Sapphire offering HD 2900 Pro to replace X1900XT

[Ike0069]

I RMA's my Sapphire X1900XT and I received this email:

"We would like to offer a HD 2900PRO 512M 256BIT PCIE for you as a replacement. If you like to take it, please e-mail us back.

Original X1900XT 512M PCIE

REPLACEMENT HD 2900PRO 512M 256BIT PCIE "

I don't really know anything about the 2900 pro, but from looking around it seems to be a fair amount faster than the X1900XT. Is this correct?

Also, anyone know how these cards would compare in power requirements. I'd like to use the replacement in my kids PC, but not sure if the PSU would be able to handle it (380W with 24A @+12V).

 

[LordGestle]

That is a decent upgrade. The power requirement is a good question but should be similar to your X1900XT if I recall.
http://www.neoseeker.com/Artic...s/pc_hd2900pro/12.html
Comparing to a x1950 pro you looking at 30 watts additional on idle and 57 watts on load. Comparing to the X1900XT your probably close to a wash.

 

[Sylvanas]

Yeah that's a decent upgrade over a X1900- as far as power goes, the 2900 series was known to be a power hog but you may just have enough with a 380w. Best have a look around for reviews that note it's power draw.

 

[bryanW1995]

he's getting offered the "new" 2900 pro that only has 256bit ring bus, however, so power requirements should be significantly lower iirc. that card is equivalent to a 3850 and is significantly faster than an x1900xt. definitely a good upgrade.

 

[Bateluer]

Take it, its worth it.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

definately worth it, then sell it and get a 4850!

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
he's getting offered the "new" 2900 pro that only has 256bit ring bus, however, so power requirements should be significantly lower iirc. that card is equivalent to a 3850 and is significantly faster than an x1900xt. definitely a good upgrade.

:thumbsup: It's still the power-hungry R600 core, although Pro clock speeds are pretty gentle. 3850 is a good comparison, performance-wise, and 3870/2900XT speeds are possible with a good power-supply and the right software (e.g. Rivatuner).

256bit is the memory interface - when there was a surplus of R600 cores just before the launch of RV670, the expensive 512bit memory was dropped in order to shift the remaining R600 stock at the lowest acceptable price point.

 

[Ike0069]

Thanks for the replies. I didn't realize at the first 2900 pro's had 512bit, but apparently it's still a fair amount faster than a x1900xt, so this is nice.

Now I must decide if I should keep it and get a better PSU (I just don't think the PSU will handle it because it is almost 3 yrs old), or sell it and buy a lower power card. This is for the kids PC which is now only running a 9800pro (using the Dual SATA board which has AGP and PCI-e), so they don't really need that fast of a card, but of course it wouldn't hurt either. What would you do in this situation?

 

[JPB]

Whether they need that fast of a card or not, if it is being offered, do not pass it up :thumbsup:

Was the X1900 in the PC that now has the 9800Pro ? And what cpu is in this machine ?

 

[geokilla]

Take it. Just be careful of your PSU. What PSU are you currently using?

 

[Ike0069]

I went ahead and told them to go ahead and send me the 2900 Pro.

The X1900XT was in a rig that I upgraded the MB/CPU/RAM/VC to the specs in my sig below. I initially intended to use my old MB/CPU/RAM in the kids PC (Opty 146/2GB DDR400) and use this VC, but I'm pretty sure I will need a new PSU to do that.

The PSU I would be using is a 380W Antec True Power, but it is fairly old. This morning I did see an Antec Earthwatts 430W that was $18 AR, but it is already sold out. I think I 'll just look for a good deal on a ~450W PSU and use this 2900Pro.