Let ze war commence!

[IamMed]

I would like to know which is better for me a X1800XT or a 7900GT

Mobo I'l be using is a DFI Sli-DR

Res I usually play at is 1280x1024

I'm usually playing older games but I like to try out the latest games when they are released as well

I generally prefer ATI but I'm thinking of possible future Sli, as both of these cards are closely priced its a headache figureing out which one I want

Also, I will more than likely be watercooling the card but currently have a VF700 and need to know if it would cope with either of these cards

Please post your oppinion and why,

thx

PS: CPU will be a X2 3800 and will have 2gig mem

EDIT: Budget should be around £250max

 

[Gerard]

Either is a good purchase if you're after a 512mb card. Probably do just as well getting an x1800xt 256mb card for cheaper and saving some money.

 

[man_from_uncle]

If you've got a water block and don't mind doing the volt mod the 7900gt is the card to choose. What it lacks in vram it can make up for in core and memory speed. Getting to well past gtx speeds is very possible with just the 1.55v mod and with water you could do the 1.6 or even 1.7 mod (with 1.6v you can probably get to 750 core with 1800 on the memory). Even without the memory mod (which to me seems a bit more hit and miss) getting a 40% overclock on the memory is likely. The only extra overhead if you've got a cooler is the conductive ink/paint which varies between £8-£20 depending on where you shop.

If you don't fancy doing this then the X1800XT512 is the better bet.

EDIT: Even if you only use the vf700 you'll still be able to do the 1.4v and probably the 1.55v mod without problems, and that'll still let you overclock the 7900gt to a faster speed than the X1800XT can go.

Further EDIT: Just realised that option of the 7900gt512. If that can be volt modded too.....it's the hands down winner.....though it will cost £60 more at least.....so maybe it's not an option after all.

 

[Digital Punk]

As the owner of a 7900GT, I would say get the X1800XT.

Its cheaper and faster.

 

[IamMed]

should've added to initial post (and will do now) budget will more than likely be around £250 so the 512meg version of the 7900GT is bit expensive.

as for the volt mods, doesnt the newer cards have adjustable voltages anyway??

wont be trying any hardware mods atm as I cant afford to have the card b0rk up on me, so this upgrade will be lasting me for awhile I hope (6mths mebbe longer)

 

[man_from_uncle]

No hardware mods? X1800XT512 comfortably. The 7900gt is a fraction quicker than a 7800gtx and the X1800XT512 beats a 7800gtx at pretty much everything.

 

[Darkwave]

If you're not confident about volt-modding the 7900GT, buy an X1800XT. You won't regret it, especially if you want to play Oblivion with HDR and AA enabled at the same time.

 

[IamMed]

X1800XT is looking tempting, just sold my X850XT for £100 so budget is currently £200, hopefully can sell my spaw and get that budget up a bit