x850 256M XT Platinum PCI-E vs x1600 Pro 512M

[DaDD]

Loooking for new card and both of these are in my price range depending on
the deals/sales I hit. I'm looking for input on what the best card would be
for general use and gaming (current games).


DaDD

 

[ADR]

This is the great question of the day. Go with a card that will play
todays games faster (X850 XT) or one the will support the pixel shaders
of tommorow with some performance hit (x1600 Pro).

Chip Core Clock Memory Clock Memory Interface Memory Transfer Rate
Pixelsperclock DX

Radeon X850 PE 540 MHz 1.18 GHz 256-bit 37.76 GB/s 16 9.0
Radeon X1600 Pro 500 MHz 780 MHz 128-bit 12.48 GB/s 12 9.0c

My advice is buy whichever is cheaper, I would replace either in about
two years. Or increase your budget and get the X1900XTX and get an
extra year or two of life out of one purchase.

 

[First of One]

Two identical X1600 cards can be run in Crossfire mode if your motherboard
is capable. Something to keep mind a year or two down the road.

 

[DaDD]

This is the great question of the day. Go with a card that will play
todays games faster (X850 XT) or one the will support the pixel shaders
of tommorow with some performance hit (x1600 Pro).

Chip Core Clock Memory Clock Memory Interface Memory Transfer Rate
Pixelsperclock DX

Radeon X850 PE 540 MHz 1.18 GHz 256-bit 37.76 GB/s 16 9.0
Radeon X1600 Pro 500 MHz 780 MHz 128-bit 12.48 GB/s 12 9.0c

My advice is buy whichever is cheaper, I would replace either in about
two years. Or increase your budget and get the X1900XTX and get an
extra year or two of life out of one purchase.

There's only about $30 difference at the moment. x850 on sale for $329CAN.
I'm leaning towards that one. Heard they are fairly noisy with the stock
fan. I currently have a x800 128M low end 8 pipeline card which is very
quiet. Fan noise would be an issue for me if that's the case.
Are they that noisy?

x1900 over my budget and likely my 460W power supply.


DaDD

 

[KCB]

There's only about $30 difference at the moment. x850 on sale for
$329CAN.
I'm leaning towards that one. Heard they are fairly noisy with the
stock
fan. I currently have a x800 128M low end 8 pipeline card which is
very
quiet. Fan noise would be an issue for me if that's the case.
Are they that noisy?

They are very loud. If you're accustomed to a quiet pc, one of those
will definitely get your attention.

 

[DaDD]

They are very loud. If you're accustomed to a quiet pc, one of those
will definitely get your attention.

Looks like this mod takes care of the noise pretty well ,plus runs cooler.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/ATISilencer5_Rev2/1


DaDD

 

[ADR]

"850 on sale for $329CAN.
I'm leaning towards that one. "

Good choice. I would make the same choice. Why buy an underperformer
like the 1600? Even if you add another one in a year you now have two
underperforming cards lol.

 

[Ed Medlin]

Looks like this mod takes care of the noise pretty well ,plus runs cooler.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ArcticCooling/ATISilencer5_Rev2/1

I have the X850 in the PCI-E version and it is extremely quiet except on
boot. On boot, the fan runs up at 100% for a second or two and then it slows
down. I never hear the fan otherwise.

Ed

 

[First of One]

X1800GTO for $270 at NCIX. Add $75 mobo:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16670

There are always options...

 

[Danny G.]

Loooking for new card and both of these are in my price range depending on
the deals/sales I hit. I'm looking for input on what the best card would be
for general use and gaming (current games).


DaDD

Don't forget to compare those 2 cards outside of games if that's important to you.