7950GX2, Gainward vs. Asus vs. XFX

[TinyTeeth]

Hi,

I will in a matter of weeks buy a new computer system and as far as graphics cards are concerned, I am currently leaning towards a 7950GX2 solution. These three cards are the ones in question: The Gainward, Asus and the XFX ones. Are there any difference between these cards of relevance (as they are based on the same chipset and seem to have the same cooling system I guess that would only be build quality and alike and bundled software, where I of course can look up the latter by myself) or is it merely a question of personal preference? I am not a resident of the United States so I'm afraid the selection I have to choose from is limited to these cards.

Thanks in advance,
Eric

 

[akshayt]

I advise against the 7950GX2.

I would suggest the following:
1) X1800XT/1900XT Crossfire
2)Buy a 1900XT today and upgrade 6 months down the line to Dx10.

 

[TinyTeeth]

I have considered that option as well, but I'm afraid a dual-card solution would be far too expensive for my budget, which I have already had to stretch out a bit. The reason I am going for the 7950GX2 is that is has shown a substantial increase in performance compared to the 7900GT/7900GTX/1900XT, while costing not too much more.

 

[MDE]

The cards are all the same as Nvidia has them manufactured and then sells those to the graphics card vendors. I'd just get whichever has the best warranty or is cheapest.

 

[Gstanfor]

I'd avoid the XFX model, and choose between Gainward or ASUS myself.

 

[Fadey]

I got a leadtek one and it runs fine.

 

[TinyTeeth]

For reasons I described in my first post, Leadtek unfortunately isn't available as an option. As for the two posts above, both of your recommendations rule out the XFX alternative, since it in addition to being XFX costs 400 SE-K* (?50$) more than the other two cards. I'm right now inclined towards the Gainward solution as it offers one** free as well as free-of-choice games where ASUS bundles two crappy games: "SnowBlind" and "King Kong". On the other hand, I am by nature quite suspicious of whatever Gainward throws at me, while I am very fond of ASUS for various reasons. But then again, Gainward offers 36 months of warranty while ASUS would only give me 24. In any case, thanks again for all your advice.

*I have no idea why this is censored.
**It turns out you could only choose one. And all the ones you could choose from sucked. In other words, it's down to warranty versus preference.

 

[akshayt]

If you can upgrade within 6 months to Dx 10 high end and are willing to compromise on IQ and HDR+AA, then get 7950GX2 except for games like Oblivion.
Else get 1900XT class

 

[Avalon]

I'd go with Gainward. When they used to sell cards in the U.S., I bought primarily from them. They overclocked well and none had ever failed me. I've still got GF2 and GF3 Ti cards from them chugging along in older systems.

I wouldn't worry about DX10. In 6 months, we might still not even have Vista, let alone an actual game that absolutely requires DX10. That'd take a couple years before that was necessary to run a game.

 

[beggerking]

Originally posted by: akshayt
I advise against the 7950GX2.
1) X1800XT/1900XT Crossfire

no.. 7950GX2 is the best/cost effective dual core solution today. Mastercard / dongle kills crossfire.

1900xt is nice for $289 though.

its either 7950GX2 or 1900xt, no crossfire..

 

[Kyanzes]

7950 is the way to go.

 

[videopho]

No matter what brand. Go for the least expensive brand. You will need to upgrade once again when Directx10 cards become available later, anyway.
XFX is a good brand despite what being said about it. I own both brands XFX and eVGA, eVGA is my 1st choice but it does not come cheap whereas XFX is not as great when comes to customer service but its products hardly ever break.