5950 or 5900

[Dropline]

I was hoping to get some insight on this Video card. I am Ordering either a (BFG GeForce FX 5950 ULTRA Video Card, 256MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "ASLM5950U" -RETAIL) From NewEgg or the same card but the 5900 for $100 less.

Is the 5950 worth the $100 extra? I love the HeatPipe and Dual fans on the 5950 being when I Game I do it for hours.

Thanks,
Drops.

[football]

Just rub it in, will ya?

$100 is about the only thing that seperates the two.

The 5900 beats the ATI 9800 in every test the 5950 does, but cost a lot less. The 5900 OC to 5950 spects with ease, so there goes that. There is also a BIOS update that will change the 5900 to a 5950, lol!

Either way, you are getting a great card regardless!

And seeing that BFG has a true "lifetime warranty", you will also get an upgrade to the next best thing 2 years from now.:)

Now to think of it, you could sell me that card a year or so from now.:)

BTW.......If I had the money and it was no option, I would always go for the best (5950). ;)

[Evnas]

Na, its not worth $100 more for the 5950 at all

[Dropline]

So the cooling on the 5950 isn't that much better? I don't know if I will ever go to WaterCooling so that was the big thing I liked was the HeatPipe and Dual Fans.

I guess I could save to $100 and put that towards WaterCooling later.

Does Flashing the 5900 to a 5950 Void that Lifetime warenty also?

Sorry for all the Questions, want to order this fast and if I go 5950 I can add it to my NewEgg order that should ship on monday.

[Sirius]

Go for the 5900 I have the bfg 5900 and it is a good card. And yes there is a BIOS update to flash to a 5950 and yes it works.

[football]

You older guy's could welcome a new member to the forum, geeez....!:D

Back on topic.:cool:



Dropline

The cooling on any 5900 card will be good!

Now the flashing thing is another issue...:rolleyes:

I believe you could always restore the original BIOS, which is saved on the same floppy as the new BIOS.

[everclock]

Remember tho with the 5950U you will get a better overclock. It is based off of a newer core revision. If you are not too worried about spending a lot of money, the 5950 will prollly be the better choice. If you are worried about money, go with the 5900 non-ultra and do a bios flash-it will increase the Vcore of the gpu giving u a better overclock without a vmod.

[Dropline]

Hmm.. thanks Everclock. The size of the Overclock does matter, no matter how many times she says it don't. ;)


I really don't want to spend $380 on a Vid card but I also don't want to spend $280 either.

Leaning towards 5950 after last post.

[football]

Originally posted by Dropline

Leaning towards 5950 after last post.

You mean it only took someone to say that a 5950 will OC higher than a 5900 to change your mind?

[Dropline]

Nope, I keep thinking about that cooler on it. I read the 5950 runs 30c at stock and can take way more temps.

So I guess yes and no.

[Dropline]

This is the main reason I want the 5950 over 5900 as of this moment, could change my mind as ordering.

1st is this, "It is based off of a newer core revision." thanks Everclock

and this...
Look at the nice Copper based cooling on the 5950.
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-143-007-04.JPG

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-143-007-03.JPG

and now the 5900 looks aluminum to me.
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-143-012-03.JPG

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/14-143-012-06.JPG

[football]

Are you going on looks?

The 5950 does have a new chip, although many think it's the same as the 5700 and 5900......:rolleyes:

It seems you have made up your mind before it begin, cause there is no way a 5950 is worth $100 more than a 5900.

But if I was in your shoes (as stated before), I would get the 5950 just to say I have the best.

Here is a small review and comparison of most of the major players, with concentration placed on the 5700 ultra, 5900 ultra and 5950 ultra.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/88/23/

The gains and the comparisons were the same back in the day, when asking was a Ti 4600 worth $100 more than the Ti 4400. The answer was no, and I feel it to be the case now.

As said, looks can be deceiving. Not only will your 5900ultra and non ultra have great cooling, but they are the ones that would generally be OC.

[Dropline]

Well.. I am not really going for looks and still only about 90% sur e I want the 5950. The last time I bought a Top of the Line card it was the PNY-GF3-Ti510 and was about the same price as this now.

The last card I bought was a MSI-FX5600-256 nonUltra(Junk) and I really did not see too much of a difference from my GF3 card.

The GF3 is still in my Girlfriends PC we play Everquest together and being that EQ is going to DX9 and I had Issues with the GF3 and DX9 on XP.

Hmm... thats making me want the 5950 even more thinking about what you said "But if I was in your shoes (as stated before), I would get the 5950 just to say I have the best."

Hmm.. I wonder if Newegg can Add it to my Order that is shipping already Monday. I guess that would seal the deal, the 5900 isn't at NewEgg and never dealt with them before. I would feel a little more comfortable if my Mishkin 3500bh5 set had a nice video card riding along on the shipping charges.

Sorry if I ramble... I am sorta ****ed FedEx was supposed to be here hours ago with my new UPS Battery. :(

[Sirius]

That picture you have of the 5900 is wrong this is what the cooler on my 5900 looks like.
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=14-143-008-02.JPG/14-143-008-03.JPG/14-143-008-04.JPG/14-143-008-05.JPG/14-143-008-01.JPG

[football]

I was trying to talk someone out of buying a 5200fx card, and they were wanting to spend $130 for it on top of that!

Just dont see why they even made that card, you can just about get a 5700ultra for $130..:D

In your case, get the 5950. You would not be totally happy unless you had that. A true OC would love to have the 5900, and make it do everything the 5950 can do and more. But that's for freaks and geeks, yuk!:eek:

Can't wait for you to get the 5950, post pics too...Wil' ya?

BTW....That GF3 510 still rocks in Quake, I just skipped that line (GF3) of cards. Trying to make do with this GF2GTS till I get my replacement card back from PNY (Ti 4400), I hope they put a 5700ultra in that box.:p

[Dropline]

I am going to call NewEgg and see if they can Add it to my Order, 5950 it is.

IF they are all the same, can a 5700Ultra be flashed to a 5950? I know someone that has one already.

I hope they can Add it to the order, my new RAM is going to let me push my Overclock hopefully into the 225+(450FSB) range. That with the new Video card should make my Rig almost Benchable. :)

[Sirius]

Just get the 5950 and be done with it. If you get the 5700 you will have wished you got the 5950 when you do any benchmarks. The 5950 willl make you happy and you want have to update your card for some time.

[football]

Originally posted by Dropline

IF they are all the same, can a 5700Ultra be flashed to a 5950? I know someone that has one already.



I did hear somewhere, that if the 5700U OC to 5900 specifications, then it could be flashed to a 5950U. Now I certainly will have to find that link, but I would be happy with the 5700U or 9800PRO. Ofcourse, I would be more happy with the 5950.:D

Let us know how it goes, laterz!

[Dropline]

I ordered the 5950, I was asking about the 5700U for my Cousin, he has one and would be nice if he could Flash it to even a 5900u.

NewEgg wasnt Open so I going to call and see if they will ship the Video card with my RAM and AS5. :)

Hmm.. on the Artic Silver side of things, would it be a good Idea to remove the heatsink and reapply it with ArticSeiver5 or even 3?

FedEx Finally came with my Battery so I had to hook that up, they tried to talk me into Monday Delivery. I Paid $65 for SAT DELIVERY how does that add up to monday? Well I the FedEX Manager drive it over in his Car. :) 5hrs Later then the Noon Cutoff but still got it today so I guess I am happy now.

[SysCrusher]

Originally posted by Sirius
That picture you have of the 5900 is wrong this is what the cooler on my 5900 looks like.
http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=14-143-008-02.JPG/14-143-008-03.JPG/14-143-008-04.JPG/14-143-008-05.JPG/14-143-008-01.JPG

Yours is a first version just like mine. The one he pointed out is a revision2 board. What the difference is besides the heatsink, I don't know.

[SysCrusher]

Originally posted by Dropline
I ordered the 5950, I was asking about the 5700U for my Cousin, he has one and would be nice if he could Flash it to even a 5900u.

NewEgg wasnt Open so I going to call and see if they will ship the Video card with my RAM and AS5. :)

Hmm.. on the Artic Silver side of things, would it be a good Idea to remove the heatsink and reapply it with ArticSeiver5 or even 3?


The 5900 will overclock to 5950 standards but I think the 5950 would do better. Hopefully the shaders and the AA are better.

I took my heatsink and used AS5. They use that bubble gum stuff like amd does. Don't apply AS5 to your memory chips though. Use some good heat transfer tape. 3M makes some good tape. You can find it at compusa (crappy store i know). It's black in colour. The best I ever used to date and recommend it when heat tape is needed. I used it on a OEM NB heatsink on an old 745U. The heatsink never got hot to the touch untill I used that tape.

[Dropline]

Does the 5950 have that Bowl type GPU like the 5600 does? If so should I do when of those "Bridge the gap" Mods with the penny? I have been thinking about this for my 5600 being I still keeping it for GFs machine.

Thanks again all,
Drps

[football]

Originally posted by SysCrusher
[B]

The 5900 will overclock to 5950 standards but I think the 5950 would do better. Hopefully the shaders and the AA are better.


You are referring to the Ultra series, right?

I think I said a few times 5900, when there are indeed the SE, Ultra and standard.

It would be very hard if not impossible to ask for the 5900 doing 400/700, to run and perform at 475/950. (RAM among other things will hender OC)

Ofcourse the 5900 Ultra runs at 450/850, putting it right at the max of running at 5950's specifications.

Just wanted to point that out, seeing that someone could have thought I meant 5900, and not Ultra.

I want that card!:p

[Dropline]

I can't wait to get it, I wish it wasn't $499 at all the local stores.

[Dropline]

Just noticed from BFG page, looks like the cooler is not what is posted on NewEgg... Hmm.. I hope I get this one when it gets here.

http://www.bfgtech.com/images/5950Ultra.jpg

[Steven4563]

the 5900ultra might be faster in DX8.1 but in DX9 the 9800pro will smash it all over the place

[football]

I provided a link, of the reviewers talking about that cooling setup. You might want to check that out?

Please Steven4563, let's not go there......But since you did.

Here was a sneak preview of a DX9 game, 9800 vs the little brother of the 5950 the 5900U.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1821&p=21

[SysCrusher]

Originally posted by football


You are referring to the Ultra series, right?

I think I said a few times 5900, when there are indeed the SE, Ultra and standard.

It would be very hard if not impossible to ask for the 5900 doing 400/700, to run and perform at 475/950. (RAM among other things will hender OC)

Ofcourse the 5900 Ultra runs at 450/850, putting it right at the max of running at 5950's specifications.

Just wanted to point that out, seeing that someone could have thought I meant 5900, and not Ultra.

I want that card!:p

Was referring to the standard 5900. Think I got mixed up somewhere and forgot about the extra versions. I'm water cooling to so thats a big difference. On air I got Ultra speeds with higher mem, 450/900. Water i'm getting 475/975, havn't tried higher yet. Changing the tim on the HSF makes a big difference. The bubble gum that comes with it sucks and actually lifts it up some off the core where some mem chips don't touch the HSF.

Standard = 400/850
Ultra = 450/850
SE = 400/700
XT= 390/700

[football]

So I'm assuming, the only thing to look out for is not having SE/XT at the end?

You have a great OC there, you think you can get the memory to run at 1G?

Thanks for the tip with the fan/hsk, I know that will help many here in the forum....Thanks!

[SysCrusher]

Originally posted by football
So I'm assuming, the only thing to look out for is not having SE/XT at the end?

You have a great OC there, you think you can get the memory to run at 1G?

Thanks for the tip with the fan/hsk, I know that will help many here in the forum....Thanks!

If you only want the best stay away from the XT or SE. Though their not bad cards, they use slower cheaper mem chips and use aggressive mem timings to make up for it. With the exception of the XT and it's slower clock speed. If you want to save money with a balance of decent performance, then the XT or SE isn't a bad choice. My wife has been beating up my old BFG 5200Ultra lately and wants a new card so I've been looking close at the clocks on all the versions. I broke a capacitor on it too and fixed it with a new one. Gets better stable FPS now. lol Might just give her my 5900 and get me the 5950.

I'm sure my mem can do 1G on water easily. They don't even get warm to the touch. I'll give it a shot after this. BFG makes a good quality card.

[SysCrusher]

Nope, mem won't do 1G. Sucks but oh well. More voltage will help that but I hate doing that since I wont see a difference other than scores. I can get it to 500/975. I'll keep bumping the core up and see.

[football]

Originally posted by SysCrusher
Nope, mem won't do 1G. Sucks but oh well. More voltage will help that but I hate doing that since I wont see a difference other than scores. I can get it to 500/975. I'll keep bumping the core up and see.


I know you have a lifetime warranty, but don't mess that card up. You have a great OC already, wish I wuld have the confidence to have a water setup.

BFG will definitely be a brand I'll keep my eye on, can't wait to see what Dropline get's with his.

[heyheyhey]

Originally posted by football
Here was a sneak preview of a DX9 game, 9800 vs the little brother of the 5950 the 5900U.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1821&p=21


The 9800 Just Got Served!

BTW - You should've gotten the BFG 5900NU for $175... you could flash it to 5950, save $200, and have an awesome overclock.... but, its your money.

[Evnas]

Originally posted by football
Here was a sneak preview of a DX9 game, 9800 vs the little brother of the 5950 the 5900U.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1821&p=21

Thats not a DX 9 game, its OpenGL. However, Carmack (the owner of ID Software) said he had to go back and re-write an entire seperate line of coding to make those GFFX cards perform on par. Most companies wont do that, so this is a rare occasion, I'm sorry to say.

[football]

Originally posted by heyheyhey



The 9800 Just Got Served!

B


Indeed!

We as Nvidia card holders have nothing to fear, Nvidia will make sure it will be known as a gamers card.

Not only will it be faster in the most awaited game of our time, but will still own in one of the most played games still, quake 3!

Seeing how well the 5900 performs, almost make me not wait on what's coming next.

Nvidia rules!:D

[Dropline]

Well.. the BFG-5950U is Installed... all I can say is WOW... This card ROCKS, all my Benchmarks at least doubled and 3DMaek2003 score was Trippled. :)

The only thing I don't like is the Blue lights on it, they are really bright.

Thanks for all teh Info... also on Overclocking when I hit the "Detect" butten with Coolbits its told me 585/1100, I am staying Stock setting for now.

Thanks Again,
Drps.

[PreservedSwine]

Originally posted by Evnas


Thats not a DX 9 game, its OpenGL. However, Carmack (the owner of ID Software) said he had to go back and re-write an entire seperate line of coding to make those GFFX cards perform on par. Most companies wont do that, so this is a rare occasion, I'm sorry to say.

I know, it is sad to say...also sad is that they bring up a beta benchmark that is nearly 1 yr old..instead of looking at REAL DX9 benchmarks available today that reveal an entirely different reality.......