X1900 XT vs. X1950 PRO

[zoozilla]

I'm hoping to get a new computer fairly soon, and I know what I want for just about everything except the video card. I'm deciding between the X1950 Pro (512 MB) and the X1900 XT (256 MB). Both are between $199 and $220. I thought about an X1950 XT, but it's just a bit too much for me... my monitor's native resolution is 1280 by 1024, and I usually play at that res. Will either of these play Oblivion acceptably? Which is the better buy?

 

[450R]

Might want to check the prices again ... NewEgg has a X1950 Pro listed for $165 after $10 MIR. Hard to pass up IMO.

 

[zoozilla]

Wouldn't a 512 MB PRO beat a 256 MB PRO? The cheapest 512 MB one is a Jetway....I've heard of them...not in a good way, though. That means either $149.99 for a Sapphire 256 MB PRO, $209.99 ($189.99 with rebate), or an X1900 XT for $214.99 ($199.99 with rebate)...and then the X1950 XT is $244.99.... it's a hard choice.
If I'm going to be gaming at 1280 x 1024, am I right to say getting the X1950 XT would be a waste? Keep in mind, I would like to be able to play Oblivion if possible.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: zoozilla
Wouldn't a 512 MB PRO beat a 256 MB PRO? The cheapest 512 MB one is a Jetway....I've heard of them...not in a good way, though. That means either $149.99 for a Sapphire 256 MB PRO, $209.99 ($189.99 with rebate), or an X1900 XT for $214.99 ($199.99 with rebate)...and then the X1950 XT is $244.99.... it's a hard choice.
If I'm going to be gaming at 1280 x 1024, am I right to say getting the X1950 XT would be a waste? Keep in mind, I would like to be able to play Oblivion if possible.

if you are just gonna play Oblivion, the pro is sufficient

How long do you plan to keep your card? There are more demanding games than Oblivion just around the corner

i always go for the faster card if the price is close.

you might want to check Hot Deals also.

 

[Intelman07]

I think the XT is the more powerful card.

http://techreport.com/reviews/2006q4/radeon-x1950-pro/index.x?pg=4

 

[zoozilla]

The X1900XT does seem to be more powerful, but does the 512 MB of the X1950 PRO make it more future-proof than the X1900XT? If 512 and 256 MB makes no difference, the X1900 XT seems like a very good nab for $199

 

[akshayt]

1900XT should surely be faster no matter what you do, atleast in most of todays games.

 

[Captante]

The two are pretty close, but the X1900XT should be faster & the additional 256mbs VRAM makes very little if any difference below 1600x1200 resolution.

I think however the best choice would be to shop around for the best deal you can find on a 256mb X1950XT which should beat out either of the other two.


Edit:

Sapphire X1950XT @ $244 with $30 rebate

Or this if you want to save some money:

Gigabyte factory oc'ed 256mb X1950 Pro @ $189 w/Zalman HS


Don't waste your money on a 512mb DX9 card at that point, especially if you only game at 1280x1024.

 

[betasub]

Originally posted by: Captante
The two are pretty close, but the X1900XT should be faster & the additional 256mbs VRAM makes very little if any difference below 1600x1200 resolution.

... snip ...

Don't waste your money on a 512mb DX9 card at that point, especially if you only game at 1280x1024.

Agreed on both points. The only reason you should pay extra for a 512MB version is if you know you will be installing "large texture pack" mods for your games: Oblivion looks great un-modded, but with 512MB textures it is absolutely stunning.

 

[Xdreamer]

I also had to make this choice. I went with the x1950xt listed by captante. it performs well, isnt very loud at all

 

[BassBomb]

I would keep teh X1950XT its not overkill, it would last you longer than a X1950PRO would

and for the time being you could slap on more IQ than the others with less hit

512MB X1950PRO Would not be more futureproof than the X1900XT or X1950XT

 

[fire400]

FS/TR forum has x1900 XT video cards for cheap, easily under 300.

1950pro route if you want a new video card, otherwise newegg is doing XT 256 for 250 bucks.

personally go with the XT/XTX class, they are much faster and will be able to handle any game with any core2.

if you get the XT version, you can OC with ATItool to get an XTX which is faster than a 7950GT by a pretty good margin. surpass XTX stock if you install a 3rd party cooler, assuming the XT you are getting has 512 megs.

1950pro 256 is good enough if you are on a budget, don't bother getting the 512 meg version, 'cuz if you're going to spend that much money, someone has a 512meg XTX card on the FS/TR forum for 250 shipped

good luck

p.s. your psu should have at least 500w and dual 12v, pci-e connector/via molex required

 

[Whirlwind]

I don't think there is ever any overkill in the video card world.....believe me games will find a way to drain your video card no matter how much power it has.

If now is the time you choose to upgrade, [my motto is} get the best card you can afford at the time

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: zoozilla
The X1900XT does seem to be more powerful, but does the 512 MB of the X1950 PRO make it more future-proof than the X1900XT? If 512 and 256 MB makes no difference, the X1900 XT seems like a very good nab for $199

A x1950xt 256mb would be better than even a 1GB x1950pro, if they had one. No amount of video memory will make up for the additional quad the xt core has. When it comes down to performance in demanding games, a more powerful gpu is always better than a weaker gpu with more memory.

 

[fire400]

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: zoozilla
The X1900XT does seem to be more powerful, but does the 512 MB of the X1950 PRO make it more future-proof than the X1900XT? If 512 and 256 MB makes no difference, the X1900 XT seems like a very good nab for $199

A x1950xt 256mb would be better than even a 1GB x1950pro, if they had one. No amount of video memory will make up for the additional quad the xt core has. When it comes down to performance in demanding games, a more powerful gpu is always better than a weaker gpu with more memory.

lol

x1300 512mb DDR

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: fire400
p.s. your psu should have at least 500w and dual 12v, pci-e connector/via molex required

The PSU requirements are not that high. I am currently running everything in my sig on an OCZ 420w PSU. Oh and add 2 more HDD's to that list.