New developments in the 6800gt vs X800 Xt question

[gbryant]

I've been eyeing these two cards for a while and watching the prices fall and I think now is about the time to upgrade (I'm sticking with AGP). However, prices for both of these cards have fallen drastically enough to make many of the old arguments for one or the other obsolete. Both cards are now about the same prices, the 6800xt going for about $300 and the AIW X800Xt about $330, which is fair considering the extra options.

Honestly, I like the idea of the VIVO features but I doubt I'll ever really use them (except the remote, if I could configure it to work with winamp). Benchmarks seem to place the X800Xt with a decent lead over the 6800 in almost all games, but there is the everpresent Sm3.0 debate. Since the primary purpose of Sm3 is to run 2.0 stuff faster, it would seem like the over-all faster X800 would largely negate this. If the 6800 was still more expensive I would surely get the ATI, but it's harder to decide now.

Also, I've owned 2 Nvidia cards and 1 ATI card and I have to admit it had a lot more trouble with the ATI. My Geforce 4200 solidly carried on for years till the fan finely broke, while my 9700's fan went wonky several times in the first few months and I've had a lot more driver difficulties with games then I ever did with Nvidia. Perhaps this was just a fluke, but it adds a new wrinkle.

Arg, so go with the faster ATI or the reliable, possibly more future-worthy, Nvidia? Hard to say.

 

[tr1kstanc3]

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: tr1kstanc3
ive got the x800xt and a 6800. the x800 is in my main box the 6800 is now in my file server. sm3 is worthless when you can clearly see the x800 has better image quality. i own both and ati gets the nod.

There are countless others who see things exactly the opposite way you do. So where does that leave the OP?

To the OP: Get the card with more features if they are the same price/performance.
It's only logical. So you don't need SM3.0 now? Better to have it than not especially at the same price point don't you think?

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: tr1kstanc3
....can clearly see the x800 has better image quality. i own both and ati gets the nod.

i have both and did an extensive comparison if IQ (lots of links to sshots in other threads), and frankly, the IQ differences are minimal, other than some minor AF annoyances the x800 showed.

i agree with the OP that pricing has changed how these 2 cards compare, and while at the time I went with the 6800, at these prices, i'd have to recommend going for the aiw xt. many more features and better performance for $30? sm3 does not at this time justify the going with the nv part. keep in mind tho, the flipside is that if as rumored a ut3 based game does come out this year, the gt will likely offer much better performance. while this is certainly speculation, it is certain the nv will perform much better in the upcoming quake4...

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: tr1kstanc3
ive got the x800xt and a 6800. the x800 is in my main box the 6800 is now in my file server. sm3 is worthless when you can clearly see the x800 has better image quality. i own both and ati gets the nod.

There are countless others who see things exactly the opposite way you do. So where does that leave the OP?

To the OP: Get the card with more features if they are the same price/performance.
It's only logical. So you don't need SM3.0 now? Better to have it than not especially at the same price point don't you think?

yup...!! always better to have something than not have it however measly or worthless it may be, not saying that SM3.0 is though

 

[coomar]

games like age of empires 3 that use shader 3 probably won't be that demanding, like side meiers pirates and directx 9

 

[tr1kstanc3]

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: tr1kstanc3
hehe was just giving my opinion since it was subjective. why does everyone keep talking about sm3 when he states the VIVO functions and especially the remote as being a useful feature. thats something he can use today and not when the next gen games come out.

Quote from the OP: "Honestly, I like the idea of the VIVO features but I doubt I'll ever really use them (except the remote, if I could configure it to work with winamp). "

He never said they were useful. He said he doubts he would ever use them. Except the remote if he could use it with Winamp.

SM3.0 can and is being used today. Not just tomorrow. There are a few other 6800 only features that have nothing to do with SM3.0 as well. Soft Shadow's, HDR, yada yada. X800's have 3dc but I really don't see that touted anywhere near as much as SM3.0 and the other features have. Splinter Cell, the new one, Can only run SM1.1 mode or SM3.0 mode. Not in SM2.0++ mode. If the OP plans on playing SC now, it would not make sense to get the X800, If he plays only HL2 and CS, he would do better with the X800.
It all depends on which games he plays i suppose.

Yawn.... I'm tired of these "which card" discussions. Aren't you?
There are enough benchmarks and reviews and write ups for anyone to make an educated decision if they would only look. The internet is saturated with them.

 

[Pete]

Tough call. Do you play games that'll benefit from the GT's extra SM3+ hardware, like Far Cry or SC:CT? Doom 3 will probably play slightly better on the GT, too, though the latest benchmarks show the XT is faster than the GT by a greater margin in HL2 than the GT is in D3. In that case, and especially if you don't own PoP:SoT or SC, the $30 cheaper (and no rebate) Leadtek 6800GT at NewEgg looks pretty good (pity, it was $20 cheaper a few days ago).

OTOH, if the AIW XT is faster in the games you want to play now, then you may as well grab it and take the AIW features and single-slot cooling as basically "free" bonuses (you pay the extra 10% for the extra speed, and the extra features are freebies).

Really, the only way to decide is to read as many benchmarks as you can to see how each card stacks up in the games you play. That THG roundup I linked is a start.

 

[ronnn]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Yawn.... I'm tired of these "which card" discussions. Aren't you?
There are enough benchmarks and reviews and write ups for anyone to make an educated decision if they would only look. The internet is saturated with them.

:beer:

 

[ddogg]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: tr1kstanc3
hehe was just giving my opinion since it was subjective. why does everyone keep talking about sm3 when he states the VIVO functions and especially the remote as being a useful feature. thats something he can use today and not when the next gen games come out.

Quote from the OP: "Honestly, I like the idea of the VIVO features but I doubt I'll ever really use them (except the remote, if I could configure it to work with winamp). "

He never said they were useful. He said he doubts he would ever use them. Except the remote if he could use it with Winamp.

SM3.0 can and is being used today. Not just tomorrow. There are a few other 6800 only features that have nothing to do with SM3.0 as well. Soft Shadow's, HDR, yada yada. X800's have 3dc but I really don't see that touted anywhere near as much as SM3.0 and the other features have. Splinter Cell, the new one, Can only run SM1.1 mode or SM3.0 mode. Not in SM2.0++ mode. If the OP plans on playing SC now, it would not make sense to get the X800, If he plays only HL2 and CS, he would do better with the X800.
It all depends on which games he plays i suppose.

Yawn.... I'm tired of these "which card" discussions. Aren't you?
There are enough benchmarks and reviews and write ups for anyone to make an educated decision if they would only look. The internet is saturated with them.

well i guess people just want to post for the heck of posting....n ur right, the reviews are very indepth and even give u cons and pros and advise on which card to buy yet ppl still post everyday "which card to get"?? "which is better"?? blah blah

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
Yawn.... I'm tired of these "which card" discussions. Aren't you?
There are enough benchmarks and reviews and write ups for anyone to make an educated decision if they would only look. The internet is saturated with them.

actually i would think it's useful to get info from people (and moreso, gamers) who have lived with these cards and have exp'd all the ins/out.

the problem is it's really difficult to get an informed, subjective one