HD 2900pro launch

[bryanW1995]

I think that I'll trust his' web site.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Sylvanasoblems with major power usage.

2x6pin PCI-E (75watt each) connectors and 75w from the PCI-E slot means my 2900 uses the same 225watts that my 8800GTX does, so isn't that the same power usage to which I wouldn't class as 'major'.

Holy hey! Could I run this card while overclocking the CPU with a decent quality 550W EPS power supply? It's supposed to be able to support SLI.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: ronnn

If this turns out to be a way to get rid of excess, totally functional 2900xt's, than this may be interesting. Especially if a bios flash works. If they are crippled in some way - than not interesting. The r600 looks like it may be a good start for future cards on future games, but right now is sadly lacking in performance. I am looking forward to seeing how this platform evolves.

BIOS flash! Is a BIOS flash on a GPU less of a gamble than a BIOS flash on a motherboard? If the flash doesn't take right, what are your options?

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
if you don't need a new card NOW as in RIGHT NOW it's still hard to justify even $200 imho for a card.

If you don't need a card now, then now is always the wrong time to buy unless the card is available for a white hot deal price. As far as I know, the rule in video card purchases is, wait until you have a real need for it.

 

[ronnn]

I have done many bios flashes on my mb's without having issue. On a vid card, can be more risky, but I have flashed an edited bios on my card x2 without issue (just to control fan speeds). This is why you let others try first.

 

[Pocatello]

Looks like a winner to me. I wonder how well this card will run Crysis or DX10 games in the future.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Originally posted by: Sylvanasoblems with major power usage.

2x6pin PCI-E (75watt each) connectors and 75w from the PCI-E slot means my 2900 uses the same 225watts that my 8800GTX does, so isn't that the same power usage to which I wouldn't class as 'major'.

Holy hey! Could I run this card while overclocking the CPU with a decent quality 550W EPS power supply? It's supposed to be able to support SLI.

If you have a psu that is similar in quality to a corsair 520 hx then you'll be fine. If it is a cheapie $40 unit then good luck

 

[betasub]

HIS have updated their description of the HD2900pro 512MB to call it a "Limited Edition". This supports the idea that it's a short-term product before RV670 / HD2900pro.
HIS site HD2900pro 512MB (Limited Edition)

Meanwhile PowerColor have undercut their rivals with the cheapest priced HD2900pro yet to be see in the UK: 126.50UKP before tax (148.64UKP inc. tax). PowerColor site lists same specs as we've seen from other boardmakers (600Core/800Mem, 512bit interface).
PowerColor HD2900pro 512MB

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: ronnn
I have done many bios flashes on my mb's without having issue. On a vid card, can be more risky, but I have flashed an edited bios on my card x2 without issue (just to control fan speeds). This is why you let others try first.

no risk - afaik - you just flash it back if it is unsatisfactory
-i helps to have an extra PCI video card or you can even do it "blind"

What interests me in this 2900p is as a 2nd GPU for X-fire ... especially since i have a 16x and a 4x PCIe slot ... might be a cool 'odd couple' for a cheap upgrade ... to blow away a GTX Ultra for under $600

 

[bryanW1995]

anybody seen any available on US sites yet?

 

[gtsing]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995
anybody seen any available on US sites yet?

Nope. I've only seen them on NCIX and DirectCanada and of course those European sites.

 

[SniperDaws]

You would have to be mental to buy this card for gaming nevermind DX10 games.

 

[Murasame]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
You would have to be mental to buy this card for gaming nevermind DX10 games.

What would be mental about getting this card? Hell prices for us still aren't even known. If its around $250 price point this thing is a great card. Well the Limited edition ver with 521 bit is. Plus if they really are just down clocked xt's then its even better.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
You would have to be mental to buy this card for gaming nevermind DX10 games.

How so? People were buying 8800Ultras for DX10 and look even those cards suck at DX10 when playing above 1600x1200. At least getting it for considerably cheaper than ANY card available for DX10 (not 8600/HD2600 garbage) is a good deal. Especially more so considering that these are just underclocked HD2900XTs.

 

[SniperDaws]

To buy a 2900 now would be the biggest waste of money ever, the same goes for the 8800 series, these cards cant do DX10 very well even though DX10 is supposed to speed things up, when it comes to DX9 then yeah the 2900 is pretty fast but still gets owned by a 12 month old card thats soon to kicked in by Nvidia's next offering, if ever there was a time to just wait it is now.


To people who already have 8800's its no biggy because most of em have enjoyed playing there games at full whack with all bells and whistles for the last 12months and will continue until DX10 becomes a bigger issue, but by then the 8900 series or 9800 series will be out and will hopfully eat DX10 for breakfast.


EDIT: Dredd i can only ask but after you read all the reviews out there why did you choose an ATI2900XT over an 8800GTS?

And no im not a fanboy if the 2900XT was rapid in DX10 id own one right now.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
To buy a 2900 now would be the biggest waste of money ever, the same goes for the 8800 series, these cards cant do DX10 very well even though DX10 is supposed to speed things up, when it comes to DX9 then yeah the 2900 is pretty fast but still gets owned by a 12 month old card thats soon to kicked in by Nvidia's next offering, if ever there was a time to just wait it is now.

Wait and pay $700 for the new card? Are you on crack?

No, these cards are bargain priced way way below the 8800GTS 320MB cards even (according to initial information). Buying one of these and THEN waiting for next year to buy a card faster than the ones released in Q1 is a good idea. Waiting around to spend more money for 10fps more is silly. I guarantee you that a real DX10 game will run fine. The games out now seem to be poorly written and written using TWIMTBP garbage. A well done game will run fine on an 8800 or HD2900.

I chose the HD2900xt over any of the 8800 variations because Vista X64 drivers from Nvidia were terrible. Many games would eat up texture memory and then slow down to 5fps. I was not going to take the chance on having that happen. Plus, looking at newer drivers the HD2900XT handily beats the 8800GTS and in some cases the GTX in DX9 titles. DX10 is up in the air on both sides and we need mature drivers with game specific tweaks to really see. Plus I run 1280x1024. Both cards would do fine at that resolution. I got the HD2900XT for $360 shipped. Couldn't beat that deal anywhere.

And no, newer cards won't eat DX10 for breakfast. They will get 50fps instead of 30. I'm talking no AA or AF either. I'm pretty confident it will take another year of driver tweaks and a new card to go to 60fps with some AA on with DX10. Look at games like World in Conflict that with DX10 features enables barely get 25fps on even the latest systems.

 

[SniperDaws]

ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

So you'd go with lower texture memory thus limiting your max resolution and the performance you can achieve at that resolution? That makes a large difference when you start playing things like Oblivion with the texture packs.

 

[gtsing]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

dude, shutup.

 

[SniperDaws]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

So you'd go with lower texture memory thus limiting your max resolution and the performance you can achieve at that resolution?

its obvious you have to justify having a 2900XT, but the diffrence between a 320mb and 640mb GTS upto 1600x1200 is not even worth mentioning and its only about 10% of gamers who play at higher res than that im not one of em.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: gtsing

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

dude, shutup.

It's fine to have an opinion, but to be so blindly loyal to one brand is pretty rediculous. I would have bought an 8800GTS 640MB if I could get it for as good or better a price than what I paid for my Visiontek HD2900XT. I wanted the Lifetime warranty too so that narrowed it down to EVGA or BFG and neither manufacturer had cards for such prices anywhere that I could fine (not for the 640MB model).

Again it came down to the number of issues I found on various forums. Some gamers experienced texture memory leaks on 8800 cards (all models). It wasn't an all the time thing though. Some people had it, some did not. I was not taking the chance. Simple as that. At 1280x1024 either card is fast enough anyway.

 

[SniperDaws]

Originally posted by: gtsing

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

dude, shutup.

Err Ok but only cos you told me to.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
ok the price in the UK is like this

cheapest Radeon HD 2900Pro 512mb GDDR3 is £170.36
Cheapest 8800GTS 320mb is £179.63

I know which one i would buy if i was going to be buying right now.

So you'd go with lower texture memory thus limiting your max resolution and the performance you can achieve at that resolution?

its obvious you have to justify having a 2900XT, but the diffrence between a 320mb and 640mb GTS upto 1600x1200 is not even worth mentioning and its only about 10% of gamers who play at higher res than that im not one of em.

Try oblivion with all the texture and LOD packs. Then come tell me it makes only a small difference. The 320MB card can barely get 20fps at those resolutions with all the features maxed with AF and HDR.

I didn't have to justify anything. It was down to drivers. Nvidia's drivers were broke. Simple, they even admitted it and then later said "we're not fixing it" you want me to buy a card that may break playability on a game I play every day? Thanks but no thanks.

 

[SniperDaws]

Is it ok if i talk now GT? ok thx


Oblivion is poorly coded everyone knows this, you can get mods with higher res backgrounds and make it look 10x better without a performance hit.

You obviously think im a fanboy because i have a weak 7600GT but im not, i just dont think there should be a thread thats misleading people into thinking there getting a powerhouse of a graphics card that by the end of next year wont be able to cut it.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: SniperDaws
Is it ok if i talk now GT? ok thx


Oblivion is poorly coded everyone knows this, you can get mods with higher res backgrounds and make it look 10x better without a performance hit.

You obviously think im a fanboy because i have a weak 7600GT but im not, i just dont think there should be a thread thats misleading people into thinking there getting a powerhouse of a graphics card that by the end of next year wont be able to cut it.

Ok a few things.

1) who says Oblivion is poorly coded and that running 4096x4096 textures gives NO performance drop? You show me proof of this because I sure as hell notice some performance loss. Not huge, but it's there.
2) Nobody called you a fanboy directly except yourself just now. Don't put words into my mouth ok? Thanks
3) Nobody is misleading ANYONE! This card is a BIG DEAL. Why? Because no card was under $300 that offered this type of performance you could expect from it. You had to pay close to $400 to get a card similar. Look, this card is a bargain for people looking to build a system NOW. Not everyione wants to or has time to wait around for the magic card that runs every XD10 game at 89223897123712fps at any resolution you want. Not to mention the cards priced in this range were garbage for gaming. You know it.