2900 pro or 8800gts that is the question ??

[jonathan_phang]

I am stuck in the same predicament - just bought an XFX 8800 GTS 640 from Scan (Lets NOTdebate why this over the 320 one) for a new build for the home gaming computer, but my slightly over eager sibling has ordered a 2900 pro from overclockers... so need to figure out which one needs to go back...

I googled about and the 2900 seems really good value for money - but the noise is meant to be pretty bad (though probably no worse than out current X1800XT). However, if our PSU can take it then it should OC well.

BUT - the 8800 should be fine for all things at the moment, and should be better than AA than the 2900, BUT is more expensive.

And to be honest - I think that BOTH the cards are good for games now, but I wonder if either of these cards will be able to play UT3, GoW and Crysis... Maybe i should just wait for the next set to come out - but we both want to play Bioshock!!

UPDATE: For overclocking - Do you NEED to have both the 6 and the 8 pin power connectors? I've read that the 8 pin one is needed for overclocking - but if you dont have the 8, can you still use a second 6 pin plug? I think that diables overdrive in the CCC, but can you just use Rivatuner or somethink?

Just that when weighing up both, I'm including the OC of the 2900 - which I may not be able to do based on the above - this obviously swings things toward the 8800 again GAH!! I hate technology....

[Lucio]

Keep the 2900 Pro, it's cheaper, plus you'll be sending back to Overclockers and may end up waiting a few months for a refund

Spec-wise, the 2900Pro isn't *quite* up to the performace on games, but things like the HDCP could be important to you

[danroyle]

is it me or does the tweaktown review put this card miles ahead of any other review.

hexus put it slightly behind the 8800gts as does everywere else i have read

not bad card for the price though but disappointed it has taken them nearly a year to get a card that can compete with nvidias 8 series

lets hope they can all play dx10 games at decent level or were all gonna feel like we been ripped off

[jonathan_phang]

Keep the 2900 Pro, it's cheaper, plus you'll be sending back to Overclockers and may end up waiting a few months for a refund

Spec-wise, the 2900Pro isn't *quite* up to the performace on games, but things like the HDCP could be important to you

Although it cheaper - I was prepared to pay what i did for the 8800GTS 640 an although I would love to save the money, what i really want to know is which is actually 'better' - which is such a subjective thing that no-one , even myself will know that unless I test them side by side...

@Danroyle - I know what you mean about the reviews... Hexus puts it behind (Due to terrible AA performance) the GTS but other places say that you can clock to an 2900XT with the pro... I cant really decide - but for either card, I wonder how they may cope with newer games/engines. The worst thing that making me umm and ahh is the fact that i dont want to get the 2900 and find its wanting. I *KNOW* that I'll be going..."I knew I should have got the other card...."

Maybe for the hassle I'll keep the GTS - lets face it, the gap between the two isnt terrible...

Oh bugger it - I'm going home

[Mossy]

Gts - Ftw

[jonathan_phang]

Gts - Ftw

Only because I got the 8800 from Scan

But seriously - I hate situations like this. Saving money is one thing, but there is nothing more frustrating than getting something but not quite getting that feeling of satisfaction from it... and wanting the other thing. May have to do a test of both and THEN decide which to keep...

[staffsMike]

Think i'd take the least noisey one but i don't really buy ATi anymore

So i'd probably have the GTS.. 640mb FTW

[rob4001]

Why not by the cheaper pro and with the money saved buy a better quieter cooler and overclock it 2900XT speeds thus making it faster than 8800GTS 640mb.

Thats what I'm thinking of doing.

[Lucio]

Only because I got the 8800 from Scan

But seriously - I hate situations like this. Saving money is one thing, but there is nothing more frustrating than getting something but not quite getting that feeling of satisfaction from it... and wanting the other thing. May have to do a test of both and THEN decide which to keep...

Don't do that! If you want to return something under the Distance Selling Regulations you are really best NOT taking it out of it's packaging and using it. Given that a member of the Scan staff has seen this thread, you'd be taking chances that just aren't worth it!

Not to mention it takes a while to load the card, install the drivers, do a few tests, unload the drivers, take out the card, install the other card etc...


Just pick the one you want, bear in mind that the HD2900 Pro has HDCP and ask yourself, will I ever afford a HD DVD player?

[jonathan_phang]

@Lucio - Dont worry, as I write this, I have the 8800 in the machine. Did a full clean rebuild and have got Bioshock and Lost Planet installed. Not played either, but gave Bioshock a quick blast before I reformatted. Seemed good - not as high FPS wise as I thought but smooth none the less. Probably the rest of my system holding me back.

But I couldn't scam scan - they've been too good to me - so i just opened it... And thats my choice - going to stick with it... !!!

[Rollo]

Keep the 2900 Pro, it's cheaper, plus you'll be sending back to Overclockers and may end up waiting a few months for a refund

Spec-wise, the 2900Pro isn't *quite* up to the performace on games, but things like the HDCP could be important to you

Why should HDCP be important to me? The day I pick my 24" monitor/computer chair over my 47" HDTV/La-Z-Boy the snow will be falling in Hell.....

Beyond that i was unaware of any significant advantages the 2900Pro has over the 8800GTS for HDCP- could you please provide links?

[Rollo]

The only "good" review of the 2900Pro is at Guru3d. The review here only tested 3 games- and one of those was over 3years old! (and the other two are two years old)

The review at Tweaktown only tested AA on two games- does anyone actually WANT to play without AA these days?

http://www.guru3d.com/article/review/463/

Here's a summary of the 16X12 results:

Lost 56 to 71 in Prey.
Lost 116 to 167 in Serious Sam II.
Tied in World of Conflict.
Lost 98 to 131 in STALKER.
Lost 82 to 99 in BF2.
Lost 51 to 56 in FEAR.
Tied in GRAW.


It's pretty clear which card gives better value for the money.

[Mithrandir]

@ stock the 2900pro is equal to or in some cases loses to the 8800gts. However, the selling point for a lot of people is that it can overclock easily (and even flashed) to a 2900xt [or higher] which puts it on par to 8800gtx. Not sure if all of them do but early indications are that the current releases have.

So really if you just want a card and don't plan on overclocking then 8800gts.
However, for same price or cheaper and don't mind to try overclocking then 2900pro is the way to go.

[jonathan_phang]

So really if you just want a card and don't plan on overclocking then 8800gts. However, for same price or cheaper and don't mind to try overclocking then 2900pro is the way to go.

Thats the conclusion I came to - however, there was just to many "ifs" involved with the 2900 Pro - If my PSU had the right connectors for OC, and had enough power, If the sample I bought waould clock well enough, If ATI could sort out their drivers to give better AA support, If it would be stupidly loud.

I also dont have enough time to spare (New house and wife!) on finding the best clocks for everything, so Nvidia was the easier option. Now I've got the 8800 in my system - I'm blissfully ignorant - Playing Bioshock and Lost Planet (Pleasantly free! with the card) at nice frame rates. I know that I could have paid less, but i guess that both cards are good - just that the 8800 series has been proven to be good for a more sustained period. But good on ATI for finally pulling their socks up. I have cards from both companies and lets hope that they become more competive. And if you do get the 2900 let us know how it performs - as stated before - there arent that many reviews out there, so one from a fellow hexite would be cool!

JP

[Rollo]

@ stock the 2900pro is equal to or in some cases loses to the 8800gts. However, the selling point for a lot of people is that it can overclock easily (and even flashed) to a 2900xt [or higher] which puts it on par to 8800gtx. Not sure if all of them do but early indications are that the current releases have.

So really if you just want a card and don't plan on overclocking then 8800gts.
However, for same price or cheaper and don't mind to try overclocking then 2900pro is the way to go.

There are some BIG problems with your post:

1. The Guru3d review I linked to shows the 2900Pro losing (by a lot) at 5/7 games tested, and only tieing in two. That is not "equal to".

2. 2900XTs are not even close to 8800GTXs in performance. Never have been, never will be. They have a full 33% less texture fill rate, shader efficency is hobbled by the VLIW design and compiler/ instruction dependence issues, and shader resolve AA.

3. You can OC 8800s as well.

[finlay666]

Thats the conclusion I came to - however, there was just to many "ifs" involved with the 2900 Pro - If my PSU had the right connectors for OC, and had enough power, If the sample I bought waould clock well enough, If ATI could sort out their drivers to give better AA support, If it would be stupidly loud.
JP

You don't need an 8 pin pci-e connection, 6 pin works fine