High End Video Card Choice..Need Opinions

[edplayer]

Originally posted by: vikingblade
Are most future games likely to be Open GL or D3D?

what percent of current games are OpenGL?

 

[vikingblade]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
X1800XT is faster than 7800GTX in both Doom 3 and Quake 4 (openGL games).

So it's not doing so bad in Open GL. The problem is X1800XT costs about $500 at the minimum. Like I said when you can get 2x 7800GTs for $300 x 2= $600, it really doesnt make sense to get x1800xt.

7800GT vs. 7800GTX vs. X1800XT vs. 7800GT SLI

Yeah...the new drivers for the ATI are really improving open gl.

 

[vikingblade]

Anyone know of a place online that has X1800XT in stock for $570 or less??

 

[vikingblade]

OK..back on topic...

Does the X1800XT offer anything over the GTX with future games in mind. I know with current games, the performance looks pretty close. However, as Ive said, Im looking for the best single card solution that will allow me to play the next wave of games very well.

I mean the GTX is competing with the X1800XT, But only when overclocked to max with mature drivers... What happens in a few months when the ATI drivers update a bit... Is the ATI a superior card overall???

 

[Cookie Monster]

What is your PC specs?

 

[Munky]

The XT does have some newer features, like the ability to do HDR with AA, high quality AF, and much better dynamic branching performance. Whether or not those features will be useful in future games remains to be seen. Also, you should conside the costs of the cards. For under $500, I'd get a 256mb gtx. For $500 - 600 I'd get the XT, and if you have around $700 to spend then get a 512mb gtx. You can read the review of playable setting for each card here:
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODg1LDEy

The bottom line is all 3 cards offer a level of performance more or less in the same ball park, so if a future game becomes unplayable on one, chances are it will also be unplayable on the other two.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: munky
The XT does have some newer features, like the ability to do HDR with AA, high quality AF, and much better dynamic branching performance. Whether or not those features will be useful in future games remains to be seen. Also, you should conside the costs of the cards. For under $500, I'd get a 256mb gtx. For $500 - 600 I'd get the XT, and if you have around $700 to spend then get a 512mb gtx. You can read the review of playable setting for each card here:
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODg1LDEy

The bottom line is all 3 cards offer a level of performance more or less in the same ball park, so if a future game becomes unplayable on one, chances are it will also be unplayable on the other two.

He could just go buy a 7800GT for $275 after rebates at monarch computers and save yourself 200 dollars. Its a leadtek 7800GT extreme version, inclduing VIVO etc. Or buy two for Sli, which is indeed faster than a 7800GTX 512mb.

The cheapest GTX ive seen is 449 dollars with shipping.

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: munky
The XT does have some newer features, like the ability to do HDR with AA, high quality AF, and much better dynamic branching performance. Whether or not those features will be useful in future games remains to be seen. Also, you should conside the costs of the cards. For under $500, I'd get a 256mb gtx. For $500 - 600 I'd get the XT, and if you have around $700 to spend then get a 512mb gtx. You can read the review of playable setting for each card here:
http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=ODg1LDEy

The bottom line is all 3 cards offer a level of performance more or less in the same ball park, so if a future game becomes unplayable on one, chances are it will also be unplayable on the other two.

He could just go buy a 7800GT for $275 after rebates at monarch computers and save yourself 200 dollars. Its a leadtek 7800GT extreme version, inclduing VIVO etc. Or buy two for Sli, which is indeed faster than a 7800GTX 512mb.

The cheapest GTX ive seen is 449 dollars with shipping.

Or that. Considering that a gt can be OC'd to gtx performance levels, it seems like a better deal than any of the 3 more expensive cards.

 

[vikingblade]

ok...just for shits n giggles, what are the potential problems in a SLI setup. Is it as simple as get an SLI Motherboard, 2 7800GT's and Im good to go. WinXP detects everything. Or...Is there bios and other configuration that needs to be done. Is there any well known problems with compatibility etc.... The last thing I need is headache. If SLI can be setup as easy as a single card...fine. But, I dont have the time to work thru problems. I need the best performance I can get without alot of hassle.

Any decent SLI boards under $120?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Ok what is your maximun budget on a video card/ simply put how much do you want to spend?

And your goal is to have the best possible performance for that price right?

Edit- Whats your PC specs, such as PSU, CPU etc. This might help us a little bit more.
We need to know.

The Asus A8N SLi premium is 160 dollars in newegg, pretty much one of the best SLi boards.

 

[vikingblade]

$600 is max for video card.

This will be a new computer. I will be ordering everything very soon.

PS... Fortron 450
CPU...Athlon 64 3000 Venice
2 Gigs Corsair Value PC3200
Seagate 7200.8 250 gig
OC'd 7800GTX - X1800XT - 7800GT SLI

The Asus A8N SLi premium looks nice but... Anything a bit cheaper and still good.

 

[Cookie Monster]

What about your monitor? 16x12? or 12x10?

Edit- what is your total maximum budget for the new rig? I think we ATers can help you build a really efficent rig instead of spending 600 dollars on the GPU, which might become a waste and the fact the A64 3000 might become a bottleneck/maybe the PSU but not sure how good fortron is.

 

[vikingblade]

I have a Viewsonic P225fb. Large CRT. Its capable of pretty high Rez. 2048x1536. But, I plan on playing at 1600x1200.

 

[vikingblade]

Total Budget $1300

Motherboard
CPU
Video Card
RAM
Hard Drive
Power Supply
DVD/RW
Case
Shipping

 

[vikingblade]

The thing is...I happen to have some cash right now for this upgrade. I can more than likely get a hundred here or there later for various upgrades, but this is the only time for quite a while, that i will be able to spend this kind of cash on a new video card. So, I wanted something that will be good for awhile. I know I could just grab a 7800GT for 299 then upgrade in a year, but I want to upgrade to a great card now and just enjoy it for two years or so.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: vikingblade
$600 is max for video card.

This will be a new computer. I will be ordering everything very soon.

PS... Fortron 450
CPU...Athlon 64 3000 Venice
2 Gigs Corsair Value PC3200
Seagate 7200.8 250 gig
OC'd 7800GTX - X1800XT - 7800GT SLI

The Asus A8N SLi premium looks nice but... Anything a bit cheaper and still good.

Looks like you'll need a beefier PSU if you want to go SLI. I use all of my PCI slots so, SLI isn't a real option for me. So, I'm in kind of the same boat as you. I'm close to clicking the button and getting the Sapphire X1800XT as ewiz for $495. Or to wait a few months for prices of the 7800GTX 512 to come down and hopefully the ATI R580 is released.

 

[vikingblade]

How can I find the Sapphire X1800XT for $495?? I see it there for $566.

I was hoping the fortron 450 would be enough. Bummer

 

[Cookie Monster]

You need a DVD ROM or jsut a fast CD ROM for games?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Ok, im assuming your budget is around $1200.

CPU:AMD A64 Venice 3500 2.2ghz $205

Mobo:Refurbed Asus A8N SLi Premium $120

RAM:Corsair XMS 2gb (2x1gb) 3-4-4-8 $206

Video Card:EVGA 7800GTX $459

Hard Drive:Seagate 7200.8 SATA 250gb $102.50

PSU:<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?
Item=N82E16817103937#DetailSpecs">Antec Smartpower 500W $68.99</a>

Case:<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?
Item=N82E16811129141">Antec P160 $99.99</a>

CD/DVD Rom:Samsung CD/DVD ROM/RW $43.99

Total cost=$1305.47 with shipping fee, all from Newegg. (Couldve been done from elsewhere but this might be a little easier to order your parts)

Now, You get sufficent beefy PSU plus a 7800GTX on one of a best SLi boards (although its refurbed).

Along the road, you can grab yourself a Zalman 9500, another 7800GTX for SLi, and maybe a better CPU like lets say a AMD A64 X2. Or even a Samsung 214T. but thats all just suggestions.

What you think of the new rig i put together for you compared to your old one?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: vikingblade
How can I find the Sapphire X1800XT for $495?? I see it there for $566.

I was hoping the fortron 450 would be enough. Bummer

The ATI version is $566. The Sapphire sold out quicky but should be available again soon.

 

[Munky]

Do you plan to do any overclocking? Because if you do, then get a Venice 3000 - those usually hit 2.5 ghz on decent air cooling, and you'll save $100 in the process. Also, I'm not sure if this is still possible, but there was a way to mod a DFI Ultra-D into a SLI board using a pencil trick, since the board already has 2 pci-e slots. If you go that route, you'll also save around $40 over a "regular" SLI board.

 

[Steelski]

Why has the X1800XL not been considered yet.
Also about the motherboard.
Yes the Asus board is great. but. If you go with an ATI card then keep your options open for the future with a Xpress 200 chipset. and Crossfire capabilities. The asus board recently reviewed (A8R-MVP)is looking extremely good for single or crossfire. (around 100-125 dollars)
Another thread in the Anandtech forum also suggested that ATI cards give a better look on CRT monitors whilst Nvidia looked better on LCD. Also something to consider.

 

[vikingblade]

Cookie Monster...Thanks for the effort. We actually had a very similar list. My budget is around 1300 total.

EPOX 9NPA Ultra

Antec SLK-3000

Athlon 64 3000 Venice

Fortron 450 Power Supply

Corsair Value Select 2 Gig Ram

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250 Gig

NEC DVD Burner 3550A

Razor Diamondback Mouse

Thats around $715 before shipping and Video Card.
If I go with the EVGA 7800 GTX KO...$559
ATI X1800XT...$570 or so
7800 GT SLI's...$600 Plus upgrade to SLI Motherboard. Plus possible PS Upgrade?

 

[vikingblade]

I thought about the X1800XL...Not enough performance at 1600x1200.

I dont wanna have to MOD anything or go with anything refurbished. Im trying to eliminate problems as much as possible.

Steelski...please link me to that thread if possible. Im very interested.