Best card in $200 Range

[Batou1986]

My friend is looking to upgrade his x800pro to something a bit newer but don't want to spend bookoo money on it since he plans on building a new system towards the end of the year.

so i will start with some basic system specs.
Intel Pentium 4 530, 3000 MHz
2Gb DDR2-533 @ 4-4-4-12
160Gb sata WD caviar
74gb WD Raptor
x800pro pci-e

Thanks in advance for your input

OK poll is Up Its between these two

Evga 7950 gt http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130074
OR
POWERCOLOR X1950 PRO Extreme 256MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131027

 

[noneed4me2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...06790809+1067921616&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48 these fall into your price range, obviously I prefer ATI, nothing wrong with Nvidia. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...67924896+1068309611&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48 some of these our higher but the x1950 pro is one of the best reviewed cards out right now for the budget minded.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

I would definitely go for the X1950 Pro, but it is a little higher than your friend's price range (some $189-$199, most $200+). There are also the 7900GS and some 7900GT that are pretty cheap right now (~$200 and below), so I might go for those if your friend really needs to go below $200. There are 7900GS that go for about $150 after rebate on newegg.com.

X1950 Pro Selection:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010380048&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=48&Description=X1950+Pro&Ntk=all

7900GS Selection:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010380048&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=48&Description=7900GS&Ntk=all

7900GT Selection (some ~$200):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=7900GT&Submit=ENE&N=0&Ntk=all&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

So, if your friend really needs to go below $200, a 7900GS is a nice selection. It rivals the X1950 Pro, and they're a pretty good match-up IMO. The X1950 Pro may cost a little more, but offers (slightly?) more performance. The 7900GT on the other hand is an excellent card surpassing both (but not sure by how much). So, depending on your friend's price limit and how much you're friend is willing to spend/stretch his money, he really can't go wrong.

Good Luck!

If it was me, I would be decide based on how much money I have on hand since all three are excellent cards.

 

[noneed4me2]

Azn Tr14dz betwteen the 7900GS and 7900GT which would you recommend, I have a relative who does Nvidia only and wants to maybe get a newer card. I assume they both do SLI.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

Of course 7900GT as it's a faster, and overall better card. But if his budget is low, then 7900GS is the way to go. Some even have HDCP, so that's a plus. But don't forget, Mid-Range DirectX10 cards are coming out soon.

 

[Azn Tr14dZ]

Here is a review between X1950 Pro Vs. 7900GS. As you can see, at stock X1950 Pro wins, but when overclocked 7900GS takes the cake, so that's something to keep in mind:
http://www.techspot.com/review/28-radeon-x1950pro-vs-geforce-7900gs/page2.html

And here's one between 7900GT and 7900GS. As you can see, the 7900GT wins all the tests. The X1900GT is in there too:
http://xtreview.com/review145.htm

Again, IMO, all three are great cards and really depends on budget/what you need it for. If you need SLI, then either 7900GS or 7900GT and choose based on budget. If you want CrossFire, then X1950 Pro, and if you're just running a single card configuration, then choose upon budget.

-Azn

 

[Batou1986]

specifically i was gonna go with this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161060

due to the fact it has a better heatsink and fan then the higher clocked sapphire version which alot of ppl seem to have overheating problems with

would this 7950gt be the best outa all those cards cause hes willing to spend around 200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130074

 

[tkpenalty]

Powercolor X1950PRO Extreme 256/512 is better dude.. the 256MB version is cheap and comes with the Crossfire dongle.

The Accelero X2 is more effective than the HIS although... OMG IT LOOKS SO SEXY nice!

7950? You can't do physics with it! What the hell?

 

[tkpenalty]

specifically i was gonna go with this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814161060

due to the fact it has a better heatsink and fan then the higher clocked sapphire version which alot of ppl seem to have overheating problems with

would this 7950gtwould be the best outa all those cards cause hes willing to spend around 200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130074

Here is a review between X1950 Pro Vs. 7900GS. As you can see, at stock X1950 Pro wins, but when overclocked 7900GS takes the cake, so that's something to keep in mind:
http://www.techspot.com/review/28-radeon-x1950pro-vs-geforce-7900gs/page2.html

And here's one between 7900GT and 7900GS. As you can see, the 7900GT wins all the tests. The X1900GT is in there too:
http://xtreview.com/review145.htm

Again, IMO, all three are great cards and really depends on budget/what you need it for. If you need SLI, then either 7900GS or 7900GT and choose based on budget. If you want CrossFire, then X1950 Pro, and if you're just running a single card configuration, then choose upon budget.

-Azn

Nvidia 7 Series cards these days aren't future proof. With DX10 around the corner which makes an emphasis on physics, the ATI cards do much better than the Nvidia at physics; ATI X1k series can natively support physics.

So yeh.. :/.

X1950PRO is much better as you can have Physics for a cheap price. SLI is getting outdated guys >_>

 

[Batou1986]

im leaning towards that 1950pro extreme

 

[Zubasa]

Here is a review between X1950 Pro Vs. 7900GS. As you can see, at stock X1950 Pro wins, but when overclocked 7900GS takes the cake, so that's something to keep in mind:
http://www.techspot.com/review/28-radeon-x1950pro-vs-geforce-7900gs/page2.html

And here's one between 7900GT and 7900GS. As you can see, the 7900GT wins all the tests. The X1900GT is in there too:
http://xtreview.com/review145.htm

Again, IMO, all three are great cards and really depends on budget/what you need it for. If you need SLI, then either 7900GS or 7900GT and choose based on budget. If you want CrossFire, then X1950 Pro, and if you're just running a single card configuration, then choose upon budget.

-Azn

The X1900GT is hardly any different to X1950Pro in terms of performance.

 

[Batou1986]

Tk whats your fps in 2142 and what settings do u use

 

[trt740]

this is the best period!!!!! in this range and is faster than x1950pro


connect3D 3059 Radeon X1900XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142085 This card has 48 pixel shaders and the pro has 36.


199.00 after a rebate and it will overclock past a x1900xtx speeds with the built in overdrive program. I know I have a x1900xt 256 and it keeps up with the 7900gtx beating it sometimes and will surpass a 7950 7900gt and 7900gs buy large margins.

 

[technicks]

The X1900GT is hardly any different to X1950Pro in terms of performance.

I get 800 3dmark05 points more with my X1900 GT (9800) then with my X1950 Pro (9000).

 

[technicks]

this is the best period in this range and is faster than x1950pro


connect3D 3059 Radeon X1900XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO Video Card - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814142085 This card has 48 pixel shaders and the pro has 36.


199.00

That is so true.

 

[Pinchy]

Here is a review between X1950 Pro Vs. 7900GS. As you can see, at stock X1950 Pro wins, but when overclocked 7900GS takes the cake

Remember, the X1950 PRO hasnt got a stable/proper OC'ing tool yet, so once a proper version is released, we may see some differences

TK and I got our X1950's to 630/800 with ease, but thats the max ATi overdrive will go

EDIT - that X1900XT is lookin nice

EDIT 2 - technicks...was that X1900GT OC'd ? Cus the X1950 PRO has faster clocks & is based on 80nm rather than 90nm (which also keeps it cooler )

 

[Batou1986]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814142085[/url] This card has 48 pixel shaders and the pro has 36.


199.00
]That is so true.

well now this narrows it down to two cards again nvida got the boot but judging from your input and my knowledge the 1900xt looks to be the best anyone beg to differ as im not really looking for something thats gonna have to be oc'ed

when my friend gets home this morning ima tell him to get the 1900xt cause it beats the hell outa the 1950pro in all benchmarks

 

[technicks]

well now this narrows it down to two cards again nvida got the boot but judging from your input and my knowledge the 1900xt looks to be the best anyone beg to differ as im not really looking for something thats gonna have to be oc'ed

when my friend gets home this morning ima tell him to get the 1900xt cause it beats the hell outa the 1950pro in all benchmarks

If your friend is not going to try crossfire later on i would say go for the X1900 XT. Else go for the X1950. But really the X1900XT is still a moster off a card. And for $215 i would buy one myself if the Egg shipped overseas.

 

[technicks]

EDIT 2 - technicks...was that X1900GT OC'd ? Cus the X1950 PRO has faster clocks & is based on 80nm rather than 90nm (which also keeps it cooler )[/QUOTE]

Yes it was, but so is my X1950 Pro. But no voltage control. I really bought this Pro for Crossfire but still waiting for the prices to drop a bit. + i need a new dual core CPU.

 

[tkpenalty]

Duh... X1950PRO EXTREME = Clear winner.

Nvidia cards have crappy cooling anyway. The stock coolers usually need to be removed in order to install cooling for RAM.

 

[Batou1986]

yea CF is outa the question

 

[technicks]

Duh... X1950PRO EXTREME = Clear winner.

Nvidia cards have crappy cooling anyway. The stock coolers usually need to be removed in order to install cooling for RAM.

X1950 pro vs X1900Xt. winner= X1900XT

 

[Random Murderer]

i would almost say get the x1950xt over the 1950pro.

 

[technicks]

i would almost say get the x1950xt over the 1950pro.

It's to much $'s for him. You are right in a way. But you gotta make a choice once.

 

[Pinchy]

Yeah, X1900XT @ that price!

I was gonna get an X1900XT 256mb for $60 more, but couldnt resist the crossfire, and i was already over budget

P.S. Wish the Egg shipped overseas