Good card for ~$200 (X1900 vs 7900 series)

[L00ker]

So I have been looking at updating my 7600GT to something a little faster as I think my 7600GT isn't as fast as I would like and I am partial to nVidia but the X1900 seems to be somewhat faster on some benchmarks and I am willing to give ati another try (in the past I have not been impressed) however I don't think I want a 512MB card as I don't think it's necesary. So my frist question is is the X1900 XT and the GT the same sans Memory? It seems as if the X1900XT comes in a 512MB only flavor and in order to get a 256MB card you need to get the GT version. Upon further investigation there appears to be some 256MB XT cards out there but they seeme somewhat rare as the majority seem to be 512mb'ers so I guess the question is the XT vs GT Big difference? I realize the clocks are a little higher on an XT (~50MHz) but I don't see that being a major difference I dunno what is the consensus about these three and bang for buck between the 7900GT X1900XT X1900GT all in the 256MB flavors...

 

[akshayt]

X1950Pro
or X1900XT

 

[Ulfhednar]

I don't know how prices are outside the UK so forgive me, but here it's all about the X1900XT right now. The 7900GT and X1800XT are of similar performance with the X1800XT much cheaper, and the X1900XT is actually quite close to the 7900GT in terms of price.

I picked up my X1900XT 512MB for £199 inc. tax (about $370 according to XE) and I couldn't be happier.

 

[L00ker]

Originally posted by: Ulfhednar
I don't know how prices are outside the UK so forgive me, but here it's all about the X1900XT right now. The 7900GT and X1800XT are of similar performance with the X1800XT much cheaper, and the X1900XT is actually quite close to the 7900GT in terms of price.

I picked up my X1900XT 512MB for £199 inc. tax (about $370 according to XE) and I couldn't be happier.

Here the X1900XT can be had for ~$315 which woud be £168 which is a little above my price point, I am trying to do about $250 (£135) or less if it's more it would have to be pretty close as it would be hard to justify spending ~$300 on a graphics card to my signifigant other . This is why I am asking about the GT series, how much of a step down is it? and is it faster than the 7900GT at the same or similar price point? I might just wait till the DX10 cards everyone else is talking about come out too, it's not like my system doesn't play the games I play or anything I just want it to play them better. Thanks tho mate more input is generally better!

Originally posted by: akshayt
X1950Pro
or X1900XT

Thanks but 1. I didn't ask about the X1950 Pro and 2. It's like a $450 card, which is more than 2x what I am looking to possibly spend and definetly not reasonable for my needs. Given your reputation around here I wouldn't expect much else anyways...

 

[Ulfhednar]

All these prices are so confusing and we get so ripped-off on my island. Is the X1800XT an option? The X1900GT is a fair bit slower than it, but wouldn't exactly be horrible to use as it's still a great card.

 

[Tig Ol Bitties]

X1900GT would be faster than a 7900GT, but the 7900GT OC's a hell of a lot better especially with the volt mod. Cheapest one I found in the states if that's where you are:

http://www.bk-computer.com/connect3D_Ra...0_GT_256MB/3058/partinfo-id-11378.html

I know nothing about this site, but they got 5 left and I find it reasonably priced.

 

[hmorphone]

All three are good cards. The X1900GTs are X1900XTs that have part of the graphics chip disabled. It looks like you might be happiest with a X1900XT 256. The problem is that this version has just been announced and I haven't seen anyone post they've actually gotten one yet. If you're willing to wait three or four weeks, they'll probably be out in quantity and the prices will probably start to stabilize. If you could find one of the old X1800XT 512s, at a low enough price, I would seriously consider that as well.

 

[Wreckage]

7900GT is faster thant the 1900GT in a wider range of games.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/powercolor-x1900gt.html

Although a 7900GT runs about $230 AR and the 1900GT's have been going up in price.

For $200 or less your best bet is a 7900GS. Almost on par with a 7900GT but it is more in your price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130055

 

[L00ker]

Originally posted by: hmorphone
All three are good cards. The X1900GTs are X1900XTs that have part of the graphics chip disabled. It looks like you might be happiest with a X1900XT 256. The problem is that this version has just been announced and I haven't seen anyone post they've actually gotten one yet. If you're willing to wait three or four weeks, they'll probably be out in quantity and the prices will probably start to stabilize. If you could find one of the old X1800XT 512s, at a low enough price, I would seriously consider that as well.

So could one concievable flash the bios on a GT to get an XT? or not that easy? I think your right though if I can find a X1900XT I will probably go for it, unless the 512's come down in price, I just can't justify spending upwards of $300 on a graphics card, $250 yes but $300 is a bit much... not that I couldn't I just don't think it would be worth it...

 

[Effect]

I've been told that the X1900GT used to unlock, but more recent cards have actually had the extra part of the core physically disabled.

 

[hmorphone]

Originally posted by: L00ker

So could one concievable flash the bios on a GT to get an XT? or not that easy? I think your right though if I can find a X1900XT I will probably go for it, unless the 512's come down in price, I just can't justify spending upwards of $300 on a graphics card, $250 yes but $300 is a bit much... not that I couldn't I just don't think it would be worth it...

It was concievable, but like Effect said, only a very few cards have actually unlocked with all the measures tried thus far. It still sounds like the X1900XT 256 is your best bet if you can wait a little bit. By the way, what monitor/resolution are you using? The payoff for the 512 mb cards seems to be in the bigger monitors with high resolutions.

 

[L00ker]

Thats interesting that you ask because I am actually using an older Dell Monitor with a Trinitron tube at 1600x1200 and yes I agree I should probably just splurge and get the XT, after all is there an nvidia equivalent?

 

[Cookie Monster]

7900GS plus 3rd part cooler plus massive OC.

 

[josh6079]

Originally posted by: L00ker
Thats interesting that you ask because I am actually using an older Dell Monitor with a Trinitron tube at 1600x1200 and yes I agree I should probably just splurge and get the XT, after all is there an nvidia equivalent?

Not at that price point. Then again, for $240 you could get this. It'd be pretty close to the X1900XT 512MB and on par with a 7900GTX sometimes. If $240 might be around your price range then the Nvidia counter part for that would be certain OEM models of the 7900GT's or chancy MIR's. The 7900GS's are priced right around $200, but that's where you start to get on the lower half of "the sweet spot"--the area where price and performance best compliment eachother.

Right now, the best bang for buck, single GPU's for the resolution you're going to be running at are ATI. IMO scrounge up some more money and get the X1900XT 512MB.

 

[hmorphone]

Originally posted by: L00ker
Thats interesting that you ask because I am actually using an older Dell Monitor with a Trinitron tube at 1600x1200 and yes I agree I should probably just splurge and get the XT, after all is there an nvidia equivalent?

Well, the X1900XT that josh6079 and I are both referring to is the new cheaper 256mb model, though he seems to feel you should spring for the extra cash for the 512mb one. The Nvidia equivelant would be a 7950GT or 7900GTX.

 

[Dimkaumd]

Last week I ordered the GeForce 7900 GS 256MB EXTREME 480Mhz PCI Express x16 at Buy.com for $209 including shipping... I think it wasnt a bad deal, and cost me a bit cheaper than the x1900

 

[OvErHeAtInG]

Originally posted by: L00ker
So my frist question is is the X1900 XT and the GT the same sans Memory? It seems as if the X1900XT comes in a 512MB only flavor and in order to get a 256MB card you need to get the GT version. Upon further investigation there appears to be some 256MB XT cards out there but they seeme somewhat rare as the majority seem to be 512mb'ers so I guess the question is the XT vs GT Big difference? I realize the clocks are a little higher on an XT (~50MHz) but I don't see that being a major difference

I don't know if this has been answered explicitly yet so the answer is NO. The GT has 12 pipes, where the XT is 16 pipes - so the GT gives you under 75% of the power of an XT. The XT 256 is a recently-launched product with an MSRP of $279 which is a great deal. Also, if you keep your eyes open, you can sometimes find a deal for an XT 512 for about that or even less.

7900 GS is also a good choice for $199

 

[Bull Dog]

since the X1900XT 512MB is out of your price range, try to find a X1900XT 256MB model. It's still head and sholders above a 7900GT. If you play Oblivion of any other game that has FP16 HDR I seriously recommend ATI's X18/9 series cards as that can do FP16 HDR+AA. nVIDIA's 6xxx and 7xxx can't, period.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
7900GT is faster thant the 1900GT in a wider range of games.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/powercolor-x1900gt.html

Although a 7900GT runs about $230 AR and the 1900GT's have been going up in price.

For $200 or less your best bet is a 7900GS. Almost on par with a 7900GT but it is more in your price range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130055

Why not post Anand's benches also ? Or others ? Not just xbit all the time. Also the xbit review was running 6.5 cat's on the GT..not the 6.8's which does give it a boost in some games. I have probably read about every single review of the X1900GT vs. 7900GT and about 65% of the win's are in the X1900GT's favor. Kind of like this review... http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2833&p=1

Edit : Here is one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103010

and another http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142075

with no rebates

 

[OvErHeAtInG]

X1900 XT 256: $240. I wouldn't go for the GT unless it were below $200