-=[OFFICAL HD2600 and 2400 Review Thread]=-

[dreddfunk]

Cold - you and I pretty much agree on this issue. I'm just a little bummed that the performance segment is always the last to be addressed. Sure, you eventually get parts like the 7900gs or x1950pro, but it's usually long after the high-end and mid-ranged cards are around. I do understand why they're doing it--because performance leadership and mainstream sales are more important--but it still stinks for those of us who want good performance (read: not HD2600XT/8600GTS performance) without paying exorbitant prices. I'd really like to see a 256bit, 512MB, 8900GS with 96 shaders.

blck - yeah, the original x1600 parts were pretty lackluster and the improved x1650 were late. To paraphrase a line from Animal House, "Lackluster and late is no way to run a business son."

 

[coldpower27]

Originally posted by: dreddfunk
Cold - you and I pretty much agree on this issue. I'm just a little bummed that the performance segment is always the last to be addressed. Sure, you eventually get parts like the 7900gs or x1950pro, but it's usually long after the high-end and mid-ranged cards are around. I do understand why they're doing it--because performance leadership and mainstream sales are more important--but it still stinks for those of us who want good performance (read: not HD2600XT/8600GTS performance) without paying exorbitant prices. I'd really like to see a 256bit, 512MB, 8900GS with 96 shaders.

I agree with what you said, the enthusiast parts need to be released first and be the shining beacon of light to the rest of the line, while the mainstream needs to be released not too long after to take advantage of the hype and generate profits at good production cost.

The performance mainstream segment is simply too difficult to sustain at the beginning of cycle, due to it's need for good performance and good price, in essence, no concessions can be made, or the leeway provided is simply not enough.

Hence you only see good performance mainstream products at good cost, later in the cycle, Geforce 6800 (NV42 version), Radeon X800 XL (R430), Geforce 7900 GS/GT (G71), Radeon X1950 Pro (RV570).

If you have to do it early in the cycle, you usually make the sacrifice of production cost in exchange for performance.

Radeon 9500 Pro (R300), Geforce 6800 (NV40), Radeon X800 Pro (R420), Radeon X1800 XT 256 (R520), Geforce 4 Ti4200 (NV25).

Or vice versa with production cost being emphasized over performance.

Radeon HD 2600 XT (RV630), Geforce 8600 GTS (G84), Radeon X1600 XT (RV530).

Given how large the gap is now, you probably will need 1 full node process later before you can fabricate an effective performance-mainstream without making concessions on either side.

In prior generations the gap was smaller so only 1 half node was required to make an effective performance-mainstream.

Unfortunately there isn't much you can do about this if Nvidia and ATI want to keep sustaining the performance leaps on the enthusiast end, process technology just can't keep up with the rate they wish to plow ahead.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

The HD2600XT is my next card for the following reasons:
1) I hardly ever game, I'm running an X800GTO right now and wouldn't bother upgrading if it had HDCP and video decoding acceleration
2) On board HDMI sound, perfect for an HTPC card
3) Passively cooled card available, again, perfect for HTPC
4) Full Avivo & HDCP support.
5) Cheap!

 

[NicColt]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
The HD2600XT is my next card for the following reasons:
5) Cheap!

I'm seriously considering this to be my next card not for the short haul.

If you are just into HTPC then this card will be great.

I think where this card 'may' shine is in DX10 crossfire just like where the 2900XT seems to beat the 8800GTX badly in crossfire. Link

Has there been a review of these cards in Crossfire compared to a 8800GTS ? I've googled it and can't find one. I'm willing to bet that it would be very close and specially in DX10 games.

(approx - Cdn.)
2 x 2600XT = $280
1 x 8800Gts = $329

Just don't judge these cards to quickly yet.

 

[tvdang7]

any cross fire results yet?

 

[NicColt]

Originally posted by: tvdang7
any cross fire results yet?

I found one here

1 x 8600GTS = $240 Cdn about
2 x 2600XT = $280 Cdn about
1 x 8800GTS = $329 Cdn about
1 x X1950 Pro = $200 Cdn about

so for $40 more (approx) it easily beats out the 8600GTS and very nicely in Vista but at $40 less than a 8800GTS I don't think that it would beat it.

I think if falls in the right price range for what it does.

The question is, is it worth it for $40 more than a 8600GTS with 2 x 2600XT cards or for another $40 one 8800GTS.

Oh well.

Edit: I found another review here

In this one they have the 8800GTS and 2600XT CF

Two things kinda surprised me here, first is how well the X1950 Pro did. At $40 cheaper than the 8600GTS It beats it in all games except Stalker where the GTS beats it by a bit.

The second thin is that the 2600XT in CF mode beats out all in shader model 3.0 / HDR tests. (except of course 8800GTS SLI).

Overall I'm still quite impressed.

 

[bigsnyder]

@NicColt

Yeah, I think the new midrange releases from Nvidia and ATI has helped sales of the X1950 and 7900GT for that reason. I am considering the X1950XT for $180 at newegg since I will probably not switch to Vista until sometime in 2008. By that time, hopefully the second generation DX10 cards will have matured over this generation's offering.

 

[L00PY]

Originally posted by: NicColt
2 x 2600XT = $280 Cdn about

I suspect those prices are for the GDDR4 cards which gave a 1-2 FPS improvement over the GDDR3 cards in the one review I saw that had the both of them. I suspect once the cards are widely available (in a couple of weeks even), you could have a pair of GDDR3s for around $210 Cdn. Newegg already has them stateside for ~$110 USD.

What I'm waiting to see is the performance of the dual-GPU 2600 cards.

 

[NicColt]

Here's another 2600XT CF Review

what it comes down to is this;

If you don't mind nvidia then spend the extra $40 and go for the 8800GTS

If you can't stand nvidia then save the $40 and go 2600XT CF

If you are staying with XP until the next gen R680 then go with X1950Pro or XT or 7900GT.

I have about a week to decide between the X1950Pro or 2600CF, I thinking of just having fun and going with 2600XT CF because I want SM4.0/HRD and UVD on a card but I don't want to pay more than what I need to until the R680 comes out.

Hey I'm coming from an X800XL where I paid $350 for so...., it aint perfect but it aint bad.