HEXUS.reviews :: ASUS vs ASUS: GeForce 8800 Ultra vs Radeon HD 2900 XT.

[Tarinder]

We take a look at two ASUS graphics cards that represent the pinnacle of AMD and NVIDIA's engineering. It's XT vs Ultra, and we duly focus on performance and price.

Check it out.

[this_is_gav]

Why aren't you waiting on ATi's newer drivers? Fair enough on the initial review you want to get it out ASAP, so you're forced to use what you're given, but it's hardly a like-for-like test when one card is using drivers which have been matured over 8 months to ones which are around a month old. It's a well accepted opinion that the HD2x00s are vastly improving with driver updates, yet all we're seeing are the same reviews based on the 7.7 BETA's.

It was the same when the GTX came out - performance was far diminished to where it was a couple of months down the line - albeit still a vast improvement over where nV were at.

[Tarinder]

this_is_gav

We contacted AMD yesterday and were informed that the latest drivers for the Radeon HD 2900 XT were the ones at launch, dated 18th June (CAT 7.5 Beta) - a month old.

In fact, giving AMD/ATI all possible benefit, we've tested with CATALYST 7.7 Beta - the drivers that shipped with the Radeon HD 2400/2600 cards. Performance has not improved over CAT 7.5.

Now, we'd happily incorporate any new drivers as soon as they become available but, right now, if you were to buy this card, you would be receiving month-old, somewhat immature drivers.

We've accurately reflected the current state of play, I feel.