$100 more for a lesser card????

[Trypt]

I am doing research on the 19xx series cards since I am in the market. If I don't buy from anyone here, then I'll go with new, of course.

People have offered x1900xtx, but I can't find this card anywhere! What is the diff between it and xt?

Also, anything major different between the x1900xt and x1950xt? How about x1900xtx vs. x1950xt?

Now, Newegg.com has a 1900xt for $269 and a 1950xt for $169, even tho in the description I cant see any diff except that the latter is a bit faster! Whats the deal here?

x1900xt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121029

x1950xt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102067

I've pretty much decided to go with this level of card, now it just remains to be seen which 19xx card to get, or perhaps an equivalent NVidia (although I doubt I'll go NV route). I was hoping for 512mb ram but it seems this is not important.

[thideras]

I don't know why the 1950 is cheaper...it is pretty much the same specs except the memory is clocked faster...

[keninishna]

newegg is funny like that cause the x1900xt was discontinued. Its sorta how like ddr ram is now - more expensive than ddr2 and slower. the diff between a x1900xt and xtx is just clocks.

[Trypt]

Thanx.

So, finally, since I've narrowed my search to the x1950xt level in price and performance, I have a couple more questions:

1. What should I be looking for when buying this specific card? Does company matter? Does it come with a choice of 256mb or 512mb ram, and if so, is the price diff worth the performance diff? Any other x1950xt specific info would be greatly appreciated.

2. Are there any other cards currently on the market that are in the same price range (max +20% on price) that I should be looking at, whether from ATI or NVidia?

Thanx

[thideras]

Thanx.

So, finally, since I've narrowed my search to the x1950xt level in price and performance, I have a couple more questions:

1. What should I be looking for when buying this specific card? Does company matter? Does it come with a choice of 256mb or 512mb ram, and if so, is the price diff worth the performance diff? Any other x1950xt specific info would be greatly appreciated.

2. Are there any other cards currently on the market that are in the same price range (max +20% on price) that I should be looking at, whether from ATI or NVidia?

Thanx

1) I highly recommend eVGA. Memory: What resolutions are you going to be running. If your on a monitor around 1280x1024, 256 will do you fine.

2) I think the nVidia equivalent of the 1950 will be a 7900gt/gtx. Not sure, I don't keep up with Ati much.

[Trypt]

I have decided that the x1950xt is in the right price-range.

I will be running all games and the OS at 1920x1200 resolution.

I'd like any info you may have to offer regarding:

1) The x1950xt itself (different makes, types, do they all come with 48 shaders, all come with DDR3, etc.), anything I should be looking for?

2) Any other cards from ATI or NVIDIA that are in the same price range that I should be looking at? Advantages/disadvantages?

3) Any overclocking info you can provide (if any are known to be much better oc'ers then others, etc).


--
Also, I haven't found a price on a 512MB 1950xt yet, perhaps they don't exist?

How important is the extra 256MB at my resolution? Are we talking like 20% frame rate increase at same clocks? Does more memory handle AA and AF better? Also, I see the 1950pro with 512mb is about 10% cheaper then the 1950xt 256mb. There is the little issue of the 12 less shaders, but putting that aside, from my understanding, as the resolution increases, the pro will get closer and closer to the xt in performance right? Ultimately, I'd like 48 shaders and 512mb, but like I said, haven't found one yet.


Enough for now, I am sure I'll ask more before I ultimately decide, but it will be within a week, I am getting antsy.

[thideras]

At those resolutions, you may want to get the 512mb version....

[oakstave]

I really wish I knew the answer to that question myself. I have Non-Pro ATI X1950XTX in crossfire configuration, with GDR4 memory. Which is what I would recommend for you if it was actually possible to find them anymore. The pros use a different chipset, and I understand have generally weaker features. Certainly in the memory department. The only real advantage to the pros are the cost, and the internal link that replaced the god-awful dongle I use.

The only new non-pro x1950xtx I could find was 100 dollars more than the 2900 series. Insane huh? I've never heard an explanation for it. I ended up buying one on Ebay to complete my Xfire. Check out the prices on the new X1950XTX. Blows my mind. http://www.monstronix.com/100435843-p-205413.html http://www.shentech.com/100435843dh.html http://www.google.com/products?q=x1950xtx+512mb&hl=en&safe=off&um=1&checkout=1&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=checkout-restrict What's up with that??

Edit: I agree with Thideras. Go with the 512mb version. Also the 1900's are a good deal louder than the 1950s if you care about such things.

[jellysandwich]

GDDR4?

[Twigglish]

I dont think its very easy to find a 512mb version of the 1950xt...

[Trypt]

Ok, I don't have $400+, but you're right, that makes no sense whatsoever.

Wasn't everyone on here saying that an XTX is just an XT with a overclocked core and mem? Or am I wrong? Even if that is not the case, I am dumbfounded by the doubling of price!

Obviously an XTX is way above my budget. I am exactly two weeks away from my purchase, I thought I could do it this Wed, but it will have to be my next pay, two Wed from now. And I am still leaning towards the 1950XT, but will consider 1900XT from OC classifieds if the price is right.

So, you really think that 512MB is important for me? What kind of price increase would be justified going from a 256MB to 512MB card with all else being equal? 10%? 25%? At what price premium is it no longer worth it to double the mem? This will be important in my final decision.

[Yuriman]

I would say it's no longer worth it when the price starts creeping up on that of an 8800. I don't recommend paying over $175 for an X1900.

[oakstave]

GDDR4?

The latest (greatest) type of memory used in video cards. Gdr4 is faster and more efficient.

As to Trypt's last question: Bump. More memory means the card can hold more textures, at higher resolutions. But other than mouthing something dumb like "mo is betta" I can't tell ya.

Trypt, check the classies for X1950xtx's or Ebay. That's where I picked up mine. (For a lot more than they would cost now.)

[rainless]

The 1900XT is a "Collector's Item" ;)