ATI RadeOn X1950 Pro 256MB or NVidia GeForce 8600 GT/GTS?

[masop]

I'm aware that the DX10 list of supported games is shorter than a toothpick, but I still want to get the input of the THG community before I drop $200 or less on a new mid-range card. I'm leaning towards the X1950 Pro currently, for $135-$175.

Current primary card in use is an ATI AIW 9800 Pro 128MB AGP 8x on an older Socket A platform. Current games being played include BFME I/II and Oblivion. I'm looking forward to Crysis and Portal as well as other up coming titles. I'll be switching to either AM2 or 775 when I get the new card. Any thoughts?


-- MaSoP

 

[Gary_Busey]

Go wth the X1950Pro.

 

[Farhang]

It depends on your budget.
I don't how much is the price difference between 8600GTS & X1950Pro.
Anyway, 8600GTS is faster than X1950Pro but not by huge amount but if the price difference is less than 25~40$ i would go for the 8600GTS.
DirectX10? Honestly 8600series cards(even 8800series)are not seems powerful enough to enjoy the full DirectX10's eye candies!

 

[kaotao]

The 8600GTS is NOT faster than the X1950PRO.

 

[Dade_0182]

Yeah, that's total and utter BS. The X1950 is cheaper and faster than the 8600GTS. The only thing you won't get is the DX10 but if you want that, no less than the 8800GTS 320. That'll prolly be my next upgrade if I have the money.

 

[kaotao]

Yeah, that's total and utter BS. The X1950 is cheaper and faster than the 8600GTS. The only thing you won't get is the DX10 but if you want that, no less than the 8800GTS 320.

Well said.

 

[cleeve]

Anyway, 8600GTS is faster than X1950Pro

I don't think so. The X1950 PRO is much faster than an 8600 GTS in the benches I've seen, especially when eye candy is enabled.

At most, the 8600 GTS can hope to keep up with the X1950 PRO.

 

[Farhang]

Hey, i thought that 8600GTS(Not GT)is faster than X1950Pro.
Maybe i was wrong...Anyone has any benchmark of that? :?

 

[Farhang]

OK Cleeve if you say then it's right.
I guess i need to say a big apology to all my friends here for my mistake!

 

[Gary_Busey]

Maybe if he bought the XXX edition or got a really nice overclock out of it, but at stock speeds, it's slower, especially when you hike up the resolution and throw in some eye candy.

 

[goldragon_70]

really, unless you have to play dx10 today, then just wait until dx10 has had time to mature some, and the cards with them.

 

[blade85]

really, unless you have to play dx10 today, then just wait until dx10 has had time to mature some, and the cards with them.

what he said

if you can stick it out with ur 9800 pro for a while longer keep it. If not then the x1950 pro is the way to go

8600GT/S is a big no no :lol:

 

[Sunder]

I'm probably going with the X1950 Pro as well as it hits the right price/performance for me. I don't see needing DX10 for quite some time.

The only thing I wasn't sure about is where the HD2600 is going to fall ... both in terms of competitive performance and moving other prices around. If the HD2900 is any indication, that is not going to be much.

I know this would be highly speculative, but does anyone have an idea where the 2600 is going to fall against competing DX9 products?

 

[VFighterX]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

 

[goldragon_70]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

Yes it is.

 

[masop]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

Dayum. I didn't know you could get an XT for under $200. I obviously haven't been searching well enough, lol. Looks like I might consider that model over the x1950 Pro. Thanks for the mention.

-- MaSoP

 

[Sunder]

That's a good find (the X1950XT) but efficiency and noise do matter to me somewhat. Moving the fan away from the exhaust in later cards was definitely a good idea. I'm looking forward to the next generation of DX10 cards where die shrinks should help them pull away from the last generation in more ways than just FPS.

 

[VFighterX]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

Dayum. I didn't know you could get an XT for under $200. I obviously haven't been searching well enough, lol. Looks like I might consider that model over the x1950 Pro. Thanks for the mention.

-- MaSoP

Though watch out... I mean seriously... you will need an aftermarket cooler for this card if you are going to overclock.

Edit:

BTW, there's the 512mb version too (for high resolutions). 8)

SAPPHIRE 100185L Radeon X1950XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

 

[masop]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

Dayum. I didn't know you could get an XT for under $200. I obviously haven't been searching well enough, lol. Looks like I might consider that model over the x1950 Pro. Thanks for the mention.

-- MaSoP

Though watch out... I mean seriously... you will need an aftermarket cooler for this card if you are going to overclock.

Edit:

BTW, there's the 512mb version too (for high resolutions). 8)

SAPPHIRE 100185L Radeon X1950XT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

I don't intend to overclock anything in my box. With that said, will the stock fan be that noisy? How hot should I expect that model to run with an "open" case and several case fans?

-- MaSoP

 

[it_guy]

I had the 512 MB Saphire 1950 XT in one of my boxes a while back. I did not notice it over anything else in my system. Then again my hard drives were probably the loadest thing in that box(4 SCSI 15k Drives will make anything seem quiet).

It is an excellent card and I think that the 256 MB version is prob the best bang for the buck if you are looking for a card under $200 bucks... and there is a $20 rebate.

 

[ninjaquick]

This card's a beast.

SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card - Retail

Dayum. I didn't know you could get an XT for under $200. I obviously haven't been searching well enough, lol. Looks like I might consider that model over the x1950 Pro. Thanks for the mention.

-- MaSoP

Theres nothing to consider, this card pwns the anything else in that price range

 

[goldragon_70]

OK, I have the card and work with the card everyday. It does make a sound, it's like a muffled grinding sound. If you have it in your bedroom or a quiet room, you will be bothered by it, but If you are watching TV, playing games with sound, or music, it becomes a back ground noise of the case.

As for the heat: The fan is usually not running very fast even when you are playing a game. You're probably a little warmer then me but I live in the south east of the US, and it's in the mid 90's now, and my card ideals at about 47oC, and will probably get just below 60oC, if I don't change the clock settings, but I've seen the card hit 92oC before the fan speed up, and from what I understand the card can take it. If you want to, you can download ATItool and overclock and change the fan speed so it runs cooler and faster, but then your card will sound like some one is vacuuming about two closed rooms over (more noticeable).

 

[masop]

OK, I have the card and work with the card everyday. It does make a sound, it's like a muffled grinding sound. If you have it in your bedroom or a quiet room, you will be bothered by it, but If you are watching TV, playing games with sound, or music, it becomes a back ground noise of the case.

As for the heat: The fan is usually not running very fast even when you are playing a game. You're probably a little warmer then me but I live in the south east of the US, and it's in the mid 90's now, and my card ideals at about 47oC, and will probably get just below 60oC, if I don't change the clock settings, but I've seen the card hit 92oC before the fan speed up, and from what I understand the card can take it. If you want to, you can download ATItool and overclock and change the fan speed so it runs cooler and faster, but then your card will sound like some one is vacuuming about two closed rooms over (more noticeable).

LOL. Well, I'm in the mid-atlantic area so it is a bit cool around here lately in the 60's and 70's but not for long. As far as the card goes, I'll likely end up getting the x1950 pro. My case is open, as I need to keep the one panel off of it. That would make the fan even louder in my office. Perhaps I'll stick with the x1950 pro. Besides, the difference between those 2 models can't be all that much of a difference. Thanks.

-- MaSoP

 

[goldragon_70]

There is enough for me to go with the xt, One thing I would like to mention is that I have my door open right now until I get some more fans to add to my case *cough 7 120MM*, so...., But if your going to be talking to people in your office face to face, the x1950pro will probably bring you less questions.