X1950 Pro AGP is coming!

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: postmortemIA

Originally posted by: Assimilator1

postmortemIA
Your link to your sys rig is the wrong one (you given us the one that you'd use to edit it).
What CPU have you got?

P4 3200MHz Northwood w/ HT.
I see link in my sig just fine- and it shows that CPU

lol ,nope that link still takes me to my edit rig page
Btw Medieval 2 is very CPU hungry!:Q

 

[postmortemIA]

Yes, Medieval II has high count of objects during battles.

By the way, Sapphire is in stock at newegg for $250.

 

[wizzard0003]

Originally posted by: Auric
I wonder if there is any chance my FSP400-60PFN can manage this beastie. I'm pretty sure the 12V is underrated but I'm thinking it is too much to hope for. The expense wouldn't bother me so much but the futzing would.

I'm running the PSU in my sig (This One) and have no problems at stock settings but do get artifacting if I try to O'Clock... I'm pretty sure it is power related so I'm going to give one of these a try...

FSP Group (Fortron Source) BoosterX 3

I'm just waiting for payday to order it (Fri. 01/19/07)... I'll post back and let everyone know how things go when I get it and give it a try...

wizzard0003

\\//_

NOTE:
This "Booster" has two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors so I plan on re-wiring and changing them to two 4-pin Molex connectors using some extras that I have (that came from an old fried generic PSU) so they will work with my Sapphire X1950PRO 512MB... Anyone with the same G'Card as mine (which uses two 4-pin Molex connectors) should consider this before buying one...

 

[Auric]

Well if your FSP450 barely manages then that seals my fate

But isn't that Booster o'erkill? Do you likewise want to avoid physically replacing the existing PSU or do you figger on using even more demanding viddy cards in the future?

 

[wizzard0003]

Originally posted by: Auric
Well if your FSP450 barely manages then that seals my fate

But isn't that Booster o'erkill? Do you likewise want to avoid physically replacing the existing PSU or do you figger on using even more demanding viddy cards in the future?

Both actually... :laugh:

Besides the ease of instalation, my reasoning is this... If I use a "Booster" the combined cost (Booster + original cost of my PSU) is about the same as replacing the PSU altogether...

Also, since I really like these 450W Fortron's, and other than this the PSU is rock solid and dependable, using a "Booster" is a more affordable option (I already OWN the PSU so no additional cash layout) and it can move with me if/when I upgrade... And having a PSU JUST for my graphics means that the system PSU does not have to strain to keep up with the power demand... This may mean a more "Stable" system overall (at least that's my logic/hope... :laugh: )

One thing to note however... These are NOT recommended for use with the 8800 series nVidia cards (7900 series only) though "Some" people have had good luck with them while "Others" have not...

I'd be willing to bet that Fortron (FSP) will mostlikely be offering an upgraded version of this "Booster" soon to answer the future power needs of the "Power Hungry" G'Cards to come, as they are usually quick to keep up with the increasing power demands of the newer systems... JMHO...

I'll be sure to let everyone know how things go when I get one for myself and test it...

wizzard0003

\\//_

PS:
I'm from the school of thought that one can NEVER have Too Much PSU... Just Too Little... :laugh:

 

[GEOrifle]

About PSU: I have CoolerMaster's eXtreme Power 600w with +5v-30a and dual +12v-18a each, do you think my PSU is good enough to work with Saphire X1950Pro 512mb version?

 

[draygen]

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
About PSU: I have CoolerMaster's eXtreme Power 600w with +5v-30a and dual +12v-18a each, do you think my PSU is good enough to work with Saphire X1950Pro 512mb version?

I think you'll be fine with those specs , I have an Antec NEO480 dual + 12v 38a max and i think it should be OK as well, i grabbed it from my company .. i'm hearing these were the *higher*end PSU's not too long ago.

I'm getting my Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB AGP from Allstarshop, ETA Friday 1/19/06.

Now , maybe I can play Vanguard: Saga of Heroes with a frame rate faster then 15 fps on a good day

 

[GEOrifle]

Originally posted by: draygen

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
About PSU: I have CoolerMaster's eXtreme Power 600w with +5v-30a and dual +12v-18a each, do you think my PSU is good enough to work with Saphire X1950Pro 512mb version?

I think you'll be fine with those specs , I have an Antec NEO480 dual + 12v 38a max and i think it should be OK as well, i grabbed it from my company .. i'm hearing these were the *higher*end PSU's not too long ago.

I'm getting my Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB AGP from Allstarshop, ETA Friday 1/19/06.

Now , maybe I can play Vanguard: Saga of Heroes with a frame rate faster then 15 fps on a good day

You don't will to wait until something better will arrive from AGP series?

 

[draygen]

Originally posted by: GEOrifle

Originally posted by: draygen

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
About PSU: I have CoolerMaster's eXtreme Power 600w with +5v-30a and dual +12v-18a each, do you think my PSU is good enough to work with Saphire X1950Pro 512mb version?

I think you'll be fine with those specs , I have an Antec NEO480 dual + 12v 38a max and i think it should be OK as well, i grabbed it from my company .. i'm hearing these were the *higher*end PSU's not too long ago.

I'm getting my Sapphire X1950 Pro 512MB AGP from Allstarshop, ETA Friday 1/19/06.

Now , maybe I can play Vanguard: Saga of Heroes with a frame rate faster then 15 fps on a good day

You don't will to wait until something better will arrive from AGP series?

The only thing I'm expecting that will come out that is better for AGP is the X1950 XT , and i'm not paying that kind of money , LOL - got a wife and kids to feed

From what I've read , this card will handle any game that is currently out - and will handle the 1 game I want to go get addicted to .

 

[GEOrifle]

I guess talking about X1950XT isn't real because the picture shows X1950PRO version, check closer one.


http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/onsite_coverage/images/x1950.jpg

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: GEOrifle
I guess talking about X1950XT isn't real because the picture shows X1950PRO version, check closer one.


http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/onsite_coverage/images/x1950.jpg

i guess you are right ... that big pic makes it pretty clear

he probably confused "Xt" with "pro"

i'm OK ... i wasn't expecting anything beyond my x1950p ... and if there was an XTX or 1950px2 i'd definitely need to upgrade my CPU ... which would mean looking for a mean o/cer ... which IS unlikely and SuperFast RAM which is expensive

i will be content till Quad Core/xfire and PCIe2
:thumbsup:

 

[coloumb]

FYI - newegg and a few others have the 512mb AGP 1950pro in stock

Allstarshop

ZipZoomFly free shipping

Newegg

 

[apoppin]

they are holging firm on the price ... wait a week or two if you want a sale

me ... i'm glad i got mine ...

off to play PREY ... or Fable ...


BTW, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is released March 22nd

 

[Schadenfroh]

Price is going to drop "if" powercolor releases the x1950xtx agp, going to wait, no time anymore now that this semester has started, I hate college!

but, I guess it is better than the real world.

 

[Cleaner]

Not sure but the wattage rating has no bearing on the Amp rating correct?

 

[honestjohn]

FYI - a new player just showed up .....HIS X1950 Pro 256MB - in stock at NewEgg...nice clocks and cooler....$289..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161068

 

[wizzard0003]

In case anyones interested;

Here is what one persons experience was by changing to a new PSU as well as different drivers: LINK

Here is an article on the difference between 256MB and 512MB: LINK

Here is a really nice set of charts showing the spec's of different cards for comparison: LINK

Hope these are of some use to someone...

wizzard0003

\\//_

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: wizzard0003
In case anyones interested;

Here is what one persons experience was by changing to a new PSU as well as different drivers: LINK

Here is an article on the difference between 256MB and 512MB: LINK

Here is a really nice set of charts showing the spec's of different cards for comparison: LINK

Hope these are of some use to someone...

wizzard0003

\\//_

i kinda enjoyed the article comparing 256MB VRAM with 512MB ... thanks for the link:

In every game under different testing methods we saw that 512MB does make a difference, and in some cases a large one. Quake 4?s performance increases in Ultra mode were the most impressive here, but HL2: Lost Coast also showed some credible boosts. F.E.A.R was not so impressive but in real world testing 512Mb showed its worth, especially on a system with 1GB RAM.

We saw that most games in medium to high quality settings used far more than 256MB to hold all the texture data, and so the overspill is already happening ? you do need 512MB of VRAM to hold all the texture and geometry data in VRAM. The question is, does using system memory for some of this have an impact on performance, and the answer seems to be only in extreme cases where 100MB or larger spills into system memory.

It?s so difficult to choose either way really. You could buy a 256MB card today and it would most definitely serve you well for a year or two, but on the other hand there is no reason not to get a 512Mb card other than price. The performance increase 512MB offers over 256MB is here today in game we all play and the gap will only increase with the next generation of titles

:thumbsup:

 

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: Cleaner
Not sure but the wattage rating has no bearing on the Amp rating correct?

A?

Watts = Volts x Amps
Though Im told the formula is slightly different for AC(extra bit).

 

[ronach]

I am considering picking up one of these cards but am concerned about this x1950pro agp 512MB Dont Like To Reboot problem. Anyone here experiencing this issue ? The guys over on the Saphiretech site don't have a solution as yet.

 

[apoppin]

whoa ... what *reboot* problem?
:Q

i have one

 

[honestjohn]

Do any of you have the HIS X1950 Pro ICEQ3 Turbo AGP card? If so, how is working for you? Mine's coming next week. Overclockers UK is running a special this week on it which brings the cost "down" to $274 (US) + $29 (for 4 day shipping). Not to bad when you consider, NewEgg is currently charging $289 + Shipping for the 256MB version.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-069-HT

PS - I was considering slapping a $37 - Zalman VF-900 on my Sapphire for better cooling. But instead, I sold the Sapphire on EBay for $275 as I mentioned above, so the HIS Card will only cost $28 more, so it comes out cheaper for me. Plus I don't have to void my Warranty or with my luck, which is usually bad, ruin the Sapphire while switching Coolers.

Just a helpful hint, If you're from the US, and interested, you should call them direct to order. This way they'll remove the VAT (tax) over the phone rather than issuing a credit later as they would have to do with an Internet Order.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: honestjohn
Do any of you have the HIS X1950 Pro ICEQ3 Turbo AGP card? If so, how is working for you? Mine's coming next week. Overclockers UK is running a special this week on it which brings the cost "down" to $274 (US) + $29 (for 4 day shipping). Not to bad when you consider, NewEgg is currently charging $289 + Shipping for the 256MB version.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-069-HT

PS - Sold my Sapphire on EBay for $275, so rather than slapping on a Zalman as I was considering for better cooling. I went in this direction.

Mine runs great. Nice and quiet and already overclocked.

Costs slightly more, but I think its worth it and is a good choice.

Glad to see though, that this is one instance where us UK'ers aren't get shafted over prices compared to the US.

 

[honestjohn]

Thanks for the affirmation Canterwood. Always wanted to own a HIS card, and it just nevered happened. I have been drooling over that ICEQ3 cooiling design for a while now. Cheers.

 

[ronach]

The warm re-boot problem is discussed in detail over on the Sapphiretech forums. http://www.sapphiretech.com/en/forums/showthread.php?t=10167 . Hopefully those here don't have this malady, or better yet, were able to circumvent it in some way and share this info with others. There you have it.