X1950 Pro AGP is coming!

[Schadenfroh]

Out of curiosity, does ATI give me the hardware DVD playback codec (for ATI's hardware) that nvidia charges an extra fee for on nvidia hardware (the nvidia PureVideo decoder / codec)?

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
Out of curiosity, does ATI give me the hardware DVD playback codec (for ATI's hardware) that nvidia charges an extra fee for on nvidia hardware (the nvidia PureVideo decoder / codec)?

yes I believe that Avivo is included free in the ATI Catalyst control center.

 

[imported_redrover]

Although not of big interest here - does anyone know if a X1950PRO 512AGP card is capable of Video Input?

I have a Diamond version and a Diamond rep told me it's only Video Output (from the VIVO connector.)
Apparently, all three of its VIVO adapters and cables are one-way, out. DiamondMM web page specs for this card were not clear to me on this.

I got the card for its improved game video of course but it would have been nice to convert my VHS collection.

 

[Schadenfroh]

How long does ZZF normally take to ship an order out, status is still processing.

 

[wizzard0003]

Originally posted by: redrover
Although not of big interest here - does anyone know if a X1950PRO 512AGP card is capable of Video Input?

I have a Diamond version and a Diamond rep told me it's only Video Output (from the VIVO connector.)
Apparently, all three of its VIVO adapters and cables are one-way, out. DiamondMM web page specs for this card were not clear to me on this.

I got the card for its improved game video of course but it would have been nice to convert my VHS collection.

The X1950PRO (and I belive the X1650 series as well..?) are not VIVO capable... They are AVIVO which is a kind of "Hardware" based Anti-Copy protection to keep people from copying movies, etc. by attaching to a DVD, VCR player... :thumbsdown:

I belive you can still import/copy your VHS collection though by using a TV Capture card and running your VCR through that...

Hope this helps...

wizzard0003

\\//_

 

[Nemesis 1]

Just installed My His 1950 AGP and it crashes all the time I will have to rma it. I have a new P&C 510 watt PS. So thats not a problem. I think I will get the 512 his give it a try.
I think all i have to do is remove the fan and reapply the heatsink compound but I am not going to take a chance of voiding the warranty.

 

[wizzard0003]

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1
Just installed My His 1950 AGP and it crashes all the time I will have to rma it. I have a new P&C 510 watt PS. So thats not a problem. I think I will get the 512 his give it a try.
I think all i have to do is remove the fan and reapply the heatsink compound but I am not going to take a chance of voiding the warranty.

Before you RMA give this a read...

LINK

Same card I belive...

Hope it helps...

wizzard0003

\\//_

 

[Nemesis 1]

Well I read that thread But didn't find the solution to the problem . I did find out what was wrong with mine tho it works great now. When I installed it . I went into CCC and I unlocked the overclocker. I didn't over clock it. I just used the key,

So I just did a reinstall after removing the the ccc frim the system left the drivers in device manager. Reinstalled CCC and the Card works great, I won't Unclock the O/C again.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
How long does ZZF normally take to ship an order out, status is still processing.

very quickly --if they have it

i ordered one on a Weekend [Friday night - 5th] and it was shipped by Tues [9th] and i had it Thurs [the 11th]

ZZf, eWiz, MicroCenter, & NewEgg are generally very good with CS and promptness

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: redrover
Although not of big interest here - does anyone know if a X1950PRO 512AGP card is capable of Video Input?

I have a Diamond version and a Diamond rep told me it's only Video Output (from the VIVO connector.)
Apparently, all three of its VIVO adapters and cables are one-way, out. DiamondMM web page specs for this card were not clear to me on this.

I got the card for its improved game video of course but it would have been nice to convert my VHS collection.

According to the site I believe it does have VIVO. If it came with a cable that has 2 Svideo & 2 RCA jacks on one end & a single Svideo jack on the other end, thats a VIVO cable.

AVIVO is ATI's name for it's upgraded 10bit video output & decoding functions on all X1XXX series cards.

HDCP is the copy protection HI-DEF movies will require that many X1XXX series cards can decode if you're monitor & possibly your computer support it.

 

[imported_clockerspiel]

The decision with regard to which X1950 Pro AGP card to buy, ultimately rests with the feature set the purchaser desires most. The one shortcoming this particular card has is that ATI/AMD has not certified the AGP variant of the 1950 series. Check the following:

http://ati.amd.com/products/certified/graphics.html

I see no certified X1950 Pro AGP cards from any of the "Partners". This may be one of the reasons we are seeing such a high return rate for many of the offererings.

In reviewing the postings in the forums of Anandtech, HardOcp, and Toms's Hardware there do appear to be higher than normal rma or returns for just about all of the X1950 Pro AGP variants, for a wide range of issues.

Hot VRMs (less so for Visiontek and its twin sister the GeCube...I believe these cards use conventional caps)

Cheap Construction (particularly the Sapphire)

Noisy HSFs, Lack of Temperature monitoring and fan speed control (particularly Visiontek and GeCube)

"Robust" Power Supply requirements

Lack of DirectX 10 functionality

One issue that isn't discussed much in the forums is the warranty. Some offer a 1 year warranty, some "lifetime". So we see a wide range of issues that the purchaser has to filter through. I guess the ideal card would be one that has the elegant cooling solution of a PowerColor, or HIS, the build quality of a VisionTek, 512 Mb memory, the ability to monitor temperature and adjust fan speed, and a lifetime warranty, all for $200 or less.

Do these cards offer a measureable improvement over any of the other AGP card? Yes. Are they generally overpriced? Yes. Do any offer the "total package" of features and performance at a reasonable price? No! It all comes down the best feature set (what is most important to you the purchaser) for the money. For one person it might be the Visiontek, for another the PowerColor or HIS - to each his own. Alas the fate of being tied to AGP! Decisions, decisions...

 

[honestjohn]

Originally posted by: redrover
Although not of big interest here - does anyone know if a X1950PRO 512AGP card is capable of Video Input?

I have a Diamond version and a Diamond rep told me it's only Video Output (from the VIVO connector.)
Apparently, all three of its VIVO adapters and cables are one-way, out. DiamondMM web page specs for this card were not clear to me on this.

I got the card for its improved game video of course but it would have been nice to convert my VHS collection.

That's odd because

Diamonds website says .....

Specifications:
GPU: ATI Radeon® X1950PRO
Bus Type: PCI-Express x16
Memory Support: 256MB GDDR3
Memory Interface: 256 bit
Core Clock Speed: 575 MHz
Memory Speed: 1.38 GHz
Shader Units: 36
API Support: DirectX® 9.0 & Shader Model 3.0, OpenGL 2.0
Dual DVI (Dual Link), HDTV, D-sub Support & VIVO

and

Package Includes:
Quick Install Guide
Software: ATI CATALYST, Diamond Tools, DVD Playback
Component-out cable adapter
9-pin S-Video/composite VIVO
6-inch S-Video cable
6-inch composite cable
2 x DVI-to-VGA adapter

I doubt they would have made the same mistake twice. It's also listed as having VIVO on every site where it has been sold. This card is also being sold for more than the other X1950 Pro's AGP cards and this is likely why.

Also, if you look at the all the PCI-E Diamond X1950 pros, they are also listed as having VIVO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...950PRO&Ntk=all

Also read these user reviews. Two state it does have VIVO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Custra...82E16814103022

 

[honestjohn]

Originally posted by: Nemesis 1
Well I read that thread But didn't find the solution to the problem . I did find out what was wrong with mine tho it works great now. When I installed it . I went into CCC and I unlocked the overclocker. I didn't over clock it. I just used the key,

So I just did a reinstall after removing the the ccc frim the system left the drivers in device manager. Reinstalled CCC and the Card works great, I won't Unclock the O/C again.

That was my post Wizzard003 linked you too. I did basically the same thing as you, but my problem went from black screening/crashing on every run of 3DMark05 to crashing every two times as heat would build-up I suppose. Anyway, glad yours is working well for you. Mine is as well, as long as fan stays 85-100%. You should try ATI Tray Tools built-in 3Drenderer/artifact tester. It's a great torture test for the GPU and keeps the temp high, unlike 3Dmark which really only seems to tax the GPU on the first and second test, and possibly the last.

 

[GEOrifle]

You are saying: Go back to 7800GS ??? Now they gona rise the price on it $150>$250.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: clockerspiel
The decision with regard to which X1950 Pro AGP card to buy, ultimately rests with the feature set the purchaser desires most. The one shortcoming this particular card has is that ATI/AMD has not certified the AGP variant of the 1950 series. Check the following:

http://ati.amd.com/products/certified/graphics.html

I see no certified X1950 Pro AGP cards from any of the "Partners". This may be one of the reasons we are seeing such a high return rate for many of the offererings.

In reviewing the postings in the forums of Anandtech, HardOcp, and Toms's Hardware there do appear to be higher than normal rma or returns for just about all of the X1950 Pro AGP variants, for a wide range of issues.

Hot VRMs (less so for Visiontek and its twin sister the GeCube...I believe these cards use conventional caps)

Cheap Construction (particularly the Sapphire)

Noisy HSFs, Lack of Temperature monitoring and fan speed control (particularly Visiontek and GeCube)

"Robust" Power Supply requirements

Lack of DirectX 10 functionality

One issue that isn't discussed much in the forums is the warranty. Some offer a 1 year warranty, some "lifetime". So we see a wide range of issues that the purchaser has to filter through. I guess the ideal card would be one that has the elegant cooling solution of a PowerColor, or HIS, the build quality of a VisionTek, 512 Mb memory, the ability to monitor temperature and adjust fan speed, and a lifetime warranty, all for $200 or less.

Do these cards offer a measureable improvement over any of the other AGP card? Yes. Are they generally overpriced? Yes. Do any offer the "total package" of features and performance at a reasonable price? No! It all comes down the best feature set (what is most important to you the purchaser) for the money. For one person it might be the Visiontek, for another the PowerColor or HIS - to each his own. Alas the fate of being tied to AGP! Decisions, decisions...

i just went for the cheapest

the card along with my entire rig is upgraded in a year ... the next buyer can figure what to do with o/cing and/or cooling ... i am just keeping it stock ... the x1950pro is enough 'muscle' for another year at my resolutions.

Overpriced?

the PCIe version is priced generally less than $50 over than the AGP version ... if you want a cheaper but decent AGP card, nvidia has some good alternatives. ...
or wait

i have enjoyed my x1950p for 6 weeks now

 

[zcubed]

i agree with apoppin this card was a great buy for me. went from a bfg 7800gs(which i had overclocked to 470/1400) to this and the difference is shocking. i can now run every game on maxed out settings. btw i fixed the little call of duty 2 problem. just finished the level and it stopped artifacting. i dunno why one level specifically would artifact but it did. so other than B&W2:BOTG this card runs every game perfectly at stock settings. and for the fan settings i use ATItool 0.26. i keep the fan between 50-100% depending on temp. the card idles at 47C and goes up to 68C while gaming. the cooling solution is ****** but who cares as long as its not shutting off due to overheating. and im just waiting for the beginning of 2008 when the new gen of graphics cards and 45nm processors(with DDR3 memory compatible chipsets) become more plentiful.

 

[hellokeith]

Anyone have one of the HIS IceQ versions? I'm curious about the noise level.

 

[Paratus]

Lets get off post 666 ^ here

 

[GEOrifle]

Yes, lot of people are complaining about HIS cards, that's why NEWEGG removed it from stock (512 mb version and i guess same thing will be 215 mb vers. too).

 

[Nemesis 1]

Its very quit when you install it. I had trouble with mine when I unlocked the O/C it would crash all the time. I did a reinstall of the CCC without unlocking the O/C and it worked fine.
But would get really hot as the fan works only @ 40%. So I installed ATI tool 0.26.

I only used it to increase fan speed to 100% ,. Guess what. It would crash all the time again. So I uninstalled ATI tool. Still Crashed. Than I reinstalled CCC . Now it works great again Zero problems and the Fan is still running at 100%. Still very quit. What a hazzel tho. But all is well now. I have a factory O/C fans at 100% I am OK with this. It performs great.

 

[Stumps]

I finally recieved my Sapphire X1950 Pro 512Mb AGP today....I had a chance to run a few benchmarks on it.

I was getting worried to start with because I had a bit of a decrease in performance when benching 3dmark 2001 and 2003 compared to my overclocked 7800GS...about 5% drop in scores

but then I ran 2005 and saw a massive increase.

much better than the 7580 my 7800GS used to score

I have yet to optimise any settings so it is using all of the default settings in the 6.12 ATI Catalyst drivers.

One thing I have notice is the Overclocking tool in the Control Center...all I can say is about time ATI included a utility to do this...but then again it's been a year since I last used an ATI card in my primary rig so I'm not familiar with ATI drivers of late.

 

[Schadenfroh]

How loud is it Stumps (I ordered the same card) and is it as cheap constructed as some people have mentioned? Or do you think the build quality of the PCB will be an improvement over my XFX?

 

[Stumps]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
How loud is it Stumps (I ordered the same card) and is it as cheap constructed as some people have mentioned? Or do you think the build quality of the PCB will be an improvement over my XFX?

It's pretty quiet, much quieter than my BFG 7800GS when it's fan is full song during a game.

It doesn't look too bad, probably similar to something Gigabyte would sell, nowhere near as nice in quality as my BFG, but not horrible, I would say very gigabytish, although the Heat sink looks pretty cheap and nasty....well made but it looks so bloody cheap, it could have come polished from the factory, but it seems to be fitted correctly, plenty of thermal tape on the ram chips and a big copper spacer between the GPU and HSF unit.

It does idle a bit warmer than my 7800GS, at around 51c compared to 44c, I'm not sure about full load temps yet.

So far so good I say.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Thanks Stumps, one more question, as I am not familiar with ATI.

Doest Sapphire make all of ATI's first party boards for them?

Also, do I actually need the CCC or do the drivers have a built in bare bones 3d application settings?

 

[mismajor99]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
How long does ZZF normally take to ship an order out, status is still processing.

Same here, still says "Processing", I wonder if they ran out, as we both ordered them the same day