Bommando

Righto,

I have decided to shell out for a higher-end graphics card for my gaming. I've had my eye on a ATI X800XT since I have always been happy with ATI cards and these seem like great value.

I have an AGP8x interface and enough grunt with everything else:

AMD64 3200+
1GB GEIL Dual-Channel RAM
etc.

The question I have is, what is the difference between all the variants? Can anyone recommend a better price than the ones here:
http://www.dealtime.com/xPP-Graphics...terface_agp_8x

I am buying in Australia, but it is still cheaper to buy a U.S. card and have it shipped. I am assuming there is no difference with power supply (we use 240V, but the PS in the comp is the one supplying the power to the card).

I am not desperate to save too much money. I prefer not to use eBay, since I hate waiting for stuff to arrive and dealing with people who take ages to post stuff. I would rather pay a bit more for a new card from a reliable supplier.

Any suggestions?

Spyder

There should be no compatability issues with power. PSU's convert whatever your wall outlet power is to a DC voltage anyway (12V, 5V, 3.3V).

More options for you here:
http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_a...on+x800xt&rd=1

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Bommando

Thanks Spyder. I guess the main question is: What is the difference between all the different types of the same card? They are all X800XT, but the pricing varies wildly. It looks like the pricing changes according to bundled stuff etc, but am I right in thinking the performance is all the same?

RGM-79N_GM_CUstom

Yes it should be the same. They are all the same core however you should try to get info online on the product you want. Sometimes people sell underclocked versions of high end cards to lower costs and make it more attractive to consumers. Also this should help it lists the Radeon X series according to preformace. (Got it from Wikipedia.)

* Radeon X300SE
* Radeon X300
* Radeon X600 Pro
* Radeon X600XT
* Radeon X700
* Radeon X700 Pro
* Radeon X700XT
* Radeon X800SE
* Radeon X800
* Radeon X800 GT
* Radeon X800 Pro
* Radeon X850 Pro
* Radeon X800XL
* Radeon X800XT
* Radeon X800XT Platinum Edition
* Radeon X850XT
* Radeon X850XT Platinum Edition

All of the cards are avialable in AGP version and the list is set up so the best cards are at the bottom. Also Bommando just to let you know the R530 will be released soon. Its ATI's next gen card. I have no idea how well it will preform but it should be a great card that won't kill your wallet. It will have Pixel Shader 3.0 which none of the X series have.

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Bommando

Thanks GM. I had a look around myself, but all the info was spread out and not very explanatory. The Wikipedia entry was perfect.

My current card is doing a good job so far, so it might be worth me waiting for the R530 rather than shell out right now.

Thanks again

slugslinger

u will have to get a new mb cuz i dont think its goinna have a agp version or the agp version is gonn a come outa few months after the pcie

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RGM-79N_GM_CUstom

^^^^AGP versions are supposed to be out at launch atleast ATI claims it will. NEver really know. Np Bommando.

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AlienBaby_

Hmmm... radeon cards ... hmmm. Shader 3 support like the Nvidia cards? nope.

Spyder

If you're budget bump upgrading right now, Gigabyte 6600GT APG for $160, or BFG 6600GT OC for $200 is the way to go.
If you're looking at Overhaul or spendy upgrades, wait for the newest high-end PCI-e cards and see how the prices fall out. Anything newer than a 6800 level card should be PCI-e, because that's where everything is going.

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Flying is easy, Just throw yourself at the ground and miss!

Syn

Isn't shader 3.0 merely a 2.0 spec tweak? I've seen or heard nothing new that makes 3.0 matter much at all

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Wulfyn

Ok, well we could go on all day about the relative merits of each card - maybe a different thread to start that discussion tho.


Bommando I was also looking at getting an X800XT. They look very good cards to me. One thing that can make a difference is the manufacturer. I'm looking at getting one made by Sapphire, as I believe them to be the best (based more on rep than any benchmarks I've seen tho). My current 9700 Pro is made by Hercules, and is a superb card, but I don't think they make them any longer.


Anyone know of which the best manufacturer would be?

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CingularDuality

Not to turn you off, but Sapphire is well known as a cheap manufacturer of video cards, NOT a quality manufacturer of cards. Depending on what exactly you think is "best", they may indeed be best.

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TG_Trigger

If I'm not mistaken the 800xl is built on the newer smaller dia micron than the XT. Ie will run cooler and overclock higher and is cheaper.

Ripped from a great article(link belwo) that will give you the whole picture so you can find the price/performance sweet spot. Which was the 800xl for me.

"Although the R430 is architecturally nearly identical to the R423, it is manufactured with 0.11-micron tech process and is in fact the first high-performance 16-pipelined GPU to use such a thin manufacturing technology. Here, however, low-k dielectric material is not employed, and this probably explains the rather low default frequency the new GPU. On the other hand, the thin tech process and the low clock rate should lead to low power consumption, i.e. to simpler and smaller graphics cards with simple and quiet cooling systems and without additional power connectors.
"

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...on-x800xl.html

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Apophis

I have an X850XT on order right now. I should be able to pick it up tomorrow from the local shop.

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TG_Trigger

That's the top of the line card...should perform very well. Different core that the 800's.

Bommando...This chart gives you the nitty gritty. Notice the 800xl core is newer than the 800XT.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/misc/picture...le-new.gif&1=1

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