HARDOCP 2900xt Review! (a proper review)

[swtethan]

7 mins to go

 

[Avalon]

The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

 

[MadBoris]

Originally posted by: swtethan
7 mins to go

6 !

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: apoppinand *everyone else* used the latest drivers - except that lazy ass at HardOCP
he is "professional" ?

I'm going to have to start calling you on these crazy allegations you throw around.
Proof now!

Just cause he mentioned a newer driver that popped up (although he using the .7 official one) that is not proof, you will have to do better to prove everyone else is using newer.

waiting...


Edit:

- the ones that YOU toss out because you don't like their conclusions

What are you talking about?
I have no agenda here I am just letting the picture develop, not strenuosly defending a position.

so what do you want ?

did you not see the conclusions of the *other FIVE* or so reviews i linked two

and you never "prove" your opinion
:roll:

fair is fair

and i am doing better than you with LINKS to reviews other than your super-biased and sloppy HardOCP

i *like* what i see - so far

and i am being attacked for SAYING so

that's all

quit with the name calling and i wont have to defend myself

in OTHER words i am a fan boy because i lkike this particular card?

better than the GTS ?

what about all you fanboys that like the GTS better than the HDXT?
-on the basis of one outdated review

 

[rmed64]

 

[MadBoris]

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

 

[MadBoris]

Originally posted by: apoppin
and you never "prove" your opinion
:roll:

i'm confused, what am I supposed to proving to you?

and i am doing better than you with LINKS to reviews other than your super-biased and sloppy HardOCP

Oh so you made a topic and have been adding links to it so all can see like me, huh???
Ok you are better than me, here is your cookie.

i *like* what i see - so far

and i am being attacked for SAYING so

that's all

quit with the name calling and i wont have to defend myself

hehe, I like some of what I see too. I'm not arguing the obvious good things, I wish the card was faster. I just said your being an adamant fanboy and can cool your jets, not name calling just a descriptive analysis. I guess you can say you just got reviewed.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

he difference is when you post something it is not analyzed, altered, picked apart and thoroughly flamed by everyone who disagrees with you

i don't mind it a bit

i *like* taking the unpopular PoV ... especially in THIS case ... when i really believe it

i *like* this card ... if that preference makes me a fanboy, so be it

--the GTS will *never* see the inside of my case ... as long as there is a HD2900xt to fill it better [imo, of course]

well, unless someone decides to send me one to test ... i promise to send it back in perfect condition

 

[sisq0kidd]

Originally posted by: rmed64

Best post here :thumbsup:

Pretty much sums up what the 2900xt is all about and what this bickering is all about.

 

[swtethan]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

he difference is when you post something it is not analyzed, altered, picked apart and thoroughly flamed by everyone who disagrees with you

i don't mind it a bit

i *like* taking the unpopular PoV ... especially in THIS case ... when i really believe it

i *like* this card ... if that makes me a fan boy, so be it
--the GTS will *never* see the inside of my case ... as long as there is a HD2900xt to fill it better [imo, of course]

so you like to have:

a card thats 6 months late to the party (one product cycle)
consumes more power than its competitor
isn't priced better? you can buy a pny 640 for $329 AR on the egg

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd

Originally posted by: rmed64

Best post here :thumbsup:

Pretty much sums up what the 2900xt is all about and what this bickering is all about.

I still have a hard time believing this

They are paid to do this, how could they not see the card was going to suck? Wow...

Unless S3 gets inspired or something, welcome Nvidia monopoly :|

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd

Originally posted by: rmed64

Best post here :thumbsup:

Pretty much sums up what the 2900xt is all about and what this bickering is all about.

nothing ?

some people are up late over nothing

very entertaining

and to all, a good night

nvidia fans and AMD

peace and aloha

well at least aloha
[which really conveys *blessing* in Hawaiian]

 

[MadBoris]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

The difference is I didn't make up my mind prior and try and force the conclusions to be what I wanted with an agenda. Then strenuously defend it. You still haven't proven your hardocp driver comments i called you on a page ago.

if my opinion of the card is similar to your, then that is all fine and dandy. But my opinion is pretty darn close to what HardOCP said so I am not too sure we are that close.

the reviews are still beginning, I'm still holding out judgements as i learn more. Alot not to like, some to like, I wish ATI did more, they are really late to the game.

 

[MrJim]

Monopoly? Don't exaggerate, AMD will probably soon release a 65nm part of the high-end, this is starting to look very much like the Nvidia FX5800 vs ATI 9700 Pro.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Looks like we might be seeing R650 or something along those lines. I think its the power efficency thats holding ATi back. If they could control heat/power then they may release a more competitive product to the GTX/ultra that most of us really expected.

However.. all i can say is ouch. Talk about killing margins.. its like taking it to a whole new level.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: swtethan

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

he difference is when you post something it is not analyzed, altered, picked apart and thoroughly flamed by everyone who disagrees with you

i don't mind it a bit

i *like* taking the unpopular PoV ... especially in THIS case ... when i really believe it

i *like* this card ... if that makes me a fan boy, so be it
--the GTS will *never* see the inside of my case ... as long as there is a HD2900xt to fill it better [imo, of course]

so you like to have:

a card thats 6 months late to the party (one product cycle)
consumes more power than its competitor
isn't priced better? you can buy a pny 640 for $329 AR on the egg

last time before bed

late ... immaterial to the fact it IS here and it competes with the GTS
AND i have been IRRITATING everyone here over the past 3 months saying "where's the Beef?"
--did you forget so quickly?


consumes more power ... agreed - many times over-and-over - since i first heard the horrible news... that is it's biggest *fault* imo
HOWEVER, it is not a problem for my rig ... not even xfired

isn't priced better? ... but you are talking MSRP .. it HAS to be priced better

now the "Pros"

it is generally faster than the GTS

it has more features

it had more 'room for improvement'

i added it up and i got the HD-XT ... for my rig

why should i be dissed for MY CHOICE?

i am explaining WHY i like it

and you are telling me i SHOULD NOT like it?

YOU *dont* have to like it . ... in fact i RESPECT your reasons for not liking it

please respect my reasons - for me and my rig

 

[Matt2]

I think the card has promise for the price range, but we are forgetting the fact that AMD is completely MIA from the real high end.

There are at least 2 Nvidia SKUs that are faster than the best thing that AMD can muster. And by faster, I mean, not even close.

HD2900XT is more like a lower high end card than a true high end. This scenario would be ok if we were talking about a S3 or Intel offering, but we're talking about AMD here. They are the same company that was King of the Hill for the greater part of the last 3 generations of GPUs.

I'm completely disappointed with AMD. Not necessarily because R600 is a bad GPU, but because I waited effing six months for this card only to be rewarded by 2nd tier performance.

The absense of ATI in the true high end is only going to hurt us, not help us. I dont see the price of the 8800GTX falling much more than it already is because AMD has failed to blur the line between their top product and Nvidia's top product.

Another thing that disappoints me is the IQ of HD2900XT. I'm not saying that R600 has bad IQ, but it definitely failed to raise the bar, something ATI has accomplished for a long time now.

I just can't believe Nvidia managed to release a faster, cooler, quieter, less power consuming GPU SIX months before AMD could deliver it's "second generation unified shader architecture".

 

[ShadowOfMyself]

Originally posted by: MrJim
Monopoly? Don't exaggerate, AMD will probably soon release a 65nm part of the high-end, this is starting to look very much like the Nvidia FX5800 vs ATI 9700 Pro.

Except Nvidia actually changed the architecture from 4x2 to 8x1 among other things

A higher clock will do nothing for this card... I hope they have something else up their sleeve

 

[vaccarjm]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: swtethan

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: apoppin

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: MadBoris

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

he difference is when you post something it is not analyzed, altered, picked apart and thoroughly flamed by everyone who disagrees with you

i don't mind it a bit

i *like* taking the unpopular PoV ... especially in THIS case ... when i really believe it

i *like* this card ... if that makes me a fan boy, so be it
--the GTS will *never* see the inside of my case ... as long as there is a HD2900xt to fill it better [imo, of course]




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




so you like to have:

a card thats 6 months late to the party (one product cycle)
consumes more power than its competitor
isn't priced better? you can buy a pny 640 for $329 AR on the egg
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



last time before bed

late ... immaterial to the fact it IS here and it competes with the GTS
AND i have been IRRITATING everyone here over the past 3 months saying "where's the Beef?"
--did you forget so quickly?


consumes more power ... agreed - many times over-and-over - since i first heard the horrible news... that is it's biggest *fault* imo
HOWEVER, it is not a problem for my rig ... not even xfired

isn't priced better? ... but you are talking MSRP .. it HAS to be priced better

now the "Pros"

it is generally faster than the GTS

it has more features

it had more 'room for improvement'

i added it up and i got the HD-XT ... for my rig

why should i be dissed for MY CHOICE?

i am explaining WHY i like it

and you are telling me i SHOULD NOT like it?

YOU *dont* have to like it . ... in fact i RESPECT your reasons for not liking it

please respect my reasons - for me and my rig

-------------------------
If at first you don't succeed . . . quit!
-----------
e4300 @ 2.81 Ghz | AGP Sapphire x1950p/512MB [608/1404] | OCZ 850w | ASrock 775DualVSTA
2x1GB Corsair XMS PC6400 | WD-120GB | DVD-RW48/48 | Toshiba DVD-ROM | Audigy2ZS
Klipsch 4.1 400w | 14x9 acer | Canon i860 | 3DMark05 - 10503 / 3DMark06 - 5302 | Win2K SP4



this guy the biggest ati fan ever?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: MadBoris

Originally posted by: Avalon
The reviews haven't been pretty so far. I've been figuring it would fall in between the 8800GTS 640MB and 8800GTX, but some reviews are saying it can't even reach the 8800GTS in performance, while others are saying it's just barely on par. Either way, that still kinda stinks. It'd be more exciting if the GPU could actually compete.

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently.

Also GTS SLI woops it too.

so MadBoris, your conclusion is pretty much the *same* as mine
-and most of the reviews i have read so far ...

shall i call you a fanboy ?

The difference is I didn't make up my mind prior and try and force the conclusions to be what I wanted with an agenda. Then strenuously defend it. You still haven't proven your hardocp driver comments i called you on a page ago.

if my opinion of the card is similar to your, then that is all fine and dandy. But my opinion is pretty darn close to what HardOCP said so I am not too sure we are that close.

the reviews are still beginning, I'm still holding out judgements as i learn more. Alot not to like, some to like, I wish ATI did more, they are really late to the game.

AGAIN ... i made up my mind after reading about 7 or 8 reviews, checking the benches and studying the reasons for their conclusions

there was NO *prior*

i was pretty bitter about AMD until about 3 weeks ago and HATED the delay and the lies surrounding it ... my POSTS prove that

agenda ... letsee .. that would be ME considering purchasing the card
i don't care if i am the only one here with it ... it *intrigues* me .. i am fascinated by this transitional product and "feel" there is more than meets the eye on a superficial basis - like Mr HardOCP did

i quoted the conclusions ... drawing attention to what *i* liked

here's what you posted and what i agree on:

I think it will be better than GTS in many cases.[check]
Although their are OC GTS's off the shelf that will beat it.[check]
Too many damn AA modes, people are testing it differently. [check]

so i am deciding on this for MYSELF

and i am being CHALLENGED ...

so i defend myself and my REASONS for believing as i do

for THAT i am called a fanboy

even though i have no love for AMD ... and beieve the company i DID like is gone

if you can live with that dichotomy then i am a fanboy .... of THIS card ... so far

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: apoppin
in case you still don't get it

the SW guys have to "tune" the drivers for the LATEST spin of the FINAL silicon

and they will continue to do so - as nvidia is still doing - for the next few months

but.. they HAVE been working on the drivers.

the hd2900xt has been ready to ship for a couple months now. they just held it back so they could do a "full" lineup release (where ARE those mid-range cards, lol), so you've gotta assume they've been working on drivers for the 'release' cards for months...

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Matt2
I think the card has promise for the price range, but we are forgetting the fact that AMD is completely MIA from the real high end.

There are at least 2 Nvidia SKUs that are faster than the best thing that AMD can muster. And by faster, I mean, not even close.

HD2900XT is more like a lower high end card than a true high end. This scenario would be ok if we were talking about a S3 or Intel offering, but we're talking about AMD here. They are the same company that was King of the Hill for the greater part of the last 3 generations of GPUs.

I'm completely disappointed with AMD. Not necessarily because R600 is a bad GPU, but because I waited effing six months for this card only to be rewarded by 2nd tier performance.

The absense of ATI in the true high end is only going to hurt us, not help us. I dont see the price of the 8800GTX falling much more than it already is because AMD has failed to blur the line between their top product and Nvidia's top product.

Another thing that disappoints me is the IQ of HD2900XT. I'm not saying that R600 has bad IQ, but it definitely failed to raise the bar, something ATI has accomplished for a long time now.

I just can't believe Nvidia managed to release a faster, cooler, quieter, less power consuming GPU SIX months before AMD could deliver it's "second generation unified shader architecture".

*everything* you say is true

all the reasons i had to dislike it also

- except the inferior IQ that is unproven .. so far

and we will see the prices of the GTS fall ...

since it is AMD's first foray into the graphics market, i will give than a C-

but a B+ on the card itself ... with the stock GTS earning a C+

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: apoppin
in case you still don't get it

the SW guys have to "tune" the drivers for the LATEST spin of the FINAL silicon

and they will continue to do so - as nvidia is still doing - for the next few months

but.. they HAVE been working on the drivers.

the hd2900xt has been ready to ship for a couple months now. they just held it back so they could do a "full" lineup release (where ARE those mid-range cards, lol), so you've gotta assume they've been working on drivers for the 'release' cards for months...

do you really believe that nonsense?

i don't

i think they were totally lying ... they were trying to cover the "HW problems" with r600

it just came out ... the silicon has not been finalized for "months"

 

[Cookie Monster]

Lets see

R600 vs G80 (GTS)

IQ: G80 (AF is overall better no matter how small the difference, AA is overall better in terms of getting rid of jaggies, 2xAA to 16xAA, xS modes available, TRAA, doesnt lose detail or blur textures, similiar performance hit)

Performance: Tie. Win or lose situation. The GTS can be OCed to match GTX speeds and still keep within acceptable heat/power consumption.
Plus i heard that a new driver is on the way that should see nVIDIA owners being happy. (From chris Ray who works directly with the forceware team).

Size: 8800GTS is smaller than the HD2900XT. (the difference is minimal though) note that almost no 3rd party coolers can fit the R600.

Power consumption/Heat: After looking at several power charts and heat graphs.. all i can say is G80 wins hands down. Guru3d claims 90C at load with a bigger power draw than the 8800ultra!

Stability: have no clue since no reviews actually mentioned this.

Features: AVIVO vs pure video HD. I guess ATi is slightly better on this side due to having HDMI support right out of the box. But other then that what else? DX10, both cards are DX10 capable. HDR plus AA? both cards are capable.

Result: 8800GTS 640mb. I would choose this knowing that i could hit GTX speeds, no tricks are played on my IQ (e.g blurred out textures for less jaggies), its power efficient and acceptable in terms of heat output and size.

But i guess its up to your own personal opinion.

edit - if your not sure about IQ, go see hothardware, or hardocp. They show comparisons. But in the end almost all reviews come up with the same conclusion. CFAA produces less jaggies in return for blurred textures. Even with 16xAF, the texture sharpness is lost.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: apoppin
*everything* you say is true

all the reasons i had to dislike it also

- except the inferior IQ that is unproven .. so far

and we will see the prices of the GTS fall ...

since it is AMD's first foray into the graphics market, i will give than a C-

but a B+ on the card itself ... with the stock GTS earning a C+

I think you're being a little to generous with a grade of B+ on that scale, but that is just MY opinion.

If the GTX is an A, I would give HD2900XT a B, while the GTS 640mb would get a B- and the 320mb GTS a C.

That is just my opinion because I am basing it on pure performance. I dont give a rat's you know what about HD playback, HDMI, audio pass through, etc. As a gamer who watches HD movies and all that junk on a 1080p DLP TV, it just doesnt matter to me.

Again, my opinion. Also, I'd have to buy a new PSU to run this thing comfortably, so a GTX is actually going to be cheaper. Go figure.