The $300 options: X1800XT 512MB, 7900GT 256MB or X1900XT 256MB?

[Wag]

From all I can see, the X1800XT 512MB card is currently the best card going. Keep in mind that I also have an HDTV and will use the output for both gaming and movies.

Is there any reason why I should consider either 256MB card?

 

[morgash]

it really depends. If ur gonna be doing some hardcore gaming then u might wanna consider the 7900gt. With a QUICK and EASY volt mod u have it running faster than a 7900gtx and equal too and perhaps faster than a x1900xt(the 48 ROP's really confuse things in the speed department. While they are pretty much useless now, they will be hell on nvidia when games start utilizing them). Nvidia has superior AA modes while ATI has superior AF. AA is gonna be way more important on a HDTV if it is 30" or bigger. Of course then u haveta think about what rez ur gonna be runnin at. None of the cards mentioned could push any newer game at super high res with super high AA at anything nearing playable framerates. Gonna need SLI or Crossfire for that. Movie quality for Nvidia and ATI has been exactly the same since the GeForce2 so no worries there. Me personally, i wouldnt trade my 7900gt for any other single card out right now. Runnin at 625/1950 its untouchable, especially since i run all my games at 1280x960

 

[ddogg]

where did you find the X1900XT 256mb for $300? if its available for that price I would say X1900XT anyday.

 

[morgash]

oh holy hell lol i didnt notice that. i thought he meant x1800xt 256mb. yeah if u somehow miraculously found a x1900xt 256 for 300 bucks then get that as long as all other specs are the same.

still would rather have my 7900gt tho

 

[Kalessian]

^ true ^

X1900XT 256MB > X1800XT 512MB

 

[morgash]

WAIT! cancel that! the x1900 256mb only has 8 pixel pipes while the 512 version has 16. the clocks are also muuuuuch lower. cancel the 256mb 1900 out of the whole equation, it wont even come close to the other two.

 

[Drayvn]

Ahh it was the non X or XT-X version..

Go with either the 7900GT or X1800XT as they pretty much perform the same. Just choose now on if you want quiet and cool and price too.

 

[crazylegs]

I recently had same dilema but went for 7900GT (+vf900HSF) becasuse i plan to volt mod and OC and use mainly for game with just a lil bit of movie watching on a non-HD Widescreen TV

 

[akugami]

X1800XT if no overclocking is involved. 7900GT if overclocking, this thing is one mean mofo of an overclocker. Keep in mind you'll likely need to replace the heatsink and fan with an aftermarket one to get best results. This could run you roughly $30-60 bucks extra depending on what you buy. There is no noise advantage with the 7900GT vs X1800XT as both are noisy. nVidia decided to downgrade the quality of the hsf on the 7900GT's. Probably didn't want you to know how good the overclocking on it was.

 

[imported_ST]

if you can get a x1900 for $300, by all means go for it. in fact get like 50 of them

 

[TraumaRN]

You mentioned an HDTV and dual using the card, so is heat a factor? If it is you may have to buy an aftermarket HSF for the X1800 especially if your computer is in a confined space it might get a wee bit toasty!

 

[Wag]

I guess I was a little confused as far as the X1900XT and X1900X? X1900?

Well, I don't think I'd do a voltimod because I'd be afraid of permanently damaging a $300 piece of hardware.

 

[morgash]

the 1.4 voltmod is easy and about as safe as voltmods can be. hell even the 1.3 volt mod gives u great performance gains. gotta remeber, the 7900gtx core is runnin at 1.4 volts, and the 7900gt uses the exact same core.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: morgash
the 1.4 voltmod is easy and about as safe as voltmods can be. hell even the 1.3 volt mod gives u great performance gains. gotta remeber, the 7900gtx core is runnin at 1.4 volts, and the 7900gt uses the exact same core.

QFT

 

[Wag]

Also, doesn't the 1800XT have the AVIVO features?

 

[TraumaRN]

Yup, so does the 7900GT...

 

[Wag]

I'm upgrading from a X800XTPE (AGP)

I'm not going to be playing games on the HDTV, mostly just watching movies. Mostly my gaming will be on a 20" CRT.

The extra 256mb makes no difference?

 

[AzNPinkTuv]

it iwll at those hella high resolutions

 

[morgash]

if ur gaming on the CRT only no the 256mb will not make a whole lotta difference. in the future...perhaps. up to about 1600x1200 ur not gonna see much performance gain from 256 to 512 as long as the clock speeds are the same. the 7900gt as has lower latency RAM than the x1800xt so when u OC it its actually faster than a 7900gtx when running at exactly the same clocks

 

[Ackmed]

X1800XT would be my choice. Generally faster, wtih better overall IQ to me. And you can get the 512MB version for $300, or the 256MB version for about $270. Cheaper, faster, better IQ, easy choice to me.

 

[Jules]

x1900xt ftw

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: akugami
X1800XT if no overclocking is involved. 7900GT if overclocking, this thing is one mean mofo of an overclocker.

the XT is no slouch in overclocking either. both the ones i had easily overclocked to 700/1600 (i only used the overdrive, and it doesn't go higher unless you use atitools), and i've yet to hear from someone who owns one that they couldn't at least reach those speeds.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: morgash
if ur gaming on the CRT only no the 256mb will not make a whole lotta difference. in the future...perhaps. up to about 1600x1200 ur not gonna see much performance gain from 256 to 512 as long as the clock speeds are the same. the 7900gt as has lower latency RAM than the x1800xt so when u OC it its actually faster than a 7900gtx when running at exactly the same clocks

i use tho think the same thing, but it does actually make a diff (for some reason the extra ram seems to help ati more than nv tho). almost all recent games will use up the 256mb framebuffer even w/o running hi res textures.

there are several threads here on the subject, as well as several reviews if you want to take the time to search. my own exp. testing an x1800xt 256mb vs 512mb confirmed this.

 

[Dman877]

X1800XT is substantially faster than a 7900GT at stock speeds in most games. Check firingsquads recent article on the X1800GTO. You'll be hard pressed to find a 7900GT that actually ships at stock speeds though. An X1800XT at stock versus the typical 7900GT at 550 mhz core is probably a pretty even matchup.

You'll need a aftermarket cooler for either card since the 7900GT cooler is crappy and the X1800XT cooler is wicked loud. The X1800Xt is a bit cheaper though with even the 512mb versions costing less than 7900GT's and Newegg has a 256 mb X1800XT for 259 w/MIR.

What games do you play?

 

[Wag]

Right now basically Battlefield 2 and I gave up on Oblivion because it was too slow even on my Opteron 170(@220FSB) w/X800XT.