Need to choose b/w AGP X850pro and 6800GT :(

[xfilesguy]

I noticed that refurbished X850 pro is available at ATI for $139. I found a XFX GeForce 6800 Xtreme (350MHZ 256MB 256BIT 1000MHZ GDDR3) [btw this is a 6800GT, rite?] card selling for $145. I am on a tight leash as far as the budget is concerned. Will a X850pro be a better buy? I am worried abt the fact that it does nt support SM 3.0 as I am going to stick with this card for abt a couple of years. Also, it has only 12 pipelines compared to 16 on 6800GT. How is the performance comparison between these 2? All the benchmarking I could find was confusing with neither card as the clear winner.

Another question-->I currently have a 300W supply for my Gigabyte K8VM mobo that has a single AGP 8x slot (am using a FX5200 ) with two hard disks and a CD drive connected. Will I have to upgrade the SMPS [if that is wat equates to the power supply] etc.? If yes then to wat power (for both the cards plz)?

Thanks so much..

 

[enforcerfx]

the 6800XT on the box says requires 500W which is entirely false, 400 would run it fine, i suggest the X800 or something from the X800 series, and if you can as well, buy a decent 350-400W pSU from antec or enermax, then you shuld be fine. ATI selling the X800 on the clearance part of their website for 120-130 bucks, i suggest u snag that deal.

 

[cleeve]

I believe the XTreme is 8 pipelines - the 6800 GT is a 16 pipeline card.

I could be wrong though, but if that's the case the X850 PRO is much better...

 

[Giraffe]

definently the x850 pro
it is faster in most games(except openGL games such as quake/doom)

 

[Synergy6]

Check for the pipelines as Cleeve states. If it were a 6800XT, definitely go for the 850, the XT is crippled. If it were a 6800GT, I'd go for it.

As for the PSUs, I'm running a 6800GT, 2 PCI cards, a Prescott, 2 optical drives, 2 hard drives etc flawlessly off a 250W, but it's a good quality 250W, and certainly your mileage may vary.

Synergy6

 

[Giraffe]

even if it is the 8 pipeline 6800gt version i would still go for the x850xt!

 

[xfilesguy]

Which site?? the link is to this thread itself...

I'll check the pipeline thing and post again...but meanwhile, wat abt the SM 3.0 factor? Shud I think of tht at all?

And plz tell me abt the power supply for X850 pro as well...in case I go for the 6800 i'll change to 400W. Does X850 need a better supply?

Thanx..

 

[Giraffe]

sorry bout the link i must of copied somethin be4 i pasted the real link

real link
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

s.m 3.0 is shader model 3
i think both the 6800 and x800 series both support sm 2.0 not 3.0 but look into it.
this doesnt matter that much though

 

[xfilesguy]

Thanx for the link..
I know a bit abt the shader model thing but i was just wondering whether it mattered because 6800 supportes sm 3.0 while x850pro does nt. Tht is nt a very imp factor for me but just wanted to check.

 

[Giraffe]

so do u need a new power supply or not :?:

 

[xfilesguy]

the site is gud but it does nt list x850pro...shud i check using a x800pro or a x850?

 

[Giraffe]

check the x800 pro that should be very similar(maybe a few watts less)
if it has x850xt cheack that as well
if the x850xt fits into your watts limit the x850pro will as well

 

[mizlplix]

Now, I AM confused. Past and present advice sez 16 pipes is better than 8.....why the advice that an 8 pipeline card is best?

"The more pipelines the better, though the more expensive it is to build."

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/graphics-sound-cards-speakers-other-peripherals/23543-pipelines.html


thanks, MPX

 

[xfilesguy]

Actually am nt at my place these days so nt sure whether I have checked the correct fan among the options.
In any case I'm getting abt 270W needed for 6800/X850 (nt pro)...however if i take the age of the mobo and supply in consideration, I'll need to add abt 20% to it. Which wud make 350W as a safe option. I guess 300W wud work as well but I don't wanna blow sumthing up :?

 

[Giraffe]

probly best to get a new psu then

 

[xfilesguy]

Ya I guess so..
Another thing is...my mobo specs say that the slot is AGP 4x/8x which is fine...it also says tht it supports 1.5v card only. Wat's tht supposed to mean?
Exact text--> 1 x AGP slot (8x/4x-AGP 3.0 compliant), supports 1.5v display card only

AGP 8x cards are 0.8v as far as I know...will this be a problem if i get a X850pro/X800 XL/6800???

 

[xfilesguy]

Gr8...another choice came up now 8O

X850pro vs X800XL ??? :?:

 

[Giraffe]

x800xl isn't as good as the x850pro

about the 1.5 volt thing idk
i would assume that it works
google it

 

[xfilesguy]

K..i'll check the voltage thingy.
But i saw in a couple of reviews/threads tht X800XL and X850pro perform quite similarly in almost all benchmarks so it has to be decided on price. Then why do u say tht X850pro is better??? Plz let me know..

 

[Giraffe]

yes they are very similar
only a few % difference
how much is the x800xl

 

[TurdBurglar]

x800xl isn't as good as the x850pro

There have been many recent discussions about this since these deals were posted. These two cards are very close in performance, trading blows in different games and at different settings. I've been reading some of Giraffe's recent posts and he seems to be somewhat clueless on many topics, yet still offering concrete advice (i.e. in another thread he states that that a 7900GT is faster and a better value than an X1800XT) I don't know what prices are in Australia, but the X1800XT is cheaper in many cases on U.S. websites (which tend to be cheaper than brick and mortar shops) and the X1800XT is the better card for many games. I suggest doing more research before offering concrete advice.

 

[xfilesguy]

its abt 20 CAN$ less...but u have to consider the 15% tax as well.

 

[TurdBurglar]

yes they are very similar

Now you say they are similar???

 

[Giraffe]

get whichever one works out cheaper for u

 

[Giraffe]

turdburglar
first of all let me say f*** you!
in aus the 7900gt is usually around 450$
the x1800xt usually around 600$