ATi (real ATi) X850XT Platinum Edition 256MB or NVIDIA (BFG) 6800 Ultra OC 256MB

[4megaserver]

I just need to know what card would be better for my new rig. Here is what I have:

AMD X2 3800+
Asus A8N Premium
2GB Corsair XMS PC3200
Raptor 74GB 10K
Antec True 2.0 550W

I already have the NVIDIA card, its used, and NOT an SLi card, so adding one more later is not an option. I have the oppertunity to buy a real ATi X850XT Platinum Edition for $320 shipped, which is the same amount I just paid for my BFG 6800 Ultra OC a week ago.

I just want to know what card kicks more grass!

You advice is much appreciated!

[4megaserver]

oh and I forgot both cards are PCI Express, Im sure you could have figured that out from the motherboard I have, but just thought I would clarify.

thanks!

[LordDarik]

I would say the X850 XT PE is better in all areas, size, heat, and most importantly; performance. Unless you're a big Doom 3 fanatic I'd go with X850. But, for that price why not just get a 7800 GT?

[4megaserver]

is the 7800 GT better than the X850 XT PE? The cheapest I can find a BFG 7800 GT on ebay for is $335 plus crazy high shipping.

[Rattle]

get the eVGA 7800gt from newegg its $349

[Yuriman]

Do they make 6800u's that are incapable of SLI?

[deception``]

Do they make 6800u's that are incapable of SLI?

All PCI-E 6800 Ultra's are SLI-capable.

deception``

[Yuriman]

I already have the NVIDIA card, its used, and NOT an SLi card, so adding one more later is not an option.

??

[deception``]

??

Either he's misinformed, the mobo does not support SLI, or the 6800 is an AGP card from a previous build. My understanding, however, is that all of the Asus A8N Premiums are of the SLI variety, so I am sticking with the AGP guess.

deception``

[4megaserver]

so would the X850xt PE beat two BFG 6800 OC ultras in SLi mode? Keep in mind the Asus A8N Premium still only runs the cards at a lower rate than full 16x when running in SLi mode, the board with support for dual 16x is not available on newegg yet from what i have seen(correct me if im wrong).

Hell would it even be worth the money given I would be spending $600 for the SLI setup and only $320 for the Ati X850xt PE.

Id rather spend the $300 range on this rig for now. Give that fact would the X850 or the 6800 be a better choice?

[Yuriman]

The X850 will be faster than a single 6800U, but to get it, would you return your current card? I'd stick with what you have for now, because even though the X850 is faster, it probably isn't so much faster as to be worth the trouble.

[4megaserver]

I bought the 6800 Ultra on ebay for $300 shipped last week. I just went ahead and bought the X850XT PE last night on ebay for $320 shipped. I'll just bench them both and see what happens! I can always sell the lower scoring card on ebay, which Im sure will be the 6800 ultra, but I havent had a NVIDIA card since my Ti4600!~ We will see what happens!

[Blackmage]

why oh why is this your mobo?

http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cpu_mobo/asus/amd/s939/a8nslipr/index.shtml
if so you should of got the second Ultra

[4megaserver]

Yes, that is my motherboard. I agree that the 2 SLi cards would be better, but is the gain in real world preformance going to be worth the extra $300? I mean compairing the X850XT PE vs. the 6800 Ultra OC from what I read the X850 is way better. Im really getting thrown for a loop with the release of the ATi dual card setups, but hell I would have to buy a new compatible version of the X850XT PE to even do that and they are not releasing that card until November!