X1900XTX is a performance beast, but when these new G71 cards came out, the 7900GTX wins almost all benchmarks except in some games such as F.E.A.R
Where are you guys coming up with these conclusions? 7900GTX wins almost all benchmarks? Such as? OGL? 1024x768 or high res? How about with eye candy turned on?
On this caliber of card, it's the high res benchies with max details and eye candy that matter most. From what I have seen, the X1900XTX surely wins more than it loses at such settings.
Anandtech: BF2, Fear, SPCT goes to the X1900XTX, Quake goes to 7900GTX.
Look at Tom's review. Fear at 16x12 with softshadows, the XTX destroys the GTX 61 fps vs. 38 fps.
http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/03/09/ati_and_nvidias_same_day_mega_launch_mayhem/page14.html Disable soft shadows and use FSA and the XTX still easily wins.
The look at an NV strong point like Doom 3. At max playable settings tested of 16x12 4x/16x, the 7900GTX gets 74.8 while the XTX is just 3 fps down scoring 71.6.
Overall at Toms review: go with the 1600x1200 max eye candy charts, and the XTX wins Farcry by 10fps, the GTX wins Doom 3 by 3 fps, the GTX easily wins Lost Coast, the XTX wins B&W 2, and the XTX easily wins fear. That's 3 to 2 in favor of the XTX.
Just where is the 7900GTX easily beating the X1900XTX in max playable settings, or does the 1024x768 no FSAA tests crown the winner?
Honestly, I'd have to add they are both so very good and have theri share of wins. I just can in no way agree with claims like yours that the 7900GTX wins almost all benchies. I'd say overall if one card edges out the other, it's the X1900XTX that comes out on top.