6800gt or x800 xl

[Joe Black]

I've been doing a lot of research for the past couple of weeks and can't make up my mind!
I have a chance to pick up this x800 XL from Dell for $230.96 ($307.95 - 25% off):

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/prod...n&cs=04&category_id=2999&page=external

or go with one of these two cards:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130203
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122195

Now I've seen the scores, and the x800 XL edges out the 6800 gt in many things. The only things it doesn't have is the ps3 support.

If any of you guys could provide some help, I'd greatly appreciate it.

I currently have a
MSI 9800 pro 128meg
AMD 64 3200+
corsair 1 gig ram
epox nforce 3 motherboard

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

As you've already explained they're pretty much equivolent. I'd, personally, be willing to pay $30 extra for the added 6800GT features like PS3 and because you never know if Quake IV will rock or if PS3 will make a difference in AoEIII.

 

[JBT]

If you are in to AoEIII I would get the 6800GT but if not SM3.0 games will run like crap on 6800's anyways. So I would get the XL.

 

[zendari]

You have it backwards. The 6800 GT is generally a bit faster than the x800 XL except in a few games like Halflife 2.

Anyway, this is a far better buy:

$270 AR evga 6800 GT

Plus EVGA offers a stepup program within 90 days if the price of the 7800 drops.

 

[kmmatney]

For $231 get the X800XL. However, is it AGP?

 

[Mrvile]

For AGP the 6800GT is definately a better buy.

 

[Joe Black]

yes the x800xl is agp

 

[pulsedrive]

Originally posted by: zendari
You have it backwards. The 6800 GT is generally a bit faster than the x800 XL except in a few games like Halflife 2.

No he doesn't have it backwards, check out AT own review of the x800xl, and it beats out the GT in more than just HL2. The only thing that the GT beats out the XL on consistently is Doom3, which go figure, same reason ATI beats of the Nvidia's on HL2. Frankly, for the prices difference, get the ATI.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: Mrvile
For AGP the 6800GT is definately a better buy.

That's only because it is generally cheaper. Since his X800XL is much cheaper than "regular" x800XL AGP, I would say X800XL is a better value card.

6800GT will be faster in riddick, doom3, BF2. If he is willing to pay a little extra, then go for it.

X800XL vs. 6800GT #1
X800XL vs. 6800GT #2
X800XL vs. 6800GT #3

Note: X800XL is a poor overclocker. 6800GT usually overclocks to Ultra speeds.
But I would choose based on the games that are most important to you.

Cheers

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: JBT
If you are in to AoEIII I would get the 6800GT but if not SM3.0 games will run like crap on 6800's anyways. So I would get the XL.

The SM3.0 debate reminds me of that concerning 8 vs 12MB RAM for the Voodoo 2. By the time it may have otherwise become beneficial, the core was too slow anyway. New hardware tech is oft more directed at getting the development/transition ball rolling than benefit the user. Same deal with SATA & PCI-e.

 

[Joe Black]

I play a lot of CS:Source. So I know the ATI would be better for that. I also do 3d animation, so I would like it to be sufficient at running 3d apps. This is not my main animation rig, it's mostly a gaming rig. So right now the difference is price. Am I willing to pay 60-70 more for the 6800gt? I guess I just have to choose and like it

 

[Joe Black]

Ok I guess I'm going with the eVGA 6800gt. Is Monarch a good place to buy from? I usually go Newegg, but $270 after rebate is a good price.

 

[zendari]

Originally posted by: pulsedrive

Originally posted by: zendari
You have it backwards. The 6800 GT is generally a bit faster than the x800 XL except in a few games like Halflife 2.

No he doesn't have it backwards, check out AT own review of the x800xl, and it beats out the GT in more than just HL2. The only thing that the GT beats out the XL on consistently is Doom3, which go figure, same reason ATI beats of the Nvidia's on HL2. Frankly, for the prices difference, get the ATI.

On anands own review:

The 6800 GT is

Faster at Doom 3
Slower at SCCT 1.1 (but you get the option to run SM3 mode)
Faster at Riddick
Slower at HL2
Faster at UT2k4

And not to pull a Rollo, but you get SM3, which, if you are buying a card now and not last year, will probably be useful to you.

To the OP: Monarch is a solid site. Not quite as good as newegg, but newegg's prices aren't the best anymore, plus if you live in NJ or CA you get taxed on top of that.

 

[gac009]

^off topic but who has the best prices now?

 

[nitromullet]

Monarch is a great place to buy from. Highly recommended.

What is your hard upper cash limit?

This ATI X800XT AIW for $333 AMIR is a great AGP card for the money. Depending on your limit, this might be a card to consider as well.

 

[Joe Black]

I was also looking at that X800xt AIW. But I don't really need the TV capablilities. I know it's better than the x800 xl though.

 

[nitromullet]

The only reason I woud suggest that X800XT AIW is because it's less expensive than the regular X800XT and it performs just as well. I probably wouldn't use any of that TV stuff either.

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

an x800xl is simply an underclocked x800xt, similar to the 6800gt being an underclocked ultra. if you don't need tv stuff, then get the x800xl. overclock it to xt anyway. or you can just get a 6800gt if you like nvidia...

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: JBT
If you are in to AoEIII I would get the 6800GT but if not SM3.0 games will run like crap on 6800's anyways. So I would get the XL.

You don't understand all that PS3 is. Read some more about it.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: JBT
If you are in to AoEIII I would get the 6800GT but if not SM3.0 games will run like crap on 6800's anyways. So I would get the XL.

You don't understand all that PS3 is. Read some more about it.

Maybe he is not an expert, but he knows that SM3.0 features (HDR and soft shadows) as in splinter cell, riddick and Far cry make nvidia cards like crap (or slower than ATI). HDR is actually not entirely SM3.0. It can be done on an ATI card, just developers don't. I doubt AOE3 will be intense though. Even at 30 frames, the game should be playable since it's strategy.

 

[HDTVMan]

6800gt. Smartshader 3.0 and SLI capable works today.

800xl no smartshader 3.0 and sli still doesnt exist.

just my thought. Overall if you can hold out 2 months to see what ATI delivers thats could spell some price drops of both of these.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: SuperTyphoon
an x800xl is simply an underclocked x800xt, similar to the 6800gt being an underclocked ultra. if you don't need tv stuff, then get the x800xl. overclock it to xt anyway. or you can just get a 6800gt if you like nvidia...

If I recall, the XL is on a different process than the XT which makes it less expensive to manufacture and also does not clock as high (core defaults are 400 and 500 respectively). However, the performance differences are generally minimal.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: JBT
If you are in to AoEIII I would get the 6800GT but if not SM3.0 games will run like crap on 6800's anyways. So I would get the XL.

You don't understand all that PS3 is. Read some more about it.

Maybe he is not an expert, but he knows that SM3.0 features (HDR and soft shadows) as in splinter cell, riddick and Far cry make nvidia cards like crap (or slower than ATI).

And? SM3 isn't what makes those games run slow with SS and HDR. There are way more features in SM3 that can, if utilized, dramatically increase performance.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: HDTVMan
6800gt. Smartshader 3.0 and SLI capable works today.

800xl no smartshader 3.0 and sli still doesnt exist.

just my thought. Overall if you can hold out 2 months to see what ATI delivers thats could spell some price drops of both of these.

He's shopping for an AGP card, so there are no SLI/CrossFire capabilities either way.

 

[1ManArmY]

In the AGP flavor the 6800 GT is the better buy but if its PCI-E its a no brainer the
X800 XL

I settled on the 6800 GT (AGP) and couldn't be happier