Upgrading, ATi or nVidia?

[GodlyHammer]

Well, I'm upgrading a bit, video wise.

I have a 24" Sony FW900 Native @1920x1200 and I'm looking for something with a bit more juice, because there are few games I can run with my 7800GT at the frames that I'd like. So, I'm upgrading, my system isn't bad at all, just lacking that extra juice for HD Gaming, and I have a question.

Should I get a nVidia 7900GTX or an ATi 1900XTX.

I've been using nVidia since the 9800 series, but ATi seems to have won the big battle in image quality and performance, with nVidia VERY close behind. I'm not looking for SLi, because normally a single card comes by and smacks the previous generation in SLi. So, I'm just looking for the fastest single card I can find. I need some feedback from people who own the cards, that would be nice, so I can decide, I'm on a $600 budget, so I can get either. The only thing that's an immediate turn-off for the 1900XTX is some things I've been hearing about noise. My 7800GT is quiet, but I also LOVE eyecandy and in some screenshots, the ATi is clearly visually better.

Sure it may be louder, but it is loud enough to want to rip it out of the case as some people like to use the term jet engine referring to the 1900XTX. I don't like messing with $500 video cards by adding after market coolers on them, so doing that is out for me.
Also, would there be a performance difference than most, because of using an nForce 4 Ultra Northbridge? Everyone I know seems to own the ATi northbridge with the X1900XTX.


FEEDBACK PEOPLE

*RIG-AMD64 4000+@2.4GHz, 2gb G.Skill, 7800GT, Antec TP.II 550W, MSI Neo4 Ultra*

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Both are about even performance wise but the X1900XTX has a better feature set & is louder/hotter. The 7900GTX is quieter and runs cooler. I'd get the X1900XT but if you don't much care for HDR+AA then flip a coin.

 

[GodlyHammer]

HDR+AA is the main reason I'm concidering ATi. I just don't know about all the noise though

 

[Sc4freak]

I don't know how sensitive you are to noise, so I can't make a judgement on that.

However, people have said that the cooler is noisy (I've got an X1800XT - they use the same cooler as the X1900) but I personally don't mind it. I don't think it is as bad as people make it out to be.

But, you'd probably be kicking yourself later when you can't run HDR + AA in FarCry, Oblivion, or any future game with HDR once you see the image quality and get sick of the jaggies.

 

[JBT]

Just look for one of those X1900XTX cards with Arctic cooling on them.

 

[Sable]

I'd go X1900XT.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: JBT
Just look for one of those X1900XTX cards with Arctic cooling on them.

 

[TheRyuu]

It doesn't matter. Either way you go you get an insanly fast video card.

X1900XT, then overclock it to XTX speeds.

 

[josh6079]

I got the X1900XTX just because I figured they would be better crafted GPU's than the X1900XT's (kind of like how some GPU's are placed to the 7900GT level and some stay at the 7900GTX level) but I don't know if that is the case with these things. I figured I could overclock the XTX higher since it starts at a higher performing level, but others who have bought the XT have done extremely well with them and I think an XT would do you just fine if you don't mind the bios flashing and/or overclocking and stuff.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

If you want a quieter solution, you can always slap on an Accelero X2 or a KuFormula VF1 . . .

 

[Elfear]

X1900XT

 

[Munky]

x1900xt or xtx. It's overall faster, has better features/IQ, and it even costs less. The stock cooler gets loud under 3d load, but it depends on how sensitive you are about noise, and how loud the rest of your system is. I personally replaced it with a $30 Accelero X2, and now it runs cooler and much quieter.

 

[Sunrise089]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: JBT
Just look for one of those X1900XTX cards with Arctic cooling on them.

 

[RussianSensation]

7900GT voltmoded or X1900XT.

 

[nitromullet]

They are both good cards.

Personally, I went from a 7900GTX to an X1900XTX, and I'm pleased with my switch. The X1900XTX is noisier, but when it comes down to it FPS and IQ are king IMO. The only thing I wished that the XTX had was 8xAA with a single card for use in WoW and other games that don't tax the card too much. The 7900GTX gets the nod for better AA in games that allow for higher levels of AA, but ATI's AF is clearly much better looking, HDR+AA is really nice, and in most new games 4xAA is the max I can use anyway (I generally use HDR + 2xAA/8xAF in Oblivion @ 1680x1050 to keep it smooth).

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: GodlyHammer
HDR+AA is the main reason I'm concidering ATi. I just don't know about all the noise though

IMO it's not that bad. Only really loud on startup and if your GPU temp gets too hot. Mine doesn't bother me at all.

 

[Wreckage]

Here is a video of the noise comparison between the GTX and XTX. Listen to both all the way through so you can hear the ramp up to max fan speed.

http://techreport.com/ja.zz?comments=9780

 

[Robor]

Wow, that is definitely a big difference. Still, my case is under a desk and closed with the back facing the wall so no biggie here. I wouldn't let it stop me from getting an XTX. IMO the ability to do AA + HDR more than makes up for the increased heat & noise.

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: Robor
Wow, that is definitely a big difference. Still, my case is under a desk and closed with the back facing the wall so no biggie here. I wouldn't let it stop me from getting an XTX. IMO the ability to do AA + HDR more than makes up for the increased heat & noise.

If someone implemented AA+HDR correctly I would find it more interesting. So far it either runs too slow or does not look all that impressive.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: Wreckage


If someone implemented AA+HDR correctly I would find it more interesting. So far it either runs too slow or does not look all that impressive IMO.

Fixed.

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: Wreckage


If someone implemented AA+HDR correctly I would find it more interesting. So far it either runs too slow or does not look all that impressive IMO.

Fixed.

Not really. The slowness of it I have seen listed in many reviews, where it drops below an acceptable frame rate.

How anything looks is always going to be an opinion. From what I have seen there is little or no difference between ATI & NVIDIA as far as image quality. It's pretty much game based and an overall blanket statement is pure opinion and not fact.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Originally posted by: WreckageFrom what I have seen there is little or no difference between ATI & NVIDIA as far as image quality. It's pretty much game based and an overall blanket statement is pure opinion and not fact.

What you just said is also an opinion. I've see noticeable differences in image quality going from my X800XL to my 7800GT and 7900GT, which is why I'm finally getting an X1900XT.

Also I'd prefer to HDR+AA for a slight performance loss rather than not having that option at all.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: Wreckage

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: Wreckage


If someone implemented AA+HDR correctly I would find it more interesting. So far it either runs too slow or does not look all that impressive IMO.

Fixed.

Not really. The slowness of it I have seen listed in many reviews, where it drops below an acceptable frame rate.

How anything looks is always going to be an opinion. From what I have seen there is little or no difference between ATI & NVIDIA as far as image quality. It's pretty much game based and an overall blanket statement is pure opinion and not fact.

Ah, so THATS why I'm playing Oblivion maxed out w/ HDR @ 1280x1024, with tons of added grass in INI, LOD replacements for higher res textures, 2xQuality Adaptive AA.......... and having it smooth as can be.

:disgust:

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Wreckage

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: Wreckage


If someone implemented AA+HDR correctly I would find it more interesting. So far it either runs too slow or does not look all that impressive IMO.

Fixed.

Not really. The slowness of it I have seen listed in many reviews, where it drops below an acceptable frame rate.

How anything looks is always going to be an opinion. From what I have seen there is little or no difference between ATI & NVIDIA as far as image quality. It's pretty much game based and an overall blanket statement is pure opinion and not fact.

ATI having HDR+AA at this point is the first time that I can honestly recall a feature difference between ATI and NVIDIA that wasn't just a checkbox feature. I really think that Oblivion looks significantly better with HDR+AA than either HDR or bloom+AA, and it is usable in actual game play. Obvioulsy, HDR+AA is a limited game scenario so it may not be worth swtiching from one to the other, but if you're buying now it should be a consideration.

...IMO

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: Extelleron
Ah, so THATS why I'm playing Oblivion maxed out w/ HDR @ 1280x1024, with tons of added grass in INI, LOD replacements for higher res textures, 2xQuality Adaptive AA.......... and having it smooth as can be.

Here's a cookie for you.

I was referring to reviews from respected websites, not from fanboys