I don't get it, why are the ATI 1800XT's WAAAAAY cheaper than the the 7800gtx's?

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Replicant1911

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I apologize if this has been asked before. I have always been a Nvidia guy since the days of the TI 4200. But as it comes time to upgrade again why is there such a huge price difference between the top ATI and Nvidia cards? I mean, most 7800GTX's are 700+ and most 1800XT's 500+, what gives? The specs seem to be pretty close to one another at least enough to be competitive. I like Nvidia but two hundred dollars is two hundred dollars and I have always been a big fan of hardware that performed well but was considerably cheaper. What am I missing? I will be up studying German for the next couple of hours so let me know.
 
Are you looking at prices on 512MB GTXs?

The 256MB GTX goes for $460-$525 on Newegg right now. The 512MB GTX on the other hand is pretty much vaporware, and goes for around $700 if you can find it.

The 256MB GTX is pretty competitive with the X1800XT, but ATI has much better 512MB part availability.
 
Yeah I forgot to mention I was looking at the 512 mb cards.
IF the 1800XT is competitive with the 256 mb GTX is it not so competitve with the 512 mb GTX?
 
I think one of the biggest things is the Pipeline issue. 7800gtx's have 24 pipelines whereas the ATI's only have 16. The tests so far show that the extra pipelines are huge boon to graphics.
 
Here is the basic overall breakdown in speed (IQ aside).....

7800GTX 512 > ATI X1800XT 512

7800GTX 256 < ATI X1800XT 512

Bottom line is for a "SINGLE" vid card machine with no hope of going SLI in the future then the X1800XT 512 is the card to get for price/performance (at the moment, new R580 ATI card is incoming at the end of the month) and if you can get a 7800GTX for less than or around 400-430 and have an NVIDIA SLI mobo already then getting one and getting another in 4-6 months when it will be 250-300 will probably work well........
 
Supraman321 said:
Here is the basic overall breakdown in speed (IQ aside).....

7800GTX 512 > ATI X1800XT 512

7800GTX 256 < ATI X1800XT 512

Bottom line is for a "SINGLE" vid card machine with no hope of going SLI in the future then the X1800XT 512 is the card to get for price/performance (at the moment, new R580 ATI card is incoming at the end of the month) and if you can get a 7800GTX for less than or around 400-430 and have an NVIDIA SLI mobo already then getting one and getting another in 4-6 months when it will be 250-300 will probably work well........
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Hmmmmm Methinks I will wait to purchase and see if R580 is worth buying. I have an Asus A8n-SLI deluxe but I am waiting to go dual card when the new Athlon boards come out that support DDR2. This is probably a dumb question but you can use an ATI card on an Nforce board right? (please dont hit me)
 
Replicant1911 said:
Hmmmmm Methinks I will wait to purchase and see if R580 is worth buying. I have an Asus A8n-SLI deluxe but I am waiting to go dual card when the new Athlon boards come out that support DDR2. This is probably a dumb question but you can use an ATI card on an Nforce board right? (please dont hit me)
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Of course.
 
At the moment, if you plan on using dual ATi cards you have to use an ATi chipset motherboard. Nforce only supports SLI. But single cards are no problem. I'm using an ATi card with an nvidia motherboard right now.

I'm sure R580 will be all that and a bag of chips. However, it's going to be $$$.
I'd bet upwards of 600-700 bucks at launch.

I really have to ask why anyone would need two of these beasts other than bragging rights ? Games will hardly take advantage unless you're trying to push some crazy resolution with x6 AA. Plus when vista and the new dx standard come out in about a year it will be instantly depreciated. Even worse than usual since dx versions normally last at least a couple years. Better to buy one card now. Sell it in a year and buy R600. :p
Unless you're filthy rich and then you can ignore me.
 
Stereophile said:
At the moment, if you plan on using dual ATi cards you have to use an ATi chipset motherboard. Nforce only supports SLI. But single cards are no problem. I'm using an ATi card with an nvidia motherboard right now.

I'm sure R580 will be all that and a bag of chips. However, it's going to be $$$.
I'd bet upwards of 600-700 bucks at launch.

I really have to ask why anyone would need two of these beasts other than bragging rights ? Games will hardly take advantage unless you're trying to push some crazy resolution with x6 AA. Plus when vista and the new dx standard come out in about a year it will be instantly depreciated. Even worse than usual since dx versions normally last at least a couple years. Better to buy one card now. Sell it in a year and buy R600. :p
Unless you're filthy rich and then you can ignore me.
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Rich I am not. I will be Single Card for a while more, at least until 2007. If the R580 is all that and a bag of chips I might get it. I am willing to spend around 700 on a card I just want a good one. At least I understand know why there is a 200 difference right now between the 7800gtx and the 1800xt 512 versions. I dont like this vaporware thing with Nvidia and their 512 7800gtx. it sucks buying a video card when the next best thins is constantly on the horizon.
 
with video cards thats the way it is sadly

the 512 is concidered a step ahead of the X1800 in performance, but GL finding one, it takes finding the XTPE to a whole new lvl, also to me the amount more you pay for it doesn't really get off set by the increase in performance either, i say let the people who have to have the absolute fastest out there, and in all honesty its not needed in any game right now

the waiting game in this case will actually pay off, due to ATI's late coming with the X1800, they are being force full with the projected release dates of future products, and releasing the X1900 on schedule, so the X1800 is going to be end of life pretty fast unless they want to use it as a cheaper product when they move to 80nm
 
Trimlock said:
with video cards thats the way it is sadly

the 512 is concidered a step ahead of the X1800 in performance, but GL finding one, it takes finding the XTPE to a whole new lvl, also to me the amount more you pay for it doesn't really get off set by the increase in performance either, i say let the people who have to have the absolute fastest out there, and in all honesty its not needed in any game right now

the waiting game in this case will actually pay off, due to ATI's late coming with the X1800, they are being force full with the projected release dates of future products, and releasing the X1900 on schedule, so the X1800 is going to be end of life pretty fast unless they want to use it as a cheaper product when they move to 80nm
Click to expand...

So what you are saying is that the next next generation is coming out so fast (R580)that this generation is set to drop in price real soon?
 
Replicant1911 said:
So what you are saying is that the next next generation is coming out so fast (R580)that this generation is set to drop in price real soon?
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That would be an astute observation. It also means that Nvidia had better hurry up with the N71. Good to see 2006 is starting off on the right foot!
 
yeah :D hopefully this new gen is better than the current gen...i thought it was a let down...but since this is my first year in the technology loop i cant compare it to any other generation upgrades...or my standards are just too high :p
 
I'd wait a few weeks for R580 to debut. At that point, 1800XT prices will start falling, and you should be able to pick one up for somewhere in the low $400's.
 
Replicant1911 said:
Yeah I forgot to mention I was looking at the 512 mb cards.
IF the 1800XT is competitive with the 256 mb GTX is it not so competitve with the 512 mb GTX?
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The 256mb GTX and the X1800XT are very competitive with the XT probably being a wee better due to games favoring ATi and the features like 512mb ram and the brute force speeds. Pitting a 256mb GTX oc'ed against a XT paints a different picture entirely but out of the box the XT is faster.

The 512mb GTX hands down will beat a XT regardless. The 512mb GTX even rivals the X1800XT in crossfire in a couple of games due to it's sheer speed and power. The card is a powerhouse and in no way is the XT even comparable to it which is fine because there isn't a comparable price either :).

Anyways hope that clears it up ATI has said I rmemeber seeing some rnadom forumgoer quoting them stating it competes with the 256MB GTX not the 512MB but you can plainly see when the playing field is even what happens ;).

Choose wisely
 
Humble_Magii said:
The 256mb GTX and the X1800XT are very competitive with the XT probably being a wee better due to games favoring ATi and the features like 512mb ram and the brute force speeds. Pitting a 256mb GTX oc'ed against a XT paints a different picture entirely but out of the box the XT is faster.

The 512mb GTX hands down will beat a XT regardless. The 512mb GTX even rivals the X1800XT in crossfire in a couple of games due to it's sheer speed and power. The card is a powerhouse and in no way is the XT even comparable to it which is fine because there isn't a comparable price either :).

Anyways hope that clears it up ATI has said I rmemeber seeing some rnadom forumgoer quoting them stating it competes with the 256MB GTX not the 512MB but you can plainly see when the playing field is even what happens ;).

Choose wisely
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dont forget you can oc the x1800xt to hell...some people are hitting 780/915!!! i think that would kill a oc'ed gtx256...
 
Mayhs said:
dont forget you can oc the x1800xt to hell...some people are hitting 780/915!!! i think that would kill a oc'ed gtx256...
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I don't think you can do 780/915 on air. Probably on water though :)
 
Occidio said:
I think one of the biggest things is the Pipeline issue. 7800gtx's have 24 pipelines whereas the ATI's only have 16. The tests so far show that the extra pipelines are huge boon to graphics.
Click to expand...
Architecture of pipes on x1800xt is way different form 7800gtx, the 16 pipe x1800xt would provide better iq then 24 pipe 7800gtx, don't believe me? read [H] review. :rolleyes:
 
Replicant1911 said:
So what you are saying is that the next next generation is coming out so fast (R580)that this generation is set to drop in price real soon?
Click to expand...
if x1900 will really be that good then yes the preices on r580 cards as well as Nvidia's G70 will go down fast.
 
Bona Fide said:
I don't think you can do 780/915 on air. Probably on water though :)
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yeh people have been doing that on water on this forum...search 11k in the search guide...one guy is at 11870 or something with a single non-v.modded card :) :p

Edit: yeh its on water :)
 
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