Video Card Thread (Mostly Gecube x1950xt)

Very compelling, Sam.

Looking forward to next year's build, and watching abuzar build the monster for this new client: So we all have to look at the SLI vs CF factor. CF scales better than SLI, I don't see boozer arguing so it's a proven fact by now, I am assuming.

I also don't see abuzar arguing about the mobos, is it also a proven fact that the SLI boards are inferior to the CF boards?

 

Yes

CF scales better than SLI

and X38 and X48 boards are MUCH better than SLI boards, and they support crossfire.

 

With any luck, before christmas I should be able to post some scores with two HD4850s, with HIS' lovely ICEQ4 coolers...

 

An interesting point:

How much faster are these cards than older ones?

Well, take a look at these scores from Oblivion (max settings, 4xAA)

X850XT PE AGP: 17fps at 1280x1024 (interpolated)
X1650 Pro: 18fps at 1280x1024
HD2600XT: 32fps at 1280x1024 (no AA)
8600GT: 27fps at 1280x1024
7900GS: 32fps at 1280x1024
X1900GT: 34fps at 1280x1024
7900GT: 45fps at 1280x1024
7600GT: 32fps at 1600x1200 (only 2xAA)
X1950 Pro: 27fps at 1600x1200
X1800GTO: 38fps at 1600x1200 (only 2xAA)
X1950XT-X: 22fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
HD3850: 45fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
8800GS: 48fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
HD2900XT: 51fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
HD3870: 55fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
9600GT: 57fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
8800GT: 64fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
8800GTS G92: 73fps at 1920x1200 (no AA)
8800GTS 320MB: 13fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
8800GTS 640MB XXX: 46fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
8800GTX: 53fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
8800 Ultra: 64fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
HD4850: 71fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
9800GTX+: 74fps at 1920x1200, HDR applied
HD4850CF: 94fps at 2560x1600, HDR applied
HD4870X2: 100fps at 2560x1600, HDR applied
Yikes.

 

Yikes is right - where would my x850xtpe fit, near the 1650 pro?

 

Abuzar thanks for the confirmation. I consider you a fairly unbiased system builder, so that's good information indeed.

Two 4850's ?? Good for you sam! No wonder you're saying yikes when you look at your soon-to-be future scores!!

 

I was more saying yikes at the comparison to some of the older stuff. I've updated the post with more older graphics cards.

Your X850XT PE AGP has to be measured interpolatively as Oblivion wasn't in use as a benchmark when it was first released. Its score in FEAR is 23fps at 1280x960 with AA, the X1800XT PCIemakes 38. At 1600x1200, the X1800XT makes 32fps, and the 7950GX2 makes 65.
Finally through to Oblivion, the 7950GX2 makes 49fps at 1600x1200 with HDR, versus the 8800GTX's 71.

So in the same chain of tests, I'd put the X850XT PE in Oblivion at 17fps, 1280x960, and will now add it to the list.

Wow, your guess was nearly spot on! 'near the X1650 pro' you said, and it turns out it's 17 vs 18!

 

Is this it?
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9291/hl2maxvalleyag7.jpg

 

Nice work Sam! So my 3850 that is coming is about a 250% improvement over what I have now looks like. I copied and pasted the whole chart to my upgrade text file. Thanks!!

 

Your call, really. You have all the pro's and cons, just bear in mind that, while not as bad, the 3850 AGP still seems to suffer a few 'quirks' like the high end AGP cards of old.

Also, DO NOT buy this version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102730

That cooler is made entirely from hideousness. Honestly, it makes an atrocious din and doesn't cool the card properly at all.

This one, on the other hand is excellent:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161226


I must say, for finally posting the screenie, your response was rather 'understated'!

 

Damn Sam. Nice. You played all the way through? That's like my first shot except that I was standing up on the retaining wall - you found someway to climb up the hill! Nice. Except for the fact that it's so damn hard to get to that spot, having to play all the way through to the race with dog, that's an excellent picture place. I have a save just before where dog kills the strider, so I could match your position and shoot my own comparison shot.

But that would make it hard for anyone else, which is why I like the new spot better. So, in addition to that one you just shot, can you backtrack to the very beginning of [edit] Riding Shotgun, drop down in the stream, and shoot the island with the rocks and the single tree?

Here is estuansis' version, on top, mine on the bottom. He's standing more to the right than I am - pick whichever you prefer - maybe his, and shoot! Also please take a screen of your settings, such as on the bottom, estuansis' settings.

 

I have literally dozens of full-res screenies leading up to that point. Thought I'd upload one for awe value before I began. Settings shot following first, then I'll look for that exact location.

 

Yeah, my response was understated, because I was talking about your chart - I didn't yet know you had posted the screenie!!! So now that I know, BLOODY FANTASTIC JOB M8 !!!!!!!!!! I can't believe you played all the way through all that crap that chapter has in it!! LOL

 

Sounds good Sam. I bet you're going to have to almost print out the shot to try to duplicate it LOL Thanks for the info about the 3850's by the way - I'm about to order the card - my deal DID close escrow.

 

As it happens, it only took me about half an hour from the Autogun, and I still quite enjoyed the exprience, only played it on Medium so it didn't get me too mad.
This image is Screenshot #60, my settings page.
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5605/settingskh6.jpg

Talking of the Autogun, ooh this one was satisfying!
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5258/03blowingtheautogunsh2.jpg

 

Why do I get the feeling you didn't like those autguns???? Lol

 

Hehe - did you?
Another screenie:
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6296/047dogstriderjg4.jpg

 

I don't know where to throw these pictures - I forget which thread I'm on half the time. Now that you found the original magic scenic location - the one that made shaff say "BLOODY FANTASTIC" I'm going to hereby post them. Top is mine at 1600x1200 shrunk to 700 wide, bottom is Sam's 2560x1600 shrunk to 800 wide which maybe will be the standard for this forum as I can easily go back and shoot mine from the place on the hill where Sam was standing. (Courtesy of photobucket from shaff, voila, so easy





Hmmm. I think I like my location better, because then you get nicer looking sky. Next time just shoot from right up on top of the retaining wall. You have a save-game over there, don't you????? (I KNOW you do.) Well, maybe don't bother, we'll all use that other [edit] Riding Shotgun one probably. -Rich

 

Ahh, the ledge below. I'm on it, gimme 5 mins.

 

Yeah, last time I went back a couple days ago, looking for estuansis' river spot (couldn't find it) I waltzed all around watching Dog take that thing apart!