X1900XT/X or 7900GT/X?

[Cabages]

So I have about $500 or so to spend on whatever I want. I thought I would buy a new video card, seeing as how my current one sucks.

I was mostly thinking a X1900XT, but then saw I could get a XTX for +$40.

Then I saw that a 7900GTX is +$20 more than a XTX.

So now I cant really decide, and dont have much experience with high end video cards at all.

Can you OC a XT to XTX speeds without any trouble? Which is truly faster, XTX or GTX? Is it worth the extra money?

I also dont know if I should even go for a card. I have a pretty ****** monitor. Some Dell 15"-17", I think. Only capable of 1280x1024, which doesnt really concern me, because a future proof card would be great.

So basically, what would you do with $400-$500?

Any input would be great.

 

[drum]

theres really no point in getting that high end with that monitor

 

[Xed]

Probably best to get the xt and slap on a better cooler. Or look at a 7900gt, a lot come with nice factory oc's. Most xt's should be able to hit xtx speeds.

As for which company decide which features are best for your needs, there are tons of benchmarks for games, noise/power/heat etc. =)

 

[Roybin]

why don't you buy a monitor with that money?

If you don't want to oc or votmod, go for x1900xtx.

 

[Extelleron]

I recommend new, better monitor + X1800XT or 7900GT.

 

[TPL]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
I recommend new, better monitor + X1800XT or 7900GT.

what he said.

 

[RobertR1]

A video card won't mean crap if the monitor sucks. The monitor is what YOU see!

 

[Cabages]

Alright, I guess I should get a new monitor.

I am diggin the looks of this one. Just found one from the recomended section in the LCD buyers guide: Link

Lowest price I found was around $350 shipped.

Any other suggestions? How much do you think I could get for the monitor I am currently using on Ebay?

Then I guess I would save up for a X1800XT 512MB. I dont want to voldmod a 7900GT, and I dont care about noise at all.

Total around $650, give or take.

Any other suggestions, on cheaper monitor/better monitor, or different vid card.

 

[akugami]

Noise wise, the X1800 is about the same as a 7900GT. I have X1900 which has the same cooler as a X1800, bro has 7900GT, and both were roughly the same noise wise. Performance wise, the 512MB version of the X1800XT will outperform the 7900GT at stock speeds. Without volt modding, the X1800XT has a bit more headroom for overclocking plus all overclocking can be done by software. The 7900GT has a higher overclocking delta but requires an aftermarket cooler and a volt mod.

I'd get a decent 19" LCD. I prefer widescreen but that might be out of your price range at the moment since it's roughly $400 for a decent 20" widescreen LCD. There are 19" widescreens but I'm not sure on their quality. On the plus side, should you ever decide to get a new monitor, you can always keep your older monitor and go dual screen.

 

[Munky]

I'm currently running a x1900xtx with a 17-in CRT monitor, which also only does 1280x1024, and when you crank up the settings, it really puts the power to good use, even at that resolution. So an x1900xt is not overkill for that resolution, but of course I'm on a CRT. If you're using a crappy old LCD that has horrible ghosting, then by all means get a new monitor.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: munky
I'm currently running a x1900xtx with a 17-in CRT monitor, which also only does 1280x1024, and when you crank up the settings, it really puts the power to good use, even at that resolution. So an x1900xt is not overkill for that resolution, but of course I'm on a CRT. If you're using a crappy old LCD that has horrible ghosting, then by all means get a new monitor.

Well NV does have a little feature that gets rid of LCD ghosting, but not sure if it works on older LCDs.

I think a new LCD and a new card is the way to go.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: munky
I'm currently running a x1900xtx with a 17-in CRT monitor, which also only does 1280x1024, and when you crank up the settings, it really puts the power to good use, even at that resolution. So an x1900xt is not overkill for that resolution, but of course I'm on a CRT. If you're using a crappy old LCD that has horrible ghosting, then by all means get a new monitor.

IAWTP.

high end cards have troubles in new games at 1280 w/ max image quality settings.

 

[nib95]

I recommend a 7900 GT a new cooler and a volt mod.
7900 GTX performance for $300.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: nib95
I recommend a 7900 GT a new cooler and a volt mod.
7900 GTX performance for $300.

I thus concur.

Volt mod the 7900GT to GTX speeds and perhaps beyond, and get a nice 20.1" LCD.

 

[Ike0069]

Please realize that if you decide to go with a 20.1 widescreen, its native resolution is 1680x1050. Your 6600GT will not be able to play any games at that res.

So maybe save a little more money until you can afford a new LCD and VC at the same time.

 

[akugami]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: nib95
I recommend a 7900 GT a new cooler and a volt mod.
7900 GTX performance for $300.

I thus concur.

Volt mod the 7900GT to GTX speeds and perhaps beyond, and get a nice 20.1" LCD.

I'd agree this is the best way to go, but the OP doesn't want to volt mod his card. So with that in mind and considering what his monitor is, X1800XT, overclocked via Cat drivers.

 

[JBT]

search the hot deals forum for a 19" or so Dell LCD. You should be able to find one for a little over $200 or so. Then get either a 7900GT or X1800XT.

 

[aniruddha23]

Get BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor $ 317

+

eVGA Geforce 7900GT $289

 

[Cabages]

Alright it seems like I am kinda diggin the voltmod 7900GT, but I have some questions:

-Can you really OC it to 7900GTX speeds?

-Does it decrease the lifespan of your card?

-It draws more power, right? I have a 450W PSU that came with my case. I am guessing I should replace that ASAP, before I get this?

-Failure rate is pretty low?

-Do you notice the abscence of that extra 256 MB, or does it not effect games as much?

Any comments on the monitor that aniruddha23 suggested? It looks pretty good, cheaper than the other. If any of you have any other suggestions on monitors, I am all ears, also note I would like it to have DVI in.

Though I might just try and sell this monitor and get a X1900 instead. Although dual monitors would be nice...

 

[akugami]

Hey, I was just about to post the same monitor aniruddha23 linked to. It's currently $278 shipped free and after rebate from Newegg. Nice deal. Just be aware of Newegg's dead pixel policy. That is pretty darn cheap for a monitor of this size and type. Doesn't seem like a top of the line monitor but at the sale price Newegg currently has it for...I wouldn't complain.


- The 7900GT can overclock to the same performance levels of a 7900GTX, but most people who do this have upgraded the heatsink and fan (HSF). Usually a $20-45 (depending on what you buy) extra for the HSF.

- Yes, it decreases the lifespan of the card but good hardware should be made to last at least 10 years. Unless you're going for insane overclocking levels (phase change cooling, liquid nitrogen, etc) then I wouldn't worry about it since even with a decreased lifespan it should last at least 5 years. I wouldn't push the volt mod past 1.4v if lifespan is a concern since 1.5v is kinda stressing the card. I know people with ancient systems that they mostly use for web browsing now that have overclocked CPU's back when all overclocking was done by changing jumper switches on the motherboard.

- You have to increase the voltage (more power draw) of the 7900GT in order to get the good overclocks so yes, it's going to suck more juice. Definitely look to upgrade your PSU. I'm a fan of buying more than you need in the case of PSU's since you can always use it for your next upgrade. I'm not a fan of integrated PSU's because you can use another three letter acroynym to discribe them. POS. Included PSU's usually include overrated specs and use cheaper components within that are more prone to fail. A crap PSU has a higher fail rate and can fry your whole system as with it's last dying electrical surge it sends a big F-U to it's owner for being stupid enough to use one of those things. I've had more than one person, including my brother get multiple pieces of hardware taken out by a crap PSU. This is especially fun when it takes out your HD and you never backed up all those documents and pictures you wanted to keep. Look for a 400watt or higher PSU with at least 25 amps on the 12v line from a good company ASAP.

- Failure rate of mods depends on the complexity of the mod. The 7900GT mod is not the easiest but with a steady hand and some caution, it shouldn't be too difficult.

- The extra 256MB would be noticeable on newer games that use higher resolution textures and probably on higher screen resolutions but I wouldn't call it a make or break at this point as most current games that can make use of the extra RAM only do so on the higher quality settings.

 

[Cookie Monster]

What he said. Practically, a 7900GT consumes 48W at load. A 7900GTX 80~90W at load. If you reach GTX speeds, the card will consume around 80~W. Some people have been running theiur 7900GT on 300~W powersupplies, but thats the minimum limit. You should look for a quality PSU to go with the 7900GT.