X1900 XT/XTX Roundup

[Capt Caveman]

One might be in my future, do owner's have similar observations?

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2695

 

[darXoul]

If the noise measurements are accurate, it means that either the "infamous" X1900 stock HSF isn't as loud as some people claim it is or the custom HSF on the HiS card is simply disappointing.

 

[Munky]

About the whole overclocking thing - The xt apparently uses tighter memory timings than the xtx, and clock for clock performance is not identical. I tried OC'ing my Powercolor xt and the highest it went was about 650 core and 760 mem, on 1.35v. I got ~11400 in 3dmark05 at that setting. Then I flashed the xtx bios, and with clocks at 650/775 I only got ~11000.

 

[Cooler]

So there is no point to get an X1900 XTX unless you want a really high OC.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: munky
About the whole overclocking thing - The xt apparently uses tighter memory timings than the xtx, and clock for clock performance is not identical. I tried OC'ing my Powercolor xt and the highest it went was about 650 core and 760 mem, on 1.35v. I got ~11400 in 3dmark05 at that setting. Then I flashed the xtx bios, and with clocks at 650/775 I only got ~11000.

That's interesting munky. Funny that they would use looser timings on the higher-end card.

OP- I love my card. It runs artifact free at 750/872 using ATI Tool. Good enough for 13,344 with an Opteron@2.8GHz.

 

[Piuc2020]

kunaak on GameFAQs already reported the XT/XTX cards have for some unknown reason very irregular results on 3DMark and overclocking, Kunaak says his overclocked XT can sometimes do 10000 a bad run but he can get as much as 12000 sometimes. Read his post at GameFAQs.

So its possible that when you flashed your XT to XTX you had a bad run and got 11000 instead of 11400.

 

[chinkgai]

Originally posted by: Piuc2020
kunaak on GameFAQs already reported the XT/XTX cards have for some unknown reason very irregular results on 3DMark and overclocking, Kunaak says his overclocked XT can sometimes do 10000 a bad run but he can get as much as 12000 sometimes. Read his post at GameFAQs.

So its possible that when you flashed your XT to XTX you had a bad run and got 11000 instead of 11400.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2695&p=6
look at the results of the PowerColor XT overclocked to 650/742...even though its a bit slower clocked than an xtx (xtx mem = 775, xt oc'ed mem = 742) its beating the stock xtx in every benchmark...so it kinda confirms munky's results

this isnt the first time we see a higher clocked higher end card with looser timings (think 6800gt vs 6800ultra)

now my theory is...would it be worth it to flash an xtx to an xt-modded bios so that it gives the same stock voltage of the xtx...but with the tighter timings of the xt

this may affect the overclock though...since this is similar to the atitool/overclocking utility situation...

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: chinkgai


this isnt the first time we see a higher clocked higher end card with looser timings (think 6800gt vs 6800ultra)

Oops, forgot about that.

 

[nib95]

I have a question guys, dont know if you can answer it though.
On HIS website, and on Overclockers UK, the image they have of the HIS X1900 XTX shows it as using the referance stock cooler yet in Anandtech's round up they show it as using a custom one.
What gives? Which is it, referance or custom?

Also it makes sense Sapphire performing the best, as I am sure I read that Sapphire produce the cards for ATI.
Wouldnt suprise me if they select the best boards to use in their own product line.

 

[BFG10K]

If the noise measurements are accurate, it means that either the "infamous" X1900 stock HSF isn't as loud as some people claim

The noise numbers are quite meaningless without non-X1900 cards used in the same system as a comparison.

 

[nib95]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

If the noise measurements are accurate, it means that either the "infamous" X1900 stock HSF isn't as loud as some people claim

The noise numbers are quite meaningless without non-X1900 cards used in the same system as a comparison.

Why not?

They still act as a very good referance.

Db's are db's and there's no way you can debunk that.
What, are you implying that Anandtech used some sort of special super silent supressing case, or mathematically equated airflow system to lower Db's?
Your just up to your anti-ATI antics again.

Just accept the card isnt that loud.
As many X1900 owners have already mentioned.

I guess its totally down to personal opinions though, but from what I've heard of my mates, its really no louder (in real world terms) then other cards I have seen or used.

 

[BFG10K]

They still act as a very good referance.

Reference to what exactly? You have no comparison point except a room with the system turned off which doesn't really mean anything.

Db's are db's and there's no way you can debunk that.

dBs in that particular system running in that particular room. Without other cards used in the same situation you have absolutely no way of knowing how those dB readings compare to anything else.

In otherwords the numbers are totally meaningless except to compare OEM versions of the X1900.

 

[nib95]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

They still act as a very good referance.

Reference to what exactly? You have no comparison point except a room with the system turned off which doesn't really mean anything.

Db's are db's and there's no way you can debunk that.

dBs in that particular system running in that particular room. Without other cards used in the same situation you have absolutely no way of knowing how those dB readings compare to anything else.

In otherwords the numbers are totally meaningless except to compare OEM versions of the X1900.

I'm starting to suspect you too work for AEG. I'm new to these forums, and so far all I see from you is everything anti ATI.
Point is Anandtech, a VERY reputable site, quoted these dba ratings.
Why? To act as a point of referance for people perhaps looking to buy them.

Thats a fact, and thats the very reason they added that particular part to the article.
It's not about how the X1900 compares noise wise to other cards, but how noisy the card itself is. Lets face it, we all have different computers and different set ups. No PC is exactly the same, so if I followed your argument, I might as well not look at any db reviews.
Because after all....that dba rating might not be the same for my particular system running in this particular room.

 

[BFG10K]

I'm starting to suspect you too work for AEG. I'm new to these forums, and so far all I see from you is everything anti ATI.

That's a mighty tall accusation from a two week old n00b.

You would be basing this "conclusion" from your whole two weeks of experience here, would you? :roll:

I just love it when n00bs psychoanalyze other members using their "vast" experience.

Point is Anandtech, a VERY reputable site, quoted these dba ratings.

Instead of parroting dB readings why don't you do some research on the basics of sound comparisons?

Nobody said Anand's readings were wrong, what was said was that you can't use them for the sorts comparisons you're claiming you can use them for.

To act as a point of referance for people perhaps looking to buy them.

How does this help someone who wants to compare noise from other ATi cards and/or noise from other non-ATi cards?

It's not about how the X1900 compares noise wise to other cards, but how noisy the card itself is.

So tell me then, how noisy is 55 dB? And tell me, how do the acoustic characteristics of Anand's test system and his room compare to yours? Come on, tell us, what does that 55 dB tell you?

No PC is exactly the same,

No sh!t, which is exactly why dB readings without a comparison are meaningless.

so if I followed your argument, I might as well not look at any db reviews

Uh, no. If you followed my argument you would look for dB readings from multiple cards taken under identical conditions which then creates an accurate reference point and an accurate comparison.

 

[tvdang7]

so whats the verdict....... XT overclocking better value? than XTX or bios flash?

 

[Paratus]

I gotta agree with BFG. The only thing this tells us is HIS is the quietest X1900. Not that it's quieter than any other ATI or NV card.

posted via Palm Life Drive

 

[n7]

I love HIS's coolers

Simply gorgeous, & for not too much more.

Problem is, they're nearly impossible to find in Canada...

 

[nib95]

Originally posted by: BFG10K
That's a mighty tall accusation from a two week old n00b.

You would be basing this "conclusion" from your whole two weeks of experience here, would you? :roll:

I just love it when n00bs psychoanalyze other members using their "vast" experience.

Well, it doesnt take a genius to see when any member on any forum is being anti-some product or another. You shouldnt be criticising me for jumping to that conclusion, but seriously analysing and questioning yourself as to why you come off as so anti-ATI even to a (as you so put) n00b.

Instead of parroting dB readings why don't you do some research on the basics of sound comparisons?

Nobody said Anand's readings were wrong, what was said was that you can't use them for the sorts comparisons you're claiming you can use them for.

What are you talking about? What 'comparisons' did I try to make?
All I mentioned was that the card is not as loud as some people make out (people like you I might add, anti ATI types mainly). And parroting Db ratings is all we can do, and follow.
What, we should just ignore every site that has ever recorded the X1900 XTX db ratings simply because it's not being compared to your beloved Nvidia cards in the same test?

Laughable.

How does this help someone who wants to compare noise from other ATi cards and/or noise from other non-ATi cards?

It doesnt. What you dont understand is that I never compared it to any other card, or even mentioned comparing it. Your just so warped by trying to promote Nvidia and demote ATI (now with this supposed noise issue) that you have fabricated this stupid argument out of nothing. 'This card is not as loud as people make out' does not mean that Im implying its quieter/louder then other GPU's. That didnt even come in to the equation. You just decided to bring that in yourself, because your so eager to promote Nvidia on being the quieter card.

So tell me then, how noisy is 55 dB? And tell me, how do the acoustic characteristics of Anand's test system and his room compare to yours? Come on, tell us, what does that 55 dB tell you?

What a suprise, you didnt quote any on Anands Db rating results, and even then you decide to pick a Db number thats higher then any of the X1900's Anand tested.
I think its clear where your coming from.

And yes, 55db is definately loud. I've had a vantec CPU fan cooler run at similar db's and it wasnt pleasant. But, I have personally heard these X1900 XTX's in a system, and they are not particularly loud. Sure when you first boot up they can be very loud, but who cares about boot up? (your trying to make out like the X1900 runs a constant 55db which is rubbish) During operation the actual db rating whatever it mat be seems fine for me, and in real world terms, the X1900 was not really any louder then other cards I've used, most probably because the sound is drowned amoungst the rest of my fans.

No sh!t, which is exactly why dB readings without a comparison are meaningless.

No they are not, they are to act as a point of referance. So, just because my GPU may perform slightly worse or even better then a review version, I should not even consider the review benchies? Your argument is total ridiculous, if everyone shared your sentiments, there would be no need for review sites!

Uh, no. If you followed my argument you would look for dB readings from multiple cards taken under identical conditions which then creates an accurate reference point and an accurate comparison.

[/quote]

No, all that does is tell me which cards are louder or more quiet (taking in to account cards that I dont need to know the Db ratings of, but evidently you do), when all I want to know is how loud the X1900 is. All that does is fuel your stupid Nvidia promoting and incesant desire to discredit ATI.
Because no one here even mentioned 'comparing' db's amoung other cards, or even mentioned anything about the X1900 being quiter then its competition.

You just decided to make it an issue being the fanboy you are.

 

[Jdioutkast]

Just wanna say that using the automatic overclocking thing on the ATI overdrive thing it set the clocks at 690mhz core and 800mhz memory which was teh max it could go, I have the ATI card perhaps it could go higher with another program

 

[yacoub]

Originally posted by: darXoul
If the noise measurements are accurate, it means that either the "infamous" X1900 stock HSF isn't as loud as some people claim it is or the custom HSF on the HiS card is simply disappointing.

It's the latter. That's absolutely crappy noise.

Saying that's an improvement is like someone yelling HEY COME CHECK OUT MY QUIETER GPU IT SOUNDS LIKE AN F-16'S ENGINE INSTEAD OF AN F-15'S. ISN'T IT GREAT?! OMG IMPROVEMENT!!

No, it's still a damn jet engine.

Also, "nib" needs to chill and stop trying to pick fights with respected members after he makes silly claims. To anyone with normal hearing, they're frigging loud. It's simply true.

 

[sodcha0s]

Well I must say, mine isn't loud at all. Even while playing q4 online, the fan never got loud. My rig isn't silent by any means, but I wouldn't say it's loud, or really even noticeable when it's on. The only time I can really hear the card is on boot up, and yeah it's stupidly loud for like 3 seconds while it's at full speed. I guess I'll have to wait and see how it is when the weather warms up though.

nib, take a seat. If you would've been here over the summer, you would have noticed BFG hammering on nvidia as well. Seems he's into silence now, and there are a few nvidia cards out now with passive coolers, so there you have it. BFG is abrasive, but he's an equal opportunity basher. He's probably the last person around here that would be a member of AEG, so you might want to apologize for that remark.

 

[Ronin]

Originally posted by: nib95

I'm starting to suspect you too work for AEG. I'm new to these forums, and so far all I see from you is everything anti ATI.

These types of comments need to stop. You are not in a position here to be making any sort of accusations, and it's a damn good way to have all sort of respect for you go out the window. The only thing you said right in that mess was that you're new to these forums. Remember that.

 

[RobertR1]

A nice hint from the article:

"Regardless of this, the X1900 is the embodiment of ?next-generation? graphics, and will continue to set the standard for graphics solutions (for at least the next month or so anyway)."

I can't to see nvidia's counter punch. The only graphs that I'll care for are the 1920x1200 with 4xAA 16xAF and higher IQ settings.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Hmm the HIS cooler looks like a Silencer to me . . .

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: sodcha0s
Well I must say, mine isn't loud at all. Even while playing q4 online, the fan never got loud. My rig isn't silent by any means, but I wouldn't say it's loud, or really even noticeable when it's on. The only time I can really hear the card is on boot up, and yeah it's stupidly loud for like 3 seconds while it's at full speed. I guess I'll have to wait and see how it is when the weather warms up though.

nib, take a seat. If you would've been here over the summer, you would have noticed BFG hammering on nvidia as well. Seems he's into silence now, and there are a few nvidia cards out now with passive coolers, so there you have it. BFG is abrasive, but he's an equal opportunity basher. He's probably the last person around here that would be a member of AEG, so you might want to apologize for that remark.

Ya, BFG's an immature abrasive little git who isn't happy unless he's stirring up flamefights and abusing somebody/something...but he isn't AEG that's for sure

He's recently got a passively cooled 7800GT (i think, it might be a 6800GT) after his passively cooled x800xl, so he's quickly changed sides and decided that ATI is his sworn enemy, after bashing nvidia all the time before that :laugh: It just so happens that ATI having the louder cooler is his favourite topic of late, and it fits perfectly in with his 'silent computing' craze