X1800XT vs 7900GT

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I've been having some trouble deciding between these two: I'm upgrading from an AGP system. Here's why I'm having a hard time deciding:
I've noted that SLI is a great upgrade path, but the X1800XT does better in benchmarks right now. On the other hand, the 7900GT is overclockable easily. Crossfire doesn't seem to be as well developed as SLI right now, but for the games I play (BF2, Oblivion, Half-Life 2) ATI is awesome.

Also, because I'm upgrading the motherboard, is it worth buying a crossfire board now if I go with ATI? Is it worth buying a SLI board now if I go with nVidia? If I abandon Crossfire/SLI, does it matter if the North Bridge is Nvidia with a Nvidia card and the same w/ATI?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Edit: Bought a X1800XT, the instant rebate is schweet.
 
I went 7900GT way. Well for my situation 7900GT is much better. It's for a SFF PC hence heat noise and size doo mether. 7900G runs extremly cool, it has lot's of power and it's much smaller even with Zalman VF-900 on it.



MD
 
x1800xt 256 vs 7900gt 256
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=542

With almost no price difference between X1800XT and 7900GT graphics cards it simply comes down to which offers the best performance. Of course availability is also an issue and currently it is much easier to locate a 7900GT graphics card. The only weakness of the 7900GT was its FSAA & Aniso performance, which let it down just enough to allow the Radeon X1800XT to become threatening. Although there was no real noticeable advantages of using either graphics card, the Radeon X1800XT is technically faster.
 
thecake90 said:
x1800xt 256 vs 7900gt 256
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=542

With almost no price difference between X1800XT and 7900GT graphics cards it simply comes down to which offers the best performance.
Click to expand...
Interesting. In the UK I can get a 256Mb Sapphire X1800XT for £170, which is £60 less than the cheapest branded 7900GT (Gainward, complete with puny hsf). These prices are from the same store (OcUK).
 
The X1800xt also gives higher visual quality from my personal non-scientific observations, but this has been true of ATI cards for a while. Also, when ATI's Avivo software hits the streets, it will be tremendously useful if you ever encode video.
 
If they both have the same performance, the X1800XT is clearly the winner because of it's superior image quality.
 
Ha, I was afraid this would happen, the 512 X1800XT costs about exactly the same as the 7900GT and this seems to be a hot debate. Any comment about what mobo I should go with if I buy either card?
 
What superior Image quality you are talking about. I used 7900GT and i am using X1900XT with my ATI HDTV Wonder and trust me 7900GT image quality is better than X1900XT and i am switching back to 7900GT.

Then over the top simple 1.4v VMOD to 7900GT make it the fastest card in the market.
 
This might help you decide: If you go to Newegg right now (and I mean right this instant) you can get a x1800 xt 512MB for $264 shipped. If you enter the promo code "iloveati" at checkout, you can get $50 off any ATI based card over $300. I found this posted in the [H]ot|Deals section. Mine is on the way! :D
 
Rabid Badger said:
This might help you decide: If you go to Newegg right now (and I mean right this instant) you can get a x1800 xt 512MB for $264 shipped. If you enter the promo code "iloveati" at checkout, you can get $50 off any ATI based card over $300. I found this posted in the [H]ot|Deals section. Mine is on the way! :D
Click to expand...
Holy shit, F'n A! Will buy! One last thing: Is this a quality mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813123258
?
Thanks!
 
annaconda said:
What superior Image quality you are talking about. I used 7900GT and i am using X1900XT with my ATI HDTV Wonder and trust me 7900GT image quality is better than X1900XT and i am switching back to 7900GT.

Then over the top simple 1.4v VMOD to 7900GT make it the fastest card in the market.
Click to expand...

Well, your eyes or your eyes, but I have never seen a situation between similar level ATI and nVidia cards where the ATI didn't look better in both 2D and 3D, lots of reviews out there saying the same thing,
 
annaconda said:
What superior Image quality you are talking about. I used 7900GT and i am using X1900XT with my ATI HDTV Wonder and trust me 7900GT image quality is better than X1900XT and i am switching back to 7900GT.

Then over the top simple 1.4v VMOD to 7900GT make it the fastest card in the market.
Click to expand...


why dont u just Vmod a 7900GTX then? and u dont even need to vmod an x1800xt or x1900xt/xtx u can simply up the voltage in ati tool via software and with good cooling ur lookin at 750+ core speeds 800ish on the 1800
 
LOL, 7900GT "Fastest card on the planet". I'd like to think any of the ones Gambit throws are :D
Methinks the tubby snakes claims of owning an X1900 are fabricated.
 
thecake90 said:
x1800xt 256 vs 7900gt 256
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=542

With almost no price difference between X1800XT and 7900GT graphics cards it simply comes down to which offers the best performance. Of course availability is also an issue and currently it is much easier to locate a 7900GT graphics card. The only weakness of the 7900GT was its FSAA & Aniso performance, which let it down just enough to allow the Radeon X1800XT to become threatening. Although there was no real noticeable advantages of using either graphics card, the Radeon X1800XT is technically faster.
Click to expand...

It is almost useless to only compare the 256mb 1800xt to the 7900gt. The 512mb 1800xt is the same price or lower than the 7900gt.

The extra memory really helps in some games like COD2.
 
since the performance differences are negligible and each card will best the other one in different areas it really just comes down to preference. Although evga, xfx, and other 7900gt manufacturers offer lifetime warranties for their video cards. Whichever you want sport ;)
 
Easy choice right now. You can get a X1800XT 512MB for $255 from newegg right now. No 7900GT can even come close to that price. Not only is the XT cheaper, is is also generally faster. The XT can also have HQ AF, HDR+AA, 6xAA. They are both about as loud, so thats not an issue. The GT is much smaller, and does run cooler. But since the XT exhaust the air out of the case, it really doesnt matter.

There are many threads on this topic, searching may help you. There is a nice comparison at Firingsquad. Its a GTO review, but it has the GT and XT in it, with the latest software at the time. The XT is easily the faster card in that review.

tim-x said:
since the performance differences are negligible
Click to expand...

I suggest you take a look at the above review. They are far from "negligible".
 
Wow.. x1800xt all the way for 260 bucks. Wow.. i'm fucking buying one right now. Fuck this x800pro.
 
rincewind said:
LOL, 7900GT "Fastest card on the planet". I'd like to think any of the ones Gambit throws are :D
Methinks the tubby snakes claims of owning an X1900 are fabricated.
Click to expand...

Why don;t this tuby snake show you some real snake ;)

I will post the picture of X1900XT 512MB for you, and as anandtech reviewed Nvidia's Pure Video is better than VIVO for decoding or encoding.
 
annaconda said:
Why don;t this tuby snake show you some real snake ;)

I will post the picture of X1900XT 512MB for you, and as anandtech reviewed Nvidia's Pure Video is better than VIVO for decoding or encoding.
Click to expand...

anandtechs article only claims that PureVideo is better at DEINTERLACING, not decoding H264 or encoding anything =p and don't u have to pay for "purevideo" ?
 
ironforge said:
It is almost useless to only compare the 256mb 1800xt to the 7900gt. The 512mb 1800xt is the same price or lower than the 7900gt.

The extra memory really helps in some games like COD2.
Click to expand...

I have owned Diamond (before the buyout 2d only), Matrox, 3Dfx, Matrox, S3,and ATI, plus Intel Integrated. I regret to say my laptop has an nVidia card (it was free from work, what can I say), just keep your eyes open. The Savage2000 was an incredible card for its time, as were where the VooDoos from that day, nVidia killed them off, so to hell with them, damn scorpions.
 
fallguy said:
I suggest you take a look at the above review. They are far from "negligible".
Click to expand...

I can google a bunch of reviews and show you the 7900GT outperforming the x1800xt 512mb as well.
In fact, I will.
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1592_11.html
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1592_12.html
There's fear and cod2 -- and those benchmarks are against the x1800xt crossfired.

My point was that the performance difference is indeed negligible. Anandtech agrees with me.

Quote taken from Anandtech:
"While the 7900 GT generally spent its time at the bottom of our high end tests, remember that it performs slightly better than a stock 7800 GTX. This puts it squarely at or better than the X1800 XL and X1800 XT. We didn't include these cards as ATI seems to be backing away from the X1800 lineup with the exception of the X1800 GTO that we were unable to obtain for this launch. As the X1800 GTO looks like a cut down X1800 XL, we can certainly expect the 7900 GT to outperform it as well."

Edit: I actually took a look at that link. You tried telling me the performance differences aren't negligible when the 7900GT outperformed the x1800xt 512mb in 5/11 of the tests. Not only that but the 7900GT is easily volt modded to perform WAY past any speed reachable by the x1800xt 512. So you showed me a link that has each card performing better than the other in different tests and you tell me there is a huge performance difference. You must be new.
 
tim-x said:
You're dumb. I can google a bunch of reviews and show you the 7900GT outperforming the x1800xt 512mb as well.
In fact, I will.
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1592_11.html
http://www.motherboards.org/reviews/hardware/1592_12.html
There's fear and cod2 -- and those benchmarks are against the x1800xt crossfired.

My point was that the performance difference is indeed negligible. Anandtech agrees with me.

Quote taken from Anandtech:
"While the 7900 GT generally spent its time at the bottom of our high end tests, remember that it performs slightly better than a stock 7800 GTX. This puts it squarely at or better than the X1800 XL and X1800 XT. We didn't include these cards as ATI seems to be backing away from the X1800 lineup with the exception of the X1800 GTO that we were unable to obtain for this launch. As the X1800 GTO looks like a cut down X1800 XL, we can certainly expect the 7900 GT to outperform it as well."

You can stop being an ati !!!!!! now.
Click to expand...
Horseshit. Let's go with some more modern benchmarks here, eh?

7900 GT
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/bfg_geforce_7900_gtx_oc_7900_gt_oc_review/page11.asp
vs.
X1800XT
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/msi_radeon_x1800xt_vt2d512e/page8.asp
The XT gets an insignificant 1 extra frame. Where the difference between the cards IS significant, is in the XT's bells and whistles, e.g. AVIVO's great HDR capacities. Watch the X1800XT smack the 7900GT around in oblivion here: http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/oblivion_high-end_performance/page5.asp

Right now, the X1800XT is just that much better. Not only that, it has 512 MB GDDR to the 7900 GT's 256.
 
Wow, it gets spanked in cod2, bf2, fear, and oblivion. The 7 series beats it in flight games though, but not nearly as bad as the above stated fps.
 
Tilde said:
Horseshit. Let's go with some more modern benchmarks here, eh?

7900 GT
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/bfg_geforce_7900_gtx_oc_7900_gt_oc_review/page11.asp
vs.
X1800XT
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/msi_radeon_x1800xt_vt2d512e/page8.asp
The XT gets an insignificant 1 extra frame. Where the difference between the cards IS significant, is in the XT's bells and whistles, e.g. AVIVO's great HDR capacities. Watch the X1800XT smack the 7900GT around in oblivion here: http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/oblivion_high-end_performance/page5.asp

Right now, the X1800XT is just that much better. Not only that, it has 512 MB GDDR to the 7900 GT's 256.
Click to expand...

Thanks for pointing that out because i hadn't already looked at the site he'd given me. You sure showed me... 8 fps increase at max resolution. Two words pal: volt mod.
You ati fan boys need to stop crying and trying to prove how ati is better. the fact is is that tthey're comparable cards as the OP will be happy with either one he gets. If the x1800xt 512 is cheaper... than yes it is likely a better buy, but either way it won't make any kind of real difference while he's playing. 5 fps here or there isn't something to call your mom about. All i mentioned was that their performance was similar and you kids start crying about how ati is better. Get a life.
 
tim-x said:
Thanks for pointing that out because i hadn't already looked at the site he'd given me. You sure showed me... 8 fps increase at max resolution. Two words pal: volt mod.
Click to expand...

I know if I try to voltmod the 7900GT I'll wind up with a $300 paperweight.
 
tim-x said:
Thanks for pointing that out because i hadn't already looked at the site he'd given me. You sure showed me... 8 fps increase at max resolution. Two words pal: volt mod.
Click to expand...

You realise the x1k series has software vmod right? On water you can hit close to 800mhz... Look at the bf2 , fear, and oblivion results. And total fps diff doesn't matter, it's percentage.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/powercolor_radeon_x1800_gto/page5.asp
 
sabrewolf732 said:
You realise the x1k series has software vmod right? On water you can hit close to 800mhz... Look at the bf2 , fear, and oblivion results. And total fps diff doesn't matter, it's percentage.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/powercolor_radeon_x1800_gto/page5.asp
Click to expand...

and on air a 7900GT CAN do 800mhz.

edit: if arguing about how your video card is so superior on a forum helps you fan boys sleep at night, that's fine with me. i'm done watching you google benchmarks that show negligible differences. If you can't follow the simple instructions to volt modding your 7900GT then you either must be very stupid, or have parkinson's.
 
tim-x said:
and on air a 7900GT CAN do 800mhz.
Click to expand...


Uh huh, hence the huge issues with 7900gt's not being able to do factory oc settings. Those clocks are only good for short term benching and such for the most part.
 
Tilde said:
Edit: Bought a X1800XT, the instant rebate is schweet.
Click to expand...

for sure.

i love the Nforce series. (sound storm rules, it really is like an onboard creative soundcard) even on intel platforms Nforce is awsome. Scailable Link Interface (SLI) with amd systems is also really dif then SLI on intel systems... but if you cant afford crossfire right now, then i would actually go with Nforce and that nice X1800XT you bought, although i woulda recomended a 7900GT.

usually when a new card comes out ("usually" baised on not much history) its better then two of the previous ones. and Nvidia is SURE to make the 8 series something really really awsome, same with ati the X2k series is probibly going to outperform the X1900XTX by a chunk... anywho my point

if your not going multi GPU now, then by the time you can afford it it would be better to get a new card anyways. so crossfire/SLI is really only for the rich dude looking for best performance. and yes SLI is a fair bit more mature then crossfire, although crossfire was second, and as such i believe it to have more potential then SLI. (rendering processer = nice, checkerboard style FR = nice)

soo yea Nf4 and X1800XT autta be one very very schveet machine.
 
sabrewolf732 said:
Uh huh, hence the huge issues with 7900gt's not being able to do factory oc settings. Those clocks are only good for short term benching and such for the most part.
Click to expand...

mine's sitting stable at 575/1750 just fine without volt modding. i'll be modding it later in the week so i'll be sure to let you know how it goes pal. You love ATI so much you bought a terrible x1800xl card. I'd suggest branching out and trying some new stuff instead of googling benchmarks all the time to see what gets 1fps more.
 
tim-x said:
mine's sitting stable at 575/1750 just fine without volt modding. i'll be modding it later in the week so i'll be sure to let you know how it goes pal. You love ATI so much you bought a terrible x1800xl card. I'd suggest branching out and trying some new stuff instead of googling benchmarks all the time to see what gets 1fps more.
Click to expand...

I may be an Nvidia fan boy but you seem obsessed...
 
tim-x said:
mine's sitting stable at 575/1750 just fine without volt modding. i'll be modding it later in the week so i'll be sure to let you know how it goes pal. You love ATI so much you bought a terrible x1800xl card. I'd suggest branching out and trying some new stuff instead of googling benchmarks all the time to see what gets 1fps more.
Click to expand...

Actually running a 6600 right now :p

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/powercolor_radeon_x1800_gto/images/bf21024.gif

LOL 1fps more? Im just saying what's better, and at $260 for the 1800xt 512 it's simply the better deal.
 
both cards overclock well, with or without volt mods.

sapphire also now offers a PE bios for their 512mb cards. and the important thing is, the bios works.
 
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