Directx 9 or 10 VideoCards

[Polarman]

I will soon upgrade my video card and more. I know, i know... what a pain (especialy on my wallet). I would like to point out that as reference i will be using ATI for the rest of my post. My final purchase will be ATI GPU card.

My current and future gear will be AMD/ATI Based. THE END!

I'm currently looking around review sites and waiting patiently for ATI's upcoming HD2600 and HD2400 models to come out with some benchmarks. The HD2900 needs an improved driver to be re-tested.

I'm currently using an ATI X800XT (AGP). This was top of the line for a Shader Model 2 card at the time i got it. It runs everything i got now including SUPCOM but at the expense of graphical quality.

Soon after, ATI introduce the X1000 series supporting Shader Model 3. And Now we have Shader Model 4.

I don't really know what all the "ooplah" is with Vista + DirectX 10 that gives you Shader Model 4. If your like me and still happy to use the old reliable XP.

I never tried a PC with a shader model 3 card. But i read about it and it looks awesome on a awesome card and it looks crappy on a low end card. But what i read recently about shader model 4 is very disturbing. It cripples video cards. I know that drivers are still at the early stages of development but hey! All those visual effects comes at a cost. Take for exemple a ATI X1300pro. Geez what's the point of having a shader model 3 card that perform twice as bad as my X800XT. ****... You have to put all the settings on low just to get a decent frame rate. The same will happen to model shader 4 cards, even on the almighty 8800 ultra, you will probably have to tone down some of the settings to get at least a viable frame rate going... Negating the shader model 4 effects in the process. WHAT'S THE POINT. The G84 and G86 will suffer a lot worse then the G80. That is Unless ATI and Nvidia can perform a miracle on those upcoming drivers.

So this is my biggest question. Should i get a top of the line shader model 3 (directx 9.0c) video card that has had a lot of time to mature with decent drivers or go for those fancy new HD 2XXX. I probably won't at the end i guess. but you never know...

I am partial for trying out a crossfire rig (and yes i can).

I want some opinion on this post. I don't want AMD/ATI flaming and ranting.

[ripken204]

well ati dx10 kind of just came out, so i cant comment much on it.

as far as nvidia tho, an 8600gt performs about that same as a 7900gt. both cards can play almost all games at max settings at 1280x1024.

it doesnt cost all that much either.

[weEvil]

I've been looking at the 2600 and 2400 too. Looks like they will run ALOT cooler than their cousin the 2900. (the 2900 is also made with 90nm instead of the 65nm for the others so it drains hella power.)

Edited June 12, 2007 by brucevangeorge

[puntoMX]

Okay, I know you want an ATI, but I would take a look at the nVidia 8600GT too: Best card for it´s price.

If I would go with ATi I would look at the 1950GT/pro, it´s about the same price as the 8600GT but the 8600GT performs a bit better.

If you can wait some time then the 2600xx cards would be nice too, but they are still not in the shops...

[weEvil]

Okay, I know you want an ATI, but I would take a look at the nVidia 8600GT too: Best card for it´s price.

Can't say that yet. Not all the 2000 series from ATi have been released. This may be the best for price for the GeForce8 series of DX10 cards... but the best for the price?

Can't tell yet.

Noit a big wait anyway. The 2400, 2600 are to be released this summer. Late July I heard.

Edited June 13, 2007 by brucevangeorge

[Polarman]

I was looking a lot a the 1950pro in a crossfire setup. And the prices are getting more reasonnable now.

The 1950pro is not a boiler and consumes less power than a XT or XTX. The native crossfire is a + too.

The HD2600XT on the other hand is another story. Only time will tell.

My guess, it will probably get killed fps wise if it tries to go at max detail (1680X1050) + directx 10 effects. Even in a crossfire setup!

That's one of my biggest gripes: What's the point in having a fancy DirectX 10 card i you can't use those so called DirectX10 extra features and effects.

Like everybody else... I'll put on my patience pantaloons and give the HD2600 a chance to prove itself before going out on my shopping spree.

Edited June 13, 2007 by Polarman

[weEvil]

I'll put on my patience pantaloons and give the HD2600 a chance to prove itself before going out on my shopping spree.

Same here. The more boards on the market (and new tech too) the more options I have of making a decision that works for me.

PLus. I'm really drooling (if the benches are as nice as they should) for that Dual HD2600XT card. Its two cards in one.

2 Cards in one: http://www.tcmagazine.com/comments.php?shownews=15070

[puntoMX]

Noit a big wait anyway. The 2400, 2600 are to be released this summer. Late July I heard.

They are released indeed soon, expect them in 2 weeks. There are MSI benchmarks out, 3Dmark 2006 @ 6k points and 3Dmark 2005 @ 10k points, on an midrange CPU powered system.

Looks like I would go for a x1950 or a 8600GT (Last one is coming in for my system in 1 week or so).

[weEvil]

There are MSI benchmarks out, 3Dmark 2006 @ 6k points and 3Dmark 2005 @ 10k points, on an midrange CPU powered system.

Haven't found any benches. And if there are 3Dmark is the worst type.

How about some real benchmarks instead of some buggy synthetic ones that are CPU dependent?

[puntoMX]

Just a link,

some info here,

more to come this or the next week .

Edited June 14, 2007 by puntoMX

[DigeratiPrime]

I got the 8600 GT (yesterday) because it has twice the # of Pixel Shaders and ROPs as the HD 2600 XT will (allegedly) have, HD 2600 has more shaders than 8600 GT but they are at a lower clock speed, nVidia has better drivers imo, nVidia handles OpenGL and linux better, Purevideo > AVIVO imo, and when it finally is released the HD 2600 XT will probably cost more than a comparable 8600 GT. I know they are different but look at the disappointment of the HD 2900 XT being beat by the 8800 GTS, a card that costs a little more than half as much. Is this due to architectural problems or driver problems, time will tell.

[weEvil]

Just a link,

some info here,

more to come this or the next week .

Terrible. Absolutely terrible.

The second link is a news release. Contains info about the features the card supports, and the first link is a "benchmark" but it does not have any no comparison to other cards. Its not a proper bench, at all. Its a complete joke, and its in jaoanese too. (the link off the main page goes to the forum with the benchmarks.)

I wouldn't ever make my buying decisions on something like this. Hasn't been released and properly measured up to the rest. And an obscure bench by a Japanese dude does not count.

[puntoMX]

lol

I know it´s not based on good benchmarking, poor drivers and a beta-card, but it´s a start.

Any way, soon there will be more benchmarks out there, but don´t expect miracles .

[weEvil]

but don´t expect miracles .

No. I expect a battery of well carried out tests that lead to a real conclusion.

[Polarman]

My choice has been made, my purchase is made and is on the way! (2 or 3 days i guess)

I went with two, yes TWO ATI X1950Pro 256MB wich i intend to put them in crossfire mode and blow away my previous score of 6050 in 3Dmark05 using my old X800XT + X2-4200.

I stuck with the good old ATI brand name. I looked at various other 3rd party manufacturer like Sapphire, MSI, Powercolor, ect...

Overall the ATI has better quality, the cooler is good and has been improved since the XT/XTX version. The Crossfire bridge, Composite and S-video cables, HDTV out cable, DVI to VGA adapters is included.

I made a lot of research before making my final decision. I always want maximum compatibility and stability when i buy components.

I honestly do not believe that a directx 10 card will improve my personal and casual gaming for the time being. Windows XP is going to rule quite a while and will not be buried by Vista anyday soon.

The only thing that bugs me is that my new motherboard (K9A Platinum) that i should have received last week is back-order. GRRRR!!! I'll have everything else ready except the main piece.