http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm05=1995022
Budget machine now running 2 gigs of the blinged out OCZ ram, X1800XT. Was it worth upgrading to this over the $275 version to get 1300 3dmark05s?
I'm not sure. There is definitely texture crawling, evident even in 3dmark05 which the 850 did not have. The card is much quieter than the previous X850XTPE, but that's about all I've noticed. The eye candy difference in Oblivion with HDR is the only other differentiating factor.
The bang for the buck is absolutely with the X850XTPE. I could put the gig of crap ram back in, making this a $390ish machine again (made no difference w/ x850xtpe benches or gaming), but even at $390 I'd have to say the X850XTPE was just as satisfying, and the $110 extra in my wallet for future upgrades much more comforting.
Budget machine now running 2 gigs of the blinged out OCZ ram, X1800XT. Was it worth upgrading to this over the $275 version to get 1300 3dmark05s?
I'm not sure. There is definitely texture crawling, evident even in 3dmark05 which the 850 did not have. The card is much quieter than the previous X850XTPE, but that's about all I've noticed. The eye candy difference in Oblivion with HDR is the only other differentiating factor.
The bang for the buck is absolutely with the X850XTPE. I could put the gig of crap ram back in, making this a $390ish machine again (made no difference w/ x850xtpe benches or gaming), but even at $390 I'd have to say the X850XTPE was just as satisfying, and the $110 extra in my wallet for future upgrades much more comforting.
