Author Topic: X1950 Pro vs 8600GT Extreme (Read 775 times)

moot · « **on:** October 25, 2007, 07:42:21 PM »

I need a video card upgrade, and am down to these two:

X1950pro 580MHz core, 1400MHz 256 or 512 MB of DDR3.

8600GT, core @ 580 MHz
256MB DD3 @ 2000MHz

Is it a tie, or is one definitely better than the other? The 8600 only comes with those clock speeds in 256MB form, so would an X1950 with 512MB change things?

What's an "open box"?

Thanks!

Roscoroo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 25, 2007, 09:42:24 PM »

those 2 cards are very close to a tie .

open box = buyer beware sometimes those are returned items, other times places its just that a open box or display item.

moot · « **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2007, 04:18:10 AM »

Would 512MB on the X1950 break the tie ?

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2007, 09:01:42 AM »

Check http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/10/01/the_best_gaming_graphics_cards_for_the_money/page6.html for a display card comparison. The higher the card in the list, the comparatively faster it has been in tests.

I bought the HD2900Pro for my second gaming box some weeks ago, it has been nice if you count out the excessive power consumption.

moot · « **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2007, 09:28:23 AM »

Yep, I was looking at that page too. Thanks Rip, I think I am going with the X1950..

moot · « **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2007, 10:11:57 AM »

Then again if they are just about even, wouldn't the nvidia be better, with its newer shaders?

NHawk · « **Reply #6 on:** October 26, 2007, 11:17:08 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by moot
Then again if they are just about even, wouldn't the nvidia be better, with its newer shaders?

Moot, I don't want to start a war but I was a Nvidia "Fan Boy" for years. I switched to ATI last year with a AGP card on my old system. And I have an ATI (X1950GT 512mb GDDR3 256bit) in my new system now. I don't regret the change and I'll never look back.

moot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 26, 2007, 11:21:57 AM »

I don't care about the partisanship either, I just want to know which one will run better

What problems have you had with NV?

NHawk · « **Reply #8 on:** October 26, 2007, 11:50:24 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by moot
I don't care about the partisanship either, I just want to know which one will run better
What problems have you had with NV?

Really no trouble with NV. The game just seemed to be running slow on my old AGP system. So I switched to an ATI card with more memory. Then it ran stable at 100fps on my old monitor.

When I built my new system I got the ATI mentioned above and again, rock solid stable at 100fps no matter what on my old CRT. I JUST got a new LCD widescreen monitor and am now running DVI at 1680x1050. It runs at a rock solid 60fps (which is max under DVI) no matter where I am or what I'm doing in-game. That includes when the view is in ground-mode when in vehicles. And the picture is so clear I can't believe it.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #9 on:** October 26, 2007, 01:10:08 PM »

The main reason I've supported Ati for was and is image quality. Especially older nvidia cards absolutely sucked on 2D desktop.

715 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 26, 2007, 01:43:44 PM »

Since you're discussing image quality differences between ATI and Nvidia, can I ask a question (regarding 3D image quality, not 2D)?

I swapped an ATI 9600XT for a Nvidia 7600GT. The 7600GT is a tad faster in some scenes, but I notice errors rendering textures in AH. There seems to be z-buffer errors where a texture behind another will show through. The ATI didn't seem to have these problems. It is most obvious on hanger doors and the fronts of the troop quonset huts.

Anybody else see this? Is there something in the Nvidia control panel I can set to fix it? I have almost everything set to max quality.

Thank you.

715

PS I would have upgraded to an ATI card but they were too much power and heat for my system.

moot · « **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2007, 01:55:12 AM »

Found a local XFX 7900GT and MSI 7950 w/ 512MB, for 120 and 150 bucks respectively... That's better than the two previous cards right?

scruby · « **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2007, 11:58:30 AM »

Quote

Moot, I don't want to start a war but I was a Nvidia "Fan Boy" for years. I switched to ATI last year with a AGP card on my old system. And I have an ATI (X1950GT 512mb GDDR3 256bit) in my new system now. I don't regret the change and I'll never look back.

Without contributing to the flame war, I went exactly the opposite way...I was a ATI fanboy forever, but I always had problems with their cards, the drivers were never completely up to snuff for me, finally got tired of all the hassle and went with nvidia...and, like you will never look back. With my luck though, ATI probably finally got it right about the time I abandoned them:confused:

Quote

I swapped an ATI 9600XT for a Nvidia 7600GT. The 7600GT is a tad faster in some scenes, but I notice errors rendering textures in AH. There seems to be z-buffer errors where a texture behind another will show through. The ATI didn't seem to have these problems. It is most obvious on hanger doors and the fronts of the troop quonset huts.

I know that there has always been a problem removing ATI drivers, they tend to stay on your system even after the uninstall. It sounds like thats what your experiencing, but maybe scuzzy can help ya's there...used to be a free program for uninstalling ATI drivers, looks like they charge for it now...

I have the same card (7600GT) on a newer system, and haven't seen any of the stuff your seeing:( I've never had ATI on this system though...

Duhme

Newman · « **Reply #13 on:** October 28, 2007, 01:00:50 AM »

I was an NV user for years.. Ya, they are faster.. BUT once I got a Radeon 8800 (for running dual monitors) years ago, I haven't looked back! The image quality is much better IMHO.

My gamer has two X1600XT's in Crossfire mode (ATI chipset on the MB). Still no problems.

SALUTE!

Newman

moot · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2007, 08:27:46 AM »

Dilemna solved, thanks for the help