2900 PRO Vs 8800 320MB

if I already had the 8800, I wouldn't upgrade to the pro. If I was buying one or the other, I would get the ati.

I'd wait for the prices the settle down first, then look. The two difference between the XT and the pro, are clock speeds and amount of ram. I'm pretty sure that the 2900pro is supposed to come with 256MBs of ram, though I'm sure that some companies will put 512MBs on some cards. These will cost quite a bit more then the 256MB models however, probably making them more then the 8800GTS 320MB.

Pure guess, but the 256MB 2900pro will go for a bit over $200. This will make it cheaper then the 8800GTS, unless Nvidia cuts the price. The 512MB models will go for around $300, probably closer to $350. Remember, the 512MB pro and 512MB XT will only have a frequency difference between the two. This all assumes that AMD isn't going to do a price cut.

Actually the 2900 pro comes in either 512Mb or 1024MB variants, just like the XT.

Hi guys!

I'm facing the same dilemma.
Until a couple of hours ago I was sure that I was going to buy the 8800GTS but after reading the new "Best video cards for the money" article I'm not so sure anymore.
I kinda lean very hard to the side of the 2900 Pro but I don't know which version to buy. Is it possible that the card with 1GB of memory will perform worse than the one with less ram like we have seen it before with other cards?
Also what about that rumor that the 1GB version is going to be longer than the 512MB one? I would be kinda pissed to buy the card and then find out that it doesn't fit into my Coolermaster Mystique case.

So the 2900PRO has 512MB ram according to ebuyer, Scan and overclockers.

The 512MB RAM has an instant improvement over the 320MB and as far as I can tell its only the fact the the 8800 320MB GC has less ram is the main issue.

I don't want max settings -- but on the other hand I don't want low settings either -- with GRAW I can't really do much and this is down to the lack of RAM --

SO the question again-- is the 2900PRO worth getting for me?

Pro looks like it would be the better buy....ifff you can overclock it

yes, but then the price becomes an issue aswell. You dont wanna be spending an extra $100 for 1gb ram if it only gives you a boost in game of about 2-5%.

basically boils down to the resolution he wants to play at, and how much he is willing to spend

Here's a benchmark link to look at.
2900 pro 512mb vs. 8800gts 320mb benchmarks
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1 [...] index.html

If I could afford it, I would get the 2900 pro 1gig version, but between the 2 I would get the 2900 pro 512mb. I wouldn't hold you back on some games that require 512mb of Vram to turn on the extra eye candy.

My 2cp's

Actually the difference between the 2900 pro and the 8800gts will probably be minimal..about 10-20 watts at max i would guess.

The 2900 uses 3W more idle and 25W more under load than the GTS. Not much in it.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1 [...] index.html

Yeah i know , i was just kidding , hopefully they can get there act together

if anyone is interested eWiz has a sale on 2900 pros.

$256.89 free shipping -

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=AT-29PRO51

I did a TON of research on it before I decided to finally purchase the HD2900 Pro. I concluded without any doubts, that comparison between the 2900 pro and 8800GTS 320MB, in any application other than OpenGL based apps, the HD2900 Pro produces more frames per second than the 8800GTS does. Also, the HD2900 Pro can be over-clocked to 2900XT speeds and give you more performance per dollar than any 8800GTS variant could. I looked at some foriegn website for benchmarks, and TweakTown for benchmarks primarily as those were more conclusive than other articles I read on forums and such. A simple Google search will show you more though.

As to your question of is the HD2900 Pro worth getting? Absolutely yes. It has the BEST price-performance ratio seen in, what is my opinion, the best years, since the X800GTO2 came out, which could be clocked to X800XT PE performance levels. So yes, buy the card if you can. It's cheaper, it offers better performance out of the box than the 8800GTS 320, and once Over-Clocked, can help rival against the 8800GTX; for a fraction of the cost.


On a side note...

Why wouldn't you want max settings? Always aim for the sky buddy.

Big electricity bills? It's like 25W more, so like $5 more a month. I hardly consider that to be bad with more performance, and in all actuality, the difference between the 2900 Pro and GTS is more than enough to compensate an electric bill difference for over a year. As for AMD shutting down, that's doubtful.

I Hope you know that the only thing thats stops you from getting a 5.9 is your hard drive.

Funny how all people compare an OVERCLOCKED ATI card against a stock 8800GTS 320MB, as if the 8800 doesn't overclock! Compare them after both have been overclocked and then come back with some better views.

Check this OC out:

http://www.driverheaven.net/review [...] /index.php

(The Gainward one! hehe...)

Or force Intel to accelerate its plans to join the bunch!

nah, get the 8800

This might not be the place to ask. Has anyone flashed the 2900pro BIOS to a 2900XT BIOS yet? If so oh please do tell

A few examples from Guru3D at the link rosu9801 posted above.

There has always been a "speed" vs "quality" issue in games. If you choose ultra quality/eye candy mode and get very low FPS peformance chances are you'll be unhappy. AA/AF at lower resolutions seem to give better results only because its
slightly harder to notice the graphics faults (jaggies, etc) at higher
resolutions. On the other hand people that spend a little more to get the bigger, wide screen, fast response and higher resolution monitors tend to favor the eye candy and what all they can get.

The "blind eye" issue is only the result (IMO) of the 2900 Pro silent launch. If it had made the usual round of pre-release reviews and tests the launch buzz might have been less. The higher than suggested retail price and low availability is probably a result of the "Limited Edition" campaign. At retail prices the 2900Pro is a good value. It's shows ATI is trying to stay competitive which is a good thing.

Xbit Labs reviewed the differences in the 512MB and 1GB versions of the 2900XT. That review should give you an idea if its worth spending the extra $60 and also how an overclocked 2900Pro might perform. It also should let you know that the 600W OCZ should work fine.

I guess i read the 2900XT review over the 512mb and 1 gig, not much difference.. So I probably would just save the extra money and go for the 512mb 2900 PRO Thanks!!

Thats pretty much the way I saw that review too.

I've actually been surprised by the lack of reviews from a lot of the "usual suspects" like THG & AnandTech and other sources I visit. THG gave it a best gaming card for the money nod over the 8800GTS/320 but I never say any reviews to go along with that. Very unusual for a card where the buzz has been saying pretty much what you've been saying. Hopefully some of the other review sites will find the time to do some more testing for us.

Have you found any other benchmarks besides the ones already listed in this thread?

edit; I just noticed that NewEgg has gone out of stock on the 2900Pros already. And the 1GB 2900Pro is no longer listed on the site.

Also found this bang4buck chart at Hexus.net.

Any Pro oc'ed benchies out there yet?