I'm so confused...

[orkan]

Used to be... you could check a few reviews and have a good idea who has the "best" gaming GFX card out there for your particular game you like to play.

Now, every site has their own "BEST" method of testing cards. The "gaming experience" versus the canned benchmarks versus the demo run-throughs...

Every new technology released by ATI and nVidia just compounds the problem. I go look at anandtech reviews, and it shows the 1800xt performing better than the 7800gtx at high resolutions with AA and AF turned up. I go look at [H] reviews and spend more time checking what settings they are running the cards at, than the actual numbers themselves... so I never know what is actually a "better card" for my game.

When I spend $500 on a video card... I want to know that it is the best in my particular game. I generally stick with a game and its mods for a year or so, before I upgrade hardware and/or switch games.

Perhaps someone with access to both cards can help me here. I want to know whether to buy an X1800XT or a 7800GTX.

Can someone run benchmarks of both cards in SINGLE (no sli/xfire) on Battlefield 2, using 1600x1200 6xAA, all in game settings on high?

 

[Brent_Justice]

I go look at [H] reviews and spend more time checking what settings they are running the cards at, than the actual numbers themselves... so I never know what is actually a "better card" for my game.

Quite simply the card that has the highest playable setting is obviously the "faster" video card in that game.

If you look at our Battlefield 2 results you will see that the 7800 GT allows 2X TR MSAA and the X1800 XL allows 2X AD AA. So In terms of image quality the X1800 XL is a bit better because it is doing 2X AD AA (supersampling) while the 7800 GT is not playable at 2X TR SSAA (supersampling), only TR MSAA (multisampling), so in effect the X1800 XL has the higher image quality. This also means it must be somewhat faster since it allows playable 2X (supersampling) AA in this game and the 7800 GT does not.

Either way though you'll be getting a high level of gaming experience with either card.

Games and Video Cards are so complex now that canned benchmarks and timedemos cannot show you the real world experience and image quality that is capable. For example using the "AD AA" and "TR AA" and "HQ AF" options available on current cards. Only real world gameplay testing can show you the benefits of these features and if they are feasible or not in games.

 

[riggs58]

Well, it really comes down to the games you play. In DirectX, the 1800XT is roughly faster than the GTX. In OpenGL however, the table turns and the GTX is faster, much more so actually. If you mainly play DirectX games or value image quality as a top priority, I would choose the 1800XT. It remains to be seen if the extra ram on the 1800XT might help for future games but it's something to think about.

 

[Brent_Justice]

Well, it really comes down to the games you play. In DirectX, the 1800XT is roughly faster than the GTX. In OpenGL however, the table turns and the GTX is faster, much more so actually. If you mainly play DirectX games or value image quality as a top priority, I would choose the 1800XT. It remains to be seen if the extra ram on the 1800XT might help for future games but it's something to think about.

I would not lump the cards by API.

Performance and Image Quality differ game-by-game, just because a game is DirectX doesn't mean the X1800 XT will offer a better gaming experience by default. That's a very bad way to compare the cards.

 

[riggs58]

I would not lump the cards by API.

Performance and Image Quality differ game-by-game, just because a game is DirectX doesn't mean the X1800 XT will offer a better gaming experience by default.

That's true but the 1800XT AA and AF quality is slightly above what the GTX offers. When you add the minimal performance hit it takes when enabling both, at least when compared to the GTX, I would have to give the edge to the 1800XT.

 

[magoo]

You need two friends. One with the x1800 and the other with the 7800GT/X. Play the game with them and see for yourself. Or take someone's word for it. They both seem to be good cards. Dont forget ATI has their big card to come in November. Me......a little tick here or there doesnt make that big a difference. I actually look at the vendor and their reliability and RMA practices and warranties. Lets put it this way....Ive never been dissatisfied with BFG and Ive never had to send one back. Ive still got functional Ti4600 and 5950 Ultra cards.