Help deciding: 1950XT -vs- 79xxGT

[Hemi63]

Hi everyone,

Here's a little background...

I have an NF4 (MB) with 2GB DDR, 4400-X2 & X800XL-PCIE. I thinking of bumping up to an NV570-Ultra with 2GB DDR2-800, 5200-X2, but can't decide on a video card. My gaming resolution is 1280x1024 and the X800XL never breaks 55C while playing UT2004.

I'm not seeing a huge different in the thru-put numbers on Adrians rojakpot video card comparison guide on my current 800XL and the 1950PRO.

So the questions are:

1 - The 1950PRO has more pixel shaders, but will I notice a difference over the 800XL?

2 - Am I missing something, or should I spend the extra $50 and get the 1950XT?

I'm also considering the nVidia 7950GT. Based on its numbers, it looks like a decent performer. The main reason I am considering nVidia is that they are running cooler then ATI cards.

3 - What are these 3 cards averaging temperature wise under full load?

I'm trying to keep the video card at $250 mark, but it just doesn't seem like that much more bang for my buck over the X800XL.

I'd appreciate any insights you guys can provide. Even if it's wait till January/February for price/performance ratios to smooth out.

Thanks - Hemi63

 

[tisb0b]

x1950xt and to be honest it really doesn't matter if your card runs hot or not because they were built to take the heat. My x1950xtx for instance idles between 60*C-70*C and load is at 85*C-86*C. You will definitely notice the difference with any card over the x800XL

 

[Ranari]

My 6800GT gets up to ~90 to 93C during load, but it's never crashed once. Not once. Despite the heat graphics cards generate, they are designed to take it. Generally, GPUs can take a lot more heat than CPUs can.

 

[Marvelous]

1950xt would be worth $50 more... But then again you can buy 7900gs and 1900gt and perform very similar to 1950pro and save $100....