GeForce FX 5900XT vs. GeForce FX5900

[Phi2401]

I don't know which Video Card to buy.

I know that the GeForce FX 5900XT is the new "crippled" version of the vanilla GeForce FX 5900 since it uses slower, less expensive RAM.

My question: Which card is faster/better - the GeForce FX5900XT with 256MB of RAM or the standard GeForce FX5900 with 128MB of RAM?

How much does this extra 128MB of RAM make - especially if it is slower RAM - in gaming? Do 3d-heavy games like Far Cry and UT2003/2004 often use more than 128MB of RAM, making the XT with 256MB of RAM the better choice?

Or is it better to go with the standard FX5900, with (less) but faster memory speeds and faster clock speeds.

The 5900XT is about $280 and the FX5900 is about $230.

I couldn't find any articles on which is faster - the 5900XT with 256MB or the FX5900 with 128MB, and how much the extra ram would help.

Either card would be a HUGE upgrade from my ATI 9000 Pro, but I can't decide...
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks alot,
-Phi

 

[LTC8K6]

The 5900 128MB is faster.

There is very little need for 256MB cards.

I would get a 128MB 5900XT if I were going to buy Nvidia now. Great performanec for the price.

You should really wait a few days and see what happens after the new cards are released.

 

[paladiin]

Don't bother with a 256MB card in the current generation of cards. It adds next to zero performance in 99% of the cases.

I'd agree with the 5900XT 128MB if I were buying today (which probably isn't a great idea if you can wait a few weeks). ~$180 for that card, and performance isn't too far off the FX5900 128MB for ~$230.

 

[Phi2401]

LTC and Paladiin-

Thanks for the help.

Approx. how much of a price drop would I see in the next few days/weeks? Also, in the future (about a year), would the 256MB perform better than a 128MB card - as developers raise the bar?

Also, what do you think of the FX 5900 Ultra (with 256MB of RAM)? The cheapest I could find was $330 for the Gainward FX5900 Ultra. Is it worth the money?

When BFG and XFX are selling the FX 5900 Ultras for $400-500, is it really any faster than the Gainward? It is my conception that the chipsets are identical; the only variation between Gainward, BGF, XFX, etc. is the bundles (games), appearance, and cooling system.

In comparison to other BFG, XFX, ( etc. ) the Gainward for $330 looks to be a relatively good deal -- but still expensive as hell.

What do you think?
Thanks guys.

 

[LTC8K6]

I don't think the high end cards are worth the money, and I don't see 256MB making any difference this year. By the time 256MB is needed, your card would probably not be up to the rendering tasks of the new games anyway.

You could buy a 256MB FX5200 or a 256MB 9200, but the card isn't up to the job in the first place, so why bother with 256MB of ram?

There is no way to tell what sort of a price drop there will be, but there will be one. Then you will be able to get more for your money.

I would get a 128MB 5900XT before they pull them, or a 128MB 9800pro if I wanted something a bit faster for a bit more money. You can always overclock them too to get a bit more out of them.

I would really be reluctant to spend much on a video card right now, because when the prices drop, so does your resale value. That's why if I just had to buy now, I'd stay away from the higher priced models and go with the models that are one step down.

 

[LTC8K6]

Lots of cards benched

 

[paladiin]

I have a 5900u 256MB that I got in that Circuit City deal (where PNY had 5900u's in 5900SE boxes for $189 after rebate). I never would have bought it had it not been this wacky situation. It's a fun card (flashed to 5950u and oc'd to 550/975) as I've never owned a high end card before, but right now the 5900u 256MB is sitting right in the crosshairs of the new line of nVidia Cards. It'll likely take the biggest hit in terms of price crunch %, as it'll probably be right in the targeted price range for a mid-range nv40 solution (which will also likely beat the 5900u in DX9 performance).

Even though it's a good card, no way would I consider buying one right now. If I had to buy one today (ie my card died or waiting on a card for a nearly finished rig) I'd too go with the 5900XT (or 9800Pro).