x1950PRO 256 vs x1950PRO 512 vs 7950GT 512

[imported_Finny]

Alright, so first off, let me get the note that I can't go above the above mentioned cards because I'm using a micro-ATX board, and need both PCI slots open, so dual-slot cooling is outta the question (If only the PCI-E 1x was in front of the 16x, not behind!)

So, after reading most messages on the board, I thought the X1950PRO was the sure-fire hit, handily beating most in its class... At least, that was what I was lead to believe (In retrospect, I may have been confusing it with the ATI high-end in general). After looking at online reviews of the videocards, it seems that I misunderstood, as the 7950GT seems to handily beat the X1950PRO in most respects, with ~3-5 frame difference.

In that regard, the only thing separating the 7950GT & the X1950PRO is the price, ~$180 for the X1950 vs $250 for the 7950GT... At least, at normal pricing. I have a friend who might be able to get a nice deal on a 7950GT, so I'll assume a nice percentage off of the price if it works out.

At this point, however, I'll still be missing out on AA+HDR in future games if I went with the 7950 or what might become a noticable amount of framerate if I shoot for the X1950. Now, I wouldn't mind this, if it weren't for it being saddled with only 256 memory.

I know that people around here keep talking about how little 256 matters at lower resolutions (I play at 1440x900), but after seeing some performance reviews (Noticably, TechSpot's performance review of Company of Heroes), I noticed how there was such a massive drop-off between the X1900XT & the X1900GT, and I'm assuming the X1900PRO is somewhere between there. I've already got problems running the game with the highest detail textures (Theres a huge increases in performance on my rig if I turn the texture detail from 'ultra' to 'high'; I'm running on an X850XT BTW)

Luckily, there's a solution: The X1950PRO 512 edition, but it's even more expensive than the 7950GT's normal price, ~$260 (Not much difference, mind you). Keep in mind that I'll probably be using the card for 2-3 years. So, at this point, it's a tossup for me:

-Go for the X1950PRO 256, which is pretty cheap to begin with, but might not be as future proof as I'd like,

-Shoot for the X1950PRO 512, which is the most expensive option, but gives me AA+HDR in games, and will keep the video RAM from being something that holds me back

-Go green and get a 7950GT 512, especially since I might be able to get it cheaper than normal, but give up AA+HDR in newer games.

My only other thought is this: When the newer games arrive, will the X1950PRO even be powerful enough to play games with HDR+AA? (Theoretically speaking, of course) Also, I'm not getting any of these cards right now, but maybe within a month or two, I might be able to afford one.

So, regarding all this crap, any thoughts?

 

[BlacKJesu5]

how long do you plan on using the card

 

[imported_Finny]

Originally posted by: Finny
Keep in mind that I'll probably be using the card for 2-3 years.

I do admit, however, that there was a lot to read through to see that.

Actually, now that I think about it, it might not even be that long, but that's what I'd hope to get out of the card...

 

[evolucion8]

Definitively the X1950PRO, in shader intensive games, in this shader era, the X1950PRO would take off the performance over the 7950GT. For some reason the extra amount of RAM in this card do very little difference in performance, at least for now, but may be in the future the history is different, so I suggest the X1950PRO 512 if you mind RAM, but if you want better performance, you should go to the X1900XT 256 which is faster and there's some deals at 240 to 260 bucks for it, but is dual slot cooling. So you are out of luck for this card.

 

[Goi]

Well, you could get an aftermarket cooler, but then it'll cost more, and most are huge anyway. Anyway, I vote for the X1950Pro 256MB, unless you can get the 7950GT for about the same price. I wasn't aware the 7950Pro was faster though.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: evolucion8
Definitively the X1950PRO, in shader intensive games, in this shader era, the X1950PRO would take off the performance over the 7950GT. For some reason the extra amount of RAM in this card do very little difference in performance, at least for now, but may be in the future the history is different, so I suggest the X1950PRO 512 if you mind RAM, but if you want better performance, you should go to the X1900XT 256 which is faster and there's some deals at 240 to 260 bucks for it, but is dual slot cooling. So you are out of luck for this card.

QFT.

Theres a X1900XT 256mb going for 199 AR in newegg.

 

[imported_Finny]

-I can't go with the X1900XT b/c it has a dual-slot cooler, and I don't know of any aftermarket cooler that only takes up 1 slot (The VF900 or whatever it's called seems to possibly be single-slot, but I've heard that it isn't always reliable with the X1900XT). Otherwise, I'd be all over it.

-At first, I thought the X1950PRO was faster too, but according to a lot of sites I've gone to, the 7950GT beats it by at least a few frames (I'll look around to get specific scores), and it only lacks AA+HDR, which is my only real gripe.

-As for the RAM issue, I know that at 1440x900, it shouldn't make that much of a difference, but I think I've already seen signs that there may be a possible video memory issue at 256 (I.E. as I mentioned above, theres a pretty significant dropoff when I set textures to "ultra" in Company of Heroes), and I also would like to make sure it doesn't become a problem anytime soon (Newer games will probably make better use of the extra RAM).

 

[40sTheme]

Once again I'll have to say the 7950GT, mostly because of overclocking ability and the already higher performance in every game over the X1950Pro. Also, HDR+AA doesn't need to be done at 1280x960 in Oblivion, at least not for me.

 

[rickn]

Originally posted by: Finny
-I can't go with the X1900XT b/c it has a dual-slot cooler, and I don't know of any aftermarket cooler that only takes up 1 slot (The VF900 or whatever it's called seems to possibly be single-slot, but I've heard that it isn't always reliable with the X1900XT). Otherwise, I'd be all over it.

-At first, I thought the X1950PRO was faster too, but according to a lot of sites I've gone to, the 7950GT beats it by at least a few frames (I'll look around to get specific scores), and it only lacks AA+HDR, which is my only real gripe.

-As for the RAM issue, I know that at 1440x900, it shouldn't make that much of a difference, but I think I've already seen signs that there may be a possible video memory issue at 256 (I.E. as I mentioned above, theres a pretty significant dropoff when I set textures to "ultra" in Company of Heroes), and I also would like to make sure it doesn't become a problem anytime soon (Newer games will probably make better use of the extra RAM).

X1950xt would be the top choice, but it is also dual slot. My 2nd choice would be the X1950pro 512mb. You will appreciate those extra shader proc pipelines in the very near future. The 256mb isn't really problem on the x1950xt, mine at 1680x1050 keeps up with 512mb cards in Company of Heroes, even beating the 7950gt 512mb

 

[imported_Finny]

Well, if the 256MB is working fine for you in CoH, then I guess it's just that my video card simply can't handle the higher res textures in general in 'ultra' textures. At least now I feel a little better about the idea of sticking with 256MB...

Well then, it pretty much depends on what kind of a deal I can get on a 7950GT, and if it really warrants getting it over an X1950PRO (Hey, maybe I can get it for a deal, then trade it for an X1950PRO? )

 

[dguy6789]

Not to burst the bubble, but if you want to keep the card in use for that long, you may want to spend the extra bit for the extra memory.