X1950 or 8800 GT

[pc0day]

I want to buy a video card, and have narrowed to these two choices:
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256mb GDDR3 VIVO Crossfire PCI-Express video card $149
XFX PVT88PUDD4 Geforce 8800 GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Video Card $190
Both of them are very good brands for video card, my question is X1950 and 8800 GT, which one has better performance, and can a PCI Express 2.0 card be used with a PCI-Express slot?

 

[BrynS]

can a PCI Express 2.0 card be used with a PCI-Express slot?

Yes.

I want to buy a video card, and have narrowed to these two choices:

The 8800GT has better performance, by a significant margin and is also DX10 capable, whereas the X1950 is not. While the X1950 is still a decent DX9 card, it's been eclipsed by the more recent Radeon HD 38x0 series (RV670) and the (cheaper ) G92 variants.

Firstly, I'd clarify whether your gaming setup (monitor and typical gaming resolution) would be well served by only 256MB of RAM. If you have a 17"/19" 4:3 LCD (1280x1024) or similar 19" 16:10 LCD (1400x900) then 256MB should be fine for most current games even with levels of AA & AF. If you're using a 22" LCD (1680x1050) or larger LCD/resolution and don't want to scale your res down, then going with a 512MB framebuffer is recommended.

I think the price of the 8800GT you found is quite good, but don't follow US prices and deals that closely -- being a Brit -- so there may be better deals out there. If you're certain on 256MB being sufficient then a Radeon HD3850 is another good alternative: not quite as fast as a 256MB 8800GT, but a decent performer and DX10.1 capable.

HIS Radeon 3850 256MB $164 after rebate -- HIS are quite popular in the UK
HIS Radeon 3850 256MB $159 after rebate

If you're erring towards 512MB, then some of the 512MB 3850's can't be beaten on price, given that 512MB 8800GT's generally cost a fair bit more.

Sapphire 3850 512MB $189

 

[cychris]

Another vote for the HD3850 512 MB variant, its probably the best bang for money right now. I have the pre overclocked powercolor version and i am very happy with it.

 

[pjbliverpool]

I want to buy a video card, and have narrowed to these two choices:
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro 256mb GDDR3 VIVO Crossfire PCI-Express video card $149
XFX PVT88PUDD4 Geforce 8800 GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Video Card $190
Both of them are very good brands for video card, my question is X1950 and 8800 GT, which one has better performance, and can a PCI Express 2.0 card be used with a PCI-Express slot?

The 8800GT is MUCH faster. By more than double in some games. It supports DX10 aswell, its BY FAR the better choice my friend.

 

[swaaye]

8800GT 256MB should be faster than a Radeon 3850 512MB most of the time, but the 512MB helps a lot in some games (the most in Crysis). Radeon 3850 uses a lot less electricity at idle, if that's a concern for you. There's little reason to consider a X1950 anymore, IMO. A 3850 256MB would blow it away.

 

[pc0day]

Yes.


The 8800GT has better performance, by a significant margin and is also DX10 capable, whereas the X1950 is not. While the X1950 is still a decent DX9 card, it's been eclipsed by the more recent Radeon HD 38x0 series (RV670) and the (cheaper ) G92 variants.

Firstly, I'd clarify whether your gaming setup (monitor and typical gaming resolution) would be well served by only 256MB of RAM. If you have a 17"/19" 4:3 LCD (1280x1024) or similar 19" 16:10 LCD (1400x900) then 256MB should be fine for most current games even with levels of AA & AF. If you're using a 22" LCD (1680x1050) or larger LCD/resolution and don't want to scale your res down, then going with a 512MB framebuffer is recommended.

I think the price of the 8800GT you found is quite good, but don't follow US prices and deals that closely -- being a Brit -- so there may be better deals out there. If you're certain on 256MB being sufficient then a Radeon HD3850 is another good alternative: not quite as fast as a 256MB 8800GT, but a decent performer and DX10.1 capable.

HIS Radeon 3850 256MB $164 after rebate -- HIS are quite popular in the UK
HIS Radeon 3850 256MB $159 after rebate

If you're erring towards 512MB, then some of the 512MB 3850's can't be beaten on price, given that 512MB 8800GT's generally cost a fair bit more.

Sapphire 3850 512MB $189

Thanks for your detailed inputs, that's very kind of you . Thanks all, you are all very kind and helpful.

 

[pc0day]

8800GT 256MB should be faster than a Radeon 3850 512MB most of the time, but the 512MB helps a lot in some games (the most in Crysis). Radeon 3850 uses a lot less electricity at idle, if that's a concern for you. There's little reason to consider a X1950 anymore, IMO. A 3850 256MB would blow it away.

You are so kind to consider so many for me, thank you very much.