Ok, so its that time

[quiksilverx181]

I need a vid card in the $300 range (no higher than 300 really)...

I was lookin at x800xl PCI-E... what are your thoughts?

Is it possible to find 6800GT PCI-E for ~$300 too?

If so, which one should i get? I do like eye candy but i play slightly older games than the HL2/Doom3 generation (think ut2k4 and around there)

 

[quiksilverx181]

you gotta be kidding me, 41 views and nothing? Someone please help?

 

[BossNoodleKaboodle]

The 6800 because it has SM 3.0. Personally I'd wait and see what comes out with the 7 series from Nvidia. You'll see your 3Dmark03 score double with a 6800GT though.

 

[GoldenTiger]

Too bad HDR and SM3.0 run like a snail up-hill (less than half performance, often 30-40% of original performance at higher resolutions with them on) on a 6800Ultra even, let alone a 6800GT. The X800XL is faster, and now in OpenGL with the newer drivers it is about equal with the Nvidia cards in terms of performance. It also will overclock better, and has better driver support over the past few years of Nvidia and ATI's histories. Why would you go for the 6800GT even if you could find one for the same price as the X800XL?

 

[Brent_Justice]

You'll see your 3Dmark03 score double with a 6800GT though.

Yes, because your 3DMark score is the most important factor, even more important than game performance.

 

[Dudeyourlame]

i say x800xl..your going to be upgrading even with a 6800 GT to run HDR or sm 3.0 anyways

and brent is right.. my friend has exact same setup as me.. he gets 3700 3dmark 05 and i get 4600 or so and he has same drivers and no AA/ or AF on but games play jsut as fast on mine as does his

 

[Flak Monkey]

Get whichevers cheaper. The 6800GT overclocks better and is slightly faster (slightly!). THe X800XL is useually cheaper for pci-e.

 

[selizo]

Go with the X800XL, it'll serve you well. As far as benchmarks go, I think they're a valid way of judging performance. I also believe that they're a good way to make sure you didn't screw up installing something. Its just those who hate to see lower scores who claim they're useless

edit: go for the 6600GT at monarch for $138 after rebate and upgrade once more powerful cards come out. If you ask me, the 6600GT is more than enough card for current gen games unless you run at really high resoluions in which case, get the X800Xl. But, if you run at lower resolution, get the 6600GT. On the other hand, from one X800Xl to a another prospective X800XL owner, get the X800XL and join the club


link

 

[Zinn]

edit: go for the 6600GT at monarch for $138 after rebate and upgrade once more powerful cards come out. If you ask me, the 6600GT is more than enough card for current gen games unless you run at really high resoluions in which case, get the X800Xl. But, if you run at lower resolution, get the 6600GT. On the other hand, from one X800Xl to a another prospective X800XL owner, get the X800XL and join the club

if you want any upgrade right now, get the x800xl. the 6600gt will be about the same as the 9800 in anything except Doom 3... definietly not worth the upgrade.

Like others are saying, nVidia is about to release their new cards so it may be a good idea to wait now, if waiting is ever a good idea.

 

[quiksilverx181]

if you want any upgrade right now, get the x800xl. the 6600gt will be about the same as the 9800 in anything except Doom 3... definietly not worth the upgrade.

Like others are saying, nVidia is about to release their new cards so it may be a good idea to wait now, if waiting is ever a good idea.

Well i know they will come out with new cards, but my money is short so that i would need to buy a card now.. and whatever i get now is what i keep. I dunno if that makes sense but thats my situation. I spend now, whether its a lil or a lot, or i dont spend at all.

BTW, how is a 6600GT? Is it good in HL/HL2 based games because thats what i mostly play?

I dont play doom3 so that doesnt matter. I have a 9800 pro so compared to that, hows a 6600GT? If i dont get a 6600GT, ill go for a x800xl but yea,..,,

 

[Skrying]

Well i know they will come out with new cards, but my money is short so that i would need to buy a card now.. and whatever i get now is what i keep. I dunno if that makes sense but thats my situation. I spend now, whether its a lil or a lot, or i dont spend at all.

BTW, how is a 6600GT? Is it good in HL/HL2 based games because thats what i mostly play?

I dont play doom3 so that doesnt matter. I have a 9800 pro so compared to that, hows a 6600GT? If i dont get a 6600GT, ill go for a x800xl but yea,..,,

Dont get a 6600GT. I will come to the place you live and break the card in half. Its so stupid to upgrade from a 9800 Pro to a 6600GT. They perform the same in almost everything except a few here and there's. Its not worth it at all.

Get yourself a card around $300, it'll last a very long time for you and you'll be happy. If you even think about a 6600GT you're just settings yourself up for disappointment.

Get yourself a X800XL or a 6800GT, you'll be happy either way. Just get the cheaper one and save the difference.

 

[gt216]

I strongly suggest you get the X800 XL. With this card you may not need to upgrade for 1-2 years, but with the 6600GT you may have to upgrade for next generation games. For HL/HL2 the X800 XL is a better choice as well.

 

[BossNoodleKaboodle]

Yes, because your 3DMark score is the most important factor, even more important than game performance.

wow you can sure take something out of context can't you. well done. kudos to you. i was only stating a fact, not saying that the reason for getting the card was to double his 3dmark score. where exactly do you get that from in what i said? i'd reeeealy like to know.

 

[FanATIc]

wow you can sure take something out of context can't you. well done. kudos to you. i was only stating a fact, not saying that the reason for getting the card was to double his 3dmark score. where exactly do you get that from in what i said? i'd reeeealy like to know.

maybe you should of worded better. You said

"6800GT because of SM3.0, (space) you'll double your 3Dmark03 though"

Totally random unless you were insinuating that he'd somehow benefit largly from it. Which is how you came across. On a whole your comment was totally useless. 3Dmark scores should never be used as a basis to buy a card otherwise everyone would own one company.

For comparison, its great, everything else, stupid.

If you really have a hard time understanding this, let me give you an example.

"what card is better? well Nvidia cards suck cause SM3.0 is useless so ATI is better"

and that would be my responce. See how its only skin deep? Makes no sence on its own.

 

[BossNoodleKaboodle]

maybe you should of worded better. You said

"6800GT because of SM3.0, (space) you'll double your 3Dmark03 though"

Totally random unless you were insinuating that he'd somehow benefit largly from it. Which is how you came across. On a whole your comment was totally useless. 3Dmark scores should never be used as a basis to buy a card otherwise everyone would own one company.

For comparison, its great, everything else, stupid.

If you really have a hard time understanding this, let me give you an example.

"what card is better? well Nvidia cards suck cause SM3.0 is useless so ATI is better"

and that would be my responce. See how its only skin deep? Makes no sence on its own.

Way to misquote me. I REALLY SAID: The 6800 because it has SM 3.0. Personally I'd wait and see what comes out with the 7 series from Nvidia. You'll see your 3Dmark03 score double with a 6800GT though. THERE IS A PERIOD THERE. CAN YOU READ? You didn't even spell response properly so why would I care what you misread... Oh and BTW the reason I said that about the 3dmark thing was because he has his score posted in his sig, so ITS PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO HIM!

 

[windoze9x]

You guys should stop this flamewar before the thread gets locked. Argue in PM or something.

 

[legcramp]

Too bad HDR and SM3.0 run like a snail up-hill (less than half performance, often 30-40% of original performance at higher resolutions with them on) on a 6800Ultra even, let alone a 6800GT. The X800XL is faster, and now in OpenGL with the newer drivers it is about equal with the Nvidia cards in terms of performance. It also will overclock better, and has better driver support over the past few years of Nvidia and ATI's histories. Why would you go for the 6800GT even if you could find one for the same price as the X800XL?

ur so wrong lol, the XL is .9nm core, overclocking is not very good on the XL , the GT, which u say is not a good overclocker compared to teh Xl, well these "not as good overclockers" can hit ultra speed very easily, most of them. and the gt is faster than the XL in most of the games, d3d or not, and u say if the GT is the smae price as the XL, why get the GT anyways? well you must be a moron not too. GT is the better card if they are both at the smae price range...and getting a gt is like getting an ultra single slot with a little overclocking.....getting the XL would be getting an XT? nah, I dont thnk so, maybe with water or send it to viperjohn or something lol....and ur a BIG FAT fnabyo anyways so back off unless you got some decent reason and dont say anything that isnt true. blah, and O YAH, who cares if using HDR has a huge performance hit? @ least its there lol....and sing SM3 does not hinder performance, it boost lol...get your facts straight pal. and I am not a !!!!!!, I love both nvidia and ati evenly, I just happen to find an ultra in stock @ compusa back in september lol...

O yah and I forgot, why do people keep on starting threads like this, use the dang SEARCH option..sheez..this is like the 3rd.. 6800gt vs x800XL thread already..hehe

 

[selizo]

ur so wrong lol, the XL is .9nm core, overclocking is not very good on the XL , the GT, which u say is not a good overclocker compared to teh Xl, well these "not as good overclockers" can hit ultra speed very easily, most of them. and the gt is faster than the XL in most of the games, d3d or not, and u say if the GT is the smae price as the XL, why get the GT anyways? well you must be a moron not too. GT is the better card if they are both at the smae price range...and getting a gt is like getting an ultra single slot with a little overclocking.....getting the XL would be getting an XT? nah, I dont thnk so, maybe with water or send it to viperjohn or something lol....and ur a BIG FAT fnabyo anyways so back off unless you got some decent reason and dont say anything that isnt true. blah, and O YAH, who cares if using HDR has a huge performance hit? @ least its there lol....and sing SM3 does not hinder performance, it boost lol...get your facts straight pal. and I am not a !!!!!!, I love both nvidia and ati evenly, I just happen to find an ultra in stock @ compusa back in september lol...

O yah and I forgot, why do people keep on starting threads like this, use the dang SEARCH option..sheez..this is like the 3rd.. 6800gt vs x800XL thread already..hehe

You forget that some peope like to keep warrenties on their cards and would rather not commit fraud in order to get their cards fixed if something screwed up along the way. I would be one of these people...

And your claim that the 6800Gt is faster than the X800XL is based on false assumptions. Look at this for instance. Notice the red? Thats the X800XL and its performance is very close to that of the 6800GT. In some games, the 6800GT "wins" and in others the X800XL "wins." Overall they're very comparable cards with the execption that the 6800GT supports SM3 which does increase speed slightly. However, once you turn up the eyecandy, the 6800GT becomes nearly useless(at least for me). From the benchmarks that I've seen, HDR in Far Cry takes a tremedous hit when enabled, even at lower resolutions. Riddick becomes even more unplayble when the 2.0++ mode is enabled. I'm not sure about other people but I don't pay $300 in order to play @ 800x600 with full details on....at least with the X800XL, you can get maximum eye candy and still plat at higher resolutions using the card at its maximum potential

Am I a !!!!!!? Yesand I'm not afraid to admit it unlike the countless other members who claim they aren't but would argue on the side of the card thats currently inside their system...

 

[^eMpTy^]

Yes, because your 3DMark score is the most important factor, even more important than game performance.

Are you obligated by HardOCP contract to bash 3DMark whenever possible?

 

[^eMpTy^]

Way to misquote me. I REALLY SAID: The 6800 because it has SM 3.0. Personally I'd wait and see what comes out with the 7 series from Nvidia. You'll see your 3Dmark03 score double with a 6800GT though. THERE IS A PERIOD THERE. CAN YOU READ? You didn't even spell response properly so why would I care what you misread... Oh and BTW the reason I said that about the 3dmark thing was because he has his score posted in his sig, so ITS PROBABLY IMPORTANT TO HIM!

QFMFT

 

[legcramp]

You forget that some peope like to keep warrenties on their cards and would rather not commit fraud in order to get their cards fixed if something screwed up along the way. I would be one of these people...

And your claim that the 6800Gt is faster than the X800XL is based on false assumptions. Look at this for instance. Notice the red? Thats the X800XL and its performance is very close to that of the 6800GT. In some games, the 6800GT "wins" and in others the X800XL "wins." Overall they're very comparable cards with the execption that the 6800GT supports SM3 which does increase speed slightly. However, once you turn up the eyecandy, the 6800GT becomes nearly useless(at least for me). From the benchmarks that I've seen, HDR in Far Cry takes a tremedous hit when enabled, even at lower resolutions. Riddick becomes even more unplayble when the 2.0++ mode is enabled. I'm not sure about other people but I don't pay $300 in order to play @ 800x600 with full details on....at least with the X800XL, you can get maximum eye candy and still plat at higher resolutions using the card at its maximum potential

Am I a !!!!!!? Yesand I'm not afraid to admit it unlike the countless other members who claim they aren't but would argue on the side of the card thats currently inside their system...

well, who said u gotta use those "extra" new features from the 6800gt?? you get the same "eyecandy" as the x800XL b/c the GT supports everything the XL does, plus more....and when u want to use the "plus more" you get a performance hit, but you dont have too.
and who the hell pays 300 for a card to use @ 800x600??? noone...

ur giving very wrong reasons that the GT can't be used @ it's max...

for example...my ultra, which "supports" AA 16sX and Ati does not, but do I use it? NO! it has a huge performance hit doesnt it? VERY HUGE. So ur saying, in order for my card to be used with full eyecandy etc..I gotta use 16sX, and ati, which for example in this situation, uses 4x is better than my ultra just b/cmy ultra supports 16sX , means I ahve to use it against the competition in order to define "MAX EYECANDY" and "potential"?? nooo

and sorry if I am not making any sense....


O yeah and i forgot, quiksilver, I doubt ur gonna find any pci-E 6800 gt's anyways...for ur price range @ least...just get the XL and get it over with.

 

[xXaNaXx]

ok, here's the way i see making a decision between an x800xl and a 6800gt:

they're both comparable cards, performance-wise. what sets them apart? two things, price and features.

the GeForce is a little more expensive, but it has SM3 & HDR support.
the ATI doesn't have HDR/SM3, but it is a little cheaper and has component video outputs, which allows you to easily connect it to an HDTV.

i have a 51" widescreen HDTV, so i would personally prefer the x800xl.

so decide what features are important to you, or decide on if you want to save a few bucks, and that will be the best choice for you

that's what all these bickering little children on every one of these damn "x vid card" vs. "y vid card" threads fail to realize....what is best for them is not always best for someone else.....you need to just state the facts and let them make up their own minds from there, instead of bickering over OPINIONS!!!! cause guess what? when you fight over opinions, no one wins, all you get is these overbloated, useless, pointless threads that usually only end when either the people arguing get too tired to argue anymore, or a mod/admin locks the thread.....

 

[selizo]

well, who said u gotta use those "extra" new features from the 6800gt?? you get the same "eyecandy" as the x800XL b/c the GT supports everything the XL does, plus more....and when u want to use the "plus more" you get a performance hit, but you dont have too.
and who the hell pays 300 for a card to use @ 800x600??? noone...

ur giving very wrong reasons that the GT can't be used @ it's max...

for example...my ultra, which "supports" AA 16sX and Ati does not, but do I use it? NO! it has a huge performance hit doesnt it? VERY HUGE. So ur saying, in order for my card to be used with full eyecandy etc..I gotta use 16sX, and ati, which for example in this situation, uses 4x is better than my ultra just b/cmy ultra supports 16sX , means I ahve to use it against the competition in order to define "MAX EYECANDY" and "potential"?? nooo

and sorry if I am not making any sense....


O yeah and i forgot, quiksilver, I doubt ur gonna find any pci-E 6800 gt's anyways...for ur price range @ least...just get the XL and get it over with.

Eh, sorry for not making myself clear. I'm not talking about AA or AF modes. I'm talking about the features the 6800GT offers which the X800XL doesn't. Things such as Sm3.0, etc. From this point onwards, I'll be talking about Riddick.

Riddick has an option of turning on soft shadows which isn't available for X8xx users. Taken from firingsquad's review: "the game’s “2.0++” mode enables soft stencil shadows for GeForce 6 series".

The performance hit caused by enabling this feature is so great that I personally would not want to play this game without turning down the res.
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/chronicles_of_riddick_performance/page6.asp

Now I'll talk about Splinter Cell:Chaos Thoery with benchs taken from the same site.
We all know that SM3 does offer some speed advantages over SM1/SM2. Shown here

However, once HDR is turned on, the performance again dips dramatically as shown here

So in short, if you have features but can't use it(smoothly), whats the point of having it? Of course SM3 offers alightly better performance but is shelling out another $50+ worth a few extra frames?

 

[legcramp]

well, in this situation no, but I am talking about if they were the same price, the GT is a way better choice imo, U know I am right!!! admit it! heeh