Thanks to the Kernel for adding the 6800UE.
For anyone who actully read all that, comments are welcome.Me wrote:Video Cards
I'll start off with nVidia:
Note: all the following cards unless noted have 256-bit memory.
6800 Ultra Extreme
450 MHZ GPU clock
1200 MHZ memory speed
16 pipelines
6 vertex pipes
256MB GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: This card, like the ultra, is overboard, but this one in a really strong way, if you can find one of these and got the dough, they are going to be the fastest, but the chances of finding them stand at slim to none.
6800 Ultra:
400 MHZ GPU
1100 MHZ memory speed
16 pipelines
6 vertex pipes
256MB GDDR3 RAM
My opinion: This is way overboard for anyone, even with an unlimited budget, pass this one on.
6800 GT:
350 MHZ GPU
1000 MHZ memory speed
16 pipelines
6 vertex pipes
256MB GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: If your going high end (400$+ cards) there is No better choice, this is the card, and even with a stock cooler its going to run cool, its also better then the ATI equilivent.
6800
325 MHZ GPU
700 MHZ memory speed
12 pipelines
5 vertex pipes
128MB RAM(not sure of type)
My Opinion: pass this one on, the 4 less pipes and the gutted GPU leave it lacking, a 6600 gives it a run for the money at 100$ less.
6800 LE:
320 MHZ GPU
700 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
5 vertex pipes
128MB RAM
My opinion: this is even a worse choice then the 6800 regular, the pipes are gutted even more, and the 6600 beats it hands down at a lower price.
6600GT:
Note: this is only aviable in a PCI-E configuration for those getting such as PC
500 MHZ GPU
1000 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
3 vertex pipes
128\256 GDDR3 RAM
128-bit memory!
My opinion: Mid range, as of now, this is hands down the winner, while its not going to compete with the 6800's, its more efficient, and thus beats the 6800 LE, while giving the 6800 regular a run for its money.
6600:
Note: this is only aviable in a PCI-E configuration for those getting such as PC
300 MHZ GPU
550 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
3 vertex shaders
128\256 GDDR3 RAM
128-bit memory!
My opinion: pass this one on, while its newer, the gutted speeds let older cards such as the 9800XT(ATi) and the 5950(nVidia) pass it.
FX generation:
Note: I will only be covering 2 cards, last high end and mid end, those are really the viable choices today from the FX line.
FX 5950 Ultra:
Note: this is aviable in a PCI-E configuration for those getting such as PC
note: This card takes up both your AGP and your nearest PCI slot, its a duel slot card, very loud.
475 MHZ GPU
950 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
3 vertex pipes
256 RAM ( I THINK GDDR2)
My opinion: In this generation, pass this one for the 9800XT, the FX's have proven to be weak in future games.
FX 5700 Ultra:
note: the memory here can be GDDR3 or GDDR2, GDDR3 is better, however both perform the same currently.
475 MHZ GPU
900\950 MHZ memory speed
4 pipelines
3 vertex pipes
128\256 RAM
128-bit memory!
My opinion: This is equal to the 9600XT(its equilivent), however, if you plan on playing FPS's, go with the Radeon.
This sums up nVidia's offering.
ATi
Note: all cards unless noted have 256-bit memory.
Note: The X700 is not out yet (As of 9.10.04)
X800 XT PE
520 MHZ GPU
1120 MHZ memory speed
16 pipes
6 vertex pipes
256 GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: Like the ultras on nVidia’s side, its over powered, but great card, however, aviability is SHIT.
X800 XT
500 MHZ GPU
1000 MHZ memory speed
16 pipes
6 vertex pipes
256 GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: The best ATi card on the market, however, it does not fare well against the 6800 GT.
X800 Pro
475 MHZ GPU
900 MHZ memory speed
12 pipelines
6 vertex pipes
256 GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: No joy, at the price of a 6800GT with 4 less pipes, this card disappoints.
X800 SE
425 MHZ GPU
800 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
6 vertex pipes
128\256 GDDR3 RAM
My Opinion: This card, way too gutted, leave this one at home.
X700 XT
475 MHZ GPU
1050 MHZ memory speed
8 Pipelines
6 Vertex pipes
128MB GDDR3 RAM
128-bit memory!
My Opinion:Unless you are a hardcore UT fan, the X700 does not stand up to the 6600GT in any game, including AA.
X700 Pro
420 MHZ GPU
864 MHZ memory speed
8 Pipelines
6 Vertex pipes
256MB(not sure of type)
128-bit memory!
My Opinion: Take this card over the X700XT or the 6600GT if you intend to do graphical work, otherwise the added 128MB of RAM don't do you any good.
X700
400 MHZ GPU
700 MHZ memory speed
8 Pipelines
6 Vertex pipes
128MB (not sure of type)
128-bit memory!
My Opinion: The 9800 can be had for around the same price, and will give equal preformance, however, if you do a lot of graphical work, the extra vertex shaders help out.
9800XT
412 MHZ GPU
730 MHZ memory speed
8 pipelines
4 vertex pipes
256 RAM (Not sure of type)
My Opinion: If your building an AGP based system, and don’t shell out for the latest cards, this is THE choice.
X600 XT
Note: this is only aviable as a PCI-E chip.
500 MHZ GPU
740 MHZ memory
4 pipelines
2 vertex pipes
128\256 RAM
128-bit memory!
My Opinion: wait for the X700, the X600 is based off the 9600.
9600XT
500 MHZ GPU
600 MHZ memory speed
4 pipelines
2vertex shaders
128\256 RAM
128-bit memory!
My opinion: for a midrange AGP card, this is a good choice, the question between the 9600XT and the 5700 depends on the games you want to play.
This sums up ATi’s current offering.
Summery: I’ll break my card advice down into price ranges
500$ or Ultra High End:
No question about it, the 6800 Ultra is the card, even when adding AA and AF, ATi still only wins out in a bare handful of cases.
400$ or High end:
Again, no doubt, the 6800 GT, the only case for the X800 Pro is if you are going to play every game in high end AA and AF, and especially sims.
300$:
Right now, at this price point you should choose the regular 6800, however, should you could find a 9800XT at this price, and have no alternative, its still a fine choice.
200$ or medium range:
PCI-E As of now, there are only a few PCI-E cards on the market, the 6600, the X600 and the PCI-E 5950 PCX, out of those, the 6600 is king, however, with the X700 around the corner, I can’t recommend a PCI-E purchase yet.
Outside PCI-E, you should get a 9800 pro, they should be down to those prices, and the 9800 can take on a 5900 any day, any system.
EDIT: updated information, added X700 line.
