ATI A-I-W X800XT or X800 + TV Wonder Elite?

[Kitrax]

Ok, so I'm at the point in building my custom gamming computer where I need to buy the video card. But before I get ahead of myself, I think I should list my motherboard so no one starts suggesting a PCIe card for my AGP board...

My mobo is an Abit IC7-G MAX II Advance motherboard (AGP board)

So with that out of the way, I'm thinking of that snazzy ATI All-In-Wonder X800XT that's on ATI's website...the problem is, I can't find anywhere to buy one. I don't even know if it's going to ship as a PCIe or as an AGP card.

So now I'm wondering if it would be better to buy an X800XT by itself as well as a PCI TV card, such as the TV Wonder Elite. It probably wouldn't be any cheaper, but whould my system run faster with two seperate cards, or one all inclusive card? I can't wait much longer...I just bought Doom 3 and I want to see what my computer can do with it!

Thanks!

 

[Matthias99]

Like in the last million threads asking this question, the consensus is almost always that buying a discrete TV tuner card is a better idea. This way you don't lose the TV functionality if you upgrade your video card, and you can get a different (for instance, HDTV) tuner without having to replace the video card.

Of course, the X800XT AIW isn't available yet, so it's a bit of a moot point anyway.

 

[Kitrax]

Well, the TV Wonder Elite isn't available right now either...

But putting the fact of loosing a TV tunner with an upgrade aside...which setup would have a better profromance: A-I-W card, or two seperate cards (X800 + TV Wonder)

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Kitrax
Well, the TV Wonder Elite isn't available right now either...

But putting the fact of loosing a TV tunner with an upgrade aside...which setup would have a better profromance: A-I-W card, or two seperate cards (X800 + TV Wonder)

In terms of...?

3D performance is identical between AIW and non-AIW cards, if that's what you're asking.

 

[Kitrax]

Ok, cool. I was just thinking that cramming all the functionality of two cards in to one slot might bottle-neck the performance of the card, where as two separate slots just might add to the overall performance...but I guess the AGP slot can handle it all.

Thanks for the replies! I think I'll stick around here, as these are some great forums! :thumbsup:

 

[Glendor]

I just recently found out that the AIW X800 XT will NOT have a Theater 550 Pro chip, but will only have a Theater 200 chip, like all the other AIWs of the past. The Theater 550 Pro is reported to be WAY WAY better than the old 200 series.

The TV Wonder Elite will have the Theater 550 Pro chip, AND a new Remote Wonder Plus (Pro?) that is supposed to be more compatible with Windows MCE 2005.

I'm thinking that a high-end dedicated graphics card (X800 XT or 9800 XT) combined with a TV Wonder Elite & new the new Remote Wonder Plus / Pro will be the best combination, and that's what I'm shooting for in my HTPC rig.

Good luck...
Glendor...

 

[sumrtym]

The Sapphire Theatrix based on the 550 is available from zipzoomfly now for $85. The remote is their own and IR, however, and NOT the ATI RF Remote Wonder Plus.

 

[Glendor]

Good timing with your reply. I was just on their website comparing a picutre of their remote to the picture of a 'standard' MCE remote from HP just to see if it had all the 'normal MCE' buttons included. It looks like it does, but they are in different locations. I really wish ATI would publish more info on the new remote, and a pricing/availability update on the TV Wonder Elite.

Jeez ATI, get with it!!!

 

[Glendor]

For the difference in price (ATI $150 - Sapphire $85 = $65) the Remote Wonder Pro had better be something SPECIAL... :Q

 

[imported_nomad]

Hi,

TV Wonder Elite is now available for pre-oder on Directron.com for US$149.

I would appreciate if somebody would expalin me whether the card supports HDTV or we are talking about higher analog TV picture quality? Do I understand right that a NDTV picture will be still better?

Thank you and sorry if my questions sound ignorant as I am compeletly a non-technical person.