X1900xt vs 7900GTX

[Pugnate]

It is a choice for me between the two? What shall I go for? And for god's sake, no one say 7950GTX!

 

[nitromullet]

They both are nice cards, but I think that the X1900XT gives you more for your money. The only tangible place that the GTX leads the XT is in the noise dept. The GTX is definitely quieter. The XT on the other hand gives you better image quality (IMO), generally better performance with AA/AF enabled, and was cheaper last time I checked. Then again, if you're happy with the imgae quality of your 7800GTX, the 7900GTX is basically the same card but faster.

 

[Ika]

Why can't you stick with your 7800GTX? You're gonna be spending too much money for not enough improvement.

 

[Pugnate]

I can get a pretty good deal for both right now which would be almost like getting an upgrade for free.

 

[Sc4freak]

X1900XT.

 

[akugami]

X1900XT but I don't know if I'd upgrade from a 7800GTX. If you must upgrade, wait for the refresh cards which should be coming out soon or wait for the R600 and G80 but those won't be out till near the end of the year. Are you really doing anything that would require an upgrade? If you can get away with playing your games at a slightly lower resolution or with fewer bells and whistles, do so. Don't feel pressured into upgrading to keep up with the Joneses.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Pugnate
I can get a pretty good deal for both right now which would be almost like getting an upgrade for free.

In that case go for it. I'd get the X1900XT for the same reasons that Nitromullet stated. My 1900XT kept up with my SLI'd 7800GTs very well so you won't be disappointed.

 

[anandtechrocks]

If they're the same price I would definately get the 7900GTX. Personally I don't see all the hype in the claim that "ATI image quality" is so much better than nVidias. Plus their performnace is very very close, and I feel that the cooler, quieter, and less power consuming 7900GTX is a better choice.

 

[hardwareking]

in games that can use HDR+AA,u'll notice the difference.And the HQ AF is amazing for outdoor games.
If u are talking about anti-aliasing quality,they are similar(if not the same).Only in the old fx days were they night and day.(day being ATI ofcourse)

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: anandtechrocks
If they're the same price I would definately get the 7900GTX. Personally I don't see all the hype in the claim that "ATI image quality" is so much better than nVidias. Plus their performnace is very very close, and I feel that the cooler, quieter, and less power consuming 7900GTX is a better choice.

1. HDR+AA
2. High Quality AF

These are not subjective IQ rantings, but actual features that the 7900gtx does not have.

 

[Pugnate]

What is HQ AF

 

[Nightmare225]

High Quality Anio-whatever Filitering.

 

[anandtechrocks]

Originally posted by: munky

Originally posted by: anandtechrocks
If they're the same price I would definately get the 7900GTX. Personally I don't see all the hype in the claim that "ATI image quality" is so much better than nVidias. Plus their performnace is very very close, and I feel that the cooler, quieter, and less power consuming 7900GTX is a better choice.

1. HDR+AA
2. High Quality AF

These are not subjective IQ rantings, but actual features that the 7900gtx does not have.

It's true I know this because I have an X1800XT 512, but I don't think these two things hold that much value...

HDR+AA gives me very low performance so I can't use it, but Bloom+AA is still a great option and is playable. And as far as AF goes, I think they both look very nice (very hard for me to differentiate between ATI and nVidia.) The only thing I think ATI has over nVidia is image stuttering. It is much more noticable with nVidia... but is it really worth the extra heat, noise, and power demands?

 

[nitromullet]

Let the OP decide for himself

 

[Pugnate]

What about resale? What would be a better option in terms of that? I find NVIDIA's resale better but is that true?

Plus I wonder if I will have difficulty with the drivers having owned the NVIDIA card? I am leaning towards the ATi right now.

Not 100% sure yet.

Any idea when new video card releases are scheduled?

 

[Ackmed]

Flip a coin.

Actually, I would look at what games you play now, and what games you think you will be playing in the future. Resale is a toss up. Right now, the GTX would have a better resale price than the XT, because it csots $100+ more.

To me, the X1900XT at $325 from newegg, is easily the best deal. If you're into GRAW, and Oblivion, it is a much better card than the 7900GTX. While being much cheaper. The XT has a much, much better minimum framerate than GTX in those two games, according to xbit. But as I said, it depends largely on what games you play, and will be playing.

New review on a XTX, that also has numbers from various other cards, including the 7900GT/GTX, and a XT. http://xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/asus-eax1900xtx.html

 

[Pugnate]

Yea I am checking the review out as we speak. Thanks Akmed.

 

[anandtechrocks]

I agree the X1900XT is definately a cheaper deal, but from the sounds of it, the OP is not worried about price. In all honesty either card you get will be great and you will definately see an improvement over your 7800GTX. However, like I've said before, performance between the XTX and GTX is very similar with both card having their advantages depending on the game; but I find that ATI's high heat, excessive power usage, and loud noise to be more of a deciding factor than HDR+AA or "higher quality AF."

One more thing. Overclocking is always a hit or a miss, but with nVidia's current line of "cooler" GPUs it's definately a much better option than ATI.

 

[Pugnate]

One more question... are the X1900XTs HDCP compliant like the newer 7900GTXs or no?

edit:

Already think I know the answer to that, which is no, right?

Also read the X-bit labs review. Pretty good stuff. I don't understand why Toms HW and Anandtech didn't do a review on the 7900GTX.

Oh and what the heck is an OP? original poster?

but I find that ATI's high heat, excessive power usage, and loud noise to be more of a deciding factor than HDR+AA or "higher quality AF."

That is a pretty good point. A buyer won't be concerned about heat and stuff on paper, but I had the 9800XT at one point, and it gave me a lot of grief. The worst of it was the heat and the constant restarting.

Had it RMA'ed twice.... and had to use multiple drivers for different games.

If there are any X1900XT users out there, please share your experiences on heat and stuff. I have a 550W Antech PSU so I am not too bothered about the power, but after my horror with the 9800 I am worried about heat.

 

[Ackmed]

No, they are not. That is a big deal to some, not to me. My 24" LCD is not HDCP compliant anyways. I watch TV/movies on my 57" WS HDTV, so its not a feature thats important to me. To you it may be, so keep that in mind.

 

[anandtechrocks]

Originally posted by: Pugnate
One more question... are the X1900XTs HDCP compliant like the newer 7900GTXs or no?

From ATI's website:

Currently there is no commercially available HDCP content. ATI's Radeon® X and Radeon® 9550 series of GPUs are capable of processing HDCP signals ("HDCP ready"), however ATI does not presently manufacture any graphics cards which are HDCP ready. Some third parties manufacture graphics cards containing ATI GPUs -- you can inquire of them which models, if any, -- are HDCP ready.

 

[Wreckage]

The GTX is faster than the XT with less noise.
Better AA, Better H.264 support, Better OpenGL, Better performing drivers, better warranties available, etc.

 

[anandtechrocks]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
The GTX is faster than the XT with less noise.
Better AA, Better H.264 support, Better OpenGL, Better performing drivers, better warranties available, etc.

I think they have very similar performance with neither card holding a commanding lead. Image quality is subjective, but I do agree that nVidia has better drivers support and companies such as EVGA, XFX, and BFG are more enticing than Sapphire or Powercolor.

 

[Pugnate]

Well I'll come clean.

I sold my BFG7800GTX 256 for $332.

Now I can get a X1900XT for virutally nothing or I can spend a bit more and go for the 7900GTX.

If I hadn't experienced it, I wouldn't be too worried about heat. But man, the 9800 really pissed me off.

As for games, I am an RPG nut. Play a lot of Oblivion and stuff. But I don't mind shooters either, ya know? I used to be a reviewer as well, but that was 2 years ago. In short, I like all sorts of games.

I see another advantage of the 7900GTX, besides the fact that it has a better resale and is HDCP compliant.

S L I

The way I see it, I won't need a DX 10 card for a while. 6 months till Vista ships and then at least 6 more till the bugs are ironed out from the OS.

Still is $50 worth the 7900GTX?

Oh and I also read that the X1900XTs are being phased out.

 

[anandtechrocks]

Originally posted by: Pugnate

Still is $50 worth the 7900GTX?

I'd definately pay the extra $50 for the GTX. The way I see it from a gaming standpoint:

Nvidia:
More mature multi-card support
Good overclocking options
Much cooler running and more efficient power usage
*Better driver support

ATI:
*Better AF image quality

Stars are subjective. Performance is a toss up with both cards offering amazing framerates.