7900GT or X1900XT

[ElFenix]

dell ran a killer special on the 7900GT (an overclocked XFX model) so i ordered one. two weeks later, they'd blown the ship date, and pushed the new ship date back into july. that was last wednesday.

monday dell has another killer special, and i picked up the X1900XT (which had also been part of the previous killer special). dell shipped it on tuesday. so i called in and cancelled the 7900GT on tuesday morning.

this morning, i get a ship notification from dell, stating that they'd shipped the 7900GT. not only that, but because it had actually shipped yesterday from a warehouse in dallas (i'm in houston), it was on the same truck coming out to my place as the X1900XT.

so i called customer service, they admitted their goof, and said i wouldn't be charged a restocking fee.

so which do i keep? the X1900 was $100 more ($285 v. $385 including sales tax), and benches much faster. but i do like the $100. and lets face it, high end graphics cards fall off the top of the market faster than chevy's from the planned obsolesence era. i do have a 20" widescreen LCD, so the extra pushing power is useable. and the ati tends to have better image quality (if you can tell a difference between the super AA modes you deserve a prize).

next game up is oblivion.

 

[golem]

Can you open them up and test them out? or will they charge you a restocking fee for that?

 

[imported_ST]

overclock or no overclock?

yes - 7900gt volt mod

no - x1900xt

 

[Alaa]

if u want the money then sell the x1900xt..if u want performance(without volt mod) sell x1900xt

 

[Munky]

If you can open them, then just try em both out and see which one you like better.

 

[Alaa]

srry double post

 

[ElFenix]

i don't think i can open them, sadly. i bet they'll charge me a restocking fee then.

 

[Extelleron]

Oblivion? If you're playing Oblivion, X1900XT no contest.

 

[TheRyuu]

Use X1900XT and overclock to XTX speeds.

It will still more than likely out perform a voltmodded 7900GT anyway.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Oblivion? If you're playing Oblivion, X1900XT no contest.

i'm leaning that way... but i like $100 too


on the box the 7900 claims better photos :laugh:


damnit my S12-430 has no 6 pin connector for pcie cards and ati doesn't bother to include an adapter :|

 

[akugami]

On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

EDIT: Was in on the same deal, was thinking 7900GT but it's a 6 week waiting period...I opted for the X1900XT. Just under $377 shipped. Still lower than the $440 most places charge for an X1900XT. Still waiting for my order confirmation and word that it has shipped though.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: akugami
On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

Thats what I was trying to say, just I wasn't as detailed. But still, even WITH the vmod to the 7900GT, if you overclock the X1900, even without voltmods (which can be done with software on the ATI side) it'll reach XTX speeds, and more than likely be faster than the 7900GT, even with the vmod.

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: akugami
On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

meh sit down b4 u hurt yourself....

7900gt volt mod is usually around 650/850 stock or comparable to a 7900gtx. people that upgraded their stock coolers, usually reach 675/900 on average beating out the sotck x1900xtx...lucky ones will push their to 700+.

again really the decision is whether you want to overclock (volt mod) or not...if you're not comfortable, the decision is easy...x1900xt. if you want to save money and are okay with a $5 pen upgrade...get the 7900gt.


btw a nice other perk on the 7900GT is the ability to buy a cheapo outdated cooler like the NV Silencer 5:

http://www.svc.com/avc-nv5-r2.html

$14.95 ... hack off a piece of the top and it fits/works like cake...

 

[RobertR1]

If you want maximum performance + IQ in oblivion, 7900GT is not even a consideration. HQAF and HDR+AA make a world of difference in Oblivion.

 

[imported_ST]

Originally posted by: RobertR1
If you want maximum performance + IQ in oblivion, 7900GT is not even a consideration. HQAF and HDR+AA make a world of difference in Oblivion.

at 1920x1080?

i will test this "theory" soon once fry's has some x1900 in stock...

 

[Wag]

X1800XT 512mb for $313 compared to the other two?

 

[russki]

save a hundred bones, vmod the 7900, clock it to 650 core and game...

 

[5150Joker]

Originally posted by: ST

Originally posted by: akugami
On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

meh sit down b4 u hurt yourself....

7900gt volt mod is usually around 650/850 stock or comparable to a 7900gtx. people that upgraded their stock coolers, usually reach 675/900 on average beating out the sotck x1900xtx...lucky ones will push their to 700+.

again really the decision is whether you want to overclock (volt mod) or not...if you're not comfortable, the decision is easy...x1900xt. if you want to save money and are okay with a $5 pen upgrade...get the 7900gt.


btw a nice other perk on the 7900GT is the ability to buy a cheapo outdated cooler like the NV Silencer 5:

http://www.svc.com/avc-nv5-r2.html

$14.95 ... hack off a piece of the top and it fits/works like cake...

A 700 mhz massively OC'd GT won't beat an XT clocked at XTX speeds: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1945659,00.asp Likewise, if he keeps the X1900XT he doesn't have to worry about possibly killing his card by doing a hardware mod on it and praying it doesn't fry his card. All he has to do is utilize ATi's built in software voltage control and OC as high as he wants. If he needs better cooling then he can opt to do so for even better overclocks. Then of course there's ATi's superior HQ AF and HDR+AA capabilities. The 7900 GT is outclassed by the X1900XT in every way.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: russki
save a hundred bones, vmod the 7900, clock it to 650 core and game...

Good luck playing Oblivion @ 1280x1024, Max w/ HDR, + AA/AF, and geting even acceptable performance.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: ST

Originally posted by: akugami
On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

meh sit down b4 u hurt yourself....

7900gt volt mod is usually around 650/850 stock or comparable to a 7900gtx. people that upgraded their stock coolers, usually reach 675/900 on average beating out the sotck x1900xtx...lucky ones will push their to 700+.

again really the decision is whether you want to overclock (volt mod) or not...if you're not comfortable, the decision is easy...x1900xt. if you want to save money and are okay with a $5 pen upgrade...get the 7900gt.


btw a nice other perk on the 7900GT is the ability to buy a cheapo outdated cooler like the NV Silencer 5:

http://www.svc.com/avc-nv5-r2.html

$14.95 ... hack off a piece of the top and it fits/works like cake...

I think you're the one that needs to sit down. I was merely presenting my opinions on what the two options the OP had entailed. You can present your opinions and it's fine to disagree with mine but that's no reason to act like I'm frothing at the mouth which I wasn't. You sound way more gung ho than I did. Heck, I didn't even bad mouth the 7900GT when you get right down to it. The 7900GT was actually my first choice for a new video card except for the fact that everywhere sells it above MSRP.

 

[drpootums]

I don't have enough money for either card, lol....

....but if i did i would definitally go with the X1900XT based on the benchmarks i've seen, and the ability to do HDR w/ AA is awsome!

 

[Jules]

X1900xt no contest.

 

[Jules]

Originally posted by: 5150Joker

Originally posted by: ST

Originally posted by: akugami
On the plus side of the X1900...you don't have to worry about how far you can overclock it. Most people seem to be reaching in the around 600mhz core with the 7900GT but that requires an aftermarket cooler (another $30-50). The lucky ones hit close to 700mhz core and along with a memory overclock it hits right about the same performance as a 7900GTX or X1900XT. With the X1900 you don't have to worry about overclocking to hit such high performance. The X1900 will also last you longer before you require an upgrade and frankly, I wouldn't upgrade until the 2nd generation of DX10 parts come out anyways. And you still have the option of slapping on an aftermarket cooler on the X1900XT and overclocking it to even higher performance levels.

meh sit down b4 u hurt yourself....

7900gt volt mod is usually around 650/850 stock or comparable to a 7900gtx. people that upgraded their stock coolers, usually reach 675/900 on average beating out the sotck x1900xtx...lucky ones will push their to 700+.

again really the decision is whether you want to overclock (volt mod) or not...if you're not comfortable, the decision is easy...x1900xt. if you want to save money and are okay with a $5 pen upgrade...get the 7900gt.


btw a nice other perk on the 7900GT is the ability to buy a cheapo outdated cooler like the NV Silencer 5:

http://www.svc.com/avc-nv5-r2.html

$14.95 ... hack off a piece of the top and it fits/works like cake...

A 700 mhz massively OC'd GT won't beat an XT clocked at XTX speeds: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1945659,00.asp Likewise, if he keeps the X1900XT he doesn't have to worry about possibly killing his card by doing a hardware mod on it and praying it doesn't fry his card. All he has to do is utilize ATi's built in software voltage control and OC as high as he wants. If he needs better cooling then he can opt to do so for even better overclocks. Then of course there's ATi's superior HQ AF and HDR+AA capabilities. The 7900 GT is outclassed by the X1900XT in every way.

Pwned

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: ST
overclock or no overclock?

yes - 7900gt volt mod

no - x1900xt

Ya, because X1900XT's don't oc very well.


OP- Go for the X1900XT. I went from two 7800GTs@550/1300 (which would be faster than a heavily oced 7900GT) to my current card and I'm very happy with the choice. IMO it's well worth the extra $100.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Ask yourself, how much do you game? Did you need max eye candy?