X850XL PE or 7800GT or X800GTO2

[mikemcc]

Hi Folks,

I am getting ready to order components for my new system, (within the next 2 weeks), and I just can't make the decision between these three cards. Right now, I can get the:

X850XT PE for $339 or,
7800GT for $351 or,
X800GTO2 for around $209.

Of course, I'd like to go with the 7800GTX, but just can't quite swing that kind of cash right now.

The prices on the X850XT PE and the X800GTO2 are fluctuating pretty rapidly, so if you suggest that I get one of those, I will move quickly.

Of course, I'd like to get the X800GTO2 at the lowest price and mod it to X850 levels, but are there trade-offs that would make it better to just go with the X850XT PE for that great $339 price?

I do some gaming like BF2 and Far Cry and also quite a lot of PhotoShop stuff. I will be getting a 3800+ X2 with 2 gigs of memory and a DFI LanParty UT NF4. I'll probably be doing some decent overclocking, but nothing radical.

If this was your system, what would you do? (And I know about the new ATI cards, but I just can't wait for a month or more. If I don't spend the money I have now, my wife will spend it on something we *need* like clothes or food or the mortgage, [just kidding, but I'm sure you know what I mean], so I'd better buy what I need quickly.)

Thank you,
Mike

 

[Munky]

If you can afford the 7800gt, then get it - it's the second fastest card after the gtx, and if you OC it, it'll reach gtx levels of performance. If you want to save some money, the gto2 cant be beat for that price - it can be modded into a x850xt pe with a bios flash and some OC.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the forums...

 

[classy]

GTO2 is hard to beat right now, as long as it mods as easy as folks say. Unless you game at high resolutions that would be the only reason given the price to go with the 7800 GT. But those are some kick butt cards though.

 

[Topweasel]

If your Getting an X2 then you will be ready for the DC drivers Nvidia released on NVZONE and should probably be going WHQL very soon. Get the 7800GT. save money, donate blood and other ummm liquids and get the 7800GT.

 

[classy]

Truthfully save the cash with the GTO2 and invest in the fastest hard drive possible. With these games with huge map loads the hard drive is quickly becoming a weak point.

 

[Powermoloch]

X800GT02

FOR TEH W!N

 

[CraigRT]

I'll agree with the others.. especially if BF2 is your game, ATI's are great at BF2...

I have a 7800GT and I love it.. but it may not be worth it for you.

 

[TStep]

The GTO2 may be a near 100% sure mod to a 850XT, or so the rumermill has it. 7800GT get you newer feature set than either choice, but at a $140 premium over the GTO2

What's you max resolution? I would go to a few review sites that reviewed your choices, check out the frame rates with IQ, AA/AF, for those cards at your max resolution.

Try to choose something with min rate>30, avg>50+ at your max resolution, and go from there. No real sense to getting the highest powered card for low res gaming just to have 200 fps, unless your upgrading to a higher res monitor in the near future (meaning before your next vc purchase). A bit exagerated, but you get my drift.

 

[Cooler]

I agree X800GT02 is best card for the $ .I hear they are having problems keeping it in stock.

 

[squigly]

I'm kind of kind of in the same boat. My monitor is the dell 2005 widescreen. Would the 7800GT be the better choice with that monitor? A GTX is out of my price range. I'll be using an x2 3800+ with 1GB ram.

Thanks

Originally posted by: TStep
The GTO2 may be a near 100% sure mod to a 850XT, or so the rumermill has it. 7800GT get you newer feature set than either choice, but at a $140 premium over the GTO2

What's you max resolution? I would go to a few review sites that reviewed your choices, check out the frame rates with IQ, AA/AF, for those cards at your max resolution.

Try to choose something with min rate>30, avg>50+ at your max resolution, and go from there. No real sense to getting the highest powered card for low res gaming just to have 200 fps, unless your upgrading to a higher res monitor in the near future (meaning before your next vc purchase). A bit exagerated, but you get my drift.

 

[vikingblade]

im in the exact same boat. my monitor does 1600x1200 pretty easily so.. im leaning towards the 7800gt or gtx. im really hoping the prices drop soon.

 

[compgeek89]

The 7800 GT > x1800 XL. Its an awesome deal as well.

 

[stelleg151]

GTO2 Bang for buck at mid-high end cant be beat imho.

 

[stelleg151]

Originally posted by: stelleg151
GTO2 Bang for buck at mid-high end cant be beat imho.

Also, because this thing has such high mod rate to xtpe, at resolutions around 1600x1200(or 1680x1050) the xtpe comes very close to the GT. I would go for the GTO2, especially since the new x1600 doesnt seem like much of a competitor at that level.

The 7000 series really pulls ahead significantly at higher resolutions, like 1900x1200, so if your going that high then maybe go for the 7800gt. Otherwise, I would definately go with the GTO2 and save yourself a bunch of money.

EDIT: Hahah I quoted myself sorry, I meant to edit last post.

 

[kamranziadar]

7800GT for few more bucks from GTO2 you will have ass kicking Video card. Check Evga deal with cardpool.

 

[christoph83]

I've been looking at this card at monarch. Evga 7800 GT CO for 369.00. It's 470mhz core and 1.1ghz at stock! If that works with cardpool(50 dollars back) thats a great deal imo.

 

[stelleg151]

Originally posted by: kamranziadar
7800GT for few more bucks from GTO2 you will have ass kicking Video card. Check Evga deal with cardpool.

A few = 3.
7800gt - x800GTO2 => 140.

 

[squigly]

Ok, enough contemplating already. I bought a BFG 7800GT OC. Now to order the rest of the components and get this thing going.

 

[ITPaladin]

Tiger Direct:

Price:
$399.99
Less Rebate:
- $20.00



Final Price:
$379.99

add in this cardpool you speak of

 

[MBentz]

CardPool is eVGA, you lose.

 

[mikemcc]

Thank you, everyone. I appreciate all of the help. It still will be a difficult decision, though made somewhat simpler because now it's pretty much between the 7800GT and the X800GTO2. I like the clear "bang for the buck" from the GTO2, but I also like the stellar performance from the 7800GT. I'm kind of leaning toward the 7800GT, but I'm going to work on my wife over the weekend to see if I might actually be able to eke out enough to go all the way to the 7800GTX.
Thanks again,
Mike