8800GTS or X1950XTX, what to get?

[DD_Jay_AZ]

On NewEgg, you can get either an nVidia 8800GTS or a Radeon X1950XTX for ~$400 right now.

I'm looking at getting a new video card and am a little torn between the 2.
I'm returning my current X1950 Pro card back to NewEgg cause they screwed up my order and the fan is broken anyways. I'll be back to using my X850XT 256MB then.

I've generally used ATI cards since my Rage Fury days on AGP 4x.

I can't find any good review articles (in english) directly pitting the two against each other, which seems like a no brainer since they occupy the same price slot.

As for what's my concerns.
nVidia side:
DX10 ready, no upgrade needed for longer.
More memory. (Although on my 19" CRT I doubt I'll be going above 1280x1024)
Newer generation chip.
Drivers still early versions.
Requires nForce chipset to use dual-GPU.

ATI side:
DX9 only, but does it very well. (Fast AND Pretty)
Enough memory for my needs.
A little older, but more stable and mature chip.
Drivers more mature now and pretty stable as of 6.12.
VPU recover has saved me a few times and I like it.
R600 is comming soon and am intrested in seeing how it performs.

I'm also thinking about some other system upgrades, which is where my dilemma comes in.

I currently have a solid s939 nForce 4 SLI mobo.
I'm thinking about just tossing an X2 4800+ 1MB L2 cache chip in there and keeping it alive for another year. If I do this, I'd probably go for the nVidia card so I could do SLI in the future.

I'm also thinking about getting a C2D based system using the RD600 chipset, probably the DFI ICFX3200 when it comes out fully, which is an ATI board, obviously, meaning I'd need the 1950XTX to open up the possibility of dual-GPU. This also opens the doors for the new Intel SKU's comming later in '07 and the R600. I like the idea of this, but I could also potentially just do a full new system next year after the summer SKU prices stabilize more.

I don't need tech info on the parts and I really wouldn't care to hear a fanboy flame war, just looking for some opinions on what would be the better choice for the next year. MY upgrade cycles are usually around years end, so I probably wouldn't do another larger upgrade until then.

I'm open for a smaller summer upgrade when new SKU's come out that'll last me for the next 1.5 years though.

Oh, as for power supply, I already have an OCZ GameXStream 600w sitting on my desk, so that's a non-issue.

 

[gbudsefm]

They are both excellent cards, just get one which you have more experience with and know how the card is going to perform, in your case: ATI.

But you really picked a bad time to upgrade, with all these dX10 cards coming out in the near future, those 2 cards you listed will be quite cheap when more and more come to the market. And you say you play at 1280x1024 resolution, you don't really NEED one of those 400 dollar cards to get excellent performance. If i were you i would get something such as a 1950xt or a 7900gt and use the money you saved to later buy one of top of the line cards that are going to be released these coming months, along with a bigger monitor so you can fully enjoy it .

 

[pauldh]

For the same money, the 8800GTS is the better buy. It beats the X1950XTX in almost everything. IMO, the X1950XTX is just not worth $400. ATI's hot cards are the X1900XT 256MB and X1950XT 256MB in the $200-250 price range. But going above that in price right now points to the GF8800's.

Check this G80 review and you'll see 8800GTS>X1950XTX:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_8800_preview/page11.asp

If you want ATI, save a bundle of cash and get this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

 

[the_stiffmeister]

8800 GTS is gotta be the best choice due to DX10, you'd be throwing money away on the other.

 

[djplanet]

In your case, I wouldn't let early drivers and SLI+nForce exclusivity throw me. By the time you need the power of an SLI setup, the 680i mobos should be much cheaper, and I'm confident 8800 drivers will soon mature within the next couple months. Getting the X1950XTX just limits you too much.

 

[snowysnowcones]

Get something cheap like a X1900GT, wait until R600 comes out (or wait until mid-range DX10 comes out from both) and see how they perform, then upgrade from that...
...But that's just what I'd do..

If you need a graphics card now, go for the 8800GTS!

 

[spume]

I have the x1900gt and it works very well, you can get one on newegg for ~140 USD. That is dirt cheap for a card that good. You can then wait until more DX10 cards start coming out and make a choice then. But in no way shape or form would I shell out upwards of 400$ on a dx9 card. I'm saying that and I love ATI.

 

[MafiaAce]

The X1950XTX is barely any faster than the traditional X1900XT. The slightly faster memory actually only accounts for a 2-4% difference roughly in games and apps, hence, even the most dedicated user will not tell the difference. Since you can pick up an X1900Xt for $215 on newegg, paying an extra $185 for 3% performance is ridiculous. If you want ati buy the X1900XT, not the X1950XTX. However the 8800GTS is much faster, and therefore worth the price increase. Against both those cards, the 8800 will tear them apart.

The x1950xt ati cards belongs to a group of cards which I have coined the term"BS cards". That is, monthly updates with such small performance increases that their price premium makes them a frivolous purchase. Unlike real updates, ie: the X1800 to X1900, an extra 36 pixel shaders make a difference in the real world. If you really want to spend 400, go for the 8800, but if you'd rather get the best bang for your buck and upgrade later, grab an x1900xt.

Regardless, now is a horrible time to upgrade, ATi's new card should come out within a month- Once this happens, as long as performance is equal or better to th 8800gtx, we will see price drops bringing the highest end cards to around 400-500, while the lower "gts" type cards should be in the 300 range. (Just estimates based on past card price tendencies)

BTW, here's the x1900xt I was talking about-$215 Plus a $15 mail in rebate so $200 if you count that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142085&ATT=14-142-085&CMP=OTC-pr1c3watch
Its definitely way better than its disabled GT brethren, you might as well spend another $60 for a significantly better card.

 

[DD_Jay_AZ]

Hmm, alot of intresting ideas.

It seems the general concesus is to hold off on the more expensive cards for now, which I'm inclined to go with. Waiting for the G8x parts and R600+ parts to mature and get refreshes, would provide a clear view as to who has the best offering.

It seems like the best bet, for the time being and the money, would be to toss in a X2 4800+ (1mb L2 cache) and either a X1950 Pro again or a 7950GT, both occupy the 200-240 USD price range.

I really liked my HIS IceQ card, even if it was a bunked one. It was much quieter then my X850XT and the default overclock was nice.

Being that I have a nForce chipset now, if I went with the 7950GT now I could add another one come summer-time if I need the extra horsepower then.

As for DX10, the only games I know that will supporting it, thus far, are Crysis and Gears of War for PC (It will be comming, that's the rumor). I'm not very interested in Crysis, Gears of War I'd play if they had Co-op mode via internet using direct IP or something. I wouldn't expect a large amount of DX10 games until summer, or even Christams 2007. I definately want to get a dual core CPU sooner rather then later with two games I do play going to start utilizing them; HL2 based games and Supreme Commander.

So I guess I'm looking at doing a milder CPU upgrade now with a decent video upgrade and just waiting until next year to do a bigger jump.

I'm not familiar with the GeForce distro's, can anyone recommend a solid card manufacturer? I'm currently looking at a 7950GT series.

I've heard that XFX makes some solid cards in general. Any of them come with a factory overclock? Quieter cooling fan?

 

[Assman]

go for 8800GTS, it's a great card

 

[CompuTronix]

My previous rig was an Opteron 170, OC'd to 3.0Ghz, $188.99 at NewEgg. The X1900XT 256 will serve you well at 1280 or less. Mine is OC'd to 700/1700 using ATI Tool, which can also create Temp/RPM tables for quieter fan operations. Also remember the 19xx series dual slot rear exaust keeps your case cool, while nVidia's 79xx series just recirculate hot air, less than ideal for an OC'd CPU. The 8800 series also uses dual slot rear exaust. 8)

 

[dmantech]

Wait for the R600.

 

[CompuTronix]

Wait for the R600.

That's my strategy as well. 8)

 

[mrbuzz]

Hi DD JAY AZ

Yes XFX have just come into the market with an over clocked 8800gts and gtx. They are called the xXx editions. Check out their website. I know the GTX has been uped from 550mhz to 630. I have one on order.

I have been having the same issue as you. Go for ATI or Nvidia? In the end I decided on Nvidia as its direct x10 ready. I was already set to buy an MSI 8800GTX when I found out that XFX were coming out with an xXx over clock.

Hope that helps.

 

[PCAnalyst]

As for DX10, the only games I know that will supporting it, thus far, are Crysis and Gears of War for PC (It will be comming, that's the rumor). I'm not very interested in Crysis, Gears of War I'd play if they had Co-op mode via internet using direct IP or something. I wouldn't expect a large amount of DX10 games until summer, or even Christams 2007. I definately want to get a dual core CPU sooner rather then later with two games I do play going to start utilizing them; HL2 based games and Supreme Commander.

Confirmed DX10 Games w/ pretty screenshots

 

[MafiaAce]

Please, do NOT waste your money on a GeForce 7950GT or X1950 Pro. The Ati X1900XT I posted earlier outperforms both of these cards at a reasonable margin, and is well within their price range at $215.

I am simply trying to help you out, as personally I have no preference in brand or name, I always choose the card for its features and of course benchmarked performance.

 

[DD_Jay_AZ]

I do see that the X1900XT 256MB card does do a better job, not much selection left for them though, just 1 on NewEgg that is new, not open box or the such.

Downside is, if I go this route, my chances of getting a X1900 Corssfire master card are pretty slim is not impossible, especially 6 months down the road. I'd also need a new mobo in six-months to do Crossfire.. unless someone knows of some quality hacked drivers to allow crossfire on nVidia chipsets.

My reason for getting either a 8800GTS or X1950XTX would be that such a card would have the power to hold me over until next year when I'd think about upgrading again.. or just adding another card. If I go with a ~$200-$240 card now, I'd probably want to add one in 6 months when some of the newer games do start trickling out.

Are there any equivelent price/performance parts from nVidia that would work?

 

[Heyyou27]

The 8800GTS would be a much better choice than the X1950XTX.

 

[Parge]

Please, do NOT waste your money on a GeForce 7950GT or X1950 Pro. The Ati X1900XT I posted earlier outperforms both of these cards at a reasonable margin, and is well within their price range at $215.

I am simply trying to help you out, as personally I have no preference in brand or name, I always choose the card for its features and of course benchmarked performance.

listen to this man

 

[kaotao]

For the same money, the 8800GTS is the better buy. It beats the X1950XTX in almost everything. IMO, the X1950XTX is just not worth $400. ATI's hot cards are the X1900XT 256MB and X1950XT 256MB in the $200-250 price range. But going above that in price right now points to the GF8800's.

Check this G80 review and you'll see 8800GTS>X1950XTX:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/nvidia_geforce_8800_preview/page11.asp

If you want ATI, save a bundle of cash and get this card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102067

I totally agree.

 

[cleeve]

The 8800 GTS will beat an X1950 XT pretty much everytime.

 

[Bloated]

the 8800 GTS is better.

p.s. I'd reccomend you wait for R600 to arrive and see what happens I predict a price drop and a new high end model from Nvidia within days of R600's launch.

compare what's available then and decide.

 

[MafiaAce]

Yes, if you are going to spend the $400 then go for the 8800GTS.
However the R600 should come out... very soon, so I'd wait for that, as it will give you both more options and better overall value as all card prices will then start to come down.