X850XT -> 1800XT or 1900XT?

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 15:27

Upgrade time is looming (getting a bonus at the end of Feb and it's my birthday on 1st March).

The question is,

X1800XT @ £280 ish

or

X1900XT @ £370 ish

I know I should wait until the G71 is released (not to buy it, but because it will drop prices of other cards), but I've already waited what feels like AGES and let's face it, there is ALWAYS something better round the corner...

I also have the box and everything for my current card, so I should see, what, £100 for it?

That makes it £180 for the X1800XT and £270 for the X1900XT.

Is the X1900XT worth the extra? I'm kinda thinking yes, but I need more people to help me give myself the excuse to spend the money

Highest I'm likely to play games is 1600 x 1200 @ 85 Hz (22" CRT). The monitor can do 1920 x 1440, but only 75 Hz which is a bit flickery for me, but of course, I'll be seeing what games look like in that res!!!

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 15:51

Hmm...

Looking at some reviews, the X1900XT is only ~ 10% faster than the X1800XT

Pulsedriver · 5 Feb 2006 at 15:55

Price difference = X1800XT

Bragging factor = X1900XT

Although maybe with new drivers, the X1900XT will start to show its true potential

LoadsaMoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:02

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Hmm...

Looking at some reviews, the X1900XT is only ~ 10% faster than the X1800XT

Yeah its not worth the extra, but x1800's have ceased production, so id get the x1900, unless you buy the x1800 now, before they run out.

clv101 · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:03

Seeing as the X1900XT is 50% more expensive for you (£90 on top of the £180 of the X1800XT) I'd say the X1900XT is totally not worth it. To be honest though I'd also say that upgrading from the X850XT isn't worth it - is a higher resolution really worth £300? What's so bad about playing at 1280, will 1600 be that much better? Serious diminishing return on investment with new graphics cards these days.

ajgoodfellow · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:16

As above

The X1800XT is far better value for money. The X1900XT is faster, without doubt, but it's also a lot more expensive

You will notice a boost in performance between the X850 and the X1800, especially at those resolutions and in later games (eg FEAR)

Cashman · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:18

hey man, there are still no games that really flex the X850XT, so why dont you waint for the G71... remember thats only a refresh product on the G70 so maybe then the G80 will be worth the wait...

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:19

Of course it comes down to the fact that some people would not be willing to spend ~ £300 on a gfx card if they already had an X850XT.

I think the X1900XT will be too difficult to resist, as it seems like an eternity since I last upgraded.

EDIT - Just checked my receipts. X800XT bought in May, RMA'd in June for X850XT :eek:

(8 - 9 months is AGES in computing terms!!!) I'm DEFFO going for the X1900XT in that case!

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:20

Cashman said:
hey man, there are still no games that really flex the X850XT,

Gotta disagree there dude. I want 1600 x 1200 @ 60 fps sustained (at least), and the X850XT can barely manage that in any game.

clv101 · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:23

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Of course it comes down to the fact that some people would not be willing to spend ~ £300 on a gfx card if they already had an X850XT.

//Rases hand//

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:26

clv101 said:
//Raises hand//

I see it as a contribution to the furthering of humanity by investing in technology

There are many other things I don't like spending money on - cars for example.

Sweetloaf · 5 Feb 2006 at 16:33

I can tell you have the upgrade itch and aren't going to be happy until someone tells you what you want to hear, so here goes:

You can afford an X1900XT and let's face it it's faster than the X1800XT who cares by how much? Don't bother waiting because something else will be announced and you will end up spending your bonus on crap while you wait...click the buy button your X1900XT is waiting for you. It isn't a value for money card, if that's what you want, shop around and get a 6600GT for about £70. But do me a favour, sell it to me for £100 in 6 months

Live life and enjoy the card!!!!!

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 17:37

Sweetloaf said:
I can tell you have the upgrade itch and aren't going to be happy until someone tells you what you want to hear, so here goes:

Good work fella!

Sweetloaf · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:11

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Good work fella!

Pleasure

BigDom · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:35

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Hmm...

Looking at some reviews, the X1900XT is only ~ 10% faster than the X1800XT

Love to know where your getting that from, the X1900XT is a LOT quicker than that.

For example -

Splinter Cell - 38%
FEAR - 50%
BF2 - 32%

etc.

AnastieByte · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:47

Would you still go from X850XT to X1900XT if your monitor only went up to 1280 x 1024?

Jimbo Mahoney · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:53

BigDom said:
Love to know where your getting that from, the X1900XT is a LOT quicker than that.

For example -

Splinter Cell - 38%
FEAR - 50%
BF2 - 32%

etc.

Sorry, I was looking at 1600 x 1200 without AA and AF. You are right, it is SOMETIMES very much faster, but on average, 10 - 15% seems typical.

AnastieByte said:
Would you still go from X850XT to X1900XT if your monitor only went up to 1280 x 1024?

Almost certainly not. I might got X850XT -> X1800XT though....

BigDom · 5 Feb 2006 at 18:55

Jimbo Mahoney said:
Sorry, I was looking at 1600 x 1200 without AA and AF. You are right, it is SOMETIMES very much faster, but on average, 10 - 15% seems typical.

Almost certainly not. I might got X850XT -> X1800XT though....

Well people will allways run with AA and AF but TBH in the review I found ( first one I looked at and a well known site ) even no AA/AF the typical was nearer 20-25 minimum.

BS Dave · 7 Feb 2006 at 02:12

In Age of Empires 3, 1900xt crucifies the 1800xt

jrodga2k5 · 7 Feb 2006 at 02:19

I hate to admit but sometimes there is a huge huge gap, like take B&W 2 which in some cases the x1900xt is over twice as fast as the x1800xt so the price difference really does reflect performance especially with the 6.2 catas jst around the corner.