Is it even worth it?

[bruins004]

I was looking to get an x850xt for my 2nd system.
But after much debate I dont even know if it is worth it.
I am not looking to upgrade this system for a while.
The system specs are below:

AMD X2 3800+
Asus A8N5X Motherboard
2 GB of OCZ Platinum
Lite On Combo Drive
Lite On DVD Burner
Antec TruePower 550W
NZXT Nemesis Elite Case (w/ temp controller and 3 120mm fans)

 

[DR.Death]

what is your system ? agp or pci-e

 

[bruins004]

My System is PCI-E. I am not looking to upgrade for a while (prob. 3-4 years hopefully). Anyways, I was thinking should I get this card or should I just get a cheap card and wait until Christmas or something like that.

 

[zekrahminator]

of course its worth it! X850XT is one of the best values on the market right now http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102483 . $170 almost gaurantees you 6K+ in 3Dmark05, and you have a system that will only compliment it. A system like that will claw through any game you throw at it...I mean, look at MY specs lol. If you want something that will hold you through till you get the college loans paid off (lol joking), then maybe consider an X1800. X850XT may not be the newest thing on the market, but it is a BEAST, and ATI takes good care of its customers. Happy gaming!

 

[zekrahminator]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102688 this one is $1 more, comes with games, an OCing utility, a shiny box, and a nice rebate bringing your final cost to $160 after all is said and done

 

[DR.Death]

yes that would be good for now

 

[noneed4me2]

I know the x850xt is great but the newer GTO2s with dual DVI and VIVO, are really a good deal just make sure it is the dual DVI red pcb. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010380048+1067918184&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=48 For a few more bucks you get a card that is basically a rebagded x850 xt and they now come with all pipe quads open (16p). I like having vivo and it gives your PC more option to make it like a media center. Just one word of warning high clocks are never a guarantee but even x850 xt aren't guaranteed to clock above spec. Good luck with whatever you get.

 

[Tatty_Two]

My System is PCI-E. I am not looking to upgrade for a while (prob. 3-4 years hopefully). Anyways, I was thinking should I get this card or should I just get a cheap card and wait until Christmas or something like that.

If you don't mind me saying, it would be criminal not to!!! You have a good, fast solid system there and to put a cheap card in would be pointless, it does not matter how swift your system is if the card is a slug you aint gonna be playin any modern games at any kind of resolution if at all!

If you dont wanna dish out too much cash the 800GTO2 (high softmod potential in PCI-E to 850xt levels with good cooling) or perhaps the 6800GS (high o/c potential in PCI-E to GT/Ultra clocks, again with good cooling) might be a good "Bang for Buck" alternative, there are many ATI and Nvidia fans here and its not for me to tell you which of the 2, look through the related forums and make your own judgement.

 

[bruins004]

Well with the 7600s out now it seems that they outperform the 6800gs. I would get another great card like the 7800GT I have, but I just dont want to spend another $300. I am only willing to go mid range this time. Also, why would I bother getting an X800GTO2 if the x850xt beats it and is cheaper. So it seems to me its between the 7600GT or x850xt. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[zekrahminator]

alright...X850XT . Best bang for your buck, and will hold you over until Vista and DX10 come out (next year lol)

 

[noneed4me2]

the only deciding factor is the x850 xt, then the GTO2 might suit you better, both use the r480, but the gto2 has VIVO so you can run video sources into your PC, and it has dual DVI which is what you will need if you want to connect LCDs with DVI connectors. After playing with my brothers dual setup i can say that feature is one I want included in my next card. Lastly i have yet seen a GTO2 that couldn't match the clocks of the x850 xt and most can reach xt580xt pe speeds just search the forums under GTO2 and you will see what I maen. Nvidias good to but i thought you were leaning towards ATI and since the X850 XT you posted is a great card and the GTO2 is basically the same with more features. Plus they now have refurbed for under 140 at newegg, if i didn't already have a card just like it i would snatch it up. Just remember that only the newer GTO2s with VIVO and Dual DVI are r480 cores and they come all pipes unlocked. Good luck. Also check the reviews at newegg on the GTO2s dual dvi vivo and you will see a ton of happy customers. If you don't care about the extras go for the x850 xt, i was just showing that the GTO2 gives more options in functionality. heres a link for reviews http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16814102645 and the refurbed ones http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...069409634&Submit=ENE&description=gto2&Ntk=all 135 and 155 and newegg fully backs there refurbished items i had a bad soundcard refurbed and it died in a week and they just replaced it with a new one.

 

[zekrahminator]

...whats so good about dual DVI? . Most people don't have dual DVI monitors to rig something like that up. And besides, I'm too lazy to do all that work. I just want to pick up a card, stick it in my system, watch it work, and maybe OC it/tweak. X850XT fits my needs perfectly...comes out of the factory 520/540 16pp, and then I can choose to flash to XT PE, overclock (max stable is 590/555), fool around with fan speeds, or mod the cooler (because its too loud lol). And yes, I leave my X850XT at stock speeds...there really is no need to overclock on my system.

 

[Tatty_Two]

Well with the 7600s out now it seems that they outperform the 6800gs. I would get another great card like the 7800GT I have, but I just dont want to spend another $300. I am only willing to go mid range this time. Also, why would I bother getting an X800GTO2 if the x850xt beats it and is cheaper. So it seems to me its between the 7600GT or x850xt. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Uhhhh Ok, I am from UK and the 800GTO2 is about £40 (thats about $70) cheaper than the 850xt which I reckon is really cheap here but maybe not! I got the HIS IceQ II Turbo version (with the NV silencer 5 or whetever its called) on as standard, amazing overclocks with that beast! for the equivilent of $215 but if where you are the GTO2 is more exspensive then your right, go for the 850xt, I lost the SM3.0 and for me it was no loss cause I am clearing 30FPS more in COD2 than my 6800 O/C'd vanilla was giving me and the 850 aint broken into a sweat yet, give me smooth as silk max AA and AF gameplay over a few pretty lights personally but then I am a VERY shallow man! with no real sense of quality.

 

[noneed4me2]

...whats so good about dual DVI? . Most people don't have dual DVI monitors to rig something like that up. And besides, I'm too lazy to do all that work. I just want to pick up a card, stick it in my system, watch it work, and maybe OC it/tweak. X850XT fits my needs perfectly...comes out of the factory 520/540 16pp, and then I can choose to flash to XT PE, overclock (max stable is 590/555), fool around with fan speeds, or mod the cooler (because its too loud lol). And yes, I leave my X850XT at stock speeds...there really is no need to overclock on my system.

I thought Bruins004 was the one getting the card, i was just trying to point out the cost versus extra options difference i wasn't trying to offend you . I am glad you love your vid card, but like anything doesn't it make more sense to get the most that you can for the price, you were pointing that out earlier. If you could get a better computer for the same price wouldn't you? I know i would and just cause you don't use something now doesn't mean you won't later. I hope i clarified my point.

 

[zekrahminator]

eh...heh heh I kinda went on a rant there, didnt I? Yeah, it IS his money, and he should get the best he can for what he spends. If he's lazy: X850XT. If he wants the best OCing potential: X800GTO2. Sorry about going crazy last post...lol I should be apologizing for offending YOU, not the other way around

 

[noneed4me2]

no sweat its cool either way he goes i am sure he'll be satisfied. I would have gotten the x850 xt myself if they were in my bugdet at the time of my purchase, instead i got a C3D GTO with an r423 but i was lucky enough to get a card that could mod, but modding it was a major hassle, and I would have prefered to have everything open out the box. I am still amazed at how these older x800 cores can still hang with the big dogs, i mean come on you would think a next gen midrange card would beat last years high end but i would not recommend an x1600 over an x8X0 series card even though it has higher clocks and sm3 support.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

So if you don't need Dual DVI then go with the X850XT but if you do want it and are willing to spend the extra $30 or so then get the GTO2. You should be a little bit familiar with overclocking and should be able to overclock the GTO2 to X850XTPE speeds. They're both good though and the X850XT should have decent overclock results too.

 

[Tatty_Two]

So if you don't need Dual DVI then go with the X850XT but if you do want it and are willing to spend the extra $30 or so then get the GTO2. You should be a little bit familiar with overclocking and should be able to overclock the GTO2 to X850XTPE speeds. They're both good though and the X850XT should have decent overclock results too.

Not strictly true, mine (the HIS 850xt IceQ II Turbo) is a Dual DVi/ViVo edition there are a few more around now on the 850xt and in the UK the HIS was the cheapest of all the 850xt's I could find even with the Artic Silencer rev 5 as standard.
Cheers

 

[trog100]

"i mean come on you would think a next gen midrange card would beat last years high end"

that is exactly what the makers would love everyone to believe.. he he.. its pretty much the only reason why anybody would buy a x1600 card cos in reality they aint very good..

they dont call em by "bigger" numbers by accident.. even a x1300 sounds good compared to a x800.. he he

trog

 

[Tatty_Two]

"i mean come on you would think a next gen midrange card would beat last years high end"

that is exactly what the makers would love everyone to believe.. he he.. its pretty much the only reason why anybody would buy a x1600 card cos in reality they aint very good..

they dont call em by "bigger" numbers by accident.. even a x1300 sounds good compared to a x800.. he he

trog

I reckon its just an x700 in disguise!