X800XL vs. 6800GT

[imported_Pep]

I've narrowed it down to those 2 cards for my new upgrade...I plan to do it every 2 years from now on.

Which card would be the smarter choice, with that in mind?

My current card is the RADEON 9500 PRO, a solid but aged product. The other hardware I have is a 2-year-old P4 2.4ghz running on a 533 bus motherboard. Replacing this hardware is a possibility but I would prefer to just replace the video card if I could. Still considering it though.

I have heard that the x800s don't support shader 3.0, while the 6800 does...is that true?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Great forum!

 

[Spike]

Welcome to the forums!

First off, a little searching yields huge results. Here is a link to an Anandtech article back when the X800XL came out. It does a pretty good job comparing the cards.

There are also many other users who have thought about these two. I personally own the 6800GT and LOVE it, but if I were going to get a card right now (the X800XL was not out when I got my card) I would probably get the X800XL just due to price.

If you can find a good deal and get the 6800GT for $350 or less then go for it. Otherwise the slightly lower performance of the X800XL won't really hinder you much and it will save you $100+. If you are set on spending $400 and want the best in that range then the 6800GT is your card.

Yes, the 6800GT does support the new shaders that the ATI card does not. This is a large point of contention in these forums so I will simply tell you my opinion. I can use these fetures that appear in a few games and do so because I like having that option. If I did not have that option I would really care. I would NOT make that a deciding point in getting a new card as it is still not used to it's full extent in current games. However, since you are planning on a 2+ year upgrade cycle the 6800GT might be the better card for you as it has a little more speed and these features but IMO, the money saved would be more usefull.

Also don't worry about your other hardware right now. I am running a AthlonXP 3200+ and the performance increase when I went from a 9600 pro to a 6800GT was HUGE. I will upgrade the rest later but for gaming, the vid card is the one best upgrade you can do (unless you are running a PII, then you REALLY need to spend some $ on hardware)

-spike

EDIT** Rollo made a good point below, the AGP versions of these cards are just appearing and cost $400. At that price point there is NO reason why you should not get a 6800GT as they are a little faster and have the new shaders. If the price drops down to $300 for the AGP X800XL version then my comments would make more sense.

 

[Keysplayr]

I'd like to comment, but I can't. People with think I am biased no matter what is said.
It all depends on your budget. You will be fine with both cards albeit your current CPU will starve both of these cards.

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Pep
I've narrowed it down to those 2 cards for my new upgrade...I plan to do it every 2 years from now on.

Which card would be the smarter choice, with that in mind?

My current card is the RADEON 9500 PRO, a solid but aged product. The other hardware I have is a 2-year-old P4 2.4ghz running on a 533 bus motherboard. Replacing this hardware is a possibility but I would prefer to just replace the video card if I could. Still considering it though.

I have heard that the x800s don't support shader 3.0, while the 6800 does...is that true?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Great forum!

If you replace your hardware every two years, you'd be NUTS to get an ATI card at this point in time.

No one can predict the future, but we've already seen HDR for nV40 only, soft stencil shadows for nV40 only, and SM3 for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for nV40 only.

The X800XL only supports SM2, I personally wouldn't want to spend two years wishing I had the nV40/R520 features if I were you.

<waits for inevitable response "SM2 will be plenty good for the next two years, developers like those 2003 MS standards!>

<Pulls up chair, pours drink, puts marshmallow on stick>

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: Rollo

Originally posted by: Pep
I've narrowed it down to those 2 cards for my new upgrade...I plan to do it every 2 years from now on.

Which card would be the smarter choice, with that in mind?

My current card is the RADEON 9500 PRO, a solid but aged product. The other hardware I have is a 2-year-old P4 2.4ghz running on a 533 bus motherboard. Replacing this hardware is a possibility but I would prefer to just replace the video card if I could. Still considering it though.

I have heard that the x800s don't support shader 3.0, while the 6800 does...is that true?

Thanks in advance for any advice. Great forum!

If you replace your hardware every two years, you'd be NUTS to get an ATI card at this point in time.

No one can predict the future, but we've already seen HDR for nV40 only, soft stencil shadows for nV40 only, and SM3 for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory for nV40 only.

The X800XL only supports SM2, I personally wouldn't want to spend two years wishing I had the nV40/R520 features if I were you.

<waits for inevitable response "SM2 will be plenty good for the next two years, developers like those 2003 MS standards!>

<Pulls up chair, pours drink, puts marshmallow on stick>

burn fanboy BURN! :evil:

 

[MegaWorks]

Get the X800 XL, save some cash.

 

[nRollo]

BTW- are there even AGP X800XLs to be had- I saw one on newegg for $400(!).

Malladine- I stand by my advice. If he said he upgrades every year, I'd say, "What's more important to you? Saving $70 or getting to see the new effects in games/possible faster performance in a few upcoming games".

He said two years- SM3 will have been the standard for almost three years at that point and I think it's safe to say there will be a fair amount of games out that use the nV40 feature set within that time. ATI will have these features as well this year, so for developers to use them will not be a consideration.

 

[Keysplayr]

:::: Puts on asbestos shielding::::

Yes, the 6800GT offers more features than the X800XL. Full SM3.0 compliance. Stencil Shadowing for games like Doom3 and any other game using that engine. HDR support.
I just didn't feel like repeating all this for the quadrillionth time and fight off the ATI kindred. Rollo said it all pretty much.

:::: opens package of Ball Park franks and impales one with stick::::

Somebody pass the mustard please...

 

[Dug]

If and when SM 3.0 comes around to where it will enhance my gaming experience significantly then I'll switch video cards.
Right now I got the x800xl cheap and it works extremely well.
Lower power, noise, heat, and size is why I bought it over the 6800.
I just can't buy for the future, it never pans out and I end up getting new hardware anyway.

 

[SilverTrine]

If you replace your hardware every two years, you'd be NUTS to get an ATI card at this point in time.

Dont listen to poor old Rollo look at his profile picture he's old and he gets confused sometimes. He's a troll you see and happily ignores things like the Far Cry developers saying theres nothing that can be done on Sm3 that cant be done on Sm2, he ignores Dave Baumann of Beyond3d who says the exact same thing.
Is it better to have a checkbox feature like Sm3 instead of Sm2? Sure I guess it is, it could well mean 2-3fps down the road, I suppose its up to the individual to decide what thats worth to them, is it worth $100? I dont think anyone with any sense would conclude that!

 

[MegaWorks]

Originally posted by: SilverTrine

If you replace your hardware every two years, you'd be NUTS to get an ATI card at this point in time.

Dont listen to poor old Rollo look at his profile picture he's old and he gets confused sometimes. He's a troll you see and happily ignores things like the Far Cry developers saying theres nothing that can be done on Sm3 that cant be done on Sm2, he ignores Dave Baumann of Beyond3d who says the exact same thing.
Is it better to have a checkbox feature like Sm3 instead of Sm2? Sure I guess it is, it could well mean 2-3fps down the road, I suppose its up to the individual to decide what thats worth to them, is it worth $100? I dont think anyone with any sense would conclude that!

How many times do I need to say it, he works for Nvidia.

Rollo: "Buy Nvidia, increase profit, Good for my Job"

 

[imported_Pep]

Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

 

[Spike]

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

If there is no price difference than the 6800GT is the better choice hands-down.

-spike

 

[Yossairian]

If you are going to keep your AGP setup, 6800GT. If you are going to upgrade to a PCI-express mobo, get the ATI.

 

[nitromullet]

For AGP, the 6800GT is the best price/performance bet between these two. For PCIe, the situation is reversed. Just make sure that you know what you are buying.

 

[Woody419]

If you get the X800XL, you should consider taking the "saved" $100 and put it into another 512 of ram if you don't have a gig already. This you can do right now while you wait for the agp card to arrive.

 

[Creig]

The $400 card Rollo is referring to is the All-In-Wonder version of the AGP X800XL (VIVO + TV tuner), hence the extra cost. I haven't spotted a regular AGP version X800XL yet but they can't be too far behind. The PCI-E X800XL can be had for $270-$280 so I would expect the AGP version to hit near that price level.

Either card will do nicely with today's games. It mostly comes down to price.

 

[SilverTrine]

If there is no price difference than the 6800GT is the better choice hands-down.

Well the x800xl does have some pluses over the 6800GT, if you have say a 335-350w powesupply you dont have to worry about upgrading it. The x800xl is quieter than the 6800GT. The x800xl also doesnt require a plug into the powersupply in PCIE and draws straight from the board. And finally theres the matter of the broken video processor in the 6800GT.
I dont think its as cut and dry as you're trying to make it, there are things to consider.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

Psst, click me!

$400CDN is about the correct price with GST/PST.

 

[Cheesetogo]

Originally posted by: MegaWorks

Originally posted by: SilverTrine

If you replace your hardware every two years, you'd be NUTS to get an ATI card at this point in time.

Dont listen to poor old Rollo look at his profile picture he's old and he gets confused sometimes. He's a troll you see and happily ignores things like the Far Cry developers saying theres nothing that can be done on Sm3 that cant be done on Sm2, he ignores Dave Baumann of Beyond3d who says the exact same thing.
Is it better to have a checkbox feature like Sm3 instead of Sm2? Sure I guess it is, it could well mean 2-3fps down the road, I suppose its up to the individual to decide what thats worth to them, is it worth $100? I dont think anyone with any sense would conclude that!

How many times do I need to say it, he works for Nvidia.

Rollo: "Buy Nvidia, increase profit, Good for my Job"

Really? Why was he using an x800xtpe then, that traitor?

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

Psst, click me!

$400CDN is about the correct price with GST/PST.

Why are linking to a PCIe card when he has an AGP motherboard?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

Psst, click me!

$400CDN is about the correct price with GST/PST.

Why are linking to a PCIe card when he has an AGP motherboard?

Because it's the only one available.

 

[MegaWorks]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

Psst, click me!

$400CDN is about the correct price with GST/PST.

Why are linking to a PCIe card when he has an AGP motherboard?

Because it's the only one available.

My friend got this one yesterday, good deal.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: MegaWorks

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Pep
Heh. Ok guys, I don't know any of you so I won't get into the flame wars.

Pricewise, here in Canada I'm looking at roughly 4-500 dollars CDN for either of these cards. There isn't a big price difference between the two that I can see.

It sounds like the 6800GT is the better choice so far. Thanks.

Psst, click me!

$400CDN is about the correct price with GST/PST.

Why are linking to a PCIe card when he has an AGP motherboard?

Because it's the only one available.

My friend got this one yesterday, good deal.

Ya, it's the only Canadian website that has it in stock and the only one I've seen where it's not 500 freakin $s. I'm still 1.5 months away from getting one though(possibly), so I'm sure by then they'll be more readily available.

 

[Genx87]

If you can get the ATi card for 100 bucks less then get it. If they are both within a stones throw of each other then get the 6800GT.