which is the better graphics card?

[jak731]

for a secondary PC, which is the better card for gaming, particularly fallout 3 @ 1920x1200 if possible.

8800GT, 256MB, this was purchased with the intention of being in a folding rig.

or

HD2900XT 512Mb, this card is currently in the PC.

A new GPU is not an option, as games are not played regularly enough to justify one, also that pc will get a 4870 1GB when i decide to change sometime in the future anyway.

rest of spec (important bits)

skt939 X2 @2.0GHz

2GB RAM

DFI nforce 4 ultra MB

samsung F1 spinpoint HDD (320 GB)

HX520 PSU

 

[Alexrose1uk]

I believe with driver revisions the 2900XT is now about equivalent to the older 8800GTS 320/640 cards give or take; due to the higher texture memory and you mention you want to play at higher res, I think you will get "smoother" performance with the HD2900XT.

The 8800GT might be slightly faster...when it's not texture paging.

 

[jak731]

thanks for the quick reply, i'll update the drivers and see what effect this had. they are currently 8.6 i think

 

[bledd]

the 256mb of the 8800gt really lets it down at higher res -like 1920..

dunno about the ati

 

[Ging3r]

My guess would be the 8800GT, but wouldnt be 100% sure

 

[Monkeynut]

The 8800GT will be faster at a lower res but at higher resolutions the 2900XT is going to leave it trailing because of the texture memory.

 

[liquidex]

As said if gaming at 1920x1200 then it would probably be the 2900xt as it has more memory.