Which card for $500?

[Sulaco]

Hey guys,

I've got a few video cards on the brain right now, mainly the X800XT PE and the 6800U.

So what would you choose if I handed you $500 and said "get yourself a great card"

1.) Radeon X800 XT PE ($499 at CompUSA)

2.) eVGA 6800 Ultra ($435 at Newegg, retail)

3.) BFG 6800 Ultra ($489 at Newegg, OEM)

Just would like some different opinions and input on some of the these choices. Thanks!

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

If you've got a $500 budget and Doom3 isn't the only game you play, then X800XT PE

benchmarks

 

[AristoV300]

Buy a 6800GT and overclock it to Ultra speeds and save some $$$.

 

[Sulaco]

Well, this kinda brings me to another question.

Why is the eVGA card so much cheaper than the x800XT PE, and even other 6800s? And if the 6800U and X800XT PE are really as equal as everyone makes them out to be, is an extra $65 for a X800 XT PE worth it over the evga 6800U?

Thanks!

 

[Xed]

I would save my money and get the evga 6800u, unless you play a lot of hl2.

I have both (bba x800xt-pe bfg 6800gt @ 425/1100) and they are relatively similiar aside from a few select titles.

As for sm3, I personally will have new vid cards by the time it's widely used so I don't really care about it, if you don't upgrade often it's something to consider. There are a ton of threads debating its usefullness on the current gen cards so you can read up there.

 

[The Green Bean]

evga 6800ultra

 

[Acanthus]

I really dont get all the doom 3 and HL2 chatter over these cards, after finally playing both of these games... They both run fine on high settings on a 6600GT.

Either card is a great option, id go with a 6800GT and save up for second personally (its exactly what im doing).

But i need some Intel SLI or the Venice Cores need to OC like mad.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If you've got a $500 budget and Doom3 isn't the only game you play, then X800XT PE

benchmarks

Since when are HL2 benchmarks the only reason to buy a card? It's no more relevant than Doom3 only benchmarks?

These cards are approximately equal in gaming performance (the 6800U mainly does better at OGL, and the X800XT PE does better at D3d often) so what it should come down to for you is the technology of both cards:

1. HDR - X800XT PE only has a limited version, unused as yet in games. 6800U has HDR used in Splinter Cell and Far Cry.

2. Soft shadows- X800XT PE has none. 6800U has it, used in Splinter Cell and Riddick.

3. SM3- X800XT PE doesn't have it. Current MS standard. 6800u has it. Used in Splinter Cell exclusively, several other titles (Far Cry, Painkiller, Pitfall, Pacific War) as patch. More coming.

The X800XT PE is a very fast gaming card, but it has the 2003 MS standard feature set. It's now 2005, and there are big titles that have features you can't see on an X800XT PE.

If you're planning to keep this card at least a year, I'd bet good money there will be other titles with nV only features in that year. (check nVs testiomonial page to see every developer you've ever heard of tout the nV40 feature set)

It comes down to whether you want a 2003 feature set, or a 2004 feature set. Choice seems obvious to me, but maybe YOyoYOhowsDAjello likes not seeing the modern video game features?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If you've got a $500 budget and Doom3 isn't the only game you play, then X800XT PE

benchmarks

Since when are HL2 benchmarks the only reason to buy a card? It's no more relevant than Doom3 only benchmarks?

I linked to the first page of that benchmark review. I didn't mean to say that HL2 was any more important than the others.

I offered my opinion and then unlike most people, some hard numbers to look at so the OP can see what I mean.

What's with the personal attack?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Sulaco
Hey guys,

I've got a few video cards on the brain right now, mainly the X800XT PE and the 6800U.

So what would you choose if I handed you $500 and said "get yourself a great card"

1.) Radeon X800 XT PE ($499 at CompUSA)

2.) eVGA 6800 Ultra ($435 at Newegg, retail)

3.) BFG 6800 Ultra ($489 at Newegg, OEM)

Just would like some different opinions and input on some of the these choices. Thanks!

i'd wait.

if i HAD to spend $500 on a video card i'd wait for this Summer and the r520/Nv5X. The 6800Ultra has been discounted already to $350 after MIR and i fully expect it to be ~$250 by Summer's end . . . .

 

[Pete]

Normally I'd say the eVGA 6800U (which may be cheaper due to less fluff in the box and a shorter warranty), but I think it's packing a relatively noisy cooler. I also think the X80XTPE cooler is supposed to be decently subdued (although not silent), so I'd pick it up.

But $500 is a lot to shell out now. I'd wait until June to see what new cards ATi and nV put on the table. Even if they won't be available until August, I'd still feel bad shelling out $500 now only to see a card that's likely to be 50-100% faster (in certain situations) show up a few months later. If you can't wait, just buy a $300 X800XL or 6800GT now. You'll probably lose less money reselling it to buy an R520 or G70 this summer.

 

[ronnn]

I agree with Pete, I would like a new card, but things are changing. Also I would like to see how things work out with this new win 64 thing. :beer:

 

[imported_Hi]

buy the egva 6800U

its costs less comes retail and is one of the best cards

have fun with whatever you get

 

[scsi drv1]

6800=kick ass performance

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
If you've got a $500 budget and Doom3 isn't the only game you play, then X800XT PE

benchmarks

Since when are HL2 benchmarks the only reason to buy a card? It's no more relevant than Doom3 only benchmarks?

I linked to the first page of that benchmark review. I didn't mean to say that HL2 was any more important than the others.

I offered my opinion and then unlike most people, some hard numbers to look at so the OP can see what I mean.

What's with the personal attack?

What personal attack?
Just refuting what you said, haven't referenced you at all?

You mean this?

Choice seems obvious to me, but maybe YOyoYOhowsDAjello likes not seeing the modern video game features?

I don't consider this a "personal attack", or mean for it to be, only that you've decided the new features of the nV40 aren't worth having.

I apparently misunderstood your link to HL2 benchmarks, I would have probably linked the title page of the review if you meant for us to read them all.

No offense intended.

 

[Borealis316]

X800XT here and I'm loving it. I had a 6800nu and it just wasn't doing the trick for me.

I would've waited but didn't have much of a choice since I knew the tax returns wouldn't be around when the r520 came out.

WRT what rollo said above, I've got a good collection of games and FOR ME at least none of the mentioned nv features even come into play. Hell, I bought my 6800 right when it came out and I've yet to even see SM 3.0 in action seeing as how I dumped far cry before those lazy developers bothered to implement it.

The only HDR I'll be interested in seeing is in HL2 "The Lost Coast". Hopefully the level lasts for more then 5 minutes.

Just my opinions though.

P.S. Driver support also came into play for me, I don't like being a beta driver guinea pig. I've always liked the official monthly drivers.

 

[Rhin0]

The 6800 Ultra runs HL2, CS:S MAXXED at high res without any problems. The peformance difference between ATI and NV on HL2 isn't enough to buy the x800 over the 6800 Ultra

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Borealis316
X800XT here and I'm loving it. I had a 6800nu and it just wasn't doing the trick for me.

I would've waited but didn't have much of a choice since I knew the tax returns wouldn't be around when the r520 came out.

WRT what rollo said above, I've got a good collection of games and FOR ME at least none of the mentioned nv features even come into play. Hell, I bought my 6800 right when it came out and I've yet to even see SM 3.0 in action seeing as how I dumped far cry before those lazy developers bothered to implement it.

The only HDR I'll be interested in seeing is in HL2 "The Lost Coast". Hopefully the level lasts for more then 5 minutes.

Just my opinions though.

P.S. Driver support also came into play for me, I don't like being a beta driver guinea pig. I've always liked the official monthly drivers.

You can't really compare the 6800NU to a X800XT Borealis316, they're in different classes of performance and price.

My problem with X800s is only that we've seen nV only features in three big games in the last nine months or so (Far Cry, Riddick, Splinter Cell3) and more may be coming out.
How many times are you going to have say "Well, it doesn't matter if I can't see that" over the next 12-18 months?

If it really doesn't matter to you, there's no reason not to buy X800s, they're fast and a good deal.

I like to be able to check the new stuff though personally.

 

[slash196]

If you look, you could prolly score an 850XT for about five bills...and that would be an easy choice.

EDIT: Wait, I saw the Ultra was a BFG...their overclocks are on the upper end of the spectrum...not many people can run 420/1100, and with BFG it's guarnteed...I'd take the BFG.

EDIT 2: Or would I...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-142-037&depa=1

 

[MedicalEntropy]

X800XTPE.


Or wait for the AGP next gen ATI cards.

I love my X800XTPE and it performs great.
Pretty good OCer too if you cool it down a bit (got to like 600/600 on air. 520/560 is stock)

 

[slash196]

Originally posted by: MedicalEntropy
X800XTPE.


Or wait for the AGP next gen ATI cards.

I love my X800XTPE and it performs great.
Pretty good OCer too if you cool it down a bit (got to like 600/600 on air. 520/560 is stock)

Oh, he's looking for AGP?

Also, you're assuming there WILL be AGP next-gen cards...I'm thinking this is the last gen for AGP.

 

[Tweakin]

Originally posted by: Pete
Normally I'd say the eVGA 6800U (which may be cheaper due to less fluff in the box and a shorter warranty), but I think it's packing a relatively noisy cooler. I also think the X80XTPE cooler is supposed to be decently subdued (although not silent), so I'd pick it up.

But $500 is a lot to shell out now. I'd wait until June to see what new cards ATi and nV put on the table. Even if they won't be available until August, I'd still feel bad shelling out $500 now only to see a card that's likely to be 50-100% faster (in certain situations) show up a few months later. If you can't wait, just buy a $300 X800XL or 6800GT now. You'll probably lose less money reselling it to buy an R520 or G70 this summer.

Doesn't Evga offer the upgrade path on their newer cards? One of the manufactors does. You can buy now, and receive full retail when the next edition of fun comes out.

 

[RussianSensation]

I really cant justify spending $500 over $300 X800XL PCIe and $340 6800GT AGP right now on any videocard. The performance differnece is simply not great enough to make the high-end cards worthwhile. You'd be better off saving this $200-150 now and selling these cards and getting R520 in the summer.

Review

You can check out the review for differences between teh cards you are looking at and the ones I recommend.

 

[hans030390]

6800U...performs great, and has SM3.0 support...what more could you want? and it's cheaper

 

[Borealis316]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: Borealis316
X800XT here and I'm loving it. I had a 6800nu and it just wasn't doing the trick for me.

I would've waited but didn't have much of a choice since I knew the tax returns wouldn't be around when the r520 came out.

WRT what rollo said above, I've got a good collection of games and FOR ME at least none of the mentioned nv features even come into play. Hell, I bought my 6800 right when it came out and I've yet to even see SM 3.0 in action seeing as how I dumped far cry before those lazy developers bothered to implement it.

The only HDR I'll be interested in seeing is in HL2 "The Lost Coast". Hopefully the level lasts for more then 5 minutes.

Just my opinions though.

P.S. Driver support also came into play for me, I don't like being a beta driver guinea pig. I've always liked the official monthly drivers.

You can't really compare the 6800NU to a X800XT Borealis316, they're in different classes of performance and price.

My problem with X800s is only that we've seen nV only features in three big games in the last nine months or so (Far Cry, Riddick, Splinter Cell3) and more may be coming out.
How many times are you going to have say "Well, it doesn't matter if I can't see that" over the next 12-18 months?

If it really doesn't matter to you, there's no reason not to buy X800s, they're fast and a good deal.

I like to be able to check the new stuff though personally.

I was just saying just to say the nu wasn't doing the trick for me. I know you can't compare the two.

Well, theres really only 2 games that I care about at the moment coming out in the near future, stalker and BF2, if I can't have SM 3.0 in either which I probably wouldn't notice anyways during fast firefights, then so be it. I've lived without SM 3.0 so far so I think I can live through another generation of cards without it. The reason I got this card is it's top of the line for AGP from ATi...for the most part and I can have alot of AA/AF while playing.

To me it also seems like ATi cares a little more about the quality and timeframe of their drivers, I've yet to see a temp. bug, a yellow water bug, or a driver that causes white lines in a game I play nightly (CS:S) or shimmering for that matter. Where do you submit a bug report to nvidia anyways? Even if one of those problems do arise with ATi it can possibly be corrected in next months drivers....not the driver coming 6 or 7 months down the road.