Factory OC'd 7900GT or X1800XT 256mb?

[McArra]

And I don't know what should I do :laugh:
I like the Nvidia, but HDR+AA are a good point... what would you do?
Which of them is a better performer? is the X1800XT a good OCer?

Thanks

 

[GMCUstom]

I can't give you an answer on which is the better performer but I can tell you that the X1800XT is a good OCer. I am at 736Mhz core/800Mhz memory. This is on stock cooling with a PE BIOS.

 

[MADMAX23]

Originally posted by: McArra
And I don't know what should I do :laugh:
I like the Nvidia, but HDR+AA are a good point... what would you do?
Which of them is a better performer? is the X1800XT a good OCer?

Thanks

Yo me compraría la 7900Gt Extreme Edition de XFX, barata y bastante más rápida que una 7800GTX de 512 o una x1800xt.
Yo ya tengo la mía en mi sistema McArra y tira estupendamente.
AGUR 'ta ONDO PASA!!

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Originally posted by: McArra
I like the Nvidia, but HDR+AA are a good point... what would you do?

HDR+AA is a bit pointless right now, in my opinion. It's only available on 2 games-- FarCry and Serious Sam 2. Oblivion won't even support HDR+AA. I'm guessing that, by the time more big titles actually take advantage of the technology, it will be moot and all new cards will support it. Just like nV with its SM3 on the 6xxx-series. Pretty much pointless.

I'm all for new technology and features, but the useful life of video cards is so small these days (depending on what res you choose) that keeping that card until the feature is actually used in a game, that card might not be powerful enough to use it. The 512mb x1800xt gets around 30fps with HDR+4AA in FarCry at 16x12.

Your sig mentions everything except your display. What resolution do you play at? And what games do you like to play? How often do you upgrade?

If you upgrade often, I wouldn't worry about HDR+AA. If you play at 16x12 or higher, I'd look hard at a 512mb card. If you play at 12x10 and plan to keep the card at least a year, grab the 256mb x1800xt.

 

[the Chase]

Originally posted by: GMCUstom
I can't give you an answer on which is the better performer but I can tell you that the X1800XT is a good OCer. I am at 736Mhz core/800Mhz memory. This is on stock cooling with a PE BIOS.

Where can you get the PE BIOS?

I got mine to 720/820 so far with stock BIOS and a Zalman cooler.

 

[McArra]

Arratsalde on MADMAX23

I change my card every... 12 month in the worst case. No I'm starting to work as a reviewer and may have the chance to get free samples, at least that's what some brands have said... when I have them I will believe it LOL

From what I see XFX 7900GT OC'd are the way to go... I think I will wait 'till my promised free sample arrives... thanks for the info guys

EDIT: I'm using 19" Belinea 101920 8ms TFT, so 1280x1024 is my limit

 

[aggressor]

I have to come to the conclusion that it probably doesn't really matter. As already said, the HDR+AA feature is a bit pointless as no games can use it, and in the future when games do, the card will be too slow to use it anyway. For performance, they trade blows depending on the games, and both overclock really well. As for AA\AF image quality, in my experience, they are damn near the same (and I am pretty picky) as long as you set nVidia to High Quality instead of the default Quality mode and turn off Catalyst A.I.. That pretty much leaves heat output (for SFF) and fan noise (for silent PCs), in which the 7900GT wins.

This is all from my personal experience, as in the last year I've owned every single high end card put out. (X800XL, X1800XT, X1900XT, 6800GT, 7800GT, 7800GTX).

 

[MADMAX23]

McArra, if I can help you reviewing stuff like Cpus, Motherboards, Ram (expert on ram), or graphic cards, please, let me know. I live in Donosti so maybe we can meet someday if you want to.

My XFX 7900GT EE XT stock speeds: 550/1630 Mhz -- after overclocking: 565/1700 Mhz 100% stable through every game...using the reference HSF.
This card performs better than the 7800GTX 512 Mb....for only 350$...I think it's the best deal....

 

[McArra]

Yep, that's the card I'm waiting for review Great card, and for the price I think I'll buy it a nice cooler to push it a little more
I live in Getxo (Bizkaia), it's a pitty
Are you comming to Euskal Party this year? If so let me know, I will be there working and of course having fun with my comp

EDIT: Why don't you come to www.mod-pc.com That's where I'm reviewing. Also I'm one of the moderators in the forum

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: aggressor
I have to come to the conclusion that it probably doesn't really matter. As already said, the HDR+AA feature is a bit pointless as no games can use it, and in the future when games do, the card will be too slow to use it anyway. For performance, they trade blows depending on the games, and both overclock really well. As for AA\AF image quality, in my experience, they are damn near the same (and I am pretty picky) as long as you set nVidia to High Quality instead of the default Quality mode and turn off Catalyst A.I.. That pretty much leaves heat output (for SFF) and fan noise (for silent PCs), in which the 7900GT wins.

This is all from my personal experience, as in the last year I've owned every single high end card put out. (X800XL, X1800XT, X1900XT, 6800GT, 7800GT, 7800GTX).

Nice experience, great cards. Yep @HQ setting and with XG drivers the IQ is very nice.