200-250 to upgrade, ATI or Nvidia or wait?

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Rouzuki

Limp Gawd
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Mar 11, 2007
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I've got approx 250 max to spend on a upgrade vid card. Right now I'm sporting a PCI-E Sapphire x850XT 256mb. I prefer Radeon but a good Nvidia manufacturer would be fine too. I was thinking about a 512mb 1950 variant, b/c by the time DX10 really becomes used, I'll need to upgrade again anyway. So I was going to get that 1950 but then I realized the HD radeons are coming out soon, so wouldn't the prices for the 1950 drop?

Any suggestions on what 1950 to buy, or to wait, or to look at a similar Nvidia card? I play my games at the 1280x768 reso most of the time and while I like having the graphics cranked, I usually settle for a lower setting so I get the best functionality.

All/any suggestions will be appreciated! :D
 
200-250 will buy much more than a x1950 (about $130-$150 AR). If you can spare that much, check out the 8800gts 320mb
 
Yeah, go for a 320mb 8800gts. If you can't afford one of those, then wait for ATI to release their cards and hope prices drop or ATI has a good card in your budget.
 
You should wait...the new Radeons will be out in 3 weeks or so and price drops should follow. If you don't want to wait, I'd have to agree with the choice of an 8800gts.
 
FORGET the 8800 GTS with its lousy 320MB. I'm in same situation u are in. The x1950 XT beats the 8800 GTS at high res so there is no reason to think this will change in the future. By the time games will REQUIRE dx10 it will be time for an upgrade anyway. There is NOTHING out there that is playable on the 8800 GTS but unplayable on the x1950 XT/XTX. The reverse is not true however. Or get the 2900 XT which will come out soon.
 
LawGiver said:
FORGET the 8800 GTS with its lousy 320MB. I'm in same situation u are in. The x1950 XT beats the 8800 GTS at high res so there is no reason to think this will change in the future. By the time games will REQUIRE dx10 it will be time for an upgrade anyway. There is NOTHING out there that is playable on the 8800 GTS but unplayable on the x1950 XT/XTX. The reverse is not true however. Or get the 2900 XT which will come out soon.
Click to expand...

I think what LawGiver is saying (with a slightly less biased edge) is that it depends on whether you're going to run a high end resolution or not. 1280 and below, the 8800gts 320mb will beat the x1950 xt and xtx. 16x12 and up, the 320mb of the 8800gts will hurt considerably due to the low 320mb size.
 
LawGiver said:
FORGET the 8800 GTS with its lousy 320MB. I'm in same situation u are in. The x1950 XT beats the 8800 GTS at high res so there is no reason to think this will change in the future. By the time games will REQUIRE dx10 it will be time for an upgrade anyway. There is NOTHING out there that is playable on the 8800 GTS but unplayable on the x1950 XT/XTX. The reverse is not true however. Or get the 2900 XT which will come out soon.
Click to expand...

What have you been smoking?

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI5MywzLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2953&p=10

I see the ATI card getting owned, what reviews do you read?
 
Hmm the EVGA8800 GTS 320mb SC seems to be the choice over the 1950, however, will the 8800 run me between 200-250 USD? And let me throw this into the frey, I'm running an Athlon XP 64bit 2ghz single core CPU, will that bottleneck either of these cards at all?
 
thats iffy on bottle necking... please list all your specs so we can have a better idea.
maybe a graphics card isnt the best choice right now...
 
there are many. here is one. look at the HIGHEST resolutions for each game. Look at the X1950 XTX. I was talking about 512mb parts not the 256mb ones.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/02/13/nvidia_geforce_8800_gts_320mb/1.html

hl2e1_2560_4x_8x.png

cod2_1920_2x_8x.png

fear_2560_2x_16x.png

fear-2560-bar.gif
 
I am sure that an X1900 XTX 512MB would be a great card, and does appear to be faster than an 8800GTS 320MB. But, why compare a <$300 retail box card to a >$300 retail box card?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=X1900+XTX&x=12&y=29

I have only seen open box X1900XTX (as above) for the same price as an 8800GTS 320MB, not any new retail stock.

So, as far as the OP goes, I would say an 8800GTS 320MB is very close to your price range. One was on a brief sale at Newegg for <$220 after rebate, a while back. Keep your eyes open while you wait for the ATI/AMD release and subsequent price drops, maybe you could pick one up during a similar special.
 
I've been playing the waiting game myself. Im still at a 9600XT and im deciding bw a 1950XT a 8600GTS, or waiting 3 more long weeks with my almost complete system without a video card :/
Has amd leaked release dates/prices yet?
 
colbyman said:
thats iffy on bottle necking... please list all your specs so we can have a better idea.
maybe a graphics card isnt the best choice right now...
Click to expand...

current specs are:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
2gigs of OCZ DDR 3200 2.5-3-2-5 Ram
A8N-SLI Asus mobo
x850xt radeon
80gb 10k rpm sata hdd

I think I'll keep an eye on both the 1950XTX and the 8800 320mb and snag which ever has the best price in a few weeks.
 
LawGiver said:
wtf are u talking about greater than $300??? also we were talking about x1950 not x1900. this will oc to XTX speeds very easily.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102082
Click to expand...

I see only GDDR4 XTX cards, does OCing the x1950 XT change the ram type too?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2E16814127221,N82E16814241026,N82E16814121024

Somehow me thinks the ~$400 XTX should beat out the $250-$270 priced 8800gts 320mb card. Guess if you had $400 you could always by the 640mb edition huh?
 
jmackay said:
I see only GDDR4 XTX cards, does OCing the x1950 XT change the ram type too?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...2E16814127221,N82E16814241026,N82E16814121024

Somehow me thinks the ~$400 XTX should beat out the $250-$270 priced 8800gts 320mb card. Guess if you had $400 you could always by the 640mb edition huh?
Click to expand...

look spaz, the X1950 XT will easily oc to 2Ghz on the memory. It will perform just like an XTX. As if the ram type will somehow completely change things...:rolleyes: Are trying to be stupid on purpose? And the price is $230 as I linked not $400. Youre just in denial, lol. Even the XT @ 1.8Ghz mem clock would beat the GTS.

edit: you didnt buy the 320MB version, so you can't be that stupid.
 
Maybe wait a little cause indeed you don't need Directx10 right now simply because there are no (or nearly any) games around and you get stuck with Vista anyways.

If you "have" to buy go for the Evga E-Geforce 8800 GTS 320 MB ACS3!

This one has a high default clock frequencie and a gigantic OC possibility.

The extra head room in the very expensive GTX versions is not used by most of ouer configurations anyways.

But why not indeed go for a affordable card without the directx10?
 
LawGiver said:
look spaz, the X1950 XT will easily oc to 2Ghz on the memory. It will perform just like an XTX. As if the ram type will somehow completely change things...:rolleyes: Are trying to be stupid on purpose? And the price is $230 as I linked not $400. Youre just in denial, lol. Even the XT @ 1.8Ghz mem clock would beat the GTS.

edit: you didnt buy the 320MB version, so you can't be that stupid.
Click to expand...

Its called a rhetorical question. I know the ram type won't change, but you can't say that GDDR3 = GDDR4.

Show me some benchmarks where the X1950 XT beats out the 8800gts, not where the $400+ XTX does and say you can simply OC it it into an XTX when the XTX uses GDDR4 not GDDR3.

Did you even take a look at the link I posted? It compared the XT to all of the XTX's, cheapest being $399.
 
LawGiver said:
look spaz, the X1950 XT will easily oc to 2Ghz on the memory. It will perform just like an XTX. As if the ram type will somehow completely change things...:rolleyes: Are trying to be stupid on purpose? And the price is $230 as I linked not $400. Youre just in denial, lol. Even the XT @ 1.8Ghz mem clock would beat the GTS.

edit: you didnt buy the 320MB version, so you can't be that stupid.
Click to expand...

You write nothing but inflammatory posts. Aren't there mods around to take care of people like you?
 
LawGiver said:
there are many. here is one. look at the HIGHEST resolutions for each game. Look at the X1950 XTX. I was talking about 512mb parts not the 256mb ones....post's bunch of hot linked images

wtf are u talking about greater than $300??? also we were talking about x1950 not x1900. this will oc to XTX speeds very easily.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102082
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm so sure all the people that buy 200-250 dollar video cards have such high rez monitors:rolleyes:

And try not to be such a dick, makes you sound less credible.
 
Well it appears my monitors max resolution is 1280x1024, so I guess I the 512mb cards are simply a waste of money then and I can focus more of that money towards a higher end 256mb card.
 
jmackay said:
Its called a rhetorical question. I know the ram type won't change, but you can't say that GDDR3 = GDDR4.

Show me some benchmarks where the X1950 XT beats out the 8800gts, not where the $400+ XTX does and say you can simply OC it it into an XTX when the XTX uses GDDR4 not GDDR3.

Did you even take a look at the link I posted? It compared the XT to all of the XTX's, cheapest being $399.
Click to expand...

wow I think you're just trying to be annoying, carry on.
 
LawGiver said:
look spaz, the X1950 XT will easily oc to 2Ghz on the memory. It will perform just like an XTX. As if the ram type will somehow completely change things...:rolleyes: Are trying to be stupid on purpose? And the price is $230 as I linked not $400. Youre just in denial, lol. Even the XT @ 1.8Ghz mem clock would beat the GTS.

edit: you didnt buy the 320MB version, so you can't be that stupid.
Click to expand...

Hmm...

Ok, my GTS (320bit memory, not 256) also OCed to 2Ghz. I have seen several sigs with 8800GTS cards with 2Ghz or more mem clocks. But, so what. You are in the business of guarantying people's OC results now, are you?

The price for the XT is ~$230, the XTX is not that low. If you need to OC an XT to make it as fast as an XTX, and a stock XTX beats a stock GTS 320, so what? Why would anyone make a decision on that basis? What does an OCed GTS 320 do in comparison to an OCed XT. What is the point of comparing anything to a stock XTX, even? Wouldn't you OC that, if you had it?
Maybe you use a stock XTX because you say it is as fast as an OCed XT. You need to cite sources not pose as an expert. You also need to stick to apples to apples, not OCed to stock. Common, "spaz". :D

A little intellectual honesty goes a long way.

As far as bypassing DX10 for the OP, how long are you looking to run this card for? Either in this machine or another one in the future. You might not care about DX10 now, but in 6 months? A year? A year and a half? That would be a good question to answer while you wait.
 
With regards to waiting or buying, it is unlikely that the introduction of the R600's or other high end cards will affect you much because you are only looking for a dependable mid range card. You should consider buying now.

As for memory, you are using a very low resolution so you should look for low memory cards as they are better value for money.

Good cards potentially matching your criteria are the 256MB 1950XT or the 320MB 8800GTS. Both have good performance, but the 8800FTS is slightly above your price range.

The 1950XT is a good card that meets all your criteria, and even if the 8800GTS was well within your price bracket, is probably better value for the money since you can pick it up for around $180 at NewEgg (after discount) which is around $100 less than the 320MB 8800GTS. It is unlikely that you will see dramatic changes in price here as it's already slightly underpriced in terms of price/performance compared to other cards.
 
I am in a similar situation, with about $250 to spend. Assuming I would like to go DX10, is there any reason to wait for R600? From what I understand, ATI won't be releasing any cards in that range.

Does anyone know if ATI is releasing any cards for about $250, or if R600 will cause a drop in price of the NVIDIA cards around that price point? If not then I see no reason not to get a 8800gts 320 now.
 
ATImd is rumored to be releasing the X2400 and X2600 cards aswell. Im still leaning towards the 1950XT myself though
 
Make sure your power supply is adequate for any new card you choose. Last thing you want to do is spend $250 on the card and then find out you need another $100+ for a PSU to run it.
 
I've got a 450w thermaltake, I don't have that many things running off it, just the vidcard, 2HDs and some fans which are nothing. I've been told the 450 should be fine, and it is the minimum for the 1950XT. I guess if I do need a new powersupply though, I would have needed it eventually anyway and I'll just go about and buy one.
 
Rouzuki said:
I've got a 450w thermaltake, I don't have that many things running off it, just the vidcard, 2HDs and some fans which are nothing. I've been told the 450 should be fine, and it is the minimum for the 1950XT. I guess if I do need a new powersupply though, I would have needed it eventually anyway and I'll just go about and buy one.
Click to expand...

I got a 680w PSU specifically for my GTS, and my computer would not boot, spin fans, make a noise, or even light up anything with both of those in the system. It turns out it was a 680w PSU because it had crazy 3.3v and 5v ratings. The +12v rating was only 22A, however. My card stated 26A was the minimum required. As you can see, the wattage doesn't matter much. What really matters (for video cards) is the +12v rail rating. With a 22A rating, I got nothing at all until I removed the card. With a 42A +12v rating, everything works fine. :D
 
echn111 said:
Good cards potentially matching your criteria are the 256MB 1950XT or the 320MB 8800GTS. Both have good performance, but the 8800FTS is slightly above your price range.
Click to expand...

The GTS wasn't a week or two ago at Newegg. $220 is well with in his price range. It has happened already, it will happen again, and probably sooner rather than later. Now, he will likely need a new PSU, but that is just a matter of time, regardless.

Waiting for ATI's release while keeping an eye out on good specials on DX10 options is a good strategy, IMO. Especially if his budget is a hard ceiling, not more of a guideline.
 
So yeah, I'm most def going to need to buy a new PSU, my +12v has 18A... That won't cut it for either card.
 
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