x1950GT 512mb or x1950PRO 256mb

[tet91]

Hi

Ive had a look around and haven't been able to decide which one of these cards to get because on the main site on the VGA charts there is no comparison so i am looking for people who have had either of these cards to give me some advice please

Will there be a big difference in performance between 512mb and 256mb of RAM on the card?

And is the PRO a big improvement over the GT?

Cheers Tet

 

[erocker]

What resolution do you use for your monitor. The x1950pro is a better card than the GT, plus it uses faster memory. If you are gaming above 1280x1024 or 1680x1050(widescreen) the extra 256mb of memory will help. Otherwise in most cases the more memory will slow performance with higher latencies.

 

[tet91]

Hi erocker cheers for the reply

I use 1024x768 resolution on my monitor, its a 19" CRT.

So you would recommend the x1950PRO?

 

[rammedstein]

i'd go for the x1950pro, much better choice.

 

[neblogai]

...
I use 1024x768 resolution on my monitor, its a 19" CRT.
...

Well, for this resolution 256mb card really is the better option, just I'm not sure x1950pro is worth the investment. At least in UK, its still 100 pounds, while 8600gt is 80. I'm not saying 8600gt is better, it is actually some 30% slower, but it overclocks like crazy, and also has DX10 - I would really hate to limit myself to DX9 when DX10 titles (DX10 visuals) are comming out.

 

[The_Abyss]

...
I use 1024x768 resolution on my monitor, its a 19" CRT.
...

Well, for this resolution 256mb card really is the better option, just I'm not sure x1950pro is worth the investment. At least in UK, its still 100 pounds, while 8600gt is 80. I'm not saying 8600gt is better, it is actually some 30% slower, but it overclocks like crazy, and also has DX10 - I would really hate to limit myself to DX9 when DX10 titles (DX10 visuals) are comming out.

Actually they're pretty much the same price in the UK, with a few exceptions of 8600GTs being released with much slower memory frequencies (like OcUK own brand).

Nevertheless, at this price level and particularly at this resolution, an 8600GT might well be a worthy of consideration.

 

[neblogai]

Well, for this resolution 256mb card really is the better option, just I'm not sure x1950pro is worth the investment. At least in UK, its still 100 pounds, while 8600gt is 80. I'm not saying 8600gt is better, it is actually some 30% slower, but it overclocks like crazy, and also has DX10 - I would really hate to limit myself to DX9 when DX10 titles (DX10 visuals) are comming out.

Actually they're pretty much the same price in the UK, with a few exceptions of 8600GTs being released with much slower memory frequencies (like OcUK own brand).


Simple, not factory OC'ed 8600gt cost ~80 pounds, and for example Inno3d, which is the cheapest one on Ebuyer, oveclocks very fine, http://www.vr-zone.com/?i=4925&s=3
30% without any modifications.
Prices of x1950pro start at 99.85. I'd go for 8600GT.

 

[goldragon_70]

...
I use 1024x768 resolution on my monitor, its a 19" CRT.
...

Well, for this resolution 256mb card really is the better option, just I'm not sure x1950pro is worth the investment. At least in UK, its still 100 pounds, while 8600gt is 80. I'm not saying 8600gt is better, it is actually some 30% slower, but it overclocks like crazy, and also has DX10 - I would really hate to limit myself to DX9 when DX10 titles (DX10 visuals) are comming out.

*starts looking for solely DX10 titles. This may take several years.*

 

[neblogai]

*starts looking for solely DX10 titles. This may take several years.*

I do not mean solely DX10 titles. I mean limiting yourself to DX9 visuals when game is better looking on DX10.

 

[goldragon_70]

*starts looking for solely DX10 titles. This may take several years.*

I do not mean solely DX10 titles. I mean limiting yourself to DX9 visuals when game is better looking on DX10.

too see a noticable diffrence it's still going to be a few years.

 

[neblogai]

too see a noticable diffrence it's still going to be a few years.

Well, some difference should be noticable at once, because otherwise there'd be no reason for game companies to release DX10 patches. If i'm not wrong, Company of Heroes DX 10 patch is scheduled for tomorrow, so soon we will be able to compare

 

[goldragon_70]

we'll see, but there are so few that have dx10, and the difference is noticeable to only a few people, and the price for dx10 isn't worth it but for a few people. Besides you do have Oblivion as a show of DX9's capabilities.

 

[tet91]

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/ATI+Radeon+X1900+Series/+ATi+Radeon+X1950+PRO+256MB+PCI-Express?productId=27035

Her is the PRo i was going to get its £88

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I have heard that the 8600GT is a huge letdown and i was advised to go with a x1950GT but when i saw the PRO for not much more i thought i would ask.

Cheers Tet

 

[blade85]

you'll have to realise that having a dx10 card is no guarentee it will play dx10 games at acceptable framerates, so i just dont get the idea of why people make that a deciding factor.

Plus if the OP does not have vista or is not getting vista in the next year or so, again dx10 card is useless.

the 8600 series is just no go. If it barely competes with the x1950 pro in dx9, i really cant see it do all that well in dx10.


sooo personally id go for the x1950 pro for now. Ifff you are going to go for vista then hold back and consider the 8800 cards which are better on dx9 and maaaay possible be good enough on dx10 (no one can say how good they will be).

 

[neblogai]

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/PCI-E/ATI+Radeon+X1900+Series/+ATi+Radeon+X1950+PRO+256MB+PCI-Express?productId=27035
Her is the PRo i was going to get its £88
Cheers Tet

Well, thats nice price, just don't be late, they have only 3 left

 

[tet91]

Well thanks a lot for the help guys, i think i will go for the x1950 PRO. That is because i am on xp x64 and don't plan to go to vista soon and if i do i will dual boot i think.

Also i think that the 8600's are overpriced and from what people have said here the x1950PRO just looks the better option.

Thanks again
Tet

 

[erocker]

Well thanks a lot for the help guys, i think i will go for the x1950 PRO. That is because i am on xp x64 and don't plan to go to vista soon and if i do i will dual boot i think.

Also i think that the 8600's are overpriced and from what people have said here the x1950PRO just looks the better option.

Thanks again
Tet

A good choice! If you are getting a cheaper version of the pro, it's a good idea to either get an aftermarket cooling solution (zalman, arctic cooling) or just remove stock heatsink and use some arctic silver 5. You won't be dissapointed, and with the resolution you use, it's most likely you can max out your other settings.

 

[f61]

I'd like to ask if an X1950 GT w/256mb is availible across the pond, and is it much cheaper. Sapphire brand on this side of pond a very sweet deal for DX9 apps. About US$135 or £70 b/4 VAT. There's a $20 rb here.

This one O/C's pretty good.

f61

 

[SEALBoy]

I do not mean solely DX10 titles. I mean limiting yourself to DX9 visuals when game is better looking on DX10.

No 8600GT, no matter how overclocked, will be able to run a game in DX10 at a point where you'll actually see a difference between DX9 and DX10, and still be able to play the game.

 

[erocker]

Sorry it took so long for the reply. Looks like some Nshittia fanboys have stopped by... Get the x1950Pro, if you can get the MSI or HIS card with the larger heatsink and fan on it. I think you can get the MSI cheaper. Here's a link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161092