X1900 XTX or 7900GTX

[EffeX]

I gotta buy one or the other and I really cant deicde. Gonna be playing mostly at 1280x1024 maybe higher.

 

[Munky]

If you gotta buy one, then the x1900xtx is the easy choice. It's overall faster, with more features, and it's cheaper too. If you plan to use dual cards, then SLI is usually preferred because it's a more mature platform and usually scales better with less problems, although both dual card solutions still have their own share of issues.

 

[nitromullet]

If you're not planning on going with a dual card setup (which you don't need at 1280x1024), get the best of both worlds: X1900XTX and A8N32-SLI Deluxe.

 

[EffeX]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
If you're not planning on going with a dual card setup (which you don't need at 1280x1024), get the best of both worlds: X1900XTX and A8N32-SLI Deluxe.

Erm is this actually a good choice im def not gonna spend 1000$ on an xfire rig when DX10 comes out soon. So please tell me is this the best solution?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
If you're not planning on going with a dual card setup (which you don't need at 1280x1024), get the best of both worlds: X1900XTX and A8N32-SLI Deluxe.

QFT - check sig

 

[EffeX]

Alright you guys are a great help, No one is a fanboy on this site. Im thinkin a Sapphire X1900 XTX and the A8N32-SLi Deluxe. Again Thank you for your unbiased opinions. <3

 

[Amplifier]

just a rumor if you don't need the card right away

 

[EffeX]

Im buying my pc before June 1st.

 

[RussianSensation]

If you are going to be playing at 1280x1024, get x1800XT 512mb for $300 and save the $100. Even X1900XT is better than XTX. And you don't need SLI motherboard. DFI Lanparty Ultra 4 for $120 is better than both of those for the $. Before you drop more than $130 on a motherboard, ask yourself why are you spending so much?

Do you need 10 usb 2.0 ports vs. 6, do you need 8 sata connectors vs. 4/6, etc. Remember if you are not overclocking $80 motherboard is JUST as good as a $300 motherboard. It'll still have firewire, usb 2.0 ports and SATA 2 ports.

For example let me explain this:

Asus A8n32:

1. 2 x PCI-E x16 instead of x8 for most boards - gives 1-2% performance boost - mostly marketing. If you are not going to sli, you are spending more money on useless components

2. PATA 2 x ATA100 up to 4 Devices - nothing special
SATA 3Gb/s 4 - nothing special since SATA 1 = SATA 3gb as hard drives wont work faster with this
SATA RAID NV RAID 0/1/0+1/5 JBOD - so it has raid 5?

3. Realtek ALC850 - same inferior audio codec that cant compete with a $25 SB Live value even.

4. Dual 10/100/1000Mbps - not only do you probably not need dual LAN, it's doubtful you'll even use more than 10Mbps (2x faster than most cable modems) nevermind 1000. Even 100 is plenty.

5. 6x USB 2.0 - nothing special

6. 2x 1394a - nothing special

ASUS 8-Phase Power Design + ASUS Fanless Design- thats why it's expensive. So were does the $225 US premium come from? Profit Margins.

In comparison, ABIT KN8 SLI - $100 has fanless design, same audio, 4 USB ports instead of 6 and 1 firewire port. Which means you can probably pick up 2 more usb ports and a firewire port for $25 as a separate bracket and still be $100 less expensive.

Just trying to save you some money

Now you have $100 extra to put towards a graphics card. 2 x 7900GT EVGA Ko are $289 a piece. The X1900XTX is $450. That means you can get faster performance for same $ by just choosing a motherboard wiser (Not that you need sli for 1280x1024 for most games).

 

[Ackmed]

As probably one of the very few, if not the only person around here to have used both the A8N32-SLI and the A8R32-MVP, let me say that they are both great boards. I prefer the A8R32-MVP for a few reasons. First, I can keep it at 5xHT when going over 250FSB, where as on my A8N32 I had to lower it to 3x. I can also keep my ram on 1T on the A8R32, the A8N32 was not stable barely above stock speeds with 1T. Thirdly, the A8R32 runs cooler on the chipset, by about 4-5c for me. There is evidence of this, because there is no heatpipe with the A8R32, just with the A8N32. Another reason is the placement of the CMOS reset jumper. On the A8N32, you had to remove the second card in SLI (not a problem for you if you dont go multi-GPU) to reset the CMOS, very annoying. This problem is fixed with a better placement of the jumper on the A8R32 Also, one of the SATA plugs is blocked by the second card on the A8N32, and another parially blocked with 7900GTX's.

Now, these all may not matter to you. There is very little realworld difference in 1T and 2T, and 5x compared to 3x. The difference in temps is not that large, and its doubtful it impacts case temperature much, if at all. And if you dont use 4 SATA drives, that wont matter either. Its just what I have noticed between the two. The CMOS reset jump is a real problem with the A8N32, but that too may not matter if you do not go SLI.

Personally, I would get the A8R32-MVP. Last time I checked, it was cheaper. I would still get the X1900XT over the 7900GTX. Mainly because just like the motherboard, its cheaper. And I believe its the better card, not just because they both trade benchmarks, but because of its features and IQ. You will not always be at 1280x1024, and if you get a budget card now, it will struggle more when you get a larger screen. Also, at 1280x1024 with a X1900XT you will likely be able to run at 6xAA and 16x HQAF and still get good frames. With a X1800XT that would be less likely to happen.

Originally posted by: Amplifier
just a rumor if you don't need the card right away

"In the UK".

"In the meantime, Connect 3D massively reduced its X1900 prices"

As you can see, its not a one-sided affair.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

for the mobo i would advise getting a nice asrock (i wish i had gotten one)...get the one with the esata port. other than that get a x900xt. not xtx xtx is a waste. you spend 100 buck for 25 MHz increase in core clock >

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: nitromullet
If you're not planning on going with a dual card setup (which you don't need at 1280x1024), get the best of both worlds: X1900XTX and A8N32-SLI Deluxe.

QFT - check sig

Yeah.

Check sig too

 

[LittleNemoNES]

The New ABit 32x is great too. I'd like to use crossfire with that. Prob the fastest mobo out now.

THe points made here are all good -- cept for maybe 7900 GT SLI...(bah -- bad idea)

Pay only for what you need. I will be using a 1680x1050 LCD soon so then I will actually sort of need a crossfire edition card to run Oblivion @ that res.

I have to admit that it's hard sometimes cos you want the absolute best sometimes but in time value judgements will be easy to make.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Ackmed
As probably one of the very few, if not the only person around here to have used both the A8N32-SLI and the A8R32-MVP, let me say that they are both great boards. I prefer the A8R32-MVP for a few reasons. First, I can keep it at 5xHT when going over 250FSB, where as on my A8N32 I had to lower it to 3x. I can also keep my ram on 1T on the A8R32, the A8N32 was not stable barely above stock speeds with 1T. Thirdly, the A8R32 runs cooler on the chipset, by about 4-5c for me. There is evidence of this, because there is no heatpipe with the A8R32, just with the A8N32. Another reason is the placement of the CMOS reset jumper. On the A8N32, you had to remove the second card in SLI (not a problem for you if you dont go multi-GPU) to reset the CMOS, very annoying. This problem is fixed with a better placement of the jumper on the A8R32 Also, one of the SATA plugs is blocked by the second card on the A8N32, and another parially blocked with 7900GTX's.

Now, these all may not matter to you. There is very little realworld difference in 1T and 2T, and 5x compared to 3x. The difference in temps is not that large, and its doubtful it impacts case temperature much, if at all. And if you dont use 4 SATA drives, that wont matter either. Its just what I have noticed between the two. The CMOS reset jump is a real problem with the A8N32, but that too may not matter if you do not go SLI.

Personally, I would get the A8R32-MVP. Last time I checked, it was cheaper. I would still get the X1900XT over the 7900GTX. Mainly because just like the motherboard, its cheaper. And I believe its the better card, not just because they both trade benchmarks, but because of its features and IQ. You will not always be at 1280x1024, and if you get a budget card now, it will struggle more when you get a larger screen. Also, at 1280x1024 with a X1900XT you will likely be able to run at 6xAA and 16x HQAF and still get good frames. With a X1800XT that would be less likely to happen.

Originally posted by: Amplifier
just a rumor if you don't need the card right away

"In the UK".

"In the meantime, Connect 3D massively reduced its X1900 prices"

As you can see, its not a one-sided affair.

I don't doubt that the A8R32-MVP is a great board. I might be a bit biased becasue I didn't care too much for the A8R-MVP that I had, but I think that the A8R32-MVP fixes most of the issues this board had. The main reason that I would stay away from the A8R32-MVP for a long term motherboard is that fact the it uses the ULi south bridge, which is now owned by NVIDIA. Didn't NVIDIA already announce that they were going to cease production of the South bridge used on these boards? Additionally, NVIDIA has already intentionally disabled SLI capability in their drivers for ULi's dual card capable north bridge, and it's their own damn north bridge. Who knows that kind of stunts they will pull with their south bridge used on CrossFire boards... This isn't really a "fair" reason to deiscredit the motherboard, but I think that it's a valid concern for a potential buyer.

 

[EffeX]

Well, I forgot to say im buyin a Viewsonic CRT next month that can do 1920x1440@74hz so would you still suggest X1900 XTX and how loud is the fan? I heard 53.1dB which is like the Vantec Tornado fans Also im just a 16yr old kid that saved his money up. I have nothing else to buy. So value doesnt really matter. The pc is gonna have an X2 4200 and OCZ plats no overclocking.

 

[Praxis1452]

Originally posted by: nitromullet


I don't doubt that the A8R32-MVP is a great board. I might be a bit biased becasue I didn't care too much for the A8R-MVP that I had, but I think that the A8R32-MVP fixes most of the issues this board had. The main reason that I would stay away from the A8R32-MVP for a long term motherboard is that fact the it uses the ULi south bridge, which is now owned by NVIDIA. Didn't NVIDIA already announce that they were going to cease production of the South bridge used on these boards? Additionally, NVIDIA has already intentionally disabled SLI capability in their drivers for ULi's dual card capable north bridge, and it's their own damn north bridge. Who knows that kind of stunts they will pull with their south bridge used on CrossFire boards... This isn't really a "fair" reason to deiscredit the motherboard, but I think that it's a valid concern for a potential buyer.

Nvidia really can't stop production of the ULI Southbridge nor can they make it all f'd up because of anti-competitive practices. I mean if they need the ULI Southbridge nvidia can't buy them out and stop production... Though it's beginning to happen. I doubt ATI would let Nvidia get away with screwing them over with bad Southbridges. There'd be lawsuits I'd think.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Praxis1452

Originally posted by: nitromullet


I don't doubt that the A8R32-MVP is a great board. I might be a bit biased becasue I didn't care too much for the A8R-MVP that I had, but I think that the A8R32-MVP fixes most of the issues this board had. The main reason that I would stay away from the A8R32-MVP for a long term motherboard is that fact the it uses the ULi south bridge, which is now owned by NVIDIA. Didn't NVIDIA already announce that they were going to cease production of the South bridge used on these boards? Additionally, NVIDIA has already intentionally disabled SLI capability in their drivers for ULi's dual card capable north bridge, and it's their own damn north bridge. Who knows that kind of stunts they will pull with their south bridge used on CrossFire boards... This isn't really a "fair" reason to deiscredit the motherboard, but I think that it's a valid concern for a potential buyer.

Nvidia really can't stop production of the ULI Southbridge nor can they make it all f'd up because of anti-competitive practices. I mean if they need the ULI Southbridge nvidia can't buy them out and stop production... Though it's beginning to happen. I doubt ATI would let Nvidia get away with screwing them over with bad Southbridges. There'd be lawsuits I'd think.

They can stop production on them if they want to, they are ULi now. I would imagine that they would only be responsible for filling orders that were placed prior to their acquisition. I don't think that they would ship faulty south bridges either. My main concern would be with continuing driver support. For instance, ULi doesn't show any Vista drivers on thier page, is NVIDIA going to put forth the effort to make sure that you can use your CrossFire motherboard with MS' new OS? Maybe, maybe not...

 

[EffeX]

bump what is wrong with 7900GTX? I need some reasons against it?

 

[Bull Dog]

Originally posted by: nitromullet
I don't doubt that the A8R32-MVP is a great board. I might be a bit biased becasue I didn't care too much for the A8R-MVP that I had, but I think that the A8R32-MVP fixes most of the issues this board had. The main reason that I would stay away from the A8R32-MVP for a long term motherboard is that fact the it uses the ULi south bridge, which is now owned by NVIDIA. Didn't NVIDIA already announce that they were going to cease production of the South bridge used on these boards? Additionally, NVIDIA has already intentionally disabled SLI capability in their drivers for ULi's dual card capable north bridge, and it's their own damn north bridge. Who knows that kind of stunts they will pull with their south bridge used on CrossFire boards... This isn't really a "fair" reason to deiscredit the motherboard, but I think that it's a valid concern for a potential buyer.

How does the lack of continuing production affect how well they (the ULI SB's that were already made) will work?

 

[fierydemise]

Originally posted by: EffeX
bump what is wrong with 7900GTX? I need some reasons against it?

Nothings really wrong with the 7900GTX, the X1900XTX is just a faster card with better IQ.

 

[EffeX]

Originally posted by: fierydemise

Originally posted by: EffeX
bump what is wrong with 7900GTX? I need some reasons against it?

Nothings really wrong with the 7900GTX, the X1900XTX is just a faster card with better IQ.

Alright, Ill go with X1900 XTX and a A8N32-SLi Deluxe then...or maybe M2N32

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: fierydemise

Originally posted by: EffeX
bump what is wrong with 7900GTX? I need some reasons against it?

Nothings really wrong with the 7900GTX, the X1900XTX is just a faster card with better IQ.

:thumbsup:

Personally, I'd go with an X1900XT like others have suggested and than an inexpensive motherboard, especially if you're not overclocking. $180-190 is a lot to spend on a motherboard that is built for dual card use and overclocking in mind. Do like Russian Sensation suggested and just get an $80 motherboard.

Now if you even think that you might try overclocking in the future (big thumbs up on that one) than get a decent board like the DFI Ultra-D or similiar overclocking board. It will handle all of your needs and costs ~$120.

 

[Praxis1452]

well the m2n32... is AM2 so you'd need an am2 cpu btw. I personally think that the Crossfire Express 3200 chipset is much much better designed than the Nforce Ultra. I mean look at those huge ass heatsinks on the m2n32... It's gigantic. Whereas the Express 3200 only needs a passive heatsink and can withstand 130C I think this was at Xbit... The Express 3200 pretty much on par to the Nforce Ultra Unless I'm mistaken. The only thing holding it back was the ULI Southbridge When the SB600 comes out I would really suggest the M2R32? I think...

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: EffeX

Originally posted by: fierydemise

Originally posted by: EffeX
bump what is wrong with 7900GTX? I need some reasons against it?

Nothings really wrong with the 7900GTX, the X1900XTX is just a faster card with better IQ.

Alright, Ill go with X1900 XTX and a A8N32-SLi Deluxe then...or maybe M2N32

if you're going the XT, i'd really think about going the A8R32-MVP. it's a great board, reasonably priced, and will allow you to go xfire later if need be (that is unless you plan un dumping the XT and getting 2 nv cards later).

i've read several reviews giving it high marks, incl. this AT review.

 

[Captante]

I actually just bought a similar rig about a month ago ... Opteron 170 & HIS X1900XTX (XT would have saved me $12 AR) but I went uber-cheap on the motherboard & grabbed an A8N-E for $92 since I have no plans to ever run SLI this time around & its been rock-solid so far.