Help me decide on ATI or nVidia (POLL)

[TantrumusMaximus]

I recently bought a Dell 2405FPW and as folks here advised me I am realizing the SLI 6800gt setup isn't quite cutting it on the latest games such as Call of Duty 2 and Oblivion, they are just too sluggy at the native res so I am pushed to upgrade but to WHAT is the question...

I've read many reviews, threads, and just can't make up my mind. Right now I am a little disappointed with SLI (I was one click away from buying 2 7900GT boards and doing the volt mod) as most games don't seem to really take advantage of it or have issues with it turned on and I have grown tired of the hype around it... yeah it's great in the games that split frame rendering is supported.

My #1 game is WoW and the current config works great at 1920x1200 but that is not the case in the later games mentioned above... and what is to come.

First I was planning on a 7900GTX after reading Max PC's review. But now I'm leaning towards the X1900XT and overclocking it.

Opinions would be greatly appreciated. (Please don't turn this into a big flame war between fanboys.)

 

[darXoul]

X1900XT(X) for image quality and performance in games like Oblivion.

7900GTX if you want a quiet cooling system.

Basically, both cards are a good choice. I ordered the X1900XTX since I got it for a good price, and I can replace the loud stock HSF with Accelero X2 without losing the warranty. Otherwise, I'd have gotten the 7900GTX.

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

Thanks for that. I am also looking at that cooler as I was concerned what I read on the noise of the X1900XT(x) boards.

 

[Munky]

Most x1900xt can be overclocked or bios flashed to xtx specs, so the xt gets my vote as it's cheaper than either of the 2 other cards.

 

[firewolfsm]

The 7900GTX does do as good as the X1900XT in almost half the games at stock. The cooler on it is so good that you can do a volt mod on it (maybe 1.5 or 1.6V) and take it to about 750MHz, then it will be faster than the X1900 in almost every game.
edit: OCing the X1900 to 700MHz does not improve performance much (maybe 2 or 3 frames)

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

Interesting firewolf. I didn't think of pushing a GTX further. However the GTX is significantly more $ than a x1900xt so I'll still need some good reasons to go with nVidia at this point.

 

[ZimZum]

As has been mentioned the XT is faster, has better IQ and is cheaper than the GTX, its a no brainer.

 

[DeathReborn]

X1900XT and a Cooler not designed by ATI. Zalman Vf900-Cu or the Arctic Cooling Accelero X2 should do the job better& quiter than the stock cooler.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
The 7900GTX does do as good as the X1900XT in almost half the games at stock. The cooler on it is so good that you can do a volt mod on it (maybe 1.5 or 1.6V) and take it to about 750MHz, then it will be faster than the X1900 in almost every game.
edit: OCing the X1900 to 700MHz does not improve performance much (maybe 2 or 3 frames)

Are you speaking from personal experience or just making a poorly thought-out assumption? I can tell you that I get big improvements ocing my card. Very noticeable playing at high res with AA enabled.

IMO, coming from a guy that has had 6 Nvida cards and 3 ATI cards in the last two years, hands down the X1900XT gets my vote. Better feature set, overall faster, cheaper, and easier to oc. The stock cooler really isn't THAT bad. Use ATI Tool to find a fan setting that doesn't annoy you and will provide adequate airflow (most people say at 50% the fan isn't that noticeable and cools pretty well).

Unless you play LOMAC or Riddick exclusivley, than the X1900XT will provide better frames in most games.

 

[buzzsaw13]

Get a X1900XT and flash to XTX and overclock!

 

[Alaa]

XT is the best price/performance especially when overclocked..while 7900GTX=low noise-low temp

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: Alaa
XT is the best price/performance especially when overclocked..while 7900GTX=low noise-low temp

Low noise & temp would be the only way I would buy the GTX right now, HDR + AA is just to killer to pass up on a $400+ video card.

Nat

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

Thanks for all the responses. I broke down and from the responses here it was simple... ATI. I think you helped me decide on what my gut was telling me. From what I gathered.. GTX will be faster in most "older" games but the ATI will be more SM3.0 friendly on future/present games like Oblivion.

I know it wasn't the popular vote but I broke down and got a Powercolor X1900XTX overnighted from Newegg.

Not going to bother with bios flahsing etc, but may try upping the memory/core speeds.

 

[RussianSensation]

I'll have those 6800GTs for $50 now

Good choice on the graphics card.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: TantrumusMaximus
Thanks for all the responses. I broke down and from the responses here it was simple... ATI. I think you helped me decide on what my gut was telling me. From what I gathered.. GTX will be faster in most "older" games but the ATI will be more SM3.0 friendly on future/present games like Oblivion.

I know it wasn't the popular vote but I broke down and got a Powercolor X1900XTX overnighted from Newegg.

Not going to bother with bios flahsing etc, but may try upping the memory/core speeds.

Very nice, and when you decide to dump the GT's, send me a PM

Nat

 

[Elfear]

Very good choice. You won't be disappointed. I went from 7800GTs@550/1300 to my current card and I am extremely pleased about the switch.

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

hehe... yeah... everyone has friends like me... "The sucker! that buys stuff right when it comes out!" ... my friends get word and snatch this stuff up before I even have the new part installed.

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

Thanks for all the responses. I broke down and from the responses here it was simple... ATI. I think you helped me decide on what my gut was telling me. From what I gathered.. GTX will be faster in most "older" games but the ATI will be more SM3.0 friendly on future/present games like Oblivion.

I know it wasn't the popular vote but I broke down and got a Powercolor X1900XTX overnighted from Newegg.

Not going to bother with bios flahsing etc, but may try upping the memory/core speeds.

 

[TantrumusMaximus]

Confirmed delivery! Can't wait to get home.

After reading more reviews I am very happy with the decision. The 7900GTX basically led all benchmarks that didn't have HDR or FSAA, but the X1900XTX ran away with it when you are looking to play with eye candy enabled.

I can simply not wait to check out how Oblivion looks when I get home with some more features enabled and playable. I'll probably settle for the 1600x1050 as it didn't look that bad on the native 1920x1200 2405FPW.

 

[quattro1]

Originally posted by: TantrumusMaximus
I've read many reviews, threads, and just can't make up my mind. Right now I am a little disappointed with SLI (I was one click away from buying 2 7900GT boards and doing the volt mod) as most games don't seem to really take advantage of it or have issues with it turned on and I have grown tired of the hype around it... yeah it's great in the games that split frame rendering is supported.

You seem to be describing Crossfire's problems, not SLI's

 

[Sonikku]

1900XT. Better performance then hte 7900 for less $$$. As you say you're not interested in Crossfire or SLI, that gives even more reason to stick with a single X1900.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

yep. single card x1900xt. SLi, 7900 GTX