512MB Ko and it still works super great for me.
So far it plays all games at max setting with full eyecandy with out anyslow down.
But Like I said before these are all DX9 games.
It wont be able to play DX10 games with all the full setting with this card.
So this is why I want a newer DX10 card.
Well me fate is in your hands guys so please do me right!!

i don't know ... several studies are in progress right now determining what we know about g80 vs r600

In House HD2900XT vs. 8800GTS 640

and

BFG 8800 GTX OC vs. Diamond HD 2900 XT 1GB

i just benchmarked and played a range of my own games with HD2900xt/512M ...IF i had NO OTHER card to compare, i would be very satisfied ... it appears to be twice faster than my x1950p/512M

it's "weakness" is the implementation of AA ... it tends to slow down the 2900 series much more than the 1900 series [proportionally] .. so it tells me it IS drivers ... and if you had played with the very last Cats - 7.5, you would have said it SUCKED ... but 7.6 was *dramatic* in several games - especially STALKER

in fact, in FEAR testing, the HD2900xt runs much better with Soft-shadows enabled and AA of then it does with Soft shadows OFF and 4xAA enabled ... that tells me that there is likely a very powerful card that is not yet fully tapped. In fact, it barely slows down with Soft Shadows enabled ... i want to test the GTS on that one.

so ... i can't decide ... yet ... and thankfully, i have another week to test further and return one of my card ... the GTS 640 or the 2900xt

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: apoppin
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: RaptureMe
Wow!! Thanks guys for all the replies.
Some of you went a little off topic though but hey what the hell life is to short to start nagging right!!
So video cards are the first thing to get outdated?
Crapola!!
So since the ati 2900xt 1GB is the newest thing should I go with that to ensure that I get the full life span out of it?
Or should I go for the 8800gtx?
Thats is the question that has yet to be answered.
I really love Nvidia and thats really the only brand of grafics card I have ever used but I am not really a fan boy so I am up for what ever works best.
Currently I am using a Nvidia Evga 7950GT 512MB Ko and it still works super great for me.
So far it plays all games at max setting with full eyecandy with out anyslow down.
But Like I said before these are all DX9 games.
It wont be able to play DX10 games with all the full setting with this card.
So this is why I want a newer DX10 card.
Well me fate is in your hands guys so please do me right!!
</end quote></div>

i don't know ... several studies are in progress right now determining what we know about g80 vs r600

In House HD2900XT vs. 8800GTS 640

and

BFG 8800 GTX OC vs. Diamond HD 2900 XT 1GB

i just benchmarked and played a range of my own games with HD2900xt/512M ...IF i had NO OTHER card to compare, i would be very satisfied ... it appears to be twice faster than my x1950p/512M

it's "weakness" is the implementation of AA ... it tends to slow down the 2900 series much more than the 1900 series [proportionally] .. so it tells me it IS drivers ... and if you had played with the very last Cats - 7.5, you would have said it SUCKED ... but 7.6 was *dramatic* in several games - especially STALKER

in fact, in FEAR testing, the HD2900xt runs much better with Soft-shadows enabled and AA of then it does with Soft shadows OFF and 4xAA enabled ... that tells me that there is likely a very powerful card that is not yet fully tapped. In fact, it barely slows down with Soft Shadows enabled ... i want to test the GTS on that one.

so ... i can't decide ... yet ... and thankfully, i have another week to test further and return one of my card ... the GTS 640 or the 2900xt

The HD 2900 takes a huge hit from AA because it doesn't have dedicated AA hardware in the ROPs. Anti-aliasing is run on the shaders, and this is going to have a big impact on performance that I'm afraid no driver will fix (though I'd love for ATI to prove me wrong.)

 

[Cookie Monster]

That is true because shader AA has a very nasty hit on performance. Like Extelleron said, no driver is going to fix this because its just how the R600 handles AA. AA/AF to me is the biggest drawback of the XT because the performance hit caused by both is alot bigger than a X1900 series cards due to having only 16TMUs and shader AA.

Id say wait for the refresh since G9x is coming out later this year.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
That is true because shader AA has a very nasty hit on performance. Like Extelleron said, no driver is going to fix this because its just how the R600 handles AA. AA/AF to me is the biggest drawback of the XT because the performance hit caused by both is alot bigger than a X1900 series cards due to having only 16TMUs and shader AA.

Id say wait for the refresh since G9x is coming out later this year.

so far, it is the *only* disadvantage i have found ... it does appear that the performance hit is twice that of the x1900 series [proportionally] ...

however, to say there is no driver fix - or even a partial one - is premature - considering how much improvement the xt has already shown with 2 sets of drivers

as far as 14x9, there is plenty of "oomph" for 4xAA ... as to 16x12, so far ... it would be 'marginal' ... depending on if you can stand 30FPS as your minimum or not.

i am DONE fritzing around with HD2900xt ... i have about a week to make up my mind ... i am setting aside my 'partial' tests on it and doing a fresh install of XP to try the GTS ... starting tonight ...

i will also have july 4th off ... and i will continue to update my patches/demos as i S-l-o-w-l-y DL these updates and also update the benchmarks ... within 8 days .. next Monday the 9th, all my testing will be complete and HD2900xt ir GTS will go back to Best Buy [by the 10th]

--anything you want me to check, just LMK

 

[nitromullet]

I brought this up in one of the other comparison threads, but I'll say it here too. Sure, ATI is wringing out more performance out of the X2900s with new drivers, but in the mean time NVIDIA is working on the 9-series which will once again raise the bar. Seeing as how the OP has a decent card already that seems to meet his needs, I'd suggest waiting until DX10 games truly become a reality instead of just technology showcases to decide which DX10 card to buy. Who knows who will have the better card at that time, but I really don't think that picking up a $500 video card this late in the product cycle is a wise move.

 

[firewolfsm]

Originally posted by: soybeast
If you live in a cold climate, the 2900xt doubles as a nifty space heater

The 8800 does to, this generation sucks, maybe 65nm will fix it.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
I brought this up in one of the other comparison threads, but I'll say it here too. Sure, ATI is wringing out more performance out of the X2900s with new drivers, but in the mean time NVIDIA is working on the 9-series which will once again raise the bar. Seeing as how the OP has a decent card already that seems to meet his needs, I'd suggest waiting until DX10 games truly become a reality instead of just technology showcases to decide which DX10 card to buy. Who knows who will have the better card at that time, but I really don't think that picking up a $500 video card this late in the product cycle is a wise move.

but he DOESN'T have a decent card that meets his needs any more than my x1950p satisfied me
--or he would nave not started this thread

i got the HD2900xt [and GTS 640 OC] to see how they do with TODAY's games .. and i had a special interest in comparing their architecture directly ... DX10 will just be a 'plus' ... and everyone will want to know what they are missing [very little at first]

picking up a $550 GTX, right now .... will save him what?
--$100 off in a month or two when their prices finally drop? ... i might save another $70 in another 2-3 months over my [$320] 2900xt, but i doubt it ... if you are a working person that GAMES for a hobby, it is 'peanuts' compared to the frustration of WONDERING what it would be like with a card that does play your game at the highest detail level and settings as you keep turning yours down.

you are talking S-I-X long months off ... MAYBE ... if AMD is late [again] nvidia may well push off their launch - or add an extra $100 to the price of their ultra ... $950, anyone?

the HD2900xt/GTX640/GTX will not be SLOW by any means in 6 months ... perhaps the 65nm shift will allow nvidia to maximize their profit and it will be a minor performance boost

or perhaps they will be facing a mean and redesigned r660 and they will have to make g90 even hotter as they try to catch up.

Just try to predict the future ... good luck ... i am going for the now .. now ... crysis plays on a GTX/XT - we know that!
.... and it's just me ... the 'new apoppin' - if i keep my XT, you KNOW i will go for xfire
[maybe .. a new 2950xt in the 16x slot and the old 2900xt in the 4x .. for that 'little extra']

 

[BFG10K]

as far as 14x9, there is plenty of "oomph" for 4xAA ...

The problem is that's a low resolution for a card like that. With the 8800 GTS I can run 4xAA in many modern games at 1920x1440.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>as far as 14x9, there is plenty of "oomph" for 4xAA ...</end quote></div>
The problem is that's a low resolution for a card like that. With the 8800 GTS I can run 4xAA in many modern games at 1920x1440.

yes indeed, that IS what i am saying ... i added that it would be marginal for 16x12 with 4xAA - the upper limit of my testing on my CRT

NOW ... if you prefer FEAR with Soft Shadows [actually i do], then the xt excels ... or in games like STALKER where the AA is disabled, it is for you ...

i can't say ANYTHING about the GTS ... yet ... as soon as i log off, i am going to do a fresh install of XP with the latest Forceware

i hear a LOT about nvidia's drivers ... well, that will also weigh into my decision

THEN i will know ... until then, i can only speak of my experience with HD2900xt and x1950p ... it is a SOLID upgrade over the older series

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: nitromullet
I brought this up in one of the other comparison threads, but I'll say it here too. Sure, ATI is wringing out more performance out of the X2900s with new drivers, but in the mean time NVIDIA is working on the 9-series which will once again raise the bar. Seeing as how the OP has a decent card already that seems to meet his needs, I'd suggest waiting until DX10 games truly become a reality instead of just technology showcases to decide which DX10 card to buy. Who knows who will have the better card at that time, but I really don't think that picking up a $500 video card this late in the product cycle is a wise move.

but he DOESN'T have a decent card that meets his needs any more than my x1950p satisfied me
--or he would nave not started this thread

i got the HD2900xt [and GTS 640 OC] to see how they do with TODAY's games .. and i had a special interest in comparing their architecture directly ... DX10 will just be a 'plus' ... and everyone will want to know what they are missing [very little at first]

picking up a $550 GTX, right now .... will save him what?
--$100 off in a month or two when their prices finally drop? ... i might save another $70 in another 2-3 months over my [$320] 2900xt, but i doubt it ... if you are a working person that GAMES for a hobby, it is 'peanuts' compared to the frustration of WONDERING what it would be like with a card that does play your game at the highest detail level and settings as you keep turning yours down.

you are talking S-I-X long months off ... MAYBE ... if AMD is late [again] nvidia may well push off their launch - or add an extra $100 to the price of their ultra ... $950, anyone?

the HD2900xt/GTX640/GTX will not be SLOW by any means in 6 months ... perhaps the 65nm shift will allow nvidia to maximize their profit and it will be a minor performance boost

or perhaps they will be facing a mean and redesigned r660 and they will have to make g90 even hotter as they try to catch up.

Just try to predict the future ... good luck ... i am going for the now .. now ... crysis plays on a GTX/XT - we know that!
.... and it's just me ... the 'new apoppin' - if i keep my XT, you KNOW i will go for xfire
[maybe .. a new 2950xt in the 16x slot and the old 2900xt in the 4x .. for that 'little extra']

I'm not sure if you read this thread before posting or not... The OP already stated that he's happy with his 7950GT currently, but that he's considering a GTX or XT 1GB because of concerns about DX10 games. Hence, I recommended that he either wait for DX10 games or consider a less expensive option, such as the XT 512MB, GTS 640, or even GTS 320...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
<

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: nitromullet
I brought this up in one of the other comparison threads, but I'll say it here too. Sure, ATI is wringing out more performance out of the X2900s with new drivers, but in the mean time NVIDIA is working on the 9-series which will once again raise the bar. Seeing as how the OP has a decent card already that seems to meet his needs, I'd suggest waiting until DX10 games truly become a reality instead of just technology showcases to decide which DX10 card to buy. Who knows who will have the better card at that time, but I really don't think that picking up a $500 video card this late in the product cycle is a wise move.

but he DOESN'T have a decent card that meets his needs any more than my x1950p satisfied me
--or he would nave not started this thread ..

I'm not sure if you read this thread before posting or not... The OP already stated that he's happy with his 7950GT currently, but that he's considering a GTX or XT 1GB because of concerns about DX10 games. Hence, I recommended that he either wait for DX10 games or consider a less expensive option, such as the XT 512MB, GTS 640, or even GTS 320...

you are being silly, aren't you?

I want to get a new grafics card for DX10 games ect....
What is the best or will be the best

what is it about "i want to get" that you need me to explain to you?

or is this too ambigious for you?

I want a super high end card.

 

[nitromullet]

You need to read past the first post sometimes, or maybe he was being too ambiguous when he said:

Originally posted by: RaptureMe
Currently I am using a Nvidia Evga 7950GT 512MB Ko and it still works super great for me.
So far it plays all games at max setting with full eyecandy with out anyslow down.
But Like I said before these are all DX9 games.
It wont be able to play DX10 games with all the full setting with this card.
So this is why I want a newer DX10 card.

My advice is still the same... I recommended that he either wait for DX10 games or consider a less expensive option, such as the XT 512MB, GTS 640, or even GTS 320... It simply doesn't make sense to buy a GTX or XT 1GB right now, since neither of them will have a lifespan much longer than their less expensive siblings...

Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with my GTX at all, but I've also gotten 8 months of use out of it already and they've only dropped about $100 from what I paid for mine on launch day.

To get back to the OP's question... If I was still using my 7900GTX and I got a serious upgrade itch that wouldn't wait I would opt for an 8800GTS 640MB. I am kind of an AA junkie, so the AA performance hit discussed on the X2900 would concern me a bit.