Your opinion regarding 7900 vs 7800

[rhavin]

So I'm getting ready to build my new system:

Pentium D 820
2 GB DDR2 533 Corsair Ram
Intel D945PSNLK motherboard

I understand that this is not a super, top of the line system. However, I am looking to buy a semi high end video card, as I do not upgrade those very often. I'm an avid gamer who plays all types of games, but mostly world of warcraft.

My question is: should I wait to purchase the 7900, or am I better off with the 7800 for the price? I'm not looking exclusively at Nvidia either. My main concern is price point. I'm looking for my best value at $300 for a video card.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Fallengod]

Id wait for benchmarks which supposedly are tomorrow morning? Or soon anyways.

I recently purchased a evga 7800gt CO SE for $240AR. The thing is clocked at stock at 470mhz, so unless the new benchmarks show the 7900 with at least a 30% improvement in fps and a similar price, I dont plan on buying one myself.

But if you dont yet have ANY card. You might wanna wait for 7900's to come out. At the very least, they will drop 7800gt prices down a bit. If the performance difference between the two was minimal, you could at least get a cheap 7800gt. Buying things right before something new comes out is never a good idea. Wait for it to be released.

 

[crazydingo]

Originally posted by: modempower
At the very least, they will drop 7800gt prices down a bit.

People keep saying that but it wont happen, nvidia has discontinued it. So any hopes of a $200 7800GT are not going to materialize.

But you are right, waiting only a few hours is sensible.

 

[Fallengod]

Doesnt really matter if nvidia has discontinued it or not. Stores will still sell the inventory they have left. And when 7900's are out, they will be forced to drop prices. Also, people in fs/t forum will be forced to drop prices as well. Shouldnt be hard to find cheap used 7800gt's after 7900's are out either.

 

[Hacp]

x1800XT is supposed to drop to 299.

 

[rhavin]

Is the x1800XT comparable or better than 7800?

 

[Cooler]

Originally posted by: rhavin
Is the x1800XT comparable or better than 7800?

yes

 

[aznrice54]

I'd wait for benchmarks tomorrow morning, and try to shell out the extra cash for a X2 3800+ or Opteron 165 and then overclock. That would demolish a PD 820

 

[SkylinGTR26]

Yeah if you game you should get a AMD cpu instead. They run cooler unless you get a new 65nm cpu

 

[SkylinGTR26]

 

[atybimf]

Wait till tomorrow and look at benchies and prices.

 

[rhavin]

Thanks for your replies. As far as the processor, it was a matter of convenience. They had the Intel retail package that included the motherboard and processor for a cheap price.

I guess the question now is:

If the the 7900 shows no significant increase in performance, and the 7800 doesn't drop in price, should i go with the x1800XT?

 

[moonboy403]

$600 for x1800xt crossfire setup seems nice
that's only if you already have a crossfire mb though

and i doubt the 7900 gt would be a whole lot better than the 7800 gtx
you'd proly get more headroom for ocing but not much more on stock

 

[practal]

I would go with the EVGA 7900 GT CO. I recently bought the EVGA 7800 GT CO and was pleased with it but I am am going to the 7900 because I can do it for next to nothing.

EVGA 7900 GT CO
Core Clock Speed 500MHz
Pixel Pipelines 24
Memory Clock Speed 1500MHz
Memory Bandwidth 48.0GB/sec

EVGA 7800 GT CO
Core Clock Speed 470MHz
Pixel Pipelines 20
Memory Clock Speed 1100MHz
Memory Bandwidth 35.2GB/sec

Also factor in that the 7900 is not a pre-overclocked version like the 7800, the overclocked 7900 is 550/1.58 so you should have some head room. And also factor in that the 7900 GT CO is ranging from $290-$320 from most major online retailers. The 7800 is only $2 less from the egg and the 7900 is $30 cheaper from monarch then the 7800. Considering the performance difference and that they are so close in price, the 7900 is about the only way to go in my opinion.

 

[CaiNaM]

$299 x1800xt (256mb)

arguably a better alternative. a few more features, arguably better IQ, and comparable features/price.