approx $250 to spend for graphics card

[xoduzz786]

Im not a very heavy gamer (mostly just WoW which can be played on just about any vid card) but i have about $250 to spend for a video card and was wondering wat you guys would recommend...so far im looking at either an X1900 XT 256mb or a 7900GTO (i think its a slightly crippled 7900gtx). My monitor is an lcd tv so i cant really game above 1360x768...if u can convince me to spend less than $250 on something less powerful i wouldnt mind that either thanks!

 

[lxskllr]

What's wrong with the card you have now?

 

[Pabster]

X1900XT 256MB.

 

[xoduzz786]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
What's wrong with the card you have now?

im building a new conroe system so i'd like to have some top of the line parts to go with it

 

[NYslipstream]

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
Im not a very heavy gamer (mostly just WoW which can be played on just about any vid card) but i have about $250 to spend for a video card and was wondering wat you guys would recommend...so far im looking at either an X1900 XT 256mb or a 7900GTO (i think its a slightly crippled 7900gtx). My monitor is an lcd tv so i cant really game above 1360x768...if u can convince me to spend less than $250 on something less powerful i wouldnt mind that either thanks!

I'm an avid WoW gamer. I have the X1900XT, and I couldn't be happier with the performance. Not a bad word to say about the card really. I hope this helps.

The one thing you should know though, is WoW seems to hit the wall at 60-70 FPS. I made a post about this a few weeks back, and someone showed me that WoW still hasn't been optimized for dual core, and that the CPU is the bottleneck. That's just for this particular game. Hopefully, Blizzard gets it right with the coming of the Burning Crusade. If I come across that article again, I'll stop back.

Peace.

 

[ProSlayer]

This is my understanding after reading a lot of articles on comparing 7900 GTO vs X1900 XT: They are each better for specific types of games ( forgot which ones), the X1900XT beats the 7900 GTO in performance, but the 7900GTO makes less noise, heat, and has less power consumption.

 

[tuteja1986]

Did Nvidia fix its shimmer issue with WOW , i haven't check since late Feb of the issue but i think if you turn on HQ setting on Nvidia driver then shimmer is gone.

 

[MadBadger]

Pabster - I'm debating the same thing right now (1900xt or 7900 gto). What's your reasoning for choosing the 1900xt?

p.s. I noticed that you're using a 74 gig Raptor for your Conroe rig. Is it the ADFD version? How do you like it and how bad is the noise? From what I've been able to gather, a lot of people mention that the ADFD version of the 74 Gb Raptor is pretty quiet. Any truth to that?

Cheers. :beer:

 

[L00ker]

I have a 74GB ADFD and I hardly notice it my fans are a little noisy since I am running water cooling and I am using a thermaltake fan the other part is that it sits on my desk with the window facing me so as far as noise it is in the worst place possible (right next to me) but I hardly notice it, it is enough noise that if you listen for it you can hear it churning away but personally I prefer this so i can tell it's actually working instead of being dead silent and me not knowing if it's actually doing anything... YMMV

 

[rikai]

If you can come up with the bit of extra cash, i'd go after this deal as quick as possible. But thats just me.

 

[tuteja1986]

7950GT is no real match for cheaper X1900XT 256mb or 7900GTO

 

[MadBadger]

L00ker - Thanks for the info :beer:

 

[JWMiddleton]

Originally posted by: tuteja1986
7950GT is no real match for cheaper X1900XT 256mb or 7900GTO

No match, eh? That is a strong statement for only a few FPS. I got the 7950GT and LOVE it. I have an ASUS A8N-SLI Dlx mobo, so I have the option of adding a 2nd 7950GT later. I also wanted the fanless card and 512 MB of VRAM.

When playing WOW I use to get LAG like crazy when I was near the AH in IF. I've run into the pit a few times when I could not control my toon. Now with the new card it is smooth as silk!

Good luck with the new box!

 

[coolpurplefan]

x1950 Pro, release date: tomorrow

 

[Trey22]

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
x1950 Pro, release date: tomorrow

Over in the Video section, someone apparently picked on up at BestBuy for $299. I thought they were supposed to MSRP at $200?

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: NYslipstream

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
Im not a very heavy gamer (mostly just WoW which can be played on just about any vid card) but i have about $250 to spend for a video card and was wondering wat you guys would recommend...so far im looking at either an X1900 XT 256mb or a 7900GTO (i think its a slightly crippled 7900gtx). My monitor is an lcd tv so i cant really game above 1360x768...if u can convince me to spend less than $250 on something less powerful i wouldnt mind that either thanks!

I'm an avid WoW gamer. I have the X1900XT, and I couldn't be happier with the performance. Not a bad word to say about the card really. I hope this helps.

The one thing you should know though, is WoW seems to hit the wall at 60-70 FPS. I made a post about this a few weeks back, and someone showed me that WoW still hasn't been optimized for dual core, and that the CPU is the bottleneck. That's just for this particular game. Hopefully, Blizzard gets it right with the coming of the Burning Crusade. If I come across that article again, I'll stop back.

Peace.

Why would you want more than 70fps???

 

[kuqdew]

to have ultimate bragging rights

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: MadBadger
Pabster - I'm debating the same thing right now (1900xt or 7900 gto). What's your reasoning for choosing the 1900xt?

First, the X1900XT is faster. Second, I don't trust those GTO cards. There have been a lot of reports the Samsung chips run blazing hot even at default speed and I'd be concerned with the reliability and longevity of the card. Of course this is IMHO and completely anecdotal, as I've never used one.

p.s. I noticed that you're using a 74 gig Raptor for your Conroe rig. Is it the ADFD version? How do you like it and how bad is the noise? From what I've been able to gather, a lot of people mention that the ADFD version of the 74 Gb Raptor is pretty quiet. Any truth to that?

Well, to be honest, I've never considered the Raptors to be "loud" anyway. I've owned every model, including the new 150GB ones. Can't say I notice a bit of difference noise wise. I've got to add a disclaimer, however - I'm not a noise freak. I'm used to fairly noisy rigs and audible 15K SCSI drives, so I probably am not the most objective person to ask on that

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Trey22

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
x1950 Pro, release date: tomorrow

Over in the Video section, someone apparently picked on up at BestBuy for $299. I thought they were supposed to MSRP at $200?

They had better debut @ $200, if not I will be mad!

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: NYslipstream

Originally posted by: xoduzz786
Im not a very heavy gamer (mostly just WoW which can be played on just about any vid card) but i have about $250 to spend for a video card and was wondering wat you guys would recommend...so far im looking at either an X1900 XT 256mb or a 7900GTO (i think its a slightly crippled 7900gtx). My monitor is an lcd tv so i cant really game above 1360x768...if u can convince me to spend less than $250 on something less powerful i wouldnt mind that either thanks!

I'm an avid WoW gamer. I have the X1900XT, and I couldn't be happier with the performance. Not a bad word to say about the card really. I hope this helps.

The one thing you should know though, is WoW seems to hit the wall at 60-70 FPS. I made a post about this a few weeks back, and someone showed me that WoW still hasn't been optimized for dual core, and that the CPU is the bottleneck. That's just for this particular game. Hopefully, Blizzard gets it right with the coming of the Burning Crusade. If I come across that article again, I'll stop back.

Peace.

Why would you want more than 70fps???

QFT

Its not like its an FPS... even then 60-70FPS is more than enough.
*puts on flame suit*

WoW is great on my 7600GT, but yes I do see some shimmering sometimes on rocks and things. I would get the X1900XT.

 

[40sTheme]

60-70 fps on max- I would love to have.
It annoys me when people complain "I'm not hitting 60 fps! =(".
I'm getting the 7950GT soon; very good card from what i've seen so far.

 

[westihockey09]

To be blunt, ATI x1900xt, though i see no need for that demanding of a card for WOW. But it's your money not mine. : )

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: westihockey09
To be blunt, ATI x1900xt, though i see no need for that demanding of a card for WOW. But it's your money not mine. : )

Exactly. I'd get either an X1900XT 256MB or 7900GTO, depending on whether you're biased to one brand or the other or for other reasons. I'd pick the ATI card personally, even though I've owned nvidia cards for a while now.