Considering a new card (yet again)...

[skool h8r]

Hi all,
Yes, after all, i've decided i want a new GPU. Even though i was told not to, i've seen an Asus X1600Pro 512mb for £80 delivered (Ebuyer). After reading the reviews on it's page (http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/111193), i'm considering this over a 7600 (cheaper, plus plays FEAR Combat (which is free multiplayer version: http://www.joinfear.com) ). I get payed soon and since i realised that a card doesn't need to be as powerful as a 7600GT, i want something cheaper but decent. It's really a decision between a ATi Pro, or an NVidia GS. I'm not going for a 1300 or below from ATi, or a 7300 or below from NVidia. I should be able to SLi or Crossfire the card though if i wanted to later (buy a crossfire board if it's an ATi card).

Thanks,
Scott.

[Seperah]

TBH, if you could wait a little longer, and build up some funds during that time; you have the impending X1900XT 256, that even if was too expensive, would drive down the price of current midranged cards.

Midranged SLI or XF isnt that great because it doesnt out perform a single higher end GPU in most situations for the same price.

[Got EpOx]

I agree with Seperah, i think the price of X1900XT's and X1800XT's will drop even more over the next few months. Basically save your cash and get something much more future proof.

[keithwalton]

Yup x1800's will be getting really cheap.
x1900gt is already quite cheap, how about the 7900gt ?

forget the x1600 it only has 4 actual pipelines which have 3 shaders per pipe to give it the 12 people state. where as the x1900gt starts off with 12, and the xt's start off with 16

[Got EpOx]

Would be cool if they released an X1900GTO which could be unlocked like the X1800GTO.

[skool h8r]

So i'd be better spending double (roughly) and getting a X1800XT? Or spend a bit less and get a X1800GTO? And by unlocked, what can it be unlocked to? XT or XTX? It's about £140 for an X1800GTO (inc VAT), and about £146 for an X1900GT (out of stock ATM).

It's easy enough to say save, but for me, it's not too easy. Like i said, i don't need something OTT, but i do want to be able to play FEARCombat with at least medium settings + at least 2xAA (it is terrible without it). I'm gonna get about £100 from wages, about £30-50 for my birthday (from parents), and i've got about £30 now so about £160 to spend this month. I have considered getting some sort of finance on a card from Aria but doubt i could actually do that. I wish they still made 7800's.

[Seperah]

7800's are still being produced, the problem is there so damn expensive when compared to similar or better performing cards.

An X1800GTO would unlock to an X1800XL..... however I'm not to sure the success rate on most cards are high.
Last I checked it was the Connect3D models giving the most promise.

Wonder if Dave or Brad has given it a try?

[dsio]

180GBP for an X1900XT, I would be heading towards that, otherwise a 7900GT.

In your 160GBP budget, I consider the BFG 7900GT OC to be the best buy. It has a lifetime warranty, which is very important (ask Daniel, Pitch, and many others). It performs very well, and supports SLI as well.

The 7900's SLI support is somewhat important, in that it gives you an upgrade path, which the ATI card does not. Your motherboard, the 9NPAJ, is an SLI motherboard, not a crossfire motherboard.

[Got EpOx]

You wouldn't get an X1900XT for £180 more like over £220 but second hand possibly you could get one for cheaper.

[dsio]

They must be very expensive over there... 220GBP is insane for one of those things.

[skool h8r]

Had considered a 7900 but don't want it to dud out on me like some people have had. They only came down in price because of this. It's also why the 7950 was released. It is expensive over here as well. Still looks like a 7600GT at the moment. I just wish i knew how it is going to perform in FEARCombat.

[dsio]

Originally Posted by skool h8r

Had considered a 7900 but don't want it to dud out on me like some people have had. They only came down in price because of this. It's also why the 7950 was released. It is expensive over here as well. Still looks like a 7600GT at the moment. I just wish i knew how it is going to perform in FEARCombat.

Dude, you get a 7900GT from BFG, it has a lifetime warranty, there's no issue there. If it fails, you get another one. If it fails and they have none left, you get a new better card. Win, win.

[skool h8r]

Originally Posted by dsio

Dude, you get a 7900GT from BFG, it has a lifetime warranty, there's no issue there. If it fails, you get another one. If it fails and they have none left, you get a new better card. Win, win.

Thing is, we're getting further away from the real issue, i just want a card for decent FEARCombat + my other collection (nothing i have is more intensive than FEARCombat system-wise). There's also BF2 which i can run on medium with the card i have now. Like i said, nothing OTT, just something for decent gaming, whether it's ATi or NVidia (i know that i can't do XF on this board, that's why i said if i needed to, i would get a XF board).

[Pitch]

Stetch for a X1900 if I was you. It's quite a tad faster than the 7900GT and you'll really thank having HDR + AA when Crysis hits the shelf.

Just make sure you buy HIS or replace that damn cooler.

[Seperah]

The lifetime warranty isnt all its cracked up to be.
I've found the companies that offer this are the ones that tend
to refuse the most legit RMA"s... besides; have you seen the long
list of things that effectively voids the warranty?

Anywho. 7900GT; nice card.

I had an X850 that ran FEAR quite nicely @ 1280x1024 (with the exception of SS and FSAA) and the 7600GT is a notch above the X850
especially in FEAR performance, so I wouldnt hesitate if its easy on the wallet, light on the eyes and a decent GPU (with good overclocking potential I might add)

[skool h8r]

wow! Just been reading more stats: 7600GT vs X1600XT.
http://sg.vr-zone.com/?i=3338&s=5

I think that says it all for me. £100 for a 7600GT delivered, can't be bad. Plus i'll have some money spare.

[Got EpOx]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...source=Froogle 7900GT for £162.15, seriously good buy, but if you want the 7600GT then go for it if you need it right now.

[Pitch]

X1600 is not a performer.

The X1650 on the other hand is.