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Another request-Which one?

Teamsreth

Teamsreth

Teamsreth

Associate
Joined
26 Feb 2006
Posts
21
Location
Rushden, Northants
I tell you what, upgrading is giving me a very large headache!!

I recently aquired a new computer, but want to upgrade some of the vitals. Some very helpfull people have helped on most of the stuff, but the graphics card is causing me the most problems.

First, a little background, to help see where I am coming from. I was planning on building my self a pc, spending about £1500. But because of AM2 and other new things, (DX10 etc), I didn't want to take the plunge. I need to upgrade the graphics, as shown by my specs. (Ram will be 2 X 1GB GeIl PC3200, PSU probably Hiper 580W)

AMD 3700+ / 1gb Samsung PC3200 RAM / 2 X 160Gb HDD / MSI MS-7184 M/b / Bestec 300W PSU / Nvidia 6200SE turbocache 256mb.

At the moment, I have been allowed to spend up to £260. I am looking at either of these two, but am open to suggestions.

Gainward BLISS GeForce 7800 GT "Goes Like Hell" 512MB (GX-026-GW) from Nvidia camp and PowerColor ATI Radeon X1800 XT 512MB (GX-048-PC) from the ATI camp.
Are the 512mb cards worth the extra over the 256mb ones?
Will I notice a MAJOR difference?
Bearing in mind, that this computer will not be upgraded again. (Hopefully). And will become the spare when I finally build my own.

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the essay.
 
I do love nvidia, but the X1800XT is the faster card. Not by as much as some people think, but it will almost certainly overclock a lot better becasue the 'Goes like Hell' card has already been clocked to breakneck speeds.
 
The XT will, I hate to say it, rinse that particular GT. Although heavily clocked, it is limited by its 20 pipes and even a 7900GT should outperform it.

With regards to RAM, at any res from 1280x1024 and above, the 512MB cards show a clear advantage over the 256MB cards, especially when you turn the eye candy AA/AF up.
 
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Welcome to the forums. :)

As said above the x1800 XT 512mb is the better card, the 512mb Ram makes a difference in resolutions, the higher the resolution, the bigger the frame gap grows over the 256mb versions, i think its 16x12 and above where the gaps will open up, i think it also helps in the AA/AF dept. :)

EDIT: smids beat me to it. :p
 
You know.....the 'Goes like Hell' card is 512mb too.

But for all my love of it, it is outclassed by the ATI card and it probably won't overclock much. The X1800XT on the other hand overclocks very well.
 
man_from_uncle said:
You know.....the 'Goes like Hell' card is 512mb too.

But for all my love of it, it is outclassed by the ATI card and it probably won't overclock much. The X1800XT on the other hand overclocks very well.
Click to expand...
He knows, he quoted as much in his first post :p :D. I think it was a more general question as to the value of 512MB cards.
 
smids said:
With regards to RAM, at any res from 1280x1024 and above, the 512MB cards show a clear advantage over the 256MB cards, especially when you turn the eye candy AA/AF up.
Click to expand...

I would like Eye Candy, Never had much before. (old comp running BF2 -athlon XP 2000-512mb ram-radeon 9000 pro)

smids said:
He knows, he quoted as much in his first post . I think it was a more general question as to the value of 512MB cards.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was. I am new to all this choice, never had access to the cash to be able to choose before. I was leaning towards the ATI card, but you guys have sealed that. Thanks All.

Woooohoooo, nearly all decisions made
 
I would say the X1800XT or the X1900XT maybe. But first you might want to think about upgrading that 300watt power supply mate. I dont think that could cope with any new card.
 
sargatanas said:
I would say the X1800XT or the X1900XT maybe. But first you might want to think about upgrading that 300watt power supply mate. I dont think that could cope with any new card.
Click to expand...
Guys, you lot are half asleep :D :p - he mentions an upgrade to a 580W Hiper Modular in the first post :D :o .
 
smids said:
Guys, you lot are half asleep :D :p - he mentions an upgrade to a 580W Hiper Modular in the first post :D :o .
Click to expand...


wow, i should read the whole thing first, sorry for tha bad advice its late, im tired, and im stupid :p. I personally would go for the X1800XT mate, it is considerably faster than a normal 7800 and i would expect it to be faster than the 512meg one.
 
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