They are different models. If you look at Overclockers, you can see the HIS XT and XTX models both with the reference cooler, and different HIS XT and XTX models with the ICEQ 3 cooler - all of them in stock. I don't know why Newegg hasn't got it's act together, as usually it's Europe that has to wait a couple of extra months.
Try looking at another store other than screwegg. http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=190600 It did have a $50 rebate, now its just $30.
I didn't read through the whole thread so have no idea what's being discussed, but if it's just about what the title says, it's very simple. Really. 1. A single card config -> X1900 2. A dual card config -> 7900 For folks who want to run Crossfire, I'd strongly recommend to wait for mature platform from ATI, or alternatively, go with Intel 975X board.
Flip a coin. Odds are extremely high you will be perfectly satisfied with either cards performance. I would go off price personally. Do not bother with SLi or Crossfire with these cards unless you game at 1600X and up with some level of both AA and AF. For the record, I use X1900s in Crossfire and do not regret the purchase one bit. BTW the rumor that the X1900 Master card reduces XTX cards to its level is a BS myth. Do your research. The cards run async. All one need do it bump the Master card up to 650|775 to have XTX Xfire. Besides ATi stating this in their Xfire FAQ, both Hexus and X-bit labs have confirmed it. The MSI Master card I have is actually capable of 702|855 on stock voltage and cooling. What does happen with Crossfire is the pipes are matched to the lowest card; so if one were to couple a X850 Master card(16 pipe) with a 12 pipe card then it would set itself to 12 pipes.
Actually, we have a bios on that board (XTX) that doesn't like to spin the fans all the way up and we can keep the board >90c. If we turn the fan to 65%, the board doesn't break 70. It's also a dev board and not a release board. I should also note that lapping the heatsink (as many others have pointed out) and using arctic silver helps drop the temps a few degrees C. Our release XTs with official bioses are doing better, but I'd like the fans to kick up faster and keep the boards <=70c. The XT's heatsinks still could use some lapping. I wouldn't be that worried about running games as the stuff we do is "harder" on the hardware. We are also now running multi minute single pass shaders that are all ALU (40:1 compute/bandwidth ratios), and running the apps for *days* without stopping. -Mike
Go for which ever is cheapest. Both are excellent cards with advantages and drawbacks already documented in this thread.
dual cards X1900... much much better at high aa modes. The problem with ati chipsets is the usb controllor right? so if you dont use a usb hdd/burner it's not an issue
Well if anyone is setting up their pre-conroe system already just watch out that you dont pick up a 975X board thats not updated. http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mainboards/display/20060425175704.html Althought anyone who knows intel chipsets well enough would expect something like this . I'm surprised they let 975X chipsets work at all.