Digit Life's Final installment of the X800vsGF6800

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Well the <A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/gffx/nv40-rx800-3.html" target="_new">3rd and final chapter</A> has been written in their review.

It looks at AF + optimizations.

And since it was so controversial (although that's died down a bit) I will simply let you decide what you think, and not offer my opinion since it's all been said.

Notice you can download the leaf lilly pad testing program that has been used alot recently.

Be sure to check out all their other reviews, quite detailed.

(no part 1 with the same title, so...)
<A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/gffx/nv40-part1-a.html" target="_new">Part 1 nV</A>
<A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/radeon/r420.html" target="_new">Part 1 ATI</A>

<A HREF="http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/gffx/nv40-rx800-2-p1.html" target="_new">Part 2</A>


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[GeneticWeapon]

A couple of games that ATi really shined in. Collin McRae Rally, and PaintKiller(that's what they call it)
I'm not sure how ATi achieved such huge gains in the two titles...it's almost as if nVidia's driver team missed them completely. I'm still convinced that we're going to see some nVidia optimisations uncovered in the near future, I'd even be willing to bet that Unwinder is tinkering in his tool shop as we speak.

<A HREF="http://rmitz.org/AYB3.swf" target="_new">All your base are belong to us.</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2216718" target="_new"><b>3DMark03</b></A>

 

[HardWareBoss]

Thanks for the link. I'll have to read it later.

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Yeah I noticed the PaintKiller (sounds like a Nintendo title), but look the title is fine, it's just the Benchie titles that's messed. :lol:

As for the tweaks, yeah I'm interested in seeing what's on offer tomorrow with these new drivers. I wouldn't be surprised if they would still use the run-time compiler in addition, even though they don't need it, simply to increase results. If there is no IQ change (in the way most of the run-time compiler performed in the past [after initial launch]) then that would be a great benifit and boost, and not something questionable. However it's already bad enough that they still have partial precision in FartCry, when they really don't need it, but we'll see. I do give them credit they've got a much more attractive part than last time around. But then again so does ATI. Still disappointed we didn't get what we were promised (the RV380 also isn't anywhere near the R9800's performance!).

Personally I'm more excited about what are now 'cheap' laptop R9600/9700s. And maybe even the mobility X600 might be nice. I can get a DELL 9100 with a mobile R9700 (really 9600 core) for $2K CDN minus discounts. That's really more tempting, since I'm not hitting any walls with home gaming.

Not sure why those titles are so good for ATI, but CMR4 was the title that ATI used as it's press release title to give people a taste of what the X800 series had to offer, I think they showed it at Comdex or IDC or something. Some indication of these results in <A HREF="http://www6.tomshardware.com/graphic/20040504/ati-x800-26.html" target="_new">LARS' review</A> too.

As ever anything Unwider has will be worth a look.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[coolsquirtle]

new drivers are coming and the inquirer (psh) said the older driver at 30% slower than the new ones... so if that is true... bye bye X800XT!

RIP Block Heater....HELLO P4~~~~~
120% nVidia Fanboy+119% Money Fanboy
GeForce 6800 Ultra--> The Way we thought FX 5800Ultra is meant to be played
THGC's resident Asian and nVboy 😀

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

I'll believe it when I see it.

And 30% increase in one title alone will not do it. But an overall increase would be very impressive.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[GeneticWeapon]

I can get a DELL 9100

The photo's I saw on [H] of the ATi mobility chip's were cool. They look cute with the little memory chips stuck to them

CMR4 was the title that ATI used as it's press release title to give people a taste of what the X800 series had to offer

Yep
With all of it's ps2.0 goodness, that game failed to impress most...visually.


<A HREF="http://rmitz.org/AYB3.swf" target="_new">All your base are belong to us.</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2216718" target="_new"><b>3DMark03</b></A>

 

[GeneticWeapon]

::slap::

<A HREF="http://rmitz.org/AYB3.swf" target="_new">All your base are belong to us.</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2216718" target="_new"><b>3DMark03</b></A>

 

[HardWareBoss]

Why Dell laptop?

 

[splenda20]

Before Grape could answer that, I thought I'd step in and say that although I would never touch a Dell desktop, their Laptops are great.

I have one myself and have been very impressed with the design, performance, and especially price. IBM is way too expensive, although very sturdy. Alienware, Voodoo, and other boutique PC makers are also way too expensive.

Because you can't custom build a notebook yourself, I think Dell's are the best way to go.

Or maybe Grape has his own reasons<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by splenda20 on 06/03/04 01:01 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[TheGreatGrapeApe]

Like Splenda says, they make good Laptops.

My personal 'issue' is that IBM has 'hooked' me on the trackpoint (I hate touchpads, I prefered the older click-on rollerball add on of the Packard I had in my first job), smartest damn thing in the computer world, outside of faster Pr0n.

I would love to get another thinkpad (which would be my 5th), but they are not offering good packages for my money. If I was going barebones, then a G or R series Celeron with Intel Extreme graphics would be great for under $1000. But since I want reasonable graphics power, and not a celeron (prefer a Centrino or at least 'M' processor), I can't go the IBM route without forking over about $4Gs. For under $2K, I can get a 9100 with a P4 2.8HT 800mhz plus an R9700, irght now. I want to wait until the Dothan and X600s are more prevalent, and likely by the end of July (my time frame) a solution more matching my needs will emerge. The 9100 is basically an XPS laptop without the XPS logo (the XPS starts at 3K).

And like Splenda says, sure their Desktops stink, especially because you can't tweak them. Laptops on the other hand are so close to tolerances that tweaking is limited already. The Dells do offer Graphics system upgrades for future solutions (depot only right now, but that's better than nothing). And yes while I would prefer a Voodoo first, and an Alienware next, they are expensive and do no offer the trackpoint. I would love to get a Voodoo as they are a local company, and they do gaming very well, and they like Alienware offer do it yourself graphics upgrades, and even mobo/cpu upgrades (I think you have to send it in for that). I like VOODOO, and I really do wish I could get another IBM as they've been rock solid, and were awesome with support when one of their contracted repair depots were being d1cks. One phone call to IBM, and the Depot said your laptop will be ready this afternoon.

Anywhoo, right now the DELL just gives me the 'gaming' laptop I want, but if I were thinking of just a dvd playing computer the IBM would be first choice hands down. A celeron 2.4 + dvd-rom for under $900CDN would be perfect for that level of reliability. Dell isn't far off, and therefore I feel they're a good choice if I'm not willing to pay the extra $1-2k for the best. If IBM had a game centric division then maybe I'd be able to get what I need.

Once I get the 9100 I'll be looking for people willing to sell the XPS skulls faceplate, as I think it looks AWESOME. And would be perfect for scaring grannies on flights. Well that and the 4hrs of Pr0n on the WideScreen!

Also at work I get a 7% discount of ANY DELL advertised price/deal anywhere. So that's a nice bonus.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK

 

[HardWareBoss]

That's the one big reason I never bought a laptop. I don't like the touch pads.