Quick Upgrade question: 1900xtx to 2900xt?

[divuk83]

Just a quick one really, for those in the know (ie not me!)

Looking at getting 2900xt to replace my 1900xtx, is it a worthwhile upgrade for my system (spec in sig.) BTW.... If I can source some better RAM I can run my 165 at 2.8 (its running at 2.4 at the mo).

Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[willhub]

Just a quick one really, for those in the know (ie not me!)

Looking at getting 2900xt to replace my 1900xtx, is it a worthwhile upgrade for my system (spec in sig.) BTW.... If I can source some better RAM I can run my 165 at 2.8 (its running at 2.4 at the mo).

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Well, the 2900Pro is better value than a 2900XT since it overclocked to a 2900XT, but do you want an honest oppinion? if you want performance I would swing for an 8800GTS 640, what res is your monitor? 1680x1050? 8800GTS 640.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

would also recommend a 8800, less stress on your psu, with less heat and less noise.
you know you want to play games the way they are ment to be played

 

[divuk83]

Yeah, the monitor runs at 1680*1050. Quite tempted by the lower price of the ATI cards. I thought the Nvidia cards were generally noisier than the ATI's?
2900's seem a bit better value as well compared the the 640mb 8800's.

Plus I have always been a bit of an ATI man over the years! Main reason I'm asking is I don't want to waste money on a GFX card if its potential would be wasted on my current setup.

Thanks for all the replies so far

Dave

 

[willhub]

I thought the Nvidia cards were generally noisier than the ATI's?

Dave

What games do you play?

Also you got it the complete oposite, ATi cards are generally noiser than NV's

I've had an 8800GTS 640 right, now a 2900XT, the 2900XT is loud, you will hear it all the time in games, the 8800GTS was silent, also got a good performance boost overclocked, not much performance boost with me 2900xt overclocked.

I would say, hold on, dont buy a card yet unless you get an 8800GTS, soon the 8800GT will be out and also a 112SP 8800GTS will be coming out too, current ones are only 96SP's.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

only thing good about the 2900pro is the price, for 150quid its a good deal. but for me, even if it was 125 quid, id not bother with it.
its shortcomming far outweigh its only advantage, which is price.

 

[divuk83]

Thanks for clearing that up, back the the days of the Tiforce cards, my brother had one that sounded like a hoover and I have a radeon 9000 that was silent with the stock cooler, not really had any other nvidia cards other than a TnT (fanless) one since then so I know buggar all about that side of the market!

My 1900 is quite noisy even with an aftermarket cooler on it so if an 8800gts runs silent on the stock cooler then that would be great and save me a few quid on having to replace it. Are they generally all quiet or do certain manufacturers use quieter fans than others?

My budget is about 230 ish which is why the ATI's were my first thought. The leadtek on oc is the cheapest where as the BFG in the "this week only" looks much better spec and warranty though is a little over my budget, is it worth the extra few squid?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Cyber-Mav]

nearly all 8800 manufacturers use the reference cooler, so noise same across the board for all manufacturers.
if your looking for a quieter card it would be good to wait for the new 8800gt or 2950 cards, they both on a smaller die process, so they will run cooler and quieter. only have to wait till next month now, im sure you can hold out.

 

[willhub]

Thanks for clearing that up, back the the days of the Tiforce cards, my brother had one that sounded like a hoover and I have a radeon 9000 that was silent with the stock cooler, not really had any other nvidia cards other than a TnT (fanless) one since then so I know buggar all about that side of the market!

My 1900 is quite noisy even with an aftermarket cooler on it so if an 8800gts runs silent on the stock cooler then that would be great and save me a few quid on having to replace it. Are they generally all quiet or do certain manufacturers use quieter fans than others?

My budget is about 230 ish which is why the ATI's were my first thought. The leadtek on oc is the cheapest where as the BFG in the "this week only" looks much better spec and warranty though is a little over my budget, is it worth the extra few squid?

Cheers

Dave

All the cards are the same, come from the same factory, just have badges put on the coolers etc..

Get the cheapest one and overclock it, you'll match / beat factory overclocked speeds for sure

Allthough I am thinking of selling my 2900XT@850/975 some time if you may be intrested.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

thats another thought, plenty of second hand deals now abailable, people selling upi 8800 and 2900xt cards to make room for the new ones. you may be able to pick up a bargain.

 

[divuk83]

Thanks for all the help, one last question...

Will my 580 watt PSU be able to cope ok with the higher demands of the newer cards?

Cheers

Dave

 

[willhub]

Thanks for all the help, one last question...

Will my 580 watt PSU be able to cope ok with the higher demands of the newer cards?

Cheers

Dave

Should do yea, depends if your Type-R 580W is the older ones, which are like heavy and have big heatsinks in them.

 

[Cyber-Mav]

if your hiper looks like this one on the inside then i would be worried:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10186554

 

[divuk83]

Had the PSU for a year and a half now, its a "type R" one (modular). Not caused me any grief yet and its been on pretty much non stop since I bought it!

Thanks for all the great advice.

Dave