The Short List: the Best Gaming Videocards for the money - Page 11 - Graphics-Cards

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who in the right mind would crossfire two midrange cards?

Reply to illicitsc

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Not every one has $1K to spend on videocards

Reply to laurensxeon

Quote :

Not every one has $1K to spend on videocards

So Very true... i wish pc parts could be cheaper

Reply to melarcky

I think the point was that the $ spent on dual mainstream cards might be better spent on a single high-end card and get better/similar results. Both Nv and ati force you to give up dual monitors in dual card configs, which I do not want to give up... of course if you dont care about that you can upgrade to dual when the high-end drops in price and still come out ahead of the dual mainstream setup.

really boils down to personal preference, but IMO I would rather have a single card that performs as well as 2 if the price is the same or better. I would wager that a single 1950xtx would outperform dual 1950 pros, and for less $ too.

Reply to sojrner

may be ! after the lanch of DX10 cards the prices of DX9 cards would fall since every one is going to buy it and very less amount of people would be going to buy DX9 cards in those days

i will be building my PC in mid nov at that time DX10 cards will be available . and i wish that DX9 cards prices fall as soon as possible !!

Reply to lxgamer

Quote :

I think the point was that the $ spent on dual mainstream cards might be better spent on a single high-end card and get better/similar results.

well thats a good one. i think i rather wait until some good dx10 cards come out.

//---off topic---\\

will the price of hardware be higher in the hollydays ? "25 & 26 of dec"

Reply to laurensxeon

I am sure that depends on how the whole "holiday season" goes for the market. (basic economics here ) If sales go well (to expectations) then they have no need for price changes, if they go poorly then the price could drop. If they go really well and supply goes down then the price will rise. Other than that I have no idea.

Reply to sojrner

Currently not so. For whatever reason, the drivers for the Catalyst drivers are not working properly for Quake 4 when using the X1950Pro in Xfire mode. Check Anandtech,here.

As it stands, the X1950Pro is not selling at $199 like some sites said. Which if it had, I would agree that the X1950Pro in Xfire mode does kick butt for the price.

But with the price standing at $229, I'd rather get an X1950XTX for 70 bucks cheaper than 2 X1950Pros.

Reply to purdueguy

This list is missing the following...

x1300xt, best under $70
x1650xt, best under $150
x1950pro, best under $200
x1950xt, best under $250/$300

Reply to jamesgoddard

Under $100, the X800 GTO is faster than the X1300 XT

x1650xt - where can you buy it?

x1950pro will probably make it to the list

x1950xt, once again where can you buy it?

Cards can't make the list until they're generally available at retail... I already regret putting the AGP 7600 GT on there last month, they sold out so fast and none were available, I caught crap on that for weeks.

I can't recommend something you can't buy yet, dude.

Reply to Cleeve

Quote :

Under $100, the X800 GTO is faster than the X1300 XT

x1650xt - where can you buy it?

x1950pro will probably make it to the list

x1950xt, once again where can you buy it?

Cards can't make the list until they're generally available at retail... I already regret putting the AGP 7600 GT on there last month, they sold out so fast and none were available, I caught crap on that for weeks.

I can't recommend something you can't buy yet, dude.

I can get the x1650xt for $145 (direct $/£ ratio) http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/tex [...] er=Froogle

And the x1950xt for $426 (umm, forget that, eek it's expensive) http://www.lambda-tek.com/componen [...] dID=B62261

Reply to jamesgoddard

Quote :

I can get the x1650xt for $145 (direct $/£ ratio) http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/tex [...] er=Froogle

Check that site james, 0 in stock it looks like... I don't think you can buy em yet...

Reply to Cleeve

Quote :

I can get the x1650xt for $145 (direct $/£ ratio) http://www.morecomputers.co.uk/tex [...] er=Froogle

Check that site james, 0 in stock it looks like... I don't think you can buy em yet...

Stock is not that far off

0 in Stock

Re-Stock Date:
26/10/2006

Reply to jamesgoddard

I hope it's right, but it may be a bit optomistic with absolutely no reviews of the X1650XT yet...

Reply to Cleeve

>after the lanch of DX10 cards the prices of DX9 cards would fall

Any speculation on how low the current 512 MB cards from Nvidia and ATI will drop in the first month after release of the new cards?

>i wish that DX9 cards prices fall as soon as possible !!

When in Nov is the Nvidia card due to ship? I hear the ATI has been delayed.

Reply to vardiss

Yes ATI has been delayed tell January from what I know and I would like to see the price of the gf7600GT in December.. Maybe it will be around $100

Reply to melarcky

Hey Cleeve, you may want to update your recommendation on cards for $200 with the X1950Pro availabe at $199 and better than the X1900GT.

Reply to purdueguy

Quote :

Hey Cleeve, you may want to update your recommendation on cards for $200 with the X1950Pro availabe at $199 and better than the X1900GT.

qfe

Reply to jamesgoddard

Cleve, have you considered adding ALI / Xfire options to the mix, for example 2 x x1950pro will beat a 7950GX2 for less cash.. I know not everyone has SLI / xfire motherboards, but many of us do.

Reply to jamesgoddard

Yup, dual X1950pros kick serious butt.

I'd like to point out that I am unable to find a single 7300 GT DDR3 on newegg.com. And although the X800GTO is probably still faster, one can find a X1300XT for 77$, before a 10$ mail-in rebate (total price 67$).

Also note that the X1900XT 256MB are out of stock (noooooo!) so I think you should provide an alternative in the 250$ segment, such as the 7950GT, while of course mentionning it sucks in comparison. From what I have read, the 7950GT is significantly better than the X1900GT. Do you think it justifies the +50$ premium? Might as well leave no alternative... :?

I noticed a typo in your Short List: "The X1900 GT is based on the X1900 XT core, only crippled with some pixel shaders disabled and with a lower clockspeed. There are now two versions: the original 575 MHz core/600 MHz memory version, and the new 512 MHz core/6600 MHz memory version. "

Reply to Dr_asik

Quote :

for example 2 x x1950pro will beat a 7950GX2 for less cash.

Does it? I've been checking the benches and two X1950 PROs do not beat a single GX2 from what I've seen, in fact many times they don't even come close.

So then the option is $360 of X1950 PROs or a single ~$410 X1950 XTX... and all the headache that comes with the Xfire motherboard and power requirements?

I'm not so sure the X1950 PROs are a better option, even if they are a bit cheaper.

If I could have some kind of guarantee that the $165 X1950 PRO stock would stay available for the long haul, a case could be made for it as a $330 crossfire solution. But it has to stay available at that price for a few weeks at least to remain a viable option.

Reply to Cleeve

Quote :

...and all the headache that comes with the Xfire motherboard and power requirements? ...

True! ANY xfire/sli solution (even gx2) kills dual monitors and (in the case of xfire) movie watching. This is unacceptable to me, as I love dual monitors and will not trade them for $40 savings (or whatever the diff is). Give me a single card that does the performance I want. 'nuff said.

Reply to sojrner

Yes, agree with you both. I get bothered to death looking through the benchmark charts myself as the SLi/CrossFire video card configurations should be in a separate category. It annoys the hell out of me that we would even consider showing more than a single card under a benchmark section as if that shows what cards are the best for the money--have separate charts for that insanity, I say.

Geez, some people actually have one tenth of a life at least, buying one video card monster is crazy enough, listing two or four of them is just a "OogaBooga...Mee Have bigger betttter graphics than you! That make me speciaal! You must needs have superExaTurbo Graphics in 8,192 video card bridge configuration to match my stoopid idea of what is good!"

Why not tell it like it is? "Me have so much money, I can burn it on useless crap to play video games faster than you!" 98% of users just want something more than adequate on requirements with a little room to spare and something that does not cause their neighbor's house lights to become dim when the PC is turned on...

Okay I'm over-exaggerating a little. SLi has its uses, but putting the top of the line cards in SLi is just a "me better than you" thing. SLi and CF should be removed from Tom's VGA charts IMO, or at least have their own separate category.

Reply to bourgeoisdude

yes, the only way I see a benefit is if you are running a single massive monitor at uber resolution. Once you get to 24" and above and their corresponding resolutions do you see a single card bottom out, and then the sli/xfire setup is only marginally better. There is just not enough of a frame buffer for that big. (sli is still only as big as the one card has)

Basically it is diminishing returns. But on the e-peni$ scale it certainly gives great helmet...

Proffesionals might see bennies from quadro sli, but they have the scratch to pay for the slim gain. Us ordinary folk have to feed the family and live our lives on the same budget...

Reply to sojrner

You should add the X850XT - available for 125$ on Newegg - as a worthy competitor to the 7600GT. The card does noticeably better in Oblivion and most games used in the VGA charts. It's arguably not absolutely better, especially considering the lack of SM 3.0 support, but it's certainly an equivalent option.

Reply to Dr_asik

I don't know where can you find 7900GTXs and X1900XTXs for around 340$, but the cheapest I can find are at 400$ on newegg. Though for 400$ you can get an X1950XTX

Reply to Dr_asik

Quote :

I don't know where can you find 7900GTXs and X1900XTXs for around 340$, but the cheapest I can find are at 400$ on newegg. Though for 400$ you can get an X1950XTX

They are at ZipZoomFly for 300 and 310 respectively right now.

Reply to a123456

To the guy looking for the 7300GT GDDR3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814122008

Cleeve: I'd change the ~$200 PCIe recommendation to the X1950Pro. Available on the egg for $200, no rebates.

Reply to angry_ducky

Quote :

They are at ZipZoomFly for 300 and 310 respectively right now.

You'll have to back that with links because I cannot find such prices on ZipZoomFly. The cheapest X1900XTX on that site is at 390$ and it's not even in stock. The cheapest 7900GTX is at 380$but that's with a 80$ mail-in rebate.

Reply to Dr_asik

how does the x850pro compare to the 7600gs or x800? seems like this ati x850pro gets quite a bit of press in the forums along with pronouncements of "X800 PRO < X850 PRO < X800 XT < X850 XT".

Reply to saimike

From worst to best:
7600 GS
X800 GTO
X800 PRO pretty much = X850 PRO
X800 XT pretty much = X850 XT pretty much = 7600 GT

Reply to Cleeve

i feel bad for the one who has to read all these posts, 2 many arguments.

Reply to superwoofer

forgot my question ha! ok my choice is probably a radeon x1900. it said the 256 one was the best for the buck i think, but if price doesn't matter should i go with the 512?

Reply to superwoofer

I have the 512, and am thankful. Ghost Recon: AW requires more than 256 to enable all of the candy. Firingsquad did a test and showed that it did indeed use more than 400 megs when all was enabled. Future games will continue that trend.

My philosophy on any hardware purchase, in fact pretty much anything for that matter: Buy as much as you can afford. If you buy less, you always hit the ceiling and regret it later.

...for what it's worth. rock on.

Reply to sojrner

I don't understand this:

In the sticky topic, it says the "BEST PCI-E CARD FOR ~$500:
Geforce 7950 Gx2"

It says that it will run better then every other card at the resolution 1600x1200. But when I look at the VGA Charts Okt 2006, I see that the card is performing mediocre.. also @ 1600x1200 resolutions... so which of the both is true? This sticky topic? Or the charts? I'm confused...

Me is planning to buy a Ati radeon X1950XTX... I personally think it will outrun the Geforce 7950 Gx2 at all levels (if I believe the charts)

Reply to Wishjuh

I would like a list of best fanless graphics cards. I also would like power requirements to part of the normal benchmarking. With THG's capabilities such a mesurement should be possible. Also now would be a good time to start showing which level the card can perform in Windows Vista. A lot of requests but I am sure I am not the only one concerned about theese issues.

Reply to MartenKL

October Review And November Updates:
ATI has refreshed its entire X1k lineup and these cards are starting to make it to market.

The most important change from October to November is that the Radeon X1900 XT and Geforce 7900 GTOs are becoming very scarce. This leaves a hole in the $250

price range right now. Hopefully the upcoming Radeon X1950 XT will fill it, but it's not available yet and we don't know its exact pricing.

The second big change is the introduction of the new Radeon X1950 PRO, a fantastic performer at below $200, which is now available.

The two things to watch out for in November will be availability of the AGP version of the Radeon X1950 PRO, which will likely be the new AGP performance king for a pretty good price. The X1650 XT is also rumored to be released in November, and may turn out to be a good competitor against the 7600 GT, but is not yet available in retail and may be priced a bit higher than the 7600 GT.

NOTE OF THANKS to Pauldh and TheGreatGrapeApe who were kind enough to look over the list before submission to see if I made any glaring mistakes. Thanks fellas.

Reply to Cleeve

Quote :

so which of the both is true? This sticky topic? Or the charts? I'm confused...

Tom's is the best site IN THE WORLD, but you should always look at benchmarks from multiple sources and create an opinion based on that. I think the GX2 might have been underperforming a little in Tom's charts.

Reply to Cleeve

Thanks for taking the time to do this. It's pretty informative. One note, the 1950 Pro runs at 1380 effective. Just a small typo.

Reply to a123456

Quote :

so which of the both is true? This sticky topic? Or the charts? I'm confused...

Tom's is the best site IN THE WORLD, but you should always look at benchmarks from multiple sources and create an opinion based on that. I think the GX2 might have been underperforming a little in Tom's charts.

I know it's the best source of the world! That's why I always look at the charts here

I was looking for more charts... at other websites but I couldn't find it any link you can give me?

I saw you edited the sticky topic... now the best card to buy for ~400 is the Radeon X1950XTX.. that rox I was planning to buy that one! So thanx for clearing that up for me becoz I was'nt sure yet... now I am

And what I forgot to say ofcoz is thx for the effort creating the topic... it really helps peeps out!

Reply to Wishjuh

Quote :

They are at ZipZoomFly for 300 and 310 respectively right now.

You'll have to back that with links because I cannot find such prices on ZipZoomFly. The cheapest X1900XTX on that site is at 390$ and it's not even in stock. The cheapest 7900GTX is at 380$but that's with a 80$ mail-in rebate.

The MSI 7900 GTX is $380 at ZipZoomFly before the $80 rebate, so it works out to $300 after rebate. Have no idea why that MSI is $70+ cheaper at ZZF than anywhere else (note that the $80 rebate is valid at a variety of online retailers), but I'm sure not complaining.

Reply to minty

This was a great article. My one complaint is with the forum where the article is an edited sticky message, so some of the replies are from last year!

Wouldn't it be better to just start a new topic when the short list gets edited?

Ivan.

PS. I spoke too soon. There is a separate topic "The Short List: the Best Video Cards for the Money -- November 2006"

Reply to DrPi

Where do you find an x1950 pro for ~$180? Lowest I could find was ~$215. But the 7900gs I have seen for ~$170.

Reply to stikxs

I read the recent refresh for the best videocards money can buy article. The card that was recommended for best AGP £140 was a 7600GT AGP. Although I have seen these on some manufacturers website such as XFX I've not found anyone stocking it ? The 7800GS AGP is readily available but as the article states the 7600GT is as good but cheaper. So I guess the retailers are stocking the more expensive model to make more money.
Any know where the 7600 GT AGP is to be found in the UK ?

Reply to tagb61

Small updates that should be done:

Quote :

[The fastest single GPU gaming card on the planet today, the Radeon X1950 XTX...]

With the release of the 8800s this is false.

Quote :

BEST PCI-E CARD FOR ~$500:
Geforce 7950 Gx2

With the 8800GTS priced as low as 440$ the 7950GX2 is a big bulky waste of money. Plus it's getting more difficult to find.

Of course, there's a NOTE about the release of 8800GTS and some maybes about it, but now that they're out and have proven to kick some serious ass, you can't keep on reccomending the 7950GX2.

Reply to Dr_asik

For sure, but the list is updated monthly now, Asik. I'll probably update it on the forum version when availability has been proven to last more than a few days.

Reply to Cleeve

*** November 3, 2006 edits ***

- Added 7600 GS to sub $100 PCIe category
- Added 7900 GS to sub $200 category, with some caveats
- Added X1950 XT to $260 category
- Added new Geforce 8800 line to $500 and $660 categories

Reply to Cleeve

...*whoops to the graphically informative Cleeve*...

Reply to Anoobis

Ah, much better. I like the way you blatantly praise the X1950XT: "amazing deal..." "blazing fast..." "You simply can't buy anything better at this price..."... keep it on!

If you don't want to be bothered with people noticing your typos, please tell me. In the meantime:

- X1950XT: "900-MHz DDR (2000 MHz effective)"
- 8800GTX: "the $150 cheaper 8800 GTX..."

Reply to Dr_asik

Yeah, I've always pushed the ~$250 price point hard, it's usually where you can find the ultimate price/performance balance lately.

Frankly, I think the $400 X1950 XTX is a waste with the X1950 XT at $250.

Reply to Cleeve

Quote :

Frankly, I think the $400 X1950 XTX is a waste with the X1950 XT at $250.

Yup. If I had money burning my pockets and needed a monster card, I'd certainly dive into G80-business. 130$ for going from 256 to 512Mb? Eh. I don't think that 400$ price point makes sense. It's already very expensive, but not enough to be worth being very expensive.

Reply to Dr_asik

The Short List: the Best Gaming Videocards for the money - Page 11

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - The Short List: the Best Gaming Videocards for the money