Help deciding for a new video card

DethLord

If you guys have read one of my previous threads, to make a long story short, my ATI X800XL card fan stopped spinning and had to use a deskfan for the time being to cool it before I get a new one. Normally I get a video card every 3-4 years on average and had the 800XL for 2 years. So 2 years for some people mean that they either trade in their car or get a new video card or both LOL.

On the bright side, I'm going yay, I get to get a new video card and have a good reason to get one LOL.

The point is I don't want to spend $300+ on a new video card. I know the flagship for nVidia is the 8800 series and ATI is the x2900 series. Too bad there isn't a third brand to compete against them two. It reminds me of car companies (Ford and GM).

Anyways the card I am looking for is the flagship card of the previous generations like the 7950 for nVidia and x1950 for ATI. I want to spend under $200 if possible. I prefer ATi over nVidia.

I looked at the newegg site and the x1950 is cheaper than the geforce 7950. I prefer 512MB over 256MB b/c of future gaming and hooking up my TV to watch HDTV. Unless the memory size doesn't make that much of an impact.

Normally I would go to Tigerdirect outlet store to buy the cards, but they cost more than newegg in this case and doesn't have good selection of x1950 cards. They have more nVidia selections than ATi which bothers me.

I've narrowed it down to 3 cards and tell me if they are any good.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161093
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161061

I just hope the performance is better than my X800XL and get a big boost in FPS when playing Oblivion. Actually that game I'll be playing for a long time really LOL. BTW, is Oblivion the most graphical and CPU intensive game right now. I know that was the case when morrowind came out. It's like I buy a video card for every elderscrolls release LOL.

Anyways I have only 1 PCI-E slot so no crossfire or SLI.



Thanks in advance.

Blacklash

I like the HIS you linked, it's not much more than the others. Better cooler, more quite cooler, faster core and faster memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161093

Make sure you use that rebate.

BTW if you are into "Oblivion" you might want to consider the X1950XT 256MB instead. It's around the same price and has more shader power:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

DethLord

I decided to get the XT 256MB instead of the 512MB Pro. I needed my 2 year warranty and once you go 16 pipelines you can't settle for anything less, got spoiled from my old 800XL LOL.

Well I did some research and the Saphire Radeon x1950XT 256MB outperformed the HIS x1950 512MB Pro and I need all the frames I can get in Oblivion LOL.

DethLord

Just got the card today and I am disappointed that it doesn't fit my case. I have 1 PCI-E slot, but the card looks like a 2 slotter. I hate to return it, but it looks like I need a hacksaw or some kind of saw to cut parts of my case. Also I might have to move the rear fan .5 - 1 centimenters up.

I was so excited about that card and I might have to cut part of the 2nd slot so it will fit. If there was a 2nd PCI-E slot, the keyboard and mouse port is covering that spot. Also do you know what is the best way to remove a part that is already riveted. Also any tips on how I should cut my case.

This is as bad as when I had an AGP for Geforce Ti4200 and wouldn't fit the case b/c it was one of those Dell Slim cases and had to settle for a crappy MX420 which the fan died after 4 years.

kris23

do it, its worth it, you wont be dissappointed.... that card is so far ahead of what you have, just cut up your case you'll be happier

Dyre Straits

Before you begin doing this, it's best to remove everything from inside the case and take it outside or to where you do any drilling/cutting, etc.

The best way to remove rivets is with an electric drill using a metal cutting drill bit the size of the shank of the rivet. Usually, these are less than 1/8 inch....3/32 or something like that. Just place the drill bit in the center hole of the rivet and drill away.

HOWEVER, I have some suspicion that, if your case is really too small for this card, will there be enough airflow to keep it cool enough?

BUT, if you do proceed with the hack n' slash of your case, make doubly sure you don't leave sharp edges that can cut or chaff the wires inside. You'll want to file down any burrs and such.

Now, I'm eager to see what you think of the performance of the card in OBLIVION. I, too, went from X800 XL 256 MB to the X1950 Pro and was amazed!!

josh2thad

Im also in the same boat. i need help deciding mainly because these cards are so new that they arent even on tom's hardware charts. So heres what im looking at ...

8600 GTS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130086

Radeon 2600XT GDDR3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102700

Radeon 2600XT GDDR4 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102102

Radeon 1950XT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

Im coming from a Radeon x850XTPE... So i really want shader model 4 And DX10 for sub 200

DethLord

I called newegg and had it shipped back. Called their customer support and they waived the restocking fee and once they get the card, I get my money back minus the shipping cost of course. Think of it as exchange for a different card and pay or get a refund for a difference. I decided to get the powercolor instead.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Tpk=powercolor

I know it's another long card like the Sapphire, but it doesn't take up another slot for cooling. I just hope the fan fits in. The cooling fins of the CPU is right near the video card so I just hope the fan is not more than an inch tall. When it comes in, Wednesday at the earliest, it is going to be close in fitting it in, but if not I'll have to force it in. I know the Sapphire, I almost forced it in and the fan height looks like it's just enough, but the extra slot brackt for cooling is blocking it. So it's going to be close for the powercolor so wish me luck that it fits.

This link looks almost exactly like my case.
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/gat...-31397195.html
I have the Gateway 832GM. The length of the card does not bother me one bit, but I just hope the fan can fit. I know the 800XL fan stops right before the green cpu protector thingy. I just hope the powercolor does the same way but if it goes over I just hope no more than 1 CM.

josh2thad, Only get the sapphire if you have an extra PCI slot for cooling. If not, it's a waste of money. So in your case, I would suggest the 8600. I don't know much about DirectX and Vista, but I heard that Vista is anything but problems.

DethLord

Now that I think about it, I'm thinking of cancelling my order for a new video card. The powercolor one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131047

I don't want to take a risk of it not fitting. What I mean by that is the height of the fan. The length and width of the card is not an issue. Majority of the people that have problems with newer video cards is the length since it's so damn long. My problem is the size of the fan being too high. So I'm thinking of playing it safe and might downgrade to a pro. That HIS one I looked at earlier looks good (NOT THE 2 SLOTTER FAN).

So far thanks for all your help for helping me in such tough times with an aging ATI 800XL on it's last heels. Fan died and deskfan used as cooling LOL. Can't believe it died in 2 years.

If there are any cards that have a cooler no bigger than the ATI X800XL fan in height, then feel free to post.

Dyre Straits

I just picked up a B/B ATI X1950 Pro 256 MB DDR3 card a couple of weeks ago. The reason: the PowerColor version I've been using for nearly a year now went kaput. It appears that a RAMDAC went bad as there are all of those weird artifacts all over the screen all the time and even during initial POST. So, I had to pull it out.

MicroCenter has the B/B ATI X1950 Pro for $199. I've shopped at Micro Center locally since 1983 or 1984...and they've been very good to me.

Here's a link to that card:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0247017

Good luck!

DethLord

Okay, I cancelled the order for the Powercolor one and with $6.33 in the hole. (came from the shipping cost of the Sapphire one). So I'm back to square one.

I read an artile on Tom's Hardware that the X1950pro is the best one to buy for under $140-150.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/...ney/page3.html

I remember when the x1950 first came out it was at least $400 LOL. Man price is just dropping like flies.

So far the HIS one looks like the best deal and has the best chance of fitting my case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161060

It's too bad the 512MB is sold out. I was wondering if there is any difference between the 256MB and the 512MB besides one has more memory.

Hey Dyre, sorry to hear that your video card went bad on you. I know how that feels. I don't know how long my aging x800xl will last until I get a new one. I just hope it didn't damage the PCI connector on the MOBO.

Edit: Just out of curiousity, how much FPS did you gain in Oblivion with your powercolor 256MB compared to your old x800xl. I know with the x800xl, for Morrowind, it got great frame rates. 35-80 outdoors, 40-100+ indoors, 100% view distance, AA off, AF off, Shadows (don't really care need more light LOL) OFF. In Solsthiem, the frame rate dropped to 25 in the blizzard LOL. So I knew that Morrowind was way ahead of its time. Resolution I used was 1400 x 1050. As for Oblivion outdoors are anywhere from 20-40 avg. Indoors was anywhere from 25-70. This is with all the distant off, bloom off, AA off, AF off, view distance at 75%. Resolution was at 1280 x 800. I have a widescreen 20 inch LCD if you were wondering.

Dyre Straits

I wish I could remember all the specifics with Oblivion. However, my X800XL was AGP version and I was playing on a P4 3.2 GHz system with 2 GB DDR 400 RAM.

To get good FPS, I was playing at 1024x768 and had most settings at Medium.

When I went to PCIe system with the X1950 Pro, I was quite amazed that I could increase resolution to 1280x1024, use HDR, and settings mostly at Medium and see much better image quality and a boost in FPS.

I just know you'll be quite pleased that X1950 Pro supports S.M. 2.0 whereas the X800XL does not. (At least my AGP version didn't.)

ChaosMinionX

Dont buy the X2600 or 8600 series over mid-highend stuff made a year ago (IE 1900/7900) they simply suck compared to those, and arent even worth the marketing put into them. They are very poor showings of what a video card released in 2007 should be compared to something made in 2005/2006

DethLord

I tend to stay away from nVidia products. I never liked them, and my friends all know I hold a grudge against them.

Since I am not going to upgrade to vista anytime soon, I might just stick with XP MCE. Best OS since Windows 2000 and 95. Besides I heard that x1950pro outperforms x2400 and x2600 series unless someone can prove me wrong.

I might just stick with HIS x1950pro 256MB or the 512MB when it goes back on stock. The x1950xt won't fit my case. BTW, does anyone know if the x2600XT the GDDR4 version outperforms a x1950pro 256MB.

ChaosMinionX

x1950 pro wipes the floor with the x2600 series.......

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=150568

josh2thad

Thanks for the info... i looked at this and for the price/performance ratio that blows lol.

im looking at a x1950pro for less than 150.. it just bothers me buying a dx9 card when dx10 is available

DethLord

I know newegg has the HIS x1950pro 256MB and 512MB for under $150 after rebate. It's too bad that the 512MB is sold out so I might wait until that becomes available.

ChaosMinionX

Just get a 8800GTS 320mb save your self the trouble of buying alot of sub 200$ GFX cards..... they certainly dont add up over the years.

josh2thad

I think thats what ill end up doing, looking at the superclocked edition...300$$ on the EGG

Blacklash

nVidia's drivers are far from the best under Vista and DX-10 right now is largely hype with crap performance for the small IQ boosts it may return.

Here's an example of what I mean from the recent "World in Conflict" demo bench:

1680x very high detail 4xAA|16xAF

Win XP SP-2 (DX-9) Driver 162.18

Avg FPS 41
Min FPS 29
Max FPS 84

http://m1.freeshare.us/158fs765071.jpg

1680x very high detail 4xAA|16xAF

Vista X64 163.11 driver

Avg FPS = 29
Min FPS = 22
Max FPS = 57

Cap of the bench result:
http://m1.freeshare.us/158fs426289.jpg

If there were IQ differences between DX 10 and 9, I missed them in this title.

Hope your 8800 doesn't get the slow downs like many others:

http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/12877

I get them from time to time, and a reboot seems to fix it.

ChaosMinionX

You know Id almost have to say get a HD2900XT 512mb....I am still waiting to see how the 1GB version I ordered does in comparison to some here with Ultras.

josh2thad

Well i need this for another system anyways. gonna get the x1950 with a zalman. it will get the job done. gonna wait out for the next series of dx10 cards, hoping i can score a 8800 gtx a bit cheaper.

DethLord

Well I got the HIS x1950pro 512MB from Newegg and I am very happy with it. First it fits in the PCI slot and I am using the most recent omega drivers. So basically it's all good.

Basically I payed $170. This is before the $30 mail in rebate.

I notice better performance in Prey. Whenever I go into the spirit mode, my FPS averages about 35, but now the whole game is pretty much 60+ around. Lowest I've seen is 55. This is on 1280 x 1024 with everything on except for Shadows since I don't really need it and also 0xAA and 8xAF.

As for Oblivion, I haven't tried that yet.

Dyre Straits