Between these 2 cards for a new system...

[fructinhit]

The last time I built a new system was in 1998, so I think it's time to try it again. I'm putting together a computer from scratch, and at the moment, what video card to go with is eluding me. I am on a budget, and I am not a gamer. Still, I want a decent card. I am deciding between an EVGA 256-P2-N624-AR GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 KO Video Card and a SAPPHIRE 100189L Radeon X1900GT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO Video Card. Sorry to give the super long names, but I guess it comes down between a 7900GS card and a X1900GT card. They cost around $145 and $136 respectively, so the price difference between the two doesn't matter to me. But which is the best one between the two? Thank you!

 

[minty]

Well Im a n00b at this... but in the meantime...
I can tell you in the VGA charts in the main site, the X1900GT beats the 7900GS by a bit on at least 3 games I tested...
For instance

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=740&model2=722&chart=294

 

[dortmund371]

get the radeon even though i hate them. it out performs the 7900gs according to toms hardware which has pretty invalid data

 

[dortmund371]

for the geforce get xfx not evga check otu xfx website to learn about their lifetime warranty that covers modding/overclocking

 

[lostandwandering]

None of the above. Get an X1950 pro. It outperforms both cards (again depending on the game) and costs the same.

X1950pro's

@ dortmund: overclocking does not void eVGA's warranty either as long as there is no physical damage to the card, i.e. burn marks. It only depends on who is cheaper.

 

[Gary_Busey]

None of the above. Get an X1950 pro. It outperforms both cards (again depending on the game) and costs the same.

X1950pro's

I agree, one of the best midrange card's on the market, if not the best.

 

[jay2tall]

I third the x1950Pro. It IS the best midrange card on the market... even though ATI apparently is on my $hit list right now for their attempt to beat the 8800's... Grumble Grumble...

Yeah the x1950pro is the way to go, it outperforms the rests in the class you are looking at. If you can get an x1950XT that would be even WAY better than the Pro.

Sapphire makes an awesome card : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102061

here is the XT for a little more:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

 

[fructinhit]

Thank you for all your help everyone. As I said, I'm not a gamer, but my display is a samsung 204B, so I'm running 1600x1200 resolution, and my current card is struggling with it (whole system is struggling, hence reason for new build). Does it truly matter with the motherboard I get, what chipset it has in relation to the video card? I read an article on THG that I think was basically saying it doesn't make much of a performance difference if you have an ATI card with a motherboard that has an NVIDIA chipset, but is that really true, or make sure to match? Thank you!

 

[lostandwandering]

Nope, matching chipsets hardly matter. An ATi card will run just fine on a NV board and a NV card will run on an ATi board.

 

[Anoobis]

Since you're not a gamer, any of the cards mentioned here would work for you. Get the cheapest one.

You should also consider an X1650XT or 7600GT to save even more money to put towards the rest of the system for say a higher quality PSU, or more RAM.

Here's a sweet deal on a H.I.S. X1650XT.

Ditto for this EVGA 7600GT.

 

[lostandwandering]

Yeah, I always forget about mid-range with so many gamers at the forum. The X1650 would be the better of the two, though for the money the 1950 can't be beat.

 

[Dahak]

Try out the X1900gt,and if it's not to your liking then return it for the 7900GS.And although the X1900 does outperform the 7900GS,it does so only marginally.In fact with some games the 7900 outperforms the X1900.So really,it's all about preference.Yours.Goodluck.

Dahak

AMD X2-4400+@2.6 TOLEDO
EVGA NF4 SLI MB
2X EVGA 7950GT KO IN SLI
4X 512MB CRUCIAL BALLISTIX DDR500
WD300GIG HD/SAMSUNG 250GIG HD
ACER 22IN WIDESCREEN LCD 1600X1200
THERMALTAKE TOUGHPOWER 850WATT PSU
COOLERMASTER MINI R120
3DMARK05 13,471