Video cards

[Gizmokid2005]

Got a good question for you. I'm looking into buying some new guts for my current computer, CPU, Mobo, Vid Card, RAM, and I need some help.

I've got part of it figured out. I'm getting this CPU, and most likely this RAM (this is what I have now, except w/a heatsink), and I'm stuck between this mobo and this one.

Now, the real question comes with the video card.

I am currently looking at these ones.

My question is, is the X1600PRO any better than the X1300XT?

I've currently got the X1300PRO in my system and am upgrading, but it needs to be PCI-Ex16, and ~$100 or less.

TIA!

[cauzomb]

I wouldn't buy another videocard untill you could afford the x1950 xtx, if you can't see doing that, then get this card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814102688R

It's about 30fps faster than the x1600xt in identical PC. I have used the x800agp and x850pro agp, the xt has 4 additional rendering pipes and higher default clocks.

It's an open box card, but it's cheaper, I've had excellent results with referbs and open box items from newegg, didn't have to return any of them. Actually I've had more issues with new items from them compared to the used ones I've picked up lol! They may have tested the second hand stuff so it's got higher probability of working out of the box

[Gizmokid2005]

That's why I asked...Tom's hardware didn't do too much for me, and I am trying to keep it cheap. As long as it comes with a warranty, I am all for it...but I have heard to many different things with video cards lately, so I wanted to make sure that I'm getting decent one for the price....


Basically I just want one that's faster than the x1300PRO that I currently have...

[cauzomb]

There's some decent reviews out there but tomshardware vga charts are pretty good. They have a huge range of cards tested in an identical PC. The vga chart is on the right hand side of the front page. Click on the VGA chart picture/link, select the card/s in question, the benchmark you want to see and click go, up pops a new chart with blue bar's for the cards you have selected and where they rank in with the rest of the group. Also, there isn't much info out there about this but the x850xt's will work in Crossfire mode, impressive performance too. ATI has a list of their Crossfire certified x850 cards, sappy isn't on there , HIS is on there, and can be had through other vendors for similar prices. If you are looking at using the newest/latest games, you might consider holding off on the x850's and look for something that supports hdr, maybe something with 512 megs and smart shader 3.0 support, there's mention of the x850's running the newer games with medium settings without hdr or smartshader enabled. Have a look at HIS crossfire info http://www.hisdigital.com/html/crossFire.html Apparently you need a crossfire ready motherboard so that won't be an option with your current Motherboard choices. The ASrocks, Socket AM2 crossfire ready motherboard is an option, but uses ddr2 either way... some stuff to consider, ten minute worry, get the x850xt, use it with one of your current choices, enjoy fast enough gaming, faster than what you have now anywhoo.

[Gizmokid2005]

I'm looking at Tom's hardware charts now. It's amazing to see the performance difference from the x1300 to the x850....I think that's going to be my next card....

[cauzomb]

it's gotta be the xt version, even the xt pe! super fast. There used to be a trick on the x850pro's and x800pro's where you just boot a rom that has all the pipes enabled but getting a core thats not physically disabled anymore is like a needle in a haystack. I've been running nfsu2 at 1280x1024 high detail settings, vsync on, texture filtering, partical system on, highest reflection settings, highest world settings etc with a 8 pipe x800pro it's pretty good but starting a big race, with alot of apponents on the grid goes a painfully slow. Even at 800x600 low settings my computer bottle necks the card big time, my computer is slow compared to an a64 though, easy solution, get in front and keep in front, so the computer isn't drawing all those cars infront of you :P

[Gizmokid2005]

LOL!! Yeah. I am usually in front at all times...my computer really isn't a bottleneck and won't be when I upgrade. So, I may just be leaning in that direction. We'll see how the $$ pans out.

[cauzomb]

Hey now, easy on the prospecting terminology. Your getting on a touchy subject. It's been a year n a half since I've cleared a pan.

[Gizmokid2005]

Hey now, easy on the prospecting terminology. Your getting on a touchy subject. It's been a year n a half since I've cleared a pan.

I'm not 100% sure what you are trying to say here.....

[cauzomb]

http://www.bedrocksupply.ca/oscmax/images/GPP10.jpg :P