Torn Between Two Cards.......

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Pez D Spencer

Banned
Nov 22, 2005
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I kind of touched on this in a previous post but I think I finally have my options for my video card upgrade narrowed down. Here's my system specs:

3.0GHz P4 Prescott
Intel D915 mobo
512MB PC4200 in dual-channel.
X600 PRO 256MB 400MHz Core/300MHz Memory. (OC's to 600MHz core)

I've already got another gig of RAM on the way so I'll be running 1.5GB RAM total. I just can't decide between the 7950GT or the X1950XT. I'm hoping that someone who is more in the loop than I am about these things can help me decide.

Right now I'm on a 250 dollar budget for a video card. I plan on going all out on a system around Christmas time, so I'm mainly just looking for a card that will give me a little more eye candy until then. At Christmas I'm going 64-bit dual core (or possibly quad depending on price), DX10 cards, the whole 9 yards. But because of this, I'm wondering if I should just go with a 256MB card for now and save a few bucks or if 512MB is worth a little extra dough. I mean, when it comes to memory more is ALWAYS better of course, but like I already said, I'm on a budget and if I can save 50 bucks it'll help out. Someone in a previous post of mine said that 256MB would be fine for me but I want to get a few more opinions before I make my final decision.

I currently use a 17" LCD and run my games at 1280x1024 so until I build my new system at Christmas and upgrade to a 30" this is the highest resolution my new card will ever have to push. Also, I mostly play first-person shooters and racing games. I haven't played STALKER yet and mainly want a card that is going to give me a nice balance of good performance and good visuals.

The cards I've finally settled on are these:

SAPPHIRE X1950XT 512MB $259
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102082

SAPPHIRE X1950XT 256MB $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

Or from the nVidia family:

EVGA 512-P2-N635-AR 7950GT 512MB $239
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814130061

EVGA 256-P2-N636-AR 7950GT 256MB $199
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130074

So there's my choices. Help me decide. I'm kind of an ATI fan, but I'm willing to go nVidia if you guys think it's the better choice.

Thanks in advance.
 
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ShadowOfMyself

Diamond Member
Jun 22, 2006
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I think you should definitely get the 1950XT 512... Memory is starting to play a big role (check benchs of 8800 GTS 640 vs 320) and well, x1900 series leaves 7900 series in the dust when it comes to image quality, and its faster anyway, so easy choice in my opinion
 
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conlan

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2001
3,395
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Originally posted by: Pez D Spencer

3.0GHz P4 Prescott
Intel D915 mobo
512MB PC4200 in dual-channel.
X600 PRO 256MB 400MHz Core/300MHz Memory. (OC's to 600MHz core)

I currently use a 17" LCD and run my games at 1280x1024 so until I build my new system at Christmas and upgrade to a 30" this is the highest resolution my new card will ever have to push. Also, I mostly play first-person shooters and racing games. I haven't played STALKER yet and mainly want a card that is going to give me a nice balance of good performance and good visuals

SAPPHIRE X1950XT 256MB $209
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067


Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...


At those resolutions, the X1950XT 256 will work fine for you till you upgrade. Save your $50 for when you do.
 
K

KutterMax

Member
Sep 26, 2004
168
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I agree with Wreckage - go for a 8800GTS. When you upgrade your rig, you can always get a second one and go SLI.

 
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Pez D Spencer

Banned
Nov 22, 2005
401
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Originally posted by: Wreckage
Why not get a 8800GTS?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I think you're right about that. The 'ol lady is just gonna hafta get over me spending a little more. The 8800GTS squashes even the 1950XTX all the way across the board. See here:

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evg...8800_gts_superclocked_320mb/page10.asp

Plus the 8800GTS has DX10. Granted, that test was done with a superclocked 8800GTS, but the only difference I see between the regular 8800GTS and the superclocked version is 76MHz on the core and 100MHz on the memory. So surely I could take the regular 8800GTS and squeeze a little more MHz out of it and make it comparable to the superclocked version.



 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Pez D Spencer
Originally posted by: MDE
Are you running XP or Vista right now?
Click to expand...

XP Pro right now but I plan on insalling Vista after I get my other gig of RAM.
Click to expand...
There are lots of horror stories going around about Nvidia's Vista drivers. I don't have an Nvidia card to test it out myself though.
 
SPARTAN VI

SPARTAN VI

Senior member
Oct 13, 2005
803
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Haha, half you people missed the part where he's using a 17" monitor. The 256mb X1950 will suit you fine. Personally I'd opt for a 320mb 8800GTS.
 
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TanisHalfElven

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2001
3,512
0
76
i am on a 17" 12x10 screen to and i went for the 8800gts 320. at that res i can play oblvion maxed out, LOD mod textures, large textures, HDR and 8xCSAA and 16xAF and its smooth and always above 20 fps unless my ram or hdd is slowing it down.
 
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CaiNaM

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,718
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Originally posted by: MDE
Originally posted by: Pez D Spencer
Originally posted by: MDE
Are you running XP or Vista right now?
Click to expand...

XP Pro right now but I plan on insalling Vista after I get my other gig of RAM.
Click to expand...
There are lots of horror stories going around about Nvidia's Vista drivers. I don't have an Nvidia card to test it out myself though.
Click to expand...

vista with a g80 is no trouble at all (at least with non-sli). i had far more issues with my soundblaster; very few issues with my 8800.

at any rate, considering the rest of the cards are $200-$240, i'd just spend a couple of bucks more and get a 320mb GTS. you'll be glad you did.

of the other cards, i'd definately go for an x1900 before a 7 series nvidia card, but only if i could get one used for like $150... at $200+, the GTS is definately a no brainer.
 
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thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
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You are spending WAY too much money for gaming at that resolution. Go for the x1950gt in hot deals recently ($120 after rebate I think). Or get something used off the fs/ft forums. Truly a waste of $50 or $100 when you can get what you need for $150 or less.
 
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potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: thepd7
You are spending WAY too much money for gaming at that resolution. Go for the x1950gt in hot deals recently ($120 after rebate I think). Or get something used off the fs/ft forums. Truly a waste of $50 or $100 when you can get what you need for $150 or less.
Click to expand...

This is a very good point. Either that, or a x1900XT/X could fit what you need.
And don't post the Superclock editions of cards, Vista isn't really a great testbed ATM.
 
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tapir

Senior member
Nov 21, 2001
431
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If you like ATi you should go ATi because nVidia driver support for Vista-64 is iffy at best. At least with my 7900GTX...
 
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LOUISSSSS

Diamond Member
Dec 5, 2005
8,771
58
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ok search for all of wreckage's posts... every one of them consists of a pro-nvidia card regardless of the situation or the topic in the OP. the OP clearly asked whether the 7950 or x1950 is the better card..
@ 1280x1024 the anything over x1900xt is overkill. you can max out any game at that resolution.

the x1950xt will hold you over very well until xmas when u do a complete new system for that 30" screen.

and the 8800gts 320mb doesn't even beat the x1950xtx across the boards... how can nvidia let that happen? lol
 
Wreckage

Wreckage

Banned
Jul 1, 2005
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Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
and the 8800gts 320mb doesn't even beat the x1950xtx across the boards... how can nvidia let that happen? lol
Click to expand...

Oh noes, the 3rd best Nvidia card does not win every benchmark against the best ATI card even though it costs less, has better IQ and supports DX10. Why o why would I recommend it?

 
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Munky

Diamond Member
Feb 5, 2005
9,372
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The question was about the x1950xt, which does not cost more than the gts. And forget the SLI upgrade, I guarantee you by the time you'd need it the gts will no longer be in production, and there would be a single newer card that's as fast as 2 gts's.
 
SolMiester

SolMiester

Diamond Member
Dec 19, 2004
5,330
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He will need more than the 320mb gts for the 30' lcd anyway, so why waste the money now?
 
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CaiNaM

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,718
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Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
the OP clearly asked whether the 7950 or x1950 is theOP. better card..
@ 1280x1024 the anything over x1900xt is overkill. you can max out any game at that resolution.
Click to expand...

given the OP's question, we'd be doing a disservice to him if we didn't incl more options which fit his general parameters. the 7950 shouldn't even be considered given it offers the poorest IQ and mediocre performance per $.

the x1950xt will hold you over very well until xmas when u do a complete new system for that 30" screen.
Click to expand...

but it's not the only option that will.

and the 8800gts 320mb doesn't even beat the x1950xtx across the boards... how can nvidia let that happen? lol
Click to expand...

nvidia's upper mid-range product offers more features, better IQ, and meets or exceeds ati's flagship card in performance. how is that a bad thing?

 
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