Advice requested between 2 gpu's

[WildHorse]

Is it just a brand difference, or a more important difference?
I don't understand the difference. Which would be the better buy for a WinXP PCIe rig that I'm setting up for a good friend's teenage son?
Single video card only, not SLI.
Use will be all-around desktop for homework & games, no interest in the HDTV aspect:

1) XFX GeForce 7900 GS Extreme / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card $149.99

2) EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV / Video Card $144.99 (what does the "KO" mean anyway?)

 

[Entropism]

The KO means it's clocked higher than the normal EVGA 7900GS. Both are excellent companies, with excellent support, you'll do well with either one. I personally went with the EVGA KO last week.

 

[thegimp03]

EVGA offers a step-up program that allows you to save some money later on if you want to upgrade it.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Neither. X1950 Pro

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Neither. X1950 Pro

Looks like the price is about the same, so

Is the ATI RADEON? X1950 PRO ,
PixelPipelines 12(36 Pixel shader processor ), Core clock 580MHz

better than

EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV,
PixelPipelines 20 , Core clock 500MHz

I honestly don't know. Not to start a flame war, but sincere question: Which is generally regarded as better? I was planning on placing an order tonight.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: scott

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy
Neither. X1950 Pro

Looks like the price is about the same, so

Is the ATI RADEON? X1950 PRO ,
PixelPipelines 12(36 Pixel shader processor ), Core clock 580MHz

better than

EVGA GeForce 7900 GS KO / 256MB GDDR3 / SLI / PCI Express / Dual DVI / HDTV,
PixelPipelines 20 , Core clock 500MHz

I honestly don't know. Not to start a flame war, but sincere question: Which is generally regarded as better? I was planning on placing an order tonight.

X1950 Pro > 7900GS in overall performance
X1950 supports HDR+AA and HQ AF
The X1950 Pro in linky is factory overclocked and has HDCP

Seems like a clear cut choice for me.

 

[WildHorse]

Thanks to each of you for your helpful advice.

While shopping all around for prices on the X1950 Pro as recommended by StrangerGuy, I happened upon a terrific deal & pulled the trigger on it:

Sale price good through 27 Feb, Brand New EVGA e-GeForce 7900GS 256MB PCI Express Graphic Card & full warranty




for,






are you ready for this?....









$$ 109.99 + tax & shipping !!!

edit: I now see that others have also posted this killer buy in the Hot Deals forum, here.

 

[TAL0N]

yes but that price is after an $80 Rebate..

I think this X1900 GT is a better card and a better deal, although it is a discontinued model.
Connect3D Radeon X1900 GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card w/Dual DVI & VIVO Retail ***Free Shipping*** $124.99 after $50 Rebate

My only concern is that Connect3D seems to be pretty spotty with warranty support and RMA's , whereas eVga has some of the best support in the business.

As far as performance and features between the nVidia and ATi cards, I recommend you read this review
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2858&p=1

Of course these deals end in a couple days, although March is likely to bring even better deals since nVidia's DX10 midrange cards should be coming out soon, which will make all these DX9 cards obsolete.

 

[Showtime]

I grabbed that GS from outpost for my 2nd rig. eVGA = lifetime warranty and step up in case I decide to go 8X00/DirectX10 later and put the GT in the 2nd rig.

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: TAL0N
yes but that price is after an $80 Rebate..

I think this X1900 GT is a better card and a better deal, although it is a discontinued model.
Connect3D Radeon X1900 GT PCI Express 256MB GDDR3 Video Card w/Dual DVI & VIVO Retail ***Free Shipping*** $124.99 after $50 Rebate

My only concern is that Connect3D seems to be pretty spotty with warranty support and RMA's , whereas eVga has some of the best support in the business.

As far as performance and features between the nVidia and ATi cards, I recommend you read this review
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=2858&p=1

Of course these deals end in a couple days, although March is likely to bring even better deals since nVidia's DX10 midrange cards should be coming out soon, which will make all these DX9 cards obsolete.

Thanks for the info. If you'd posted that before I ordered then I might've gone that way instead. But this is for a kid's first computer, which has to be ready to give to him on 3 March, & now he'll have to live with the 7900GS until someday he upgrades.