I was speculating and guessing in the absence of solid game benchmarks.
I've done the exact same thing. Wanting real benchies but trying to figure it out in the absense.
I'll see if I can find a direct comparison -- the X1800XL was the closest to the X850XT I could get... so that's why I compared those two
In theory the X850XT should perform marginally better than the X1800XL..
No actually, the X1800XL is superior to the X850XT in stock performance, OC potential, and features.
I have to say I was quite impressed by the 7600GT though.
A decent performer for it's price range.
For it's specs and suggested price, I am also very impressed. Street pricing will determine whether or not it would be a card I use/recommend. If 7800GT's drop to a close price, the 7600GT is a waste. If 7800GT's supply dry up and X1800GTO prices stay high, the 7600GT will be a valuable card.
The Shader 3.0 vs Shader 2.0b argument may in fact settle it, according to another thread I was reading here the X850XT does not support Shader 3.0 in fact it appears it is a Shader 2.0B part.
The 7600GT is as I pointed out earlier a Shader 3.0 card.
What are your thoughts on that?
Indeed the X850XT is shader model 2.0b not SM3.0. My thoughts are the SM3.0 support is better of course, but how valuable it is depends on the power of the card. I see little to no value in SM3 for a GF6600. Honeslty, same with any GF6 series including my 6800U OC. Almost all the effects that can be rendered with SM3.0 can be done in SM2.0b. It depends on the game and codepath support of course. SM3.0 is the safer choice for sure. But, in the games that SM3 is needed, what cards have the power to render the effects without making too huge a sacrifice eleswhere. I mean obviously knowbody would want to disable FSAA and run 640x480 just to use HDR and softshadows. My 6800U gets hammered trying to run HDR and soft shadows to a point where I would never actually game using either. So what does SM3.0 really offer mewith that card? CHoice seeing a pretty slideshow, or disabling it. People make a big deal about SM3.0 support, but it's a check box feature with little real value for many cards in all but a couple games. What's better for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory, an SM3 6800U or a SM2.0b X850XT? The X850XT destroys it in playable settings and fps, so it would be better. But when the cards become powerful enough, say X7800GT and above. Then more and more Sm3.0 is the way to go. I'd never buy a $500 Sm2.0 card now if one existed. In this case, I think while NV wants people to belive Sm3.0 was a huge GF6 advantage, to me I more agree with ATI in that the game support wasn't there and the cards didn't have the power for it at that time. For GF7 and X1x00, Sm3.0 makes sense for sure.
I personally prefer nVidia because I use Linux and nVidia has better OpenGL support most of the time but I have nothing against ATI.
And I would go with ATI if all things were equal, which is about impossible though. I use both equally as much in my own systems and builds, just depending on the budget and best card to fit it.
I am unfortunately not running a single Linux rig right now; hopefully this will change if I find the time/energy.
And it depends on your game choices. I own Doom 3 for benchmarking, but don't care to play ita t all. The demo was more than enough for me. I have Riddick but haven't taken the time to get into it yet. I have no desire to play Quake 4. So honestly, personally I don't put much value in OGL supremecy when buying for myself. It's up to the individual gamer what games/benchmarks hold the most weight for their buying decision. I like HL2, Farcry, NFSMW, NFSU2, COD2, & Fear, so personally those benchies hold alot of value for me. Plus trying to see what games are on the horizon.
I agree the X1900XT is a great card and I also believe ATI cards look slightly better although that is subjective but I too would not normally spend that much on a card.
I want one, just don't need it and with a wife, kids, bills to pay and less & less gaming time, no way should I buy one. I spend most of my gaming time now playing small LAN games with my kids, their frineds, other family and a few of my friends (hense the desire for a few decent machines rahter than one killer machine). I also have my eye on the X1800XT and 7900GT; both more in my price range. If I had only one or two computers I would definately buy a X1900XT now. But i have many machines and can't afford nor want to spend that kind of money on a card. I've always liked to buy a card for my gamer and cycle the other cards down, getting rid of the slowest ones. But this PCI-e changeover and AGP roadblock hurt that upgrade route for me. I like to find $400-500 cards on sale for $300 and then jump on one before they are out of stock. I had no intention of buying a 6800U, but the X800XT was expensive, the platinun even more so, and I happened upon a BFG 6800U for $350 after $50 rebate, which was $40 cheaper than neweggs cheapest 6800GT at the time. For me it was a no brainer buy at the time. IQ, I give the nod to ATI also, but honesltly have nothing against either company. Neither is perfect, both are good, both have their issues and weakness, both want to make money and both don't care about me, so why should I sell out to either.
😉
Man, there goes all my personal free time today. :tongue:
Have a good one.
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