ATI x1900xt or x1900XTX

VisceralM

Member
Feb 1, 2005
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I've seen a few threads on this in the past but now I find myself unable to decide between the two. The XT seems to be the better value card, comming in at about $45 less than the XTX.

My questions are thus:

1.) Which overclocks better? The XT or XTX?
2.) Does it even matter which I should get when you consider processor speed? I'm currently running x2 3800s at about 4400 speeds. I'm wondering about processor bottlenecking because these cards are such beasts..
3.) Cooling. If I do decide to got with the cheaper XT and OCing it, I'm assuming I should get a zalman kit for it..but then the prices is right back up in the same area as the XTX..worth it?

 

framerateuk

Senior member
Apr 16, 2002
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With good cooling you'll probably be able to push with XT up to XTX speeds, while your not going to be able to get a whole lot more from the XTX.

If you can get a good deal on an XTX then go for it (i only paid £10 for the XTX compared to the XT), but youd probably be better off going for the XT, price wise at least.
 

Bull Dog

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2005
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With my X1900XT, I can get
Note: 1.4v is the nominal (stock, standard, default) 3d voltage for the X1900XT(X) cards.

770Mhz @1.55v (bench stabe but thats about it)
750MHz @1.525v (100% stable just a little hot)
725MHz @1.425v (Good comprimise between maximum performance and heat output)
700MHz @1.35v (Awsome OC becuase its at 0.05v less than standard stock voltage.)
650MHz @1.325v (XTX speed)
625MHz @1.3v (XT speed with 0.1v less than stock voltage)
 

Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
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Most xt will run at at xtx speeds, but you may have to upgrade the cooling. But if you're looking for a highest OC, then the xtx will generally OC higher.
 

Robor

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Bull Dog
With my X1900XT, I can get
Note: 1.4v is the nominal (stock, standard, default) 3d voltage for the X1900XT(X) cards.

770Mhz @1.55v (bench stabe but thats about it)
750MHz @1.525v (100% stable just a little hot)
725MHz @1.425v (Good comprimise between maximum performance and heat output)
700MHz @1.35v (Awsome OC becuase its at 0.05v less than standard stock voltage.)
650MHz @1.325v (XTX speed)
625MHz @1.3v (XT speed with 0.1v less than stock voltage)

Thanks for the great info! I've got a stock (default cooling) Built By ATI X1900XTX but don't remember my clock speeds - just a very slight overclock though. I didn't want to push it and risk stability or damage. I'm using the tool built into the ATI Catalyst Control Center.

Are you using the default cooling? Is your card a Built By ATI? What utility are you using to overclock? Did you overclock your memory as well?
 

Bull Dog

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2005
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Cooling is a modified Thermalright V1 Ultra (see sig for project logs). I'm using ATI Tool v0.25 b14. If you use ATI Tool you'll need to stop the Ati2mdxx.exe process from booting (it changes the cards clock speed between 500/600 1.125v to 650/775 1.4v for XTXs). OCing with ATI Tool is a little more work but once you figure out all the bugs, it pays big dividends.