High-End Graphics
Besides the fact that most of these cards are really overpriced, there really isn't much else to say about this bracket. For the best price/performance, we recommend you take a look at the mid-range or ultra high-end cards. For the amount you would be paying here, you will usually be better off going with an ultra high-end card. Still, let's take a look at what we have available, as there's at least one high-end GPU worth recommending.
Here we have the GeForce 7800GS cards that come only in AGP form. There is a large selection of these cards available, but the best price we can bring you as of today is the EVGA GeForce 7800GS EGS 256MB [RTPE: 256-A8-N505-AX] for $277 shipped. As you skim through the rest of the chart, you will notice that there are many cards available for under the $300 price tag. Competing with the X850 XTPE, the 7800GS does a decent job at filling out the top of the NVIDIA AGP performance spectrum, but we'd really like to see something like the 7900 GTX in AGP form. The 7800 GS is slightly underpowered compared to the X850 XTPE AGP, but the 7800GS is priced about $170 less. Honestly, we have to say that you're better off upgrading to a PCI-E motherboard and graphics card for an extra $100, but then again, it's far easier to change graphics cards than to swap out an entire motherboard.
We mentioned that there was at least one high-end GPU model worth considering, and these are the cards. The X1900 GT comes with 12 pipelines and core/memory clock speeds of 575/1200, so the card certainly packs a punch. Meanwhile the AIW version comes with 16 pipelines and 500/960 core/memory clocks, making is roughly equal to the X1900 GT (slower memory, slightly faster core). Also interesting to note is that two X1900 GT cards can be run in CrossFire mode using the PCI Express bus to transmit data between the cards. This does result in a performance penalty relative to the dongle cable of the higher end CrossFire configurations, but the lower prices are certainly a plus. Barring mail-in rebates, the lowest priced X1900 GT card comes from Sapphire [RTPE: 100189] at $278. Connect3D [RTPE: 3058] on the other hand can be had for $260 after rebate.
There's only one X1900 AIW currently showing up, from ATI [RTPE: 100-714800] ($285). As mentioned, overall performance is going to be roughly similar to the X1900 GT, but you get the added benefit of TV recording support. That's at least $50 worth of added value, though the one problem with all in one GPU/TV tuner solutions is that you lose the TV tuner if you ever upgrade your graphics card. On the other hand, you also get support for all of those features in a single PCI-E slot, which can be extremely useful if you're using a SFF system.
Of course, we listed the 7900 GT on the previous page, simply because it was easier to group the GTX and GT cards together. Since 7900 GT cards are priced about the same as these ATI offerings, we could easily classify it as a high-end card as well. With additional pixel pipelines (24) and faster memory, you'll usually get better performance overall from the 7900 GT cards.
ATI's X850 line is somewhat interesting, as it performs better than the X800 line and is currently priced lower. The AGP cards are still pretty expensive, but the Sapphire Radeon X850XT 256MB [RTPE: 100106] is priced at $140 after a $20 mail-in rebate. This card actually has more of a mid-range price, but with high-end gaming performance. This is the only other "high-end" card that we would seriously recommend right now, as everything else is priced too high for the performance offered. Also note that CrossFire X850 cards are relatively expensive, and R400 CrossFire really wasn't a very elegant solution. We recommend you stick with single X850 cards if you plan on purchasing one.
Like the majority of cards on this page, these X800XT cards are also overpriced. For the price of these X800XT cards, you can easily purchase a 7900 GT or even something faster. These cards are on their way out, and we're just seeing the last few leftovers being sold.
There really isn't something we can add to what we've already said before. Head on to the ultra high-end cards if you're looking to spend anywhere near the amount these 6800 GTs and Ultras are going for. Alternatively, check out the next page for our mid-range batch of cards. Several of them will at least match performance of the 6800 GT and do it at a much lower price.
Besides the fact that most of these cards are really overpriced, there really isn't much else to say about this bracket. For the best price/performance, we recommend you take a look at the mid-range or ultra high-end cards. For the amount you would be paying here, you will usually be better off going with an ultra high-end card. Still, let's take a look at what we have available, as there's at least one high-end GPU worth recommending.
Here we have the GeForce 7800GS cards that come only in AGP form. There is a large selection of these cards available, but the best price we can bring you as of today is the EVGA GeForce 7800GS EGS 256MB [RTPE: 256-A8-N505-AX] for $277 shipped. As you skim through the rest of the chart, you will notice that there are many cards available for under the $300 price tag. Competing with the X850 XTPE, the 7800GS does a decent job at filling out the top of the NVIDIA AGP performance spectrum, but we'd really like to see something like the 7900 GTX in AGP form. The 7800 GS is slightly underpowered compared to the X850 XTPE AGP, but the 7800GS is priced about $170 less. Honestly, we have to say that you're better off upgrading to a PCI-E motherboard and graphics card for an extra $100, but then again, it's far easier to change graphics cards than to swap out an entire motherboard.
We mentioned that there was at least one high-end GPU model worth considering, and these are the cards. The X1900 GT comes with 12 pipelines and core/memory clock speeds of 575/1200, so the card certainly packs a punch. Meanwhile the AIW version comes with 16 pipelines and 500/960 core/memory clocks, making is roughly equal to the X1900 GT (slower memory, slightly faster core). Also interesting to note is that two X1900 GT cards can be run in CrossFire mode using the PCI Express bus to transmit data between the cards. This does result in a performance penalty relative to the dongle cable of the higher end CrossFire configurations, but the lower prices are certainly a plus. Barring mail-in rebates, the lowest priced X1900 GT card comes from Sapphire [RTPE: 100189] at $278. Connect3D [RTPE: 3058] on the other hand can be had for $260 after rebate.
There's only one X1900 AIW currently showing up, from ATI [RTPE: 100-714800] ($285). As mentioned, overall performance is going to be roughly similar to the X1900 GT, but you get the added benefit of TV recording support. That's at least $50 worth of added value, though the one problem with all in one GPU/TV tuner solutions is that you lose the TV tuner if you ever upgrade your graphics card. On the other hand, you also get support for all of those features in a single PCI-E slot, which can be extremely useful if you're using a SFF system.
Of course, we listed the 7900 GT on the previous page, simply because it was easier to group the GTX and GT cards together. Since 7900 GT cards are priced about the same as these ATI offerings, we could easily classify it as a high-end card as well. With additional pixel pipelines (24) and faster memory, you'll usually get better performance overall from the 7900 GT cards.
ATI's X850 line is somewhat interesting, as it performs better than the X800 line and is currently priced lower. The AGP cards are still pretty expensive, but the Sapphire Radeon X850XT 256MB [RTPE: 100106] is priced at $140 after a $20 mail-in rebate. This card actually has more of a mid-range price, but with high-end gaming performance. This is the only other "high-end" card that we would seriously recommend right now, as everything else is priced too high for the performance offered. Also note that CrossFire X850 cards are relatively expensive, and R400 CrossFire really wasn't a very elegant solution. We recommend you stick with single X850 cards if you plan on purchasing one.
Like the majority of cards on this page, these X800XT cards are also overpriced. For the price of these X800XT cards, you can easily purchase a 7900 GT or even something faster. These cards are on their way out, and we're just seeing the last few leftovers being sold.
There really isn't something we can add to what we've already said before. Head on to the ultra high-end cards if you're looking to spend anywhere near the amount these 6800 GTs and Ultras are going for. Alternatively, check out the next page for our mid-range batch of cards. Several of them will at least match performance of the 6800 GT and do it at a much lower price.
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bongbong - Sunday, July 23, 2006 - link
The fastest 7300GT with ddr3 1400 mhtz meory is faster than a 6600GT and a 6800 and its price a bit lower than the geforce 6600GT so go for it.Its a mid end car masquearading as low end card.
bongbong - Sunday, July 23, 2006 - link
There are lots of reviews on the web of the ddr3 powered 7300GT whose memory clocks at default of 1400 mhtz.It beats the 7600 GS whose memory is at 800 mhtz.
The only 7600 that can beat the 7300 gt with ddr 1400 mhtz memory would be the 7600 GST
which has the extra t and 1400 mhtz gdd3 memory also.
It is however expensive in my country where a 25 usdollar difference in price from the 7300 GT (both 256mb versions at gd3 1400mhtz) is substantially felt by filipinos.
Also the 7300 GT by Inno3d overclocks up to 1600 mhtz mem and 600 core.
Just ggogle for inno3d 7300 GT ddr3 reviews or look up www.trustedreviews.com
Im suprised these hi speed 7300 GTs arent widely available in America.
They are very much worth the hype.
dstigue - Saturday, July 15, 2006 - link
You're right about the 7900gt's needing to be moved down to high end but I think the x1800xt's should be too. x1800xt's compete very well with the x1900gt's and at a better price point I might add. Those three cards are in a deathlock as far as price/performance goes. I picked up a x1800xt 512 for $300 with $20 mail in rebate on newegg. And I will tell you I am very happy with my purchase. But I don't think my system is ultra high end either.Ozo - Thursday, July 13, 2006 - link
Why don't you guys include the Gainward BLISS 7800GS+?This thing is basically a 7900GT, and Overclockers UK will ship to the US. I didn't even realize this card existed until I started looking for dual-DVI to drive two big flat panels, and stumbled across references in newsgroups. Very sweet card. It already has an Arctic Cooler.
Yes, I know $445 (delivered) is a lot, but this will extend the life of my S754 system for yet another year. Switching MB's, memory, I/O cards, re-installing XP, etc. is a major hassle when all I need is a faster graphics card.
BTW, I love your guides. Very useful - Thank you!!
jluquette - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - link
I'm curious to know what the difference between some of the different models (from the same manufacturer) of X1900 XT are. For example, Sapphire has 3 different X1900 XT models listed at newegg; model numbers:100149L $355
100149 $389
100149SR $399
Newegg's comparison chart between the three can be found here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?S...">http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCo...25%2CN82...
These are all X1900 XTs; not AIWs, not GTs, not XTXs and not Crossfires. They're all X1900 XTs with the same core and memory clocks--yet for some reason there's a $50 price span. Sapphire doesn't list anything helpful to differentiating these models--so does anyone know what the differences might be for $50? Is it possibly the software bundle that's different? Or the accessory packs?
On one hand, the memory and clock speeds are the same--and so is the pipeline count--so I feel confident that these cards should be equivalent in performance. But on the other hand, what could possibly prompt a $50 increase from the low end to the high end?
Can anyone shed some light on this?
Joe
rrcn - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - link
From what I can tell: 100149L is the retail version of 100149, which is OEM. 100149SR is the same as 100149L, except 100149SR has a greater software bundle.Hope that helps.
Haider Farhan
erple2 - Thursday, July 13, 2006 - link
One other difference I've noticed: the 100149SR comes with 2x DVI to VGA adapters. Whether it's an oversight on the listing of the 100149L, I don't know.jluquette - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - link
Thanks!It looks like you're right. Looking through the supplied pictures shows that the SR comes with the game select disc among other software goodies. However, I'm confused as to why the OEM version of the card is ~$30 more expensive than the retail version (before rebate)--and nearly $60 more expensive after rebate.
In general, isn't the retail version of anything supposed to be more expensive than the OEM version? The retail version is supposedly the same as the OEM version, just boxed up and fancy, right?
Joe
rrcn - Thursday, July 13, 2006 - link
Correct. I was pondering the same thing, why that OEM card is more expensive than the retail version. It could definitely be a pricing mistake, I'm positive it's happened before. I wouldn't stress over it...obviously go with the retail version. ;-)
Correct again. ;-) Sometimes though, the OEM will be just the card -- no power adapter, dongles, etc. Always read the "what's included" portion before buying.
Haider Farhan
unclebud - Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - link
"However, with performance generally lower than the 6600 GT, the X1600 offerings really aren't very attractive."to somebody biased towards nvidia perhaps :/
i have a friend playing wow on nvidia 6600. don't see a bit of difference, except that his dvd drive stopped working
"Rather than going with an X1600 or the X700, we feel you'll get more for your money if you spend the few extra dollars and select the 7600 GT as your choice."
how is paying twice the price a "few dollars more"? in what universe?
"This is a truly buggy situation. Windows does not pick it up as a Sapphire using drivers provided by Sapphire,"
this is like what i experienced with the 3dfuzion (3dfuzjunk imo) 6200 pci that i bought. i will just have to reflash the bios and reload windows, because the pci bus is tarfed now and the second monitor ouput on the 5500 pci i swapped back doesn't work now either
i agree sapphire drivers are junk! some of the discs they ship with their cards are completely out of date. sorry, i know this doesn't help, but rest assured i feel the same pain... good luck. maybe try driver cleaner (althought that hasn't helped me either)