Anandtech Reviews R600!

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: apoppin
if you notice, my predictions were 'spot on' in many cases regarding HD2900xt

Originally posted by: apoppin
:disgust: :| :Q :frown: :heart: :brokenheart: :beer: :music: :wine: :lips: :camera: :gift:

:evil: :clock: :light: :sun: :moon: :roll: :laugh: :shocked: :thumbsup: :thumbsdown:

Once I translate I will see how spot on you were.

 

[BFG10K]

The HD2X00 though, that's a second generation of the X1800ect architecture,

I think not.

As for performance, DEIW still runs slower on my 8800 GTX than it does on my X800 XL. So yes, I think a lot of ATi's current performance issues can be solved through driver updates.

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Regs

Originally posted by: GundamSonicZeroX
and 8900 to pick from. nvidia Vista drivers might even work by then

Maybe Vista will work by then.

Better hope n7 doesn't see that remark![/quote]



I am actually very encouraged by the results i saw w/ Vista today on ATi & nV hardware.
(Thanx to those sites who used Vista in testing )

Till today, i'd really seen nothing but horror stories regarding nV's drivers in Vista, but it seems performance loss is relatively minimal, which is good.


I want to mention that in terms of technological detail, once again AT's review = wow :thumbsup:

Most of the technical terminology regarding the card's components was completely over my head, but it was still an interesting read.

I certainly do think driver performance could improve, mainly on the "bugged" games.

Pricing also needs to come down below MSRP in a hurry for this card to do well IMO, as while i think it's a very decent option, the only time it's clearly better than the 8800 GTS 640 MB is @ 1920x1200+ w/ lots of AA & AF, especially 2560x1600.

At lower resolutions/settings, i honestly can't see many reasons to recommend it over the 8800 GTS 640 MB or sometimes even the 320 MB, aside from the obvious potential for better future performance (DX10), or if the user has plans for a nice 24"+ LCD.

Power consumption is disappointing, yet really not a deal breaker in most cases, as i imagine most people either have a good enough PSU or are planning one anyway.

The fact no 6 to 8-pin PCI-e power connector adaptors come included isn't ideal at all IMO though, & it seems the only way to get them is via buying a new PSU or getting them from the PSU manufacturers...

And as for noise, after owning an X1800XT & X1900XT, i am very disappointed to hear we have another loud one.

With the X1k series, we had alternative coolers readily available, so it wasn't quite so bad, but still, having to install modified cooling to have tolerable noise output is unacceptable once again IMO.

I think the one area where the HD 2900 XT will be a more solid option is drivers, especially in Vista, as it appears nV really doesn't care too much, & doesn't update anywhere close to as regularly as they should.

Without babbling more, i'm going to say that overall, i'd consider the HD 2900 XT a disappointment.

It certainly does have a market, & feature-wise, it's loaded w/ goodies & i suspect a ton of future potential, but overall, most gamers look at pure price/performance, & i don't see it winning in that area anytime soon.

Then again, if price does drop to around 8800 GTS 640 MB levels in a hurry, it could be a great option in some ways.


Sadly, the card simply doesn't do what i need it to for my needs, so it appears n7 will be venturing into green-land once again.

The last two times i've dabbled in nV hardware, i've had very annoying [driver] issues that basically never got fixed, so i'm absolutely not looking forward to it, as i expect much hell & turmoil.

/will be grabbing an 8800 GTX as soon as he finds the price he wants...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Wreckage

Originally posted by: apoppin
if you notice, my predictions were 'spot on' in many cases regarding HD2900xt

Originally posted by: apoppin
:disgust: :| :Q :frown: :heart: :brokenheart: :beer: :music: :wine: :lips: :camera: :gift:

:evil: :clock: :light: :sun: :moon: :roll: :laugh: :shocked: :thumbsup: :thumbsdown:

Once I translate I will see how spot on you were.

very ... surprised myself

but since you are blind .. that could be a problem

 

[soydios]

Derek...that was a VERY well written-review. There were a lot of complex topics to discuss, but it was all very thoroughly explained.

As for the card...meh. I'm not buying any DX10 hardware until the second generation at LEAST.

 

[otispunkmeyer]

good article, probably one of the most thorough yet concise ive read in a while

things may pick up if they can make their little compiler thingy more efficient at pulling parallel stuff from shader code.

AA performance isnt what id call amazing though. first its done in the shader core and second, if not done right, the new funky CFAA modes can actually make IQ worse.

im sorry but Nvidia have this one, the only good thing about this card is the fact that for about the same performance of a 8800gts you also get full video decoding...though with the noise/heat it makes im not sure how desirable that is for gaming HTPC guys.

its almost like gordon browns last budget.....gives with one hand, takes away with the other. they give you video decode and decent game performance, but then saddle you with high power requirements and alot of heat/noise.

i mean certainly for a shuttle user the HD2900 is going to be nearly out of the question. i believe you can run a GTX in a SD39P2, just, but this uses even more power than that and its only got a 400w PSU. the GTS is a much smarter choice in that respect.

 

[Gstanfor]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

The HD2X00 though, that's a second generation of the X1800ect architecture,

I think not.

As for performance, DEIW still runs slower on my 8800 GTX than it does on my X800 XL. So yes, I think a lot of ATi's current performance issues can be solved through driver updates.

Typo, or did you go purchase a GTX?

 

[rise]

The fact no 6 to 8-pin PCI-e power connector adaptors come included isn't ideal at all IMO though, & it seems the only way to get them is via buying a new PSU or getting them from the PSU manufacturers...

seriously? thats a dumb move. what would've that cost, $1/each

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: rise

The fact no 6 to 8-pin PCI-e power connector adaptors come included isn't ideal at all IMO though, & it seems the only way to get them is via buying a new PSU or getting them from the PSU manufacturers...

seriously? thats a dumb move. what would've that cost, $1/each

$6

http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=...ONSID=4265ea9b345652cd24dde597eda8ded7

Logisys 12V Molex to 8pin P8 Adapter for PCI-Express Video Cards, Model: AD202

This adapter converts 2 standard 4-pin Molex coonectors into 1 8-pin P8 connector allowing you to use today's powerful motherboards! This Add-On Cable brings expanded functionality to any high end power supply that hasn't passed it's life cycle but is missing some latest connectors.

 

[rise]

c'mon, thats not what you pay for 500k pcs... thats what they fleece us.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: spittledip
They need to drop that price to make it competitive... Nvidia could raise the price on their GTS's and still get people to buy at this point.

Why would you buy an 8800GTS when you could get an HD 2900XT?

<snip>

Better cooler, lower price, better warrentees from better board partners, better linux drivers, sign of progress being made on monitor scaling issues (unless something has changed wtih the 2900 series, and I doubt it has), and similar performance.

The 2900xt isn't a bad card, but without the IQ and performance advantages ATI had on their parts from the last generation, its hard for me to recommend something thats about as fast as the nvidia part. The price will fall in line, the other stuff probably will not.