GFX headache!

[windog]

OK, I want to buy a new GFX card....I dont need to, but I am soon to be leaving these shores, and I want to sort out my pc for a while before I go (and while the missus isn't looking as she's in Aus already!)

But, after trawling through countless reviews, and other "this one or that one" threads, I still cant decide.

Now, before everyone says buy an 8800gtx I have discounted this on price, so I am left choosing between an 8800gts, a 2900xt or possibly a 1950 pro

The 2900 xt is probably marginally more expensive, but if ATI keep updating the drvers may turn out to be better, the gts seems quite ok or in real terms the 1950 would be perfectly adequate for what I use it for ( I dont even stress the 800 I have now!)

The only times I wind them up is when I get bored and start "benching" and overclocking, just to "play"

I dont really "game" and DX10 probably isn't very important to me though with my kids getting older it may I suppose end up being of some interest to them.

This is probably the last time I shall upgrade the GFX for a couple of years at least, (my wife doesn't understnd me!) so I would like to get it as "right" as I can.

At the risk of starting the usual fight! has anyone got anything to say to help?

[staffsMike]

the 1950pro or even the xt now its not really anymore expensive is quite a good card for around the £100 mark. If will do everything you ask of it right now as long as you are at 1680 x 1050 or less.

If you want to be safe for the next 3 to 4 years and dont mind comprimsing some graphics quality a little later down the line then the 8800GTS 320mb is a great card for the money.

I don't trust the 2900xt myself.. the reviews are so hit and miss I don't know what to believe and wouldn't fork out £230 to find out as the 8800 is a fantastic card.

[windog]

Thanks for the input,
You are really summing up what I am thinking, the 1950 ( in any of its forms ) would be quite adequate (and cheaper!) the one thing that is steering me away from it is I am also planning watercooling (well I am going to Australia!) and blocks for them seem hard to get, and certainly no full cover blocks, the 8800 gts would be better, but depending on the review you read the 2900 may turn out to be a better card in the end, but no guarantees!

[Mad-Max]

Well I would go for 8800GTS but I would suspect the 2900XT to get better with drivers and age.

[windog]

Well the reviews I have read, (by no means necessarily exhaustive but quite a few!) put the 2900xt a little above the 8800gts but it seems to be a question of what may come out in time, NV seem to be a bit bad at updating thier drivers at the moment but presumablly they may catch up in time

[Mithrandir]

If you don't game and within a tighter budget then the x1950xt is the best £4£

If you can stretch the budget [and don't mind seeing your PC being hogged by the kids] then the 8800gts is probably just better (and will probably show it's a lot better when DX10 is established this time next year)

I'd personally go for the x1950xt as you can save around £60
x1950xt ~£110
8800gts ~£170

[Pob255]

What have you got atm?
Actually if you don't game then pritty much anything is ok. eg my otherhalf is still running on my old fx5200, which handels photoshop at 1600x1200 resolution with any problem.

Let's face it there's only a few actual things that put any real strain on a graphics card and the main one is games, if you don't game then graphics card is not really a problem or likely to need replaceing in years (only problem is changeing slots eg agp > pci-e )

If your doing some gameing, a low cost option of an x1950pro is exellent or 7900gs

[this_is_gav]

Save a bundle and get an X1950XT.

[Smudger]

Save a bundle and get an X1950XT.

...if you can find one...

[this_is_gav]

Only 256mb, but still, good enough 95% of the time.
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...125754&_LOC=UK

[Smudger]

Only 256mb, but still, good enough 95% of the time.
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...125754&_LOC=UK

That's an AGP card, isn't it?

[windog]

What have you got atm?
Actually if you don't game then pritty much anything is ok. eg my otherhalf is still running on my old fx5200, which handels photoshop at 1600x1200 resolution with any problem.

Let's face it there's only a few actual things that put any real strain on a graphics card and the main one is games, if you don't game then graphics card is not really a problem or likely to need replaceing in years (only problem is changeing slots eg agp > pci-e )

If your doing some gameing, a low cost option of an x1950pro is exellent or 7900gs

I know...I did say I didn't need one ....I just want one!. I have a Power Colour x800 at the mo, and it handles everything I need now, but if I get me a new one, I can use it to upgrade the kids comp, along with an AN8 Ultra, and 3700+, and get round to selling all the other stuff I have got hanging arround!

[Biscuit]

...if you can find one...

yeah i was going to say these things are getting hard to come by... get a feeling the production lines are stopping.

[this_is_gav]

That's an AGP card, isn't it?

Oh right. My apologies. Didn't even know the XTs came in AGP form.

Other than that, yeah, it looks like the 1950XTs are in short supply.

[Pob255]

I know...I did say I didn't need one ....I just want one!. I have a Power Colour x800 at the mo, and it handles everything I need now, but if I get me a new one, I can use it to upgrade the kids comp, along with an AN8 Ultra, and 3700+, and get round to selling all the other stuff I have got hanging arround!

Then your best choises atm are:
x1950pro (xt if you can find one)
7900GS (7950GT if you can find one)

however with dx10 games in the near future (if you're not planning to upgrade again for 2 years)
8800gts 320mb
(not sure on the new ati cards)

[windog]

Thanks to all, I have just ordered an 8800 gts