7900 GTO vs X1950Pro

[GSTe]

Can't decide which of these cards to buy. GTO isn't on the THG VGA charts so I've had to look at the 7900GTX which does have better performance than the ATI. I know a GTO is a GTX with slower memory (1320MHz as opposed to 1600 MHz). Will this difference in memory speed make that much difference? Thanks

 

[miahallen]

Small difference, but most people have very good results OCing the 7900GTO, do you plan to OC?

 

[pauldh]

If priced the about the same, the 7900GTO is the faster card. 7900GTO's are hard to find from what I have seen, and if you find one, you can buy a faster X1950XT for less money.

reviews:
X1950 proloses to 7900GTO)
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_radeon_x1950_pro/page6.asp

7900GTO(loses to X1900XT)
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/evga_e-geforce_7900_gto/page5.asp

X1950XT(beats X1900XT)
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/HIS_X1950XT_IceQ3/index.htm

 

[pauldh]

most people have very good results OCing the 7900GTO

True, but GTX speeds are definately far from guaranteed as the GTO is based off the old troubled 7900GTX's not the new reloaded (fixed ones).

 

[GSTe]

X1950XT(beats X1900XT)
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/HIS_X1950XT_IceQ3/index.htm

Is this a reliable article, because I'm sure these cards have 3 times the pipelines listed in the spec table......

 

[GSTe]

Small difference, but most people have very good results OCing the 7900GTO, do you plan to OC?

No.

 

[pauldh]

X1950XT(beats X1900XT)
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/HIS_X1950XT_IceQ3/index.htm

Is this a reliable article, because I'm sure these cards have 3 times the pipelines listed in the spec table......
It gets confusing now on just what is a pipeline. The X19xx series feature a 3:1 ALU to texture unit ratio so the X1950XT is 16 pixel pipelines but 48 pixel shaders. The Pro is 12 pipelines but 36 pixel shaders. So ATI's marketing will say they have 36 or 48 shader processors, which should not be confused with pixel pipelines. But at the same time, in comparisons you can't just look at the X19xx's as 12 or 16 pipe cards like in the old days.

 

[pauldh]

If you aren't OC'ing the 7900GTO, why do you want it? Did you find a good price? Is it new or used?

Keep in mind in most games a $200 X1900XT 256MB beats it. And for a bit more, the X1950XT is like that card but with 350MHz higher DDR speeds. Nothing wrong with the 7900GTO, it just needs to be priced under $200 or it's outclassed for the money.

 

[GSTe]

X1950XT(beats X1900XT)
http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/VGA/HIS_X1950XT_IceQ3/index.htm

Is this a reliable article, because I'm sure these cards have 3 times the pipelines listed in the spec table......
It gets confusing now on just what is a pipeline. The X19xx series feature a 3:1 ALU to texture unit ratio so the X1950XT is 16 pixel pipelines but 48 pixel shaders. The Pro is 12 pipelines but 36 pixel shaders. So ATI's marketing will say they have 36 or 48 shader processors, which should not be confused with pixel pipelines. But at the same time, in comparisons you can't just look at the X19xx's as 12 or 16 pipe cards like in the old days.

No, you're right, just read about this elsewhere. Well, my dilemma is this really(without trying to duplicate a thread I started earlier ).....

I was going to buy an 8800 GTX, but cancelled my order to wait for R600. Spending that kind of money I want to be sure I have the best available, so some DX10 benchmarks will come in handy, as there should be a few DX10 games out in March.

I just need a card to last until then (so 3 months max) that will allow me to play games at high settings at 1280 x 1024. Obviously the cheaper the better, and I've narrowed the choice to:

512MB MSI 7900 GTO £163;
256MB Sapphire X1950Pro £127;
256MB Sapphire X1950XT £165.

The X1950Pro seems best value, but I also have to consider the prospects for resale, and here in the UK on EBay there isn't one X1950Pro for sale (although I suppose they are quite new aren't they?). Getting the X1950Pro would allow me to minimise potential losses, but the GTO might sell best to the uninitiated who think that 512MB makes it the best..... what do you think?

 

[pauldh]

I think the X1950 pro or X1950XT is the way to go based on those prices. Actually, given your timeframe, the cheaper X1950 pro looks better. You may not find X1950 pro's for sale used as it's a fairly new card and ATI's next gen has not come out yet. NV fanbois(using the term lightly meaning those who prefer NV) already got their next great option and many have upgraded. Those wanting to stay with ATI will stick with their current cards until R600, then you may see X19xx's for sale used. Either way, I can't imagine a slower card for the same money could possibly be the better deal, so at those prices, I'd go with one of the radeons. Honestly, apart from overclockers hoping to get a good one or people who must have an NVidia card, I have not liked the 7900GTO because there has always been a better performing card for less or equal money. You show it is still the case as X1950XT > 7900GTO and will easily trade blows with a full 7900GTX.

 

[dos1986]

If its only for a short term fix till the R600 comes out I would get the XFX 7900GS for £104 I bought this exact card 3 weeks ago and got it to 600/730 which is insane performance for the price it will outperform the x1950pro and even the 7900gto at those speeds


http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=4CGW&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&NavigationKey=11137,43990000,13,397370000&InMerch=1 XFX 7900GS £104

 

[pauldh]

I don't know UK pricing, but by comparison to his prices that's a nice card for the money. Not as good as the X1950 pro if he doesn't plan on OC'in, but still great performing card.

 

[dos1986]

7900GS £104 $205

X1950Pro £127 $250

7900 GTO £163 $322

X1950XT £165 $326

I would go with 7900GS myself at those prices especially if he is going to upgrade to R600 in a few months

 

[pauldh]

Yup, or the £119 Sapphire X1950 pro on that dab's site you linked.

 

[GSTe]

I don't want to OC the card, and in the benches I've seen the X1950Pro absolutely nails a standard 7900GS..... 10 to almost 50% better in some games. Plus I have to buy from Scan for various reasons and the cheapest 7900GS they have in stock (also requisite) is £114. I'd rather pay the £13 for the extra performance. Thanks for the advice though