What's the best deal? X1950Pro 206$ or 7900GS 169$

I'm gonna buy a computer in the next few months, so I'm looking at what's available now, although by the time I buy it prices may change, but anyway.

I can't really afford to spend much over 200$ for the graphic card, so I was looking at:

ASUS Radeon X1950Pro : 206.28$

EVGA GeForce 7900GS: 169.60$

I know these cards are like 20$ cheaper on NCIX, however I get free shipping with DirectCanada so for the whole computer that makes me save much more than with NCIX.

So, of course I'd like the Radeon better because it's:

1. Slightly faster in general
2. More pixel shader power
3. Much better cooler

But I'm wondering if its worth the additionnal 37$.

I've personally had experanice with these two cards, Sapphire 1950 Pro.
and the Nvidia 7900 GS.
Both are fine cards. The ATI seems to give me a better picture while the Nvidia is slightly more FPS. In both cases I used NGO drivers, the latest avaibile. Nvidia does have an issue running some older games, For the Love of God...., I don't think you can go wrong with either card,

With that price difference, I'd probably go with the 7900 GS... especially if you're willing to overclock it.

Based on the 8600s and the 128-bit memory interface, I wouldn't think the 2600 would be a great buy at all

Based on the 8600s and the 128-bit memory interface, I wouldn't think the 2600 would be a great buy at all

I think the GDDR4 versions (with 2.2GHz + ram) should start having the bandwidth to push the 1950pro, even with 128bit memory... I would at least wait to see what it can offer.

Can you not find any cheaper X1950Pro's? Usually these two are about the same price point. If not, I'd go with the 7900GS and overclock it. Without an overclock though, the X1950Pro is much faster. Oh, and only go with 512mb if you're going to game at resolutions of 1600x1200 or more.

the 7900 is good and much cheaper. I have the ASUS card though, and love it. The cooling on the card is wonderfull and it overclocks fairly well. I have min at 640Mhz and it still runs cool and silent (ATI Tray Tools).

I still say, for the price difference, the 7900GS is the way to go. Neither are going to be able to take full advantage of HDR+AA at 1680x1050 or higher anyway.

From his links, I'm guessing he lives in Canada, so NewEgg wouldn't be an option for him.

X1950Pro wins almost all the benchmarks(including the nVIDIA's base Doom3 and Quake4) with a little better FPS.
But for that prices i would go for the 7900GS KO since the performance difference(and supporting for HDR/AA)isn't worth the extra 50$.
off topic: Dr-Asik, your avatar is from the legendary Star Craft, right? Man, every time i look at it, it reminds me of the unbelievable Star Craft 2 Demo that i saw 10 days ago.
God, Star Craft 2 is coming soon & that game is gonna lock me behind my PC until My/My PC's death!

Yeah man i remember! Terran's SCV!
Oh Man, Star Craft II is gonna kick the hell out of CNC3 & Supreme Commander's a$$!
If you are not too favorable to nVIDIA then go with X1950Pro as i said it wins the 7900GS in almost all test & it supports HDR+AA.
You know, it's your money after all, but i never buy thing that i don't like even if they are better!(just a little recommendation! )