X-bit reviews the XFX 8800 Ultra Extreme - No one gives a crap about that though

[n7]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...8800ultra-extreme.html

I've seen a ton of links to this in threads, but no thread for this review.

I think this review is one of the best HD 2900 XT vs. 8800 GTS/X comparisons we've seen thus far.

My thoughts:

-They use Vista for this review :thumbsup:
-They disable driver optimizations & use HQ settings for the drivers :thumbsup:
-Unless they made a typo in the testbed info, they use an OCed 8800 GTX (1900 MHz RAM vs. 1800 MHz):

Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX (G80, 576/1350/1900MHz, 128sp, 32tmu, 24rop, 384-bit, 768MB)

I didn't even look at the lower resolutions, but at 1920x1200+, my observations:
-HD 2900 XT does extremely well compared to the 8800 GTX, besting it in a couple titles.
-HD 2900 XT does extremely poorly in a lot of the titles in the last half of the review, often below the X1950XTX's performance. :thumbsdown:
-Seems to me that there are a lot of games that need some ATi HD2900 driver fixing. :thumbsdown:
-8800 Ultras of any kind are a terrific waste of money :thumbsdown:

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks this reviews show me why going to a Geforce 8800 GTX is just not really worth it if I want to play all the latest and greatest games with everything turned to maximum at a high resolution. I will need a video card that hasn't been released yet to be able to do that.

 

[CaptainJackSwallows]

if the 2900xt dropped to $350 ish and if it completely fixed its inconsistent drivers then i will buy it over the GTX next month when i build a new rig.

 

[BFG10K]

ATi have made some great gains in the likes of Far Cry but they still have a long way to go in many games.

I'm amazed how much faster the 8800 Ultra vanilla is over the 8800 GTX (like in Fear 1920x1440 where it's 33% faster).

 

[LOUISSSSS]

1920x1440 what kind of resolution is that

 

[pcslookout]

This is why I hate LCDs they force you to upgrade your video card ever 6 months to 1 year to play the latest and greatest games. The larger the lcd monitor you get the more often you will need to upgrade your graphics card. So instead of every 6 months to a year every 3 months.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
1920x1440 what kind of resolution is that

LOL.

Non-Widescreen my friend.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Is HQ even needed for G80? For 6/7 series, it did get rid of shimmering with few other things, but what about the 8 series?

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
1920x1440 what kind of resolution is that

That's what nice big CRTs would run, or if you're a 3007WFP user, it's a great drop down option when 2560x1600 is too much for your GPU

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster
Is HQ even needed for G80? For 6/7 series, it did get rid of shimmering with few other things, but what about the 8 series?

I don't know if anyone has actually done an IQ comparison (I would expect it is fairly minor), but the drop in performance going to HQ on G80 is so small there is really no reason NOT to have it in the Quality/High Quality modes.

 

[MarcVenice]

Looks like my 7600gs runs NWN2 better then the ati 2900xt But for most benchmarks it looks like a 2900xt is a lot of bang for your buck compared to the gtx or ultra...

 

[Blacklash]

Open X-bit's first review of the HD 2900XT in a window, then this new review for the Ultra Extreme. Notice anything?

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...eon-hd-2900-games.html

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...8800ultra-extreme.html

The HD 2900XT's reported numbers in the X-bit review of the 8800Ultra Extreme are the same as their first review of it using the 7.4 driver down to fractions? That doesn't often happen even when you bench multiple times with the same driver. They state they were using the 7.5 driver for the HD 2900XT in Ultra Extreme review.

Just open each bench in a separate window side by side and compare.

Considering EB's results for STALKER and user feedback with the 7.5 driver on the same game, I am skeptical.

I do understand not benching the same card and same driver over and over in the same game. I do not support using old data from an earlier driver when you state you are using the latest available.

As far as the Ultra goes, I'd state the obvious everyone else has; buy a GTX and overclock it. You may buy a Thermalright HR-03 Plus and install that if temps concern you. I have one on my GTX @ 652|2054 and love it.

Get an Evga card if you want be able to remove the stock cooler and OC without voiding your warranty.

 

[Extelleron]

Hmm... looking at it now, it does seem like this review is almost a cut-and-paste job from x-bit's first review of the HD 2900XT. I cant' see them benching ALL of those games and getting EXACTLY the same performance.