Upgrading to a new card. Thoughts?

[m21s]

Moving to PCI-E and need another video card.

1600x1200 resolution on my 2001FP.

Looking ahead to up and coming games will the x1900xt be ok until next year or so until I move over to a DX10 card?

Or would the 7950GX2 be a better choice because I might get more use in the long run because it is faster?

I do not mind spending the money if I have to I just want something to get me through at these resolutions will the eye candy on until I feel the need to move to a DX10 card once Vista rolls around.

I'm looking ahead at crysis, if it ships on time. Splinter cell double agent and so on, I know these games are going to be pretty demanding.

Will the x1900xt still be fine you think at the end of this year will up coming games (at 1600x1200)?

I'm looking to upgrade in the next couple weeks, can't wait any longer!

I understand the debate going on about image quality on both cards, but I have a 6800GT now and to me the image quality is fine. Maybe it's just me but?
This isn't too much of the issue here cause i'm happy with nvidia at the moment, but not bias towards either comapny.

Thanks

 

[hardwareking]

THE X1900 XT WILL GREAT FOR CRYSIS AND DOUBLE AGENT.
It can run HDR+AA too.The 7950 gx2 is likehaving 2 7900 gtx's in sli.U'll get relatively the same performance.
Then theres the price.An x1900 xt can be had for as low as $370 where as the 7950 gx2 costs around $600-$700.
And nothing nvidia can offer beats the ATI'S HDR+AA+HQ AF together.

 

[morgash]

without the usually fanATItic stuff i would agree that the x1900xt is gonna be more than enough for ya at that resolution. i wont say that nothing nvidia offers is comparable. the 7900gtx would be just as good a choice(i find bloom lighting to look pretty much the same as hdr myself). all in all though the x1900xt is cheaper and since ur plannin on going to dx10 its a great deal.

Morgash

 

[TheRyuu]

I own a Nvidia 7900GT SLI computer, but if I was upgrading I'd choose the X190XT(X).

Just get the X1900XT and overclock it to XTX levels. Stock cooler is rather load though. Might want to look in to a third party cooling system though.

 

[Captante]

Right now with prices the way they are, the X1900XT/XTX is the way to go ... it gets the slight edge over the 7900GTX mainly due to IQ.. FPS will be close in most games, however if/when prices on the GX2 drop to a comparable point, I'd say go that way.

 

[akshayt]

7900GX 2 should be better, maybe much better in performance, but may lack in image quality.

 

[m21s]

I really like what I see so far from the GX2 but it is pricey.

But on the other hand if it can get me through till my next upgrade which could be about a year away with Vista and all that would be perfect.

 

[hardwareking]

if u are getting a the x1900 xt and getting a new cooler.i suggest u get the arctic cooling accelero x2.
or u could buy the HIS radeon x1900 xt ICEQ 3 Turbo,which has a great,quiet cooler.Keeps temps down and doesn't sound like a leaf blower.
But it costs around $450.

 

[Cookie Monster]

I dont think the X1 or 7 series could handle crysis (HDR plus AA could result in a slightshow).

But anyway, the lowest price on the 7950GX2 is 585. The X1900XT is signifcantly cheaper BUT the 7950GX2 is anyway from 30~60% faster. (It gets kind of high when you consider openGL titles.)

Are you looking forward to prey or quake wars? then grab an 7 serie card because they provide better IQ/performance in openGL titles. DX9 games, IQ may favor ATi but peformance favors the 7950GX2 for sure. (without a doubt).

Heat and power could be a problem. For one 7950GX2 consumes less power than an X1900XTX (Pretty much a X1900XT with 25mhz more on core and 100 mhz more on memory i think). Noise levels on the 7950GX2 is around 42~dbs idle and 54~dbs load compared to the ATi stock cooler which generally hits 50~dbs at load and could reach 60 (it has that whining noise). Both cards get pretty hot.

 

[Skott]

The 7950 GX2 isnt out yet and it'll probably be hard to get for the first month or so at least. I seriously doubt the various manufacturers will be able to supply the instant demand. If you are sure you will update your card in 12 months or less then I'd say better to go with the x1900XT because 1)its cheaper 2)It'll do the job and 3)Newer cards will be out by that time far better than what is currently availble. DX10 cards in particular. So if you are wanting a new card today or this month I'd suggest the x1900XT/X.

 

[hardwareking]

actually it is out,and its available for retailCheck newegg,u'll find a few.
i'd agree with scott for the rest though.

 

[Skott]

So they are in stock? I hadnt seen that. I heard they were on back order. I'll have to look again before I say things like that. ::chuckle::

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: Skott
So they are in stock? I hadnt seen that. I heard they were on back order. I'll have to look again before I say things like that. ::chuckle::

Yeah, believe it or not they were in stock at Newegg right after they were announced.. still
charging a price premium for them though.

 

[ItsAlive]

If you act quickly you could get the x1800xl 512mb and flash to XT. Confirmed its an undervolted X1800XT 512mb card flashed to XL bios. Card is $199.99w/free shipping from ZipZoomFly.com Confirmed here.

Should be enough to hold you till DX10. Not sure how long they will be available at this price and not 100% guarenteed to flash.

 

[n7]

X1900XT is fine for 1600x1200 as long as you are willing to sacrifice settings a wee but for games like Oblivion & Tomb Raider's next gen mode, for example.

I find mine is awesome for the most part, but if money isn't a concern & you want to absolutely everything totally maxed @ 1600x1200, then consider the 7950GX2