PNY 7900GS (OC) vs ATI x1950PRO (cost $50 more)

[Munky]

Originally posted by: mblue

Originally posted by: munky
A stock 7900gs vs a stock x1950pro is not even a contest, the 7900gs is totally outlcassed - see some benches here. However, the 7900gs usually oc's very well, so purely from a bang/buck factor an oc'd 7900gs is a better deal and will often outperform a stock x1950pro. The x1950pro does however have more features, like angle-independent AF and the ability to do HDR with AA.

Not going to start a flame war on Nvidia vs. ATI, I have owned and still do own both brands, but did you actully look at those linked benchmarks? They are both neck and neck for the most part and in some and that is some games ATI is ahead by 6-7 FPS. Not what I would call outclassed. I did a lot of checking around and about 12 reviews before I got the x1950pro and that was only because it had HDCP and VIVO other than that they were to close to compare. Again, it was only because of the VRMs and lack of after market cooling that would correct this that I retuned it for the 7900gs. So get the 7900gs and if you really want to spend 200 bucks pickup a copy of Medieval Total War 2 and have some fun.

I looked at those benches many times, thank you very much. The 7900gs consistently loses by about 10-20% in most neutral benches (with AA/HDR enabled), is on par in games that favor Nvidia like Quake4, and gets totally rocked in games that favor Ati like Oblivion.

 

[mikek753]

Thank you for the numbers again.
BUT, those numbers against 7900GS with STOCK 450MHZ core speed and RAM speed

I think that just LAZY one will not try OC via RivaTuner 7900GS to 550+ (core) and 650+ (RAM) - don't you agree?
That's why I added link to 7900GS OC benches
The same about 7900GT at 450 mhz ... who runs that at such speed from this forum or others OC forums knowing it's TRUE potential?
Again, so far I haven't read about any real OC for x1950pro above 620mhz :-(

I'm not about NV vs ATI, but I'm looking for real life benchmarks instead are paid reviews

Would add link to your 7900GS and / or x1950pro 3dmark06 score? Please.
I'd trust it more.

Originally posted by: tuteja1986
Battlefield 2 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 64.2
$250 7900GT : 59.7

Halflife 2 Lost Coast 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 43.5
$250 7900GT : 40.9

Fear 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 35
$250 7900GT : 34

Quake 4 1600x1200x32 4xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 40.1
$250 7900GT : 45.4

Call of Duty 2 1600x1200 4xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 32
$250 7900GT : 30.7

Farcry HDR 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 44.1
$250 7900GT : 39.5


Oblivion HDR Mountain Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 31.3
$250 7900GT : 24.1

Oblivion HDR Foliage Area 1600x1200 0xAA 8xAF
$200 X1950PRO : 21.3
$250 7900GT : 12

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_radeon_x1950_pro/

 

[mikek753]

thank you every one for your reply.

How I can be sure that ATI x1950pro has HDCP chip / support without having hd-dvd / b-ray?
Are the any movie / music clip sample I can download that has that HDCP (encrypted content) to be able decode it via x1950pro and watch in at hdcp LCD?

Another question, when do you think we'll realy need those HDCPed video cards?

I'm not going pay above $100. for 1080p dvd drive anyway.

Are anyone already use that HDCP?

If that HDCP will be in 2 years time frame then I don't care about it as part of video card as in 2 years I'll buy another card with DX10 anyway that would come for sure with hdcp.

What do you think?

 

[Praxis1452]

what's with everyone saying that the VRM's overheat? It all depends on the model you get.

The VR-zone reviewed one that did overheat was a powercolor model with an X2 cooler and nothing over the VRM. The ATI stock cooler seems to have a fan over the vrm as the HS goes over it. The Sapphire Ultimate also has a sink on the VRM's.

So really if you had the ATI stock cooler and changed it over then you didn't really understand the situation. However $50 is $50 and you could go and buy some more christmas gifts with it.

 

[fire400]

someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear the nVidia 7800/7900 series have problems when too many textures on screen are present, and will cause the GS and GT editions to lag behind compared to similarly priced Radeons?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: fire400
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear the nVidia 7800/7900 series have problems when too many textures on screen are present, and will cause the GS and GT editions to lag behind compared to similarly priced Radeons?

Thats totally incorrect. You probably have heard about shimmering e.g textures shimmer/crawl due to some optimizations used by nVIDIA on the G7x series.

Most of the shimmering goes away with the use of HQ mode in nVIDIA control panel. Some dont even know if it eixsts or not. ATi can eliminate the shimmering with HQ AF altough this isnt "free".

 

[tuteja1986]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: fire400
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear the nVidia 7800/7900 series have problems when too many textures on screen are present, and will cause the GS and GT editions to lag behind compared to similarly priced Radeons?

Thats totally incorrect. You probably have heard about shimmering e.g textures shimmer/crawl due to some optimizations used by nVIDIA on the G7x series.

Most of the shimmering goes away with the use of HQ mode in nVIDIA control panel. Some dont even know if it eixsts or not. ATi can eliminate the shimmering with HQ AF altough this isnt "free".

Yeah and Nvidia makes site like xbit lab not benchmark games with HQ but Q setting... so they can hope to beat ATI up. Only very few website use HQ setting when benchmarking.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: tuteja1986

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: fire400
someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I hear the nVidia 7800/7900 series have problems when too many textures on screen are present, and will cause the GS and GT editions to lag behind compared to similarly priced Radeons?

Thats totally incorrect. You probably have heard about shimmering e.g textures shimmer/crawl due to some optimizations used by nVIDIA on the G7x series.

Most of the shimmering goes away with the use of HQ mode in nVIDIA control panel. Some dont even know if it eixsts or not. ATi can eliminate the shimmering with HQ AF altough this isnt "free".

Yeah and Nvidia makes site like xbit lab not benchmark games with HQ but Q setting... so they can hope to beat ATI up. Only very few website use HQ setting when benchmarking.

Any proof? Dont start any flame wars in here please.

Xbitlabs uses HQ now anyways.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: ronnn

Originally posted by: smitbret
I had the same dilemma and went with the 7900GS, simply because it was much quieter, even when overclocked. So I figured I could give up a frame or two, overclock the hell out of the 7900GS (which it does, easily), and save 40 bucks or so. I am happy with the choice.
-Brett

Yet another guy admitting to being happy with a low mid range card! I agree with an average monitor, things like how quiet a card is are more relevant. With xbox360 and playstation 3 firmly rooted in old tech, am wondering if we will ever get games that really challenge our computers.

I'll bet they are few and far between, but I'll wager you can find a few folks out there that are perfectly happy with an FX5200 as well. And, alternately, you will find an 8800GTX SLI user who is dissappointed with his/her performance. All relative.

 

[mblue]

I hate to throw more benchmarks and links at you, but this is a review of a series of cards from Asus, that of course includes the x1950Pro and the 7900gs. You know what settings you play at, so look at them and come to your own conclusions.

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4336&s=1

Have fun and by the way I think that sale ends today.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: mblue
I hate to throw more benchmarks and links at you, but this is a review of a series of cards from Asus, that of course includes the x1950Pro and the 7900gs. You know what settings you play at, so look at them and come to your own conclusions.

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4336&s=1

Have fun and by the way I think that sale ends today.

Come on now, that review is almost 14 days old now. Prehistoric
J/K of course. The 7800GS/7600GS looks to be the better bang per buck over the X1950pro/X1650XT according to that review. But you know, you can pick and choose any number of reviews, read them thoroughly, and still walk away with mixed feelings. I wonder if it is even worth the time to read the reviews from various sites. Just stick with one site that you trust and be happy with it. Else you might just pull your hair out.

Happy Holidays everyone.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

actually this matter is fairly simple.
if you have the extra 50 buck go for the x1950pro. if not the 7900gs is a great card.
if however you like 7900gs and have 50 bucks then i'd suggest a nice 7900gt.

 

[chansigrilian]

*edit* well, disregard this. apparently the $149 bb deal ended yesterday. thought it was over today, obviously wrong :| */edit*

hey folks. go to compusa, get them to price match the bb $150 card and then print out the compusa $30 mail in rebate. the pny 7900gs card is $120 after price match and mail in rebate

can somebody give me an idea about sli'ing the 7900gs cards? i'm wondering if it's worth buying two of em or just one for the moment. planning on upgrading from my evga 7600gt (oc'd to 600/800 currently) today :thumbsup:

thanks folks

 

[imported_blacken]

Foxconn 7900GS @ 575/850 (1.7ghz) 1.4ns DDR3

Gained up to 28fps (av. 25fps) CSS benchmark. High everything 4xAA/16xAF, no vsync, nView high settings also.

-112.09 stock 450/660
-140.20 @ 575/850 66c max @ 55%fan

Price/Preformance. The GT usualy beats the GS by 4 - 10fps. By overclocking to 500/700, the GS has become a GT.

 

[mikek753]

Originally posted by: mblue
I hate to throw more benchmarks and links at you, but this is a review of a series of cards from Asus, that of course includes the x1950Pro and the 7900gs. You know what settings you play at, so look at them and come to your own conclusions.

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4336&s=1

Have fun and by the way I think that sale ends today.

The same they run GS at 450 mhz and even at that speed it was faster in some over PRO.

What video Q 3dmark06 uses? SQ or HQ?

 

[Xarick]

the gs doesn't become a gt. You can't magically unlock the remaining pipes by overclocking.

 

[gene57]

Just my little experience on a BestBuy PNY 7900GS 256MB PCIe (a week ago I've paid 199$, not a bad deal anyhow).

First o/c attempt using nVTray was kind of delusional, max o/c was 485/680MHz, just a little bit more than the stock 450/660. Hey, you get what you pay for, no? Not a bad performer anyhow. I was honestly thinking to go back in store and exchange with a X1950pro at 249$...

The day after I don't know why but I uninstalled nVtray in favour of the new - for me - Rivatuner 2.0 RC16.2. I can't believe it's Rivatuner, maybe the 7900gs was simply ready after the first 24 hours burn-in... anyhow, I stopped my o/c at the unbelievable 575/700 MHz.
Yes, the RAM is mildly o/c, but the core is insane! The GPU temperature under 3DMark06 load is 57C max, it looks too good to me. Please note that I'm not overvolting anything.

I stopped o/c simply because I'm too scared to kill my board.
What do you think I should do next?

Regards,
gene57

P.S. YMMV... first time I get a good overclocker at Best Buy store, though.

 

[mikek753]

Originally posted by: gene57
...

The day after I don't know why but I uninstalled nVtray in favour of the new - for me - Rivatuner 2.0 RC16.2. I can't believe it's Rivatuner, maybe the 7900gs was simply ready after the first 24 hours burn-in... anyhow, I stopped my o/c at the unbelievable 575/700 MHz.
Yes, the RAM is mildly o/c, but the core is insane! The GPU temperature under 3DMark06 load is 57C max, it looks too good to me. Please note that I'm not overvolting anything.

I stopped o/c simply because I'm too scared to kill my board.
What do you think I should do next?

Regards,
gene57

P.S. YMMV... first time I get a good overclocker at Best Buy store, though.

that's normal with PNY 7900GS to pass 550+ with Rivatuner
that's why I asked to show some url to your GS 3dmark06 score

I agree that GS OC looses to PRO in SM 3.0, but way ahead in SM 2.0

How much current games use SM 3.0 vs 2.0?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Dont base those S.M 2.0 and S.M 3.0 scores from 3dmark. Its like the 7900GTX getting higher 3dmark therefore higher S.M 3.0/S.M 2.0 score but performs worse than a X1900XTX which has a lower 3dmark score.

Most games out now are S.M 3.0 with backup S.M2.0 or S.M 1.1.

 

[gene57]

Here an URL to my 3DMark06:
Compare URL: http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=721006

Hey Mikek, I'd like to know why you consider normal that Rivatuner leads to better o/c... shouldn't you expect same results when using nVTray?

Regards,
gene57

 

[SlowSpyder]

I have a Pny 7900GS, with just the Nvida overclock utility I'm running 560mhz core and 1369mhz memory. Great card for the money. *edit - I should mention I installed a Zalman aftermarket cooler, but from what I hear it doesn't seem like it's even needed as many people get similar results with the stock cooler.

 

[fire400]

I debated... I waited... I even rated... for answers, with questions that wouldn't stop lingering my mind! I knew the x1950 would be a nice card for a Radeon performer, but I also knew that there were 7800GT OC cards for about 50 bucks less, with shipping, for 150 USD on the FS/TR zone. Then I thought about the GS... I made up my mind and went for an x1900XT 512 meg card (230 USD shipped). I'll never look back...

http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4336&s=5

p.s.
......and out of all the card box art from Asus, they chose to portray the prettiest box (personally) out of the cards reviewed by the VR Troopers (-Zone). you don't just keep the box, you laminate it, and polish it, then you hang it up in a a nice expensive frame up on your bedroom wall.
it's the card you got that you should be happy with for the money you paid for.

 

[mikek753]

Originally posted by: gene57
Here an URL to my 3DMark06:
Compare URL: http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=721006

Hey Mikek, I'd like to know why you consider normal that Rivatuner leads to better o/c... shouldn't you expect same results when using nVTray?

Regards,
gene57

thanks, your score above x1950pro at stock speed.

I just never used nVTray - that's all. I went with Rivatuner as it was top downloaded tool from guru3d.
Is nVTray better then Rivatuner?