Best Videocards - $200-300[+]

[apoppin]

Compares midrange GPUs . . . and answers a LOT of questions = "what to buy for ~200 to three hundred dollars".

Mid Range GPU Roundup - Summer 2006

here are some 'snippets' of *conclusions*:

Not only is the X1900 GT a better performer in most cases than the stock 7900 GT, but with this week's price cuts the ATI part offers an incredible value advantage.

The X1900 XT leads the high end of the midrange market at this point in time, but if your spending limit is set hard at $300 an overclocked 7900 GT that comes in with 550+ core clock speed can be a very good option. With the price difference between the stock 7900 GT and overclocked 7900 GT being just about $15, there is no reason to settle for the significantly slower performer.

On the low end, we've got the stock 7600 GT for just over $160, which offers playable midrange performance at a low price. While the X1600 XT is about $15 cheaper, performance is abysmal. There is no reason anyone should purchase an X1600 XT at this point. With a really tight budget, the 7600 GT offers adequate gaming performance. Overclocked 7600 GT parts are just not worth the price as they don't offer any significant performance gain for the $30 premium. The X1900 GT, however, offers a whole lot more value for the additional $60 over a stock 7600 GT.

To break to it down into cut and dry recommendations, here is our take on what card to buy for each price range from 150-350.

$150 - $220: GeForce 7600 GT (stock)

$230 - $280: Radeon X1900 GT

$290 - $320: GeForce 7900 GT (overclocked 550/775 +)

$320 - $370: Radeon X1900 XT

lots of benchs . . . worth reading

 

[Kromis]

Indeed. But I don't have enough money to make a new rig so...yeah.

 

[cmdrdredd]

didn't mention anything about power requirements and it's something I remember reading, but never understanding. What type of special requirements do we need to be aware of with the x1900xt or any of the newer cards.

 

[Powermoloch]

7600GT KO worked perfectly on my rig..w/ a dell psu on 305 watts :Q

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Powermoloch
7600GT KO worked perfectly on my rig..w/ a dell psu on 305 watts :Q

Would the same PSu handly a 7900GT or a x1900xt just the same? Or do you need something better.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
didn't mention anything about power requirements and it's something I remember reading, but never understanding. What type of special requirements do we need to be aware of with the x1900xt or any of the newer cards.

it isn't really the purpose of this review to compare power requirements . . . but it seems a general rule that you need 350w from a decent PS to power a midrange gaming rig.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
didn't mention anything about power requirements and it's something I remember reading, but never understanding. What type of special requirements do we need to be aware of with the x1900xt or any of the newer cards.

it isn't really the purpose of this review to compare power requirements . . . but it seems a general rule that you need 350w from a decent PS to power a midrange gaming rig.

It should be mentioned because ALOT of people build budget systems with a case that comes with a PSU that may not work.

 

[akshayt]

1900XT and 1800XT 512mb are high end not mid range.
If you call them mid range then there is no high end except CF.

1950XTX is ultra highend and better than 7900GT SLi

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: akshayt
1900XT and 1800XT 512mb are high end not mid range.
If you call them mid range then there is no high end except CF.

1950XTX is ultra highend and better than 7900GT SLi

Were is the X1800XT. It's not highend ANYMORE.

And the X1950XTX is ultra highend. But it's not better then my 7900GT in SLI (Can a single card really bet 7900GT's at 690/1700??? Faster then a GX2?

 

[akshayt]

1800XT 512mb and 1900XT are very similar in performance in a majority of titles. 512mb version is high end while 256mb version is not.
look up xbitlabs benchies.

1950XTX is ultra high end.

At stock
1950XTX>7950GX2>7900GT SLI, at stock.

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: akshayt
1800XT 512mb and 1900XT are very similar in performance in a majority of titles. 512mb version is high end while 256mb version is not.
look up xbitlabs benchies.

1950XTX is ultra high end.

At stock
1950XTX>7950GX2>7900GT SLI, at stock.

So what if the X1800XT is high end. It's still a cheaper option in the price range of the article. They should have looked at it.

 

[BassBomb]

X1900XT MIDRANGE????!! I SO DISAGREE lol

midrange for me is not even 79** or X19**

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: akshayt
1800XT 512mb and 1900XT are very similar in performance in a majority of titles. 512mb version is high end while 256mb version is not.
look up xbitlabs benchies.

1950XTX is ultra high end.

At stock
1950XTX>7950GX2>7900GT SLI, at stock.

Actually the X1900XT is faster than the X1800XT by 10~20%.

And how do you know that a 7950GX2 is slower than a X1950XTX? do you have benches? you have the card? one word. no.

Ill believe it when i see the real benches.

I think the reason X1900XT and other highend cards are counted as part of the Mid range GPU roundup because of prices. Some of these high end cards can be had for 250~. e.g the 7900GT or X1900XT for around 320~. Which is pretty cheap if you ask me.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
X1900XT MIDRANGE????!! I SO DISAGREE lol

midrange for me is not even 79** or X19**

Anand is taling "midrange" as to price.

~$300 meets his article's definition of midrange.... AFAIK, you can get an x1900xt for Less than $300 with MIR.

the x1950xt will be $400 - 'high end'
edited

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: BassBomb
X1900XT MIDRANGE????!! I SO DISAGREE lol

midrange for me is not even 79** or X19**

Anand is taling "midrange" as to price.

~$300 meets his article's definition of midrange.... AFAIK, you can get an x1900xt for Less than $300 with MIR.

the x1950xt will be $400 - 'high end'
edited

And you pass the $500 mark for the 7950GX2

 

[ZombieRitual]

Hm, I wonder if a x1900xt would get enough power from a 470 watt PSU.

 

[xtreme26]

x1900gt seems like a good performer

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: ZombieRitual
Hm, I wonder if a x1900xt would get enough power from a 470 watt PSU.

Probably. I'll have my x1900xt around wednesday and I'll let ya know with my 430w PSu

 

[secretanchitman]

7900GT/X1900GT if you're looking for a card over $250.

7600GT is also a very good performer as well.

*strokes HDCP enabled 7900GT*

 

[TheUltimateNewbie]

looks like I'll be getting a X1900GT tomorrow

 

[hmorphone]

Originally posted by: TheUltimateNewbie
looks like I'll be getting a X1900GT tomorrow

Yeah, I like mine This backs up what I've been saying all along. I was going to add that I wouldn't pay more for a X1900GT than about $50 less than Anand lists, but I see the 7900GT prices are listed higher than they should be too (for a sharp buyer.) I was VERY enlightened though by the difference he showed between the stock 7900GTs and the OC'd ones. Very interesting...

 

[TheUltimateNewbie]

Originally posted by: hmorphone

Originally posted by: TheUltimateNewbie
looks like I'll be getting a X1900GT tomorrow

Yeah, I like mine This backs up what I've been saying all along. I was going to add that I wouldn't pay more for a X1900GT than about $50 less than Anand lists, but I see the 7900GT prices are listed higher than they should be too (for a sharp buyer.) I was VERY enlightened though by the difference he showed between the stock 7900GTs and the OC'd ones. Very interesting...

Price is no problem for me, my cousin has a mom and pop computer store and gives me the parts at invoice price.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: ZombieRitual
Hm, I wonder if a x1900xt would get enough power from a 470 watt PSU.

450-Watt power supply or greater, 30 Amps on 12 volt rail recommended (assumes fully loaded system)

from: http://www.diamondmm.com/X1900XT512.php