2x 256MB 7800GTX SLI vs x1900xtx vs 7900GTX

[TheWhoDat]

I just had a one of my GeForce 7800 GTX 256MB (not the faster 512MB 7800GTX) die in my SLI setup. Yes it was the card not the PS or MB.

Should I just get a replacement (out of warranty, was before companies started offering lifetime warranty) for the 256MB 7800 GTX, upgrade to a x1900XTX, or even go for a 512 7900GTX?

I have a Dell 24" Widescreen LCD and run 2GB Ram with and AMD X2 4400.

With Elder Scrolls 4 and game like that, I am thinking the single 256MB 7800 GTX won't be able to handle it by itself.

Any suggestions/recommendations would help!

Thanks!

 

[canadianpsycho]

You do realize the most recent Video article at AT benches all the high end cards together at high resolutions, right?

They don't specifically mention the 256 MB GTX, but they do mention the 7900GT is pretty much equal to a 256MB 7800GTX (7900 is a smidge faster) and they include 7900 GT SLI scores.

 

[Elfear]

Here is a thread that consolidates the performance of the X1900XTX and the 7900GTX from various review sites. Look at the games you play and decide if either card would meet your needs.

Elder Scrolls 4 has been having issues with SLI from what I've read so if that's the main game you want to play than you might be better off with a single card. Also, (and you can take this with a grain of salt) initial user reports have the X1900XTX doing better with that game than the 7900GTX.

 

[Madellga]

I went through this at beginning of March. I had 2 x 7800GT on SLI. I sold them on ebay and got an GTX with some money to spare.

I know I've lost probably fps on some games, but future games will favor the 512MB cards - considering the memory you need for 1920x1200 + AA + AF etc etc.

SLI works 90% of the time. It is amazing, nice AA effect but I had some issues with SLI such as game freezing on quiting, BSOD on quiting, etc. The fault was always on nv4*.sys - video card and software related.

Get the XT or the GTX.

 

[nib95]

Originally posted by: Madellga
I went through this at beginning of March. I had 2 x 7800GT on SLI. I sold them on ebay and got an GTX with some money to spare.

I know I've lost probably fps on some games, but future games will favor the 512MB cards - considering the memory you need for 1920x1200 + AA + AF etc etc.

SLI works 90% of the time. It is amazing, nice AA effect but I had some issues with SLI such as game freezing on quiting, BSOD on quiting, etc. The fault was always on nv4*.sys - video card and software related.

Get the XT or the GTX.

OT, madella what kind of 3dMark 06 and 05 scores are you getting?

 

[Madellga]

I don't have the cards anymore, but I wrote down the scores (screenshots).

My system is the same, same OS installation, etc. Only difference was the cards:

7800 GT SLI 3D Mark 2005 11701
7800 GT SLI 3D Mark 2006 6408

X1900XT 3D Mark 2005 10783
X1900XT 3D Mark 2006 5289

7900 GTX 3D Mark 2005 10585

7900 GTX (715 / 895) 3D Mark 2005 11176
7900 GTX (715 / 895) 3D Mark 2006 6466

7900 GTX (715 / 895) SLI 3D Mark 2005 13572
7900 GTX (715 / 895) SLI 3D Mark 2006 8893

7900 GTX 1920x1200 4AA 8AF 3D Mark 2005 5923

7900 GTX SLI 1920x1200 4AA 8AF 3D Mark 2005 10643
7900 GTX SLI 1920x1200 8AA 16AF STRAA 3D Mark 2005 4478

Meanwhile, I kept only the GTX, no SLI. But I was difficult to choose GTX x XT.

I would summarize like this:
The GTX is:
1) Quieter / cooler
2) More "balanced" on performance across all types of games
3) I can add a second one later when things get worse (or buy new generation)

The XT is:
1) Cheaper
2) More future proof (imo). But you can always ebay it and get a new generation.
3) Noisier/warmer