GFFX 5900 Ultra Update

StryderXX · Aug 31, 2003, 11:36 PM

Well folks as promised I did a clean install of XP with all updates and installed the 45.23 dets for my Leadtek GFFX 5900 Ultra. After a few hours of testing I can honestly say that my initial feelings toward this card were wrong. Everything is running nicely. I downloaded nvhardpage and enabled all the driver features for this card. I also installed Powerstrip to deal with freshrate problems in OpenGL games. (Det drivers only fix DirectX freshrates). I also OCed the core to 500MHZ and the mem to 900MHZ. Games like UT 2003 just scream on this card. 1600X1200 at max setting ( no AA or AF ) seem like childs play with the 5900 U.

With modest AA and AF (4X AA and 8X AF) the IQ is very nice. I still think my ATI 9700 Pro had better IQ but the 5900 U produces very nice visuals. I got the chance to install the new Call of Duty demo and at 1600X1200 my jaw just dropped. Amazing graphics and intense gameplay. Call of Duty is a definite MUST BUY in my book. I have no problems recommending this video card to anyone in the market for a new high end video card, just note that if you are running an ATI 9500 Pro or better it would be wise to hold up on getting a new video card until ATI or Nvidia release there next round of flagship graphic products.

~~Optimummind~~ · Sep 1, 2003, 06:19 PM

Yup, the 5900 U is a swell card. However, its Pixel Shader 2.0 implementation is lagging way behind the PS 2.0 capabilities of the Radeons.

Global_Inferno · Sep 3, 2003, 04:04 PM

Yes, so can anyone justify buying a NVIDIA FX range card instead of an ATI Radeon 9xxx?? Simply due to the price advantage of the ATI's and the recent PS 2.0 problems it seems to me that it would almost be an impossible task..

dipstick · Sep 3, 2003, 04:08 PM

Man, no one can even mention nVidia in here anymore without getting shit on

Pretty sad IMO.
Anyways, glad you like the card man, its really nice no matter what crap you read. You'll realize that yourself when you play all your games at their highest resolutions like butter.

Forge · Sep 3, 2003, 04:40 PM

I had a 9800 Pro, now I have a 5900 Ultra. I'm happy. ATI's Linux drivers still just aren't cutting the mustard, and until they do, I really have no alternative to NV.

Global_Inferno · Sep 3, 2003, 04:44 PM

Sorry but if you are a serious gamer then WHY linux?? I LOVE linux personally and I love to have it as a second OS.. However, moving from a 9800 PRO to a 5900 ULTRA is ridiculous! How much money u must have lost... All for a card which cant even play Tomb Raider...

dipstick · Sep 3, 2003, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Global_Inferno
All for a card which cant even play Tomb Raider...

That's actually pure BS, its as playable on it as any 9800P. I recommend you use something before talkin, it only makes sense, right? Anyways, I can think of a few other games that will run better on it than on a 9800P. Peace out bud

**Roadee** · Sep 3, 2003, 07:10 PM

Glad the card is working out for you

Both the cards are very good. Until some new games come out, and more driver's for the cards I am just sitting back and enjoying the IQ. I used to use nV, found a better deal and liked the reviews I was reading and bought an ATI 8500, then installed several of the different graphics cards in system's I was building for other people. I personally prefer ATI, due to MY personal experience with several cards from both. I have nothing against nV, and I think that the 5900 is an awesome card. I dont think anyone can go wrong now a days, no matter which card they pick. I just can't wait to see what comes out next!!!

~~Optimummind~~ · Sep 3, 2003, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kakarot
That's actually pure BS, its as playable on it as any 9800P. I recommend you use something before talkin, it only makes sense, right? Anyways, I can think of a few other games that will run better on it than on a 9800P. Peace out bud

This is the way it is for now. Even since the 9700 Pro came out last September 2002 to today, the Radeon cards offer better performance overall and for your money. That's the hardware scene.

In terms of drivers, nVIDIA is still better than ATI.

Now, all of this can change later on. ATI can improve their drivers to at least the level of the Detonators and ATI users can be more happy. nVIDIA will release their new NV3X hardware that will dethrone ATI again. Who knows?

barbaricworm · Sep 12, 2003, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Global_Inferno
Yes, so can anyone justify buying a NVIDIA FX range card instead of an ATI Radeon 9xxx?? Simply due to the price advantage of the ATI's and the recent PS 2.0 problems it seems to me that it would almost be an impossible task..

yes because it looks like hl2 may not be out this year and the 5900ultra is faster in all current games.so who will want any of the current cards in a few months anyway.i know i wont.

Vengeance · Sep 12, 2003, 01:25 PM

Glad your happy with your card bud

And Kakarot is right, no one should be in here raining on your parade!
Each card has it's own section and thats where these posts belong

barbaricworm · Sep 13, 2003, 02:11 AM

vengeance what benchmarks are u geting in 01 and 03 as your system is the same as mine only i have a 5900ultra

Vengeance · Sep 13, 2003, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by barbaricworm
vengeance what benchmarks are u geting in 01 and 03 as your system is the same as mine only i have a 5900ultra

Lets see I get 5317 in 3Dmark 2003

And 16066 in 3Dmark 2001

These are with stock PC speeds ( cant overclock a compaq, which in my case.....is a good thing

)
But I did have my 9700 Pro overclocked a bit. 350 core and 331 memory.

So what are your specs, Did you get a compaq too?

Post your scores

Oh and I do have to disagree with you on a few things.

Quote:

yes because it looks like hl2 may not be out this year and the 5900ultra is faster in all current games.so who will want any of the current cards in a few months anyway.i know i wont.

By everything thats been posted about half-life2's release date, The latest I've seen is Nov 20th (right on time for the Christmas buying season

)
So it does look as if it will be out this year! Hopefully!!!

And lets see you said "The 5900 ultra is faster in all current games!" Gotta disagree here as well

The 9800 Pro 128mb holds it own very well against the FX 5900 Ultra 256mb, And it does pull ahead in more than a few of them!
A lot of it depends on screen rez, AA, AS.
And when were talking about all current games lets not forget the new Tomb Raider game. Yes it may be a P.O.S game.
But it is a current game just the same. And it is also a game in nVidias "The way it's meant to be played" Ad campaign.
And to top it off it is a full DX9 game! And the 9800 Pro 128mb card blows the FX 5900 Ultra 256mb away in it!
In looks, effects, and frames per sec.
And don't forget about another little game that is supposed to be out latter this month.

Halo for the PC , Its been reworked to use DX9, And from a few bench's I saw ( I think it was at Gamers Depot)
The 9800 Pro pulls way out ahead of the FX 5900 Ultra in it as well.

I don't want to piss anyone off here, I'm really not trying to

But on the same hand I wouldn't want some new guy to look in here and not hear all of the facts.
IMO the FX line of cards are just not true DX9 parts.
It almost seems as if nVidia added some DX9 features just to say they had it

But I do agree with you on one thing, A few months into 2004 we will be getting ready to play Doom3 (maybe) And we should have two brand new cards to argue over

For what its worth *my two cents*

~~Optimummind~~ · Sep 13, 2003, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by kakarot
That's actually pure BS, its as playable on it as any 9800P. I recommend you use something before talkin, it only makes sense, right? Anyways, I can think of a few other games that will run better on it than on a 9800P. Peace out bud

Kakarot, it seems you are a loyal nVIDIA fan. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, I like nVIDIA and ATI the same. The only thing that might tilt me toward nVIDIA more is their better driver support. But, you gotta be able to admit it when nVIDIA has screwed up big time. The NV3X architecture is really lagging. Just look at the latest HL2 benchmarks and you'll be able to tell. While my 9800 Pro is doing 70+ frames per second, the 5900 Ultra is getting half my frames. I just hope the Det50 can improve HL2 before it's released.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Sep 13, 2003, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by barbaricworm
yes because it looks like hl2 may not be out this year and the 5900ultra is faster in all current games.so who will want any of the current cards in a few months anyway.i know i wont.

Maybe you’re on a different planet ... actually the 9800 pro is faster and better.... here on planet earth

fx looks good only
due that fact there drivers cheat on benchmarks (at lest a good 30%) and they also remove a truckload of graphics and effects that you don’t get to see on any NVIDIA card..........

they had to build special renders in games like doom3 so that it renders the seems as 12 or 16 bit even though the card maybe set to 32 bit mode .. Because other wise the game is unplayable on a 5900 pro ... but yet in full REAL 32 on a radon pro it runs just fine.....

not mention again tons and tons off effects that NVIDIA felt unimportant like bullets and tracers etc.... because they really effect performance they cut them out ...so it should be named GEFORCE NO-FX and there logo "the way we meant you to play it, (minus all the cool effects)"

unless you run all you games with a 9800 pro you never ever see it and NVIDIA will continue to brain wash you into thing that there cards are actually better than ati's when in Real life there not...

Forge · Sep 15, 2003, 03:20 AM

With the way the last couple of driver releases have cocked up some of my favorite games (XIII demo and JK3 seem to have problems, some levels seem to get a near-opaque fog everywhere, and many textures don't render), and how the 9500 Pro in my backup machine is smoking my 5900 Ultra box in halo's beta....

I'm thinking my next card is going to be an R420, unless NV pulls a full 100% turnaround and ATI drops the ball on Linux drivers (both very unlikely).