5700 Ultra or 9800 PRO

[IronHead60]

I'm trying to build a computer within the next few weeks (AMD 2500+, 512 PC 3200 RAM among other things) and was in the market for a video card. Looking to spend about $200 tops on a card (even if it is AR) and I think I got it down between these two:

GeForce FX 5700 Ultra
ATI Radeon 9800 PRO

Going on core and memory speeds, it looks like the ULTRA has a slight edge (I don't think I have this mixed up...). Still, I can't make up my mind. Can anyone provide some feedback? Even if people recommend a card other than these two, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Cerb]

look at ANY review.
Please. This site has them.
In any case, the 9800 Pro hands down.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: IronHead60
I'm trying to build a computer within the next few weeks (AMD 2500+, 512 PC 3200 RAM among other things) and was in the market for a video card. Looking to spend about $200 tops on a card (even if it is AR) and I think I got it down between these two:

GeForce FX 5700 Ultra
ATI Radeon 9800 PRO

Going on core and memory speeds, it looks like the ULTRA has a slight edge (I don't think I have this mixed up...). Still, I can't make up my mind. Can anyone provide some feedback? Even if people recommend a card other than these two, I'm still open to suggestions. Thanks.

The FX5900 is far far faster than the FX5700.

The FX5700 has a 128bit memory bus, the FX5900 and R9800 both have 256bit memory busses. At the same clockspeed it would be double the bandwidth.

 

[Bartokomus]

NewEgg.com

9800 Pro $229

just got mine

 

[football]

IronHead60

If you are planning to spend anywhere close to the $200 range, then the 5900 series is the way to go. It beats the 9800PRO in just about every test I can think of, and you can actually turn some into a 5950. The key is, stay away from the SE or XT version. Those are clocked slower, unless you could get one for $150 or less.....They are still, 5900's with the 256bit port.

 

[nick1985]

no one should EVER consider buying a 5700ultra unless they get some insane deal on it.

 

[high]

lol no one could ever think of a 5900nu over a 9800 Pro....only cards that can touch a 9800 Pro is 5950 Ultra and 9800 XT

But it's apples and oranges, 5700 to 9800...not even in the same league

 

[Insomniak]

The 9800 Pro is by far the better performer, but good luck finding one for $200 or less.

I'd say your best bet in that price range is either the 5900 Non Ultra or the Radeon 9700 Pro - and don't knock the 9700 Pro...it's still a beast, even 18 months after its introduction.

 

[Whitedog]

OMG dood! Learn how to use the Internet to do "basic research".

This is not even a legit question...

9800 Pro is BY WAY FAR better card!

[edit] Maybe he was thinking of a 9600pro? As you'll not find a 9800 anything for $200.[/edit]

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Core and memory speeds mean nothing here.

Check the main Anandtech page under the "Video" tab, read some reviews, and enlighten yourself. :beer:

- M4H

 

[Whitedog]

Originally posted by: football
IronHead60

If you are planning to spend anywhere close to the $200 range, then the 5900 series is the way to go. It beats the 9800PRO in just about every test I can think of....

It does? Well, I guess if all you play is Quake3 it does.

Other than that. It Don't.

 

[sharonta]

The 9700ultra if compared so to the 9600XT which some may say 9700U is better but at DX9 there is no question about the 9600XT take the league.
Those are mid range VC but 9800P is another story a much stronger and faster VC( same thing here when it is compared to the 5900), I would go for the 9800P bulk at $229 unless u want Retail at $300. Another option than it?s the 9700P (I saw it here at newegg for 191$ on a one day sale) it should be better than the 9600XT & the 5700U.

 

[CraigRT]

between those 2, i'd go with the 9800.. it's a no brainer.... but as other people have said, there are some other pretty good options to think about.
(FX5900)

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: football
IronHead60

If you are planning to spend anywhere close to the $200 range, then the 5900 series is the way to go. It beats the 9800PRO in just about every test I can think of, and you can actually turn some into a 5950. The key is, stay away from the SE or XT version. Those are clocked slower, unless you could get one for $150 or less.....They are still, 5900's with the 256bit port.

Huh? That's not what I understand. Please provide links to these benchmarks you're thinking of...

 

[JBT]

Newegg has Powercolor 9700 pro's for $190 if you don't wanna spend ther extra 40 for the 9800 pro.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: football

If you are planning to spend anywhere close to the $200 range, then the5900 series is the way to go. It beats the 9800PRO in just about every test I can think of , and you can actually turn some into a 5950. The key is, stay away from the SE or XT version. Those are clocked slower, unless you could get one for $150 or less.....They are still, 5900's with the 256bit port.

LOL!!! That's a very good joke!!!

 

[PCBliss]

BBATI 9800 PROs have been ending at around $200-$220 on ebay recently.

 

[SneakyStuff]

I own a geforce fx 5700 ultra, great card, but it gets SERVED by the Radeon, get the 9800 pro.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: high
lol no one could ever think of a 5900nu over a 9800 Pro....only cards that can touch a 9800 Pro is 5950 Ultra and 9800 XT

But it's apples and oranges, 5700 to 9800...not even in the same league

sure they could.. dozens of ppl here have purchased the 5900nu and are running it at 5950u speeds and higher. most places can't keep em in stock they're so sought after.

that being said, i would agree the 5700u shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as 9800, let along a 9800pro...

 

[kylebisme]

but then quite a few people get their 9800's up to xt speeds as well so the overclocking point is rather moot.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: TheSnowman
but then quite a few people get their 9800's up to xt speeds as well so the overclocking point is rather moot.

i dont think so. i've not had much success overclocking my 9700p and 9600p (tho the 9600p, along with the 5700u are nutered compared to thier upscale counterparts), but i am still happy with the performance of my 9700p. i also haven't read many ppl posting about grat oc results with the r3xx on these forums either, but perhaps they are just not as excited or talkative heh.

tho at this point, the 9700pro is still more expensive to buy than my 5900nu, which outperforms it in almost everything by a decent margin... and at $160 I don't think anything can bet it's "bang for the $".

edit: at any rate, to the OP, forget the 5700u. if your budget is $200, then get a 5900se/xt, 5900nu, 9700p, 9800np, or 9800p - whichever best fits your budget. don't think you would be unhappy with any of them (but you probably would the 5700u)

 

[Pete]

9700P and 9800 use different GPU revisions. The 9800's GPU has more headroom than the 9700P's, so the former should OC better.

 

[BenSkywalker]

The 9800's GPU has more headroom than the 9700P's, so the former should OC better.

True, but I wouldn't expect any of the R3x0 parts to OC like the NV35 parts do.

 

[modedepe]

What are you doing comparing a $170 card with a $230 card? These is absolutely NO comparison.

Originally posted by: football
IronHead60

If you are planning to spend anywhere close to the $200 range, then the 5900 series is the way to go. It beats the 9800PRO in just about every test I can think of, and you can actually turn some into a 5950. The key is, stay away from the SE or XT version. Those are clocked slower, unless you could get one for $150 or less.....They are still, 5900's with the 256bit port.

Beats it in almost every test? I suggest you try looking at some benchmarks and quit talking out of your a$$.

 

[howdyduty]

5700 is not close to 9800. For similar price, 5900 is a nice card. Check out Compuplus, GameVE, or BuyExtremeGear for 5900 from about $160-175.