EVGA 7900GT or X1900XT

[Nightmare225]

With my rig building time fast approaching, I've been having a dilemna between graphics cards. I wanted the X1900XT until recently, when the rumors started to be getting louder about the G80 being released in September. That's when I started to look at EVGA's cards, and I've been studying their step-up program. After a while, I've decided to get a 7900GT, nothing more powerful or less.

Now, either, I want to get a X1900XT, which is very powerful, or a EVGA 7900GT, which, while slightly less powerful, I can Step Up to the G80 when it comes out. Now, assuming the money that I will require to step up will not be an issue, which card should I get? The 7900GT, which I can step-up, or the X1900XT, which is powerful?

 

[996GT2]

eVGA's Step-Up is only valid for 90 days after your purchase date, and I don't think G80 will be out in 3 months...

 

[Keysplayr]

I wonder why folks decide to build rigs JUST before better stuff comes out.
Anyway, impossible to tell you because nobody even knows what G80 is or what it will do. It sounds like a decent plan to do the step up at least.

^^ That's right, only 90 days to step up and we do not have an un/official launch date for G80

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i'd go with the x1900xt and never look back. it is one of the top cards on the market right now. and mine idles at 45 with vf900 =] same as cpu in the NYC summer heat.
you shouldn't test your luck on the release date of the next nvidia gpu... it might be a while with the launch of the gx2 lately. and the x1900xt is pretty cheap now...

 

[Ulfhednar]

Don't gamble with release dates, get the X1900XT and then upgrade to a next-gen card in 12 months (when DirectX 10 games start popping up properly.)

 

[Frankie]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I wonder why folks decide to build rigs JUST before better stuff comes out.
Anyway, impossible to tell you because nobody even knows what G80 is or what it will do. It sounds like a decent plan to do the step up at least.

^^ That's right, only 90 days to step up and we do not have an un/official launch date for G80

If you keep putting it off and putting it off you'll never upgrade. Technology is evolving every day. I built a new rig a month ago and it's going to last me a good 3-4 years.

Sorry, but this just bugs me when people say "Why build when theres something new around the corner". There is ALWAYS something new around the corner. Plus new technology that is just coming out also has new problems to go along with it.

Sorry for venting, but that just bugs me. LOL

 

[Nightmare225]

Ya, but the one thing I would wait for is the Conroe Chip, especially since it's only a week or 2 away...

So, I should go for the X1900XT, right? Does anybody else have opinions? I just saw that the G80 has been taped out (this is according to Inquirer, but still...) Maybe I should get the 7900GT and Step-Up...

 

[supastar1568]

im in the same boat.

X1900xt all the way

 

[CyborgNinja117]

1900xt all the way ftw! what supa said

 

[Elfear]

Go for the X1900XT. Inq may or may not be right, plus you'll want to see benchmarks before you set your sites on the G80.

 

[genietime]

I have a X1900XT in my rig and a EVGA 7900GT in my wife's rig, both are mildly OC'd. Both are very good cards. The X1900XT is slightly faster in most stuff however the difference compared to the 7900GT is really not that noticeable in most games. The only game I really see a significant difference is Oblivion (The X1900XT is faster).

Be aware that if you are not running a high resolution panel (e.g (1600x1200 or above) you will probably not see a whole lot of performance difference between the two with current games. Be warned the X1900XT is loud at high clock speeds, where it'd be for most 3D apps unless you go water or an aftermarket cooler.

I've been happy with all of the EVGA cards I've purchased. Either option is a good choice IMO, since it sounds like money is not really critical I'd personally go with a X1900XT and upgrade when the DX10 stuff comes out.

 

[Mucker]

My eVGA 7900GT just started acting up on me after about 1 month use, artifacts, freezes, flashing, etc.. I didnt't think it could happen to me but it did. Instead of playing the RMA dance, I just ordered a x1900xt, this one in fact: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102025

My evga 7800GT's in Sli work wonderfully but 7900 is a no go for me........

m

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: genietime
I have a X1900XT in my rig and a EVGA 7900GT in my wife's rig, both are mildly OC'd. Both are very good cards. The X1900XT is slightly faster in most stuff however the difference compared to the 7900GT is really not that noticeable in most games. The only game I really see a significant difference is Oblivion (The X1900XT is faster).

I guess it depends on which games you play and at which resolution.

Be aware that if you are not running a high resolution panel (e.g (1600x1200 or above) you will probably not see a whole lot of performance difference between the two with current games.

That's true in part but you will still see a noticeable difference even at 1280x1024 with full eye-candy. Link At higher resolutions the gap widens even more.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

The X1900XT FTW!

And to the comments that no one knows for sure what the G80 will perform like, my logic tells me:
1) It HAS to be a decent improvement (25% or so) over the 7950GX2 in High-Res/IQ or it will plain not make any sense. The 7950GX2 isn't vaporware: it's a very real, available FLAGSHIP product and the G80 better trounce it or nVidia will look like idiots with a meaningless product.
2) Initial reviews of the 7800GTX from June 2005 stated that there weren't any immediate improvements over a 6800 Ultra UNLESS resolutions/AA-settings were increased. I'm guessing the next gen cards won't be 'much' faster at 1280x1024 but will show their mettle at higher resolutions.
3) Remember improvements going from 5950 Ultra -> 6800 Ultra -> 7800GTX and 9800XT ->X800XT -> X1800XT?

All the above leads me to believe that G80/R600 should be (more or less) 50% faster than 7900GTX/X1900XTX when testing at 1920x1200 with 4X AA. Mentioning '16XAF' is pretty much redundant these days for the 2% or so performance hit it takes over Trilinear Filtering.

 

[Nightmare225]

I have a 1680x1050 panel, definitely high-resolution. I mostly play games based on the Doom 3 engine and Halo and the such. However, I've been dying to try out Oblivion, since it looks like the X1900XT may be better in that, I'm reallly leaning towards it...

 

[mylok]

1900xt all the way. is it really possible nvidia will release another new card in 90 days after just releasing the 7950gx2?

 

[theprodigalrebel]

If you want to play Oblivion, that's one more reason to go for the X1900XT. I'll say it again: go for it! The X1900XT will let you play pretty much every game out there at max detail at that resolution (maybe some tweaking for Oblivion).

Edit: Well mylok, the X1900XT came out ~3 months after the X1800XT.

The 7950GX2s ARE out there with great availability - but I wonder if that is because of the miniscule number of motherboards that support it. The G80 will most probably be a moderate boost to the 7950GX2's performance, while in a more conventional design (non-dual-pcb) and without the motherboard compatability hassle.

 

[mylok]

ya but that only happened because the x1800xt was so late. it is possible nvidia will release a new card in 3 months but i doubt it, but i have been wrong before just ask my wife

 

[Brahmzy]

Exact same boat here. Just ordered my E6600 and will hopefully have a good mobo beginning of August. All the sources are saying September for G80. I'm waiting. I def. don't want to buy a 7900GT or X1900XT and 1 month later start seeing G80 benchmarks whooping ass on my brand new card. If I can't take it any longer, and G80 is delyed a while more I will buy a 7900GT and step it up to G80. I'm in a postion to wait though, and have been waiting for Conore for 2 months already. I have a working PC (wife's) that I'm using and can wait another month or two after my Conroe proc arrives, but not much after that.

That said, I will prolly end up getting the 7900GT because I can't take it any longer.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: 996GT2
eVGA's Step-Up is only valid for 90 days after your purchase date, and I don't think G80 will be out in 3 months...

Ding ding ding

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Frankie

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
I wonder why folks decide to build rigs JUST before better stuff comes out.
Anyway, impossible to tell you because nobody even knows what G80 is or what it will do. It sounds like a decent plan to do the step up at least.

^^ That's right, only 90 days to step up and we do not have an un/official launch date for G80

If you keep putting it off and putting it off you'll never upgrade. Technology is evolving every day. I built a new rig a month ago and it's going to last me a good 3-4 years.

Sorry, but this just bugs me when people say "Why build when theres something new around the corner". There is ALWAYS something new around the corner. Plus new technology that is just coming out also has new problems to go along with it.

Sorry for venting, but that just bugs me. LOL

No. heh, I just meant the pricing part of it. Old tech prices drop when new comes out. Save some buckage ya'know.

I'd say X1900XT FTW. No guarantee the G80 will be out in 90 days or less.

 

[Nightmare225]

I heard they're going to be going for a September release in order to sell as many cards before ATI releases the monster R600. Well, everyday I wait for Conroe makes it more likely I'll be able to step-up to a G80. So, I guess I'll wait till then to decide...