Torn on which video card . . .

[XMan]

Slowly but surely I'm putting together a new computer since my main rig pooped out before Christmas.

So far I've assembled the following parts:

Mobile XP 2400+ w/ Silent Boost
NF7-S Retail
2x256 MB CH-5 PC3200

All of my drives and stuff from my other rig are intact, so I'm solid there. I need a new video card, though.

What's my best bet - a 9800 Pro, or a 5900 XT? Don't want to spend more than a couple hundred bucks, although . . . I'm obviously hoping to O/C the 2400+ to at least 2400 "real" MHz.

I'm leaning toward the XT simply as the NVidia video might play nicer with the NVidia chipset, but I know that the 9800 Pro would probably be better for Half Life 2.

 

[boyRacer]

9800 Pro for $200...

 

[Corporate Thug]

9800 pro

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: bR
9800 Pro for $200...

Yeah unfortunately I missed out on the CompUSA special. 212 for a new one at Newegg isn't too shabby. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with buying a refurb especially if it only saves me ~40 bucks.

 

[high]

9800PRO owns 5900XT at stock speeds

 

[XMan]

The Radeon 9800's overclock pretty well, don't they? Almost up to XT speeds?

 

[xSkyDrAx]

9800 Pro without a doubt since the XT label for Nvidia is equal to the SE label on ATi. XT on ATi and Nvidia are completely the opposite. Why do they do this to confuse customers, its sad really.

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx
9800 Pro without a doubt since the XT label for Nvidia is equal to the SE label on ATi. XT on ATi and Nvidia are completely the opposite. Why do they do this to confuse customers, its sad really.

No this is not the case for the 5900. On other cards, such as the 5600, the xt version is horrible. But the 5900xt is the same as the 5900se, which isn't a bad card at all, just slower ram. Overall I'd still recommend the 9800 pro though. You don't have to worry about the ati having any problems with the nvidia chipset and it'll be a stronger performer generally with aa and af on.

 

[sirspotticus]

anand says wait til may.. listen to anand

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: sirspotticus
anand says wait til may.. listen to anand

i believe anand's comment was more so directed towards the 5950/9800 XT

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: xSkyDrAx
9800 Pro without a doubt since the XT label for Nvidia is equal to the SE label on ATi. XT on ATi and Nvidia are completely the opposite. Why do they do this to confuse customers, its sad really.

you are misinformed, and spreading misinformation.

the nv se/xt uses the same gpu as the the std 5900. while the memory is clocked slower, it's also lower latency and performs at 90-100% of the speed of the regular 5900.

 

[ponyo]

XFX 5900XT for $159 shipped at Newegg doesn't look too bad. It comes bundled w/ bunch of older games like Ghost Recon and stuff.

 

[McArra]

Originally posted by: shady06
9800 pro

 

[IceCreamMan2633]

Originally posted by: McArra

Originally posted by: shady06
9800 pro

 

[MichaelZ]

Originally posted by: X-Man
I'm obviously hoping to O/C the 2400+ to at least 2400 "real" MHz.

hmm... that ain't gonna happen.

get the vid card. both are priced about right and which ever you pick up is really gonna depend on what games you plan on playing. personally i've been looking @ the 5900XT/SE, they fit the budget but i'm probably gonna wait until the next gen cards are out.

 

[Jeff7181]

When the next generation of cards are out, I'll sell you my FX5900 that runs at 490/940 for $175, how's that sound?

 

[mboy]

Originally posted by: i82lazyboy

Originally posted by: X-Man
I'm obviously hoping to O/C the 2400+ to at least 2400 "real" MHz.

hmm... that ain't gonna happen.

get the vid card. both are priced about right and which ever you pick up is really gonna depend on what games you plan on playing. personally i've been looking @ the 5900XT/SE, they fit the budget but i'm probably gonna wait until the next gen cards are out.

Why not? I am running my year old XP1800 @ 2.31GHZ right now.
980 pro is way to go, mine should be here when I get home from work tonight

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: i82lazyboy

Originally posted by: X-Man
I'm obviously hoping to O/C the 2400+ to at least 2400 "real" MHz.

hmm... that ain't gonna happen.

The Mobile XP's overclock like a mofo. Check out the overclocking forum.


2550 MHz

2.57 GHz

Yadda yadda

 

[Conky]

The 5900XT is the same as the 5900SE and is the slower version of the 5900. 9800Pro is a no-brainer in this comparison.

Now, if you were talking a 5900 or 5900Ultra it would be a tougher decision. 5900 vs. 9800Pro would be a coin-toss and 5900Ultra versus 9800Pro would favor the 5900Ultra.

BTW, in case I have pointed it out a million times, I have the 9800Pro.

 

[ZimZum]

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: bR
9800 Pro for $200...

Yeah unfortunately I missed out on the CompUSA special. 212 for a new one at Newegg isn't too shabby. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with buying a refurb especially if it only saves me ~40 bucks.

The 9800pro for $212 at Newegg isnt a refurb. Or were you referring to something else?

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: X-Man

Originally posted by: i82lazyboy

Originally posted by: X-Man
I'm obviously hoping to O/C the 2400+ to at least 2400 "real" MHz.

hmm... that ain't gonna happen.

The Mobile XP's overclock like a mofo. Check out the overclocking forum.


2550 MHz

2.57 GHz

Yadda yadda

Not all of them... there's a topic in the CPU forum with a link to an article where they "only" get 2.4 Ghz. with over 1.8 volts

 

[MichaelZ]

oops, missed the "mobile" part

where on earth do i get a Mobile AXP CPU? i'd buy 1, but they're no where to be seen. [aust. resident]

 

[Todd33]

That 5900XT for $159 is tempting. I'm looking for some scores now, I'm going from a 4400.

 

[CaiNaM]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The 5900XT is the same as the 5900SE and is the slower version of the 5900. 9800Pro is a no-brainer in this comparison.

Now, if you were talking a 5900 or 5900Ultra it would be a tougher decision. 5900 vs. 9800Pro would be a coin-toss and 5900Ultra versus 9800Pro would favor the 5900Ultra.

BTW, in case I have pointed it out a million times, I have the 9800Pro.

why is that? the 5900xt can be had for $159 and is 95-100% of the performance of the 5900, and able to overclock to 5900u speeds or close to it. the gpu is the same as it's 5900 counterparts (not gimped in any way), and while the memory is slower, the latency is lower resulting in only slightly less performance than a 5900. no, it's not as fast as the 5900 or 9800pro, but pretty dang close and for a lot less $.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: CaiNaM

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The 5900XT is the same as the 5900SE and is the slower version of the 5900. 9800Pro is a no-brainer in this comparison.

Now, if you were talking a 5900 or 5900Ultra it would be a tougher decision. 5900 vs. 9800Pro would be a coin-toss and 5900Ultra versus 9800Pro would favor the 5900Ultra.

BTW, in case I have pointed it out a million times, I have the 9800Pro.

why is that? the 5900xt can be had for $159 and is 95-100% of the performance of the 5900, and able to overclock to 5900u speeds or close to it. the gpu is the same as it's 5900 counterparts (not gimped in any way), and while the memory is slower, the latency is lower resulting in only slightly less performance than a 5900. no, it's not as fast as the 5900 or 9800pro, but pretty dang close and for a lot less $.

Yeah, that's pretty amazing . . . Firing Squad did a review of the MSI 5900 XT, and it overclocked to 500+/800+, which is faster than a 5950 Ultra!