3.0 Shaders or 3dc ... OpenGL or DirectX 9

[scain826]

Since you all were so helpful to my last question, here's another. Thanks in advance.

Age-old question ... Nvidia or ATI?

If I'm throwing down $400-500 on a card, I want it to last as long as possible (is 24 months really too much to ask?) I'm down to two cards -- the overclocked BFG 6800 GT ($400, 3.0 shaders, can be oc'ed to near-Ultra standards) and the x800 xt (a hundred bucks more, lots and lots of power).

So which chipset (or specific card) is going to be best, in the long run? Nvidia, with its Pixel Shader 3.0 support and OpenGL preferences, or ATI and its DirectX 9 power plant?

(I know this is all pretty much educated specualtion. Thank you thank you.)

 

[Shinei]

Well, if the power gain we saw with the NV35/R360->NV40/R420 upgrade is any indicator, you might be better off waiting for NV50/R500 and jumping on one of those, since those will likely be able to handle Unreal 3 at "ok" framerates. But if you absolutely must have a new card right now, I recommend the 6800GT over the X800XT; the NV40 has more features right now, is available right now, and costs less right now. You can't go wrong, unless you absolutely must play Half-Life 2 at the highest possible framerate (though the 6800s are no slouches at the Source engine).

 

[gururu]

farcry, according to x-bit, pretty much shows that pixel shaders 2.0b can do anything pixel shaders 3.0 can do, with a negligible performance hit. also, according to x-bit 3DC in Farcry didn't improve performance much at all.
It's basically a toss up. I was pro-GT for awhile, but now the x800xt (nonPE) is just too hard to pass up.

 

[Marsumane]

Originally posted by: gururu
farcry, according to x-bit, pretty much shows that pixel shaders 2.0b can do anything pixel shaders 3.0 can do, with a negligible performance hit. also, according to x-bit 3DC in Farcry didn't improve performance much at all.
It's basically a toss up. I was pro-GT for awhile, but now the x800xt (nonPE) is just too hard to pass up.

I dont know about negligable. Farcry doesnt use everything 3.0 has to offer in high concentrations to the extent of what we will see (im assuming) when r520 is released and 3.0 is the standard that is easily decided upon to base upcomming games.

Another point is fp32 will be more dominant in games a couple years from now with the mainstream occupation of lesser r520 chips. Also, Instruction length i think will have a bigger impact in the future, as compared to today where it is mainly used in passes of lighting in games like farcry.

The ATI card is definately good if you are planning on upgrading within the next year and a half, but if you aren't, chances are that you will find the nv40 being somewhat (questionable range) more future proof to some degree.

I vote for saving $100 and getting the GT and ocing it to ultra speeds. U cant really beat that price/performance combo in the upper card range.

 

[McArra]

X800XT will be a little faster @stock but the performance difference is not worth $100 I believe. Go with the GT.

 

[jiffylube1024]

If the X800XT is $500 and the 6800GT is $400, I'd vote for saving $100 and getting the GT, which is itself an excellent card.