[Morglor9]

Right, so I've figured that it's time for me to possibly buy a new video card, my 6600GT started giving me the odd green block here and there while playing Operation Flashpoint. I've figured that I would like an ATI Card, and in my price range it has come down to:

HIS Radeon 2600XT 512MB
Sapphire Radeon X1950Pro 256MB

I've read some reviews, they both sound like good cards for the price, but I was wondering about some real opinions. I don't really know what the ATI video card names mean, and I couldn't figure out why the X1950Pro was more expensive than the 2600XT, even though the name (2600XT) sounds better because it is a bigger number, and has twice the memory. I was thinking that perhaps Sapphire is a better brand than HIS, but I don't know. They're within $20 of eachother, so either one would be acceptable and within budget.

[SocialWarfare]

A few questions
Are you running XP or Vista
Is your board AGP or PCI-E
What resolution monitor do you have
And are you sure you want to stay with ATI

[Morglor9]

I am currently running XP, but can get Vista for free (legally, through school), though I don't really want to.

My motherboard is PCI-e.

I currently run my monitor at 1024x768, but it's a CRT so it can run any resolution without issue.

I am very certain I want to get an ATI. My brother has an ATI which runs wonderfully, while my nVidia (which was purchased new a year or two after he bought his ATI) has probelms. Also, I hooked up my TV through the S-Video on my 6600GT, and now I occassionally get odd flickery lines in my video. I think it should be able to do cloned output to S-Video and VGA, unless I am mistaken.

The most intensive program I run currently is DX:IW, but I would like to get, say, COD 4. And no, I wouldn't need to run it at the best graphics level, I'd just like to run it.

[SocialWarfare]

KK, if you don't really want to go Vista the 1950 pro is by far the better card, it is atleast 20-30% faster
But it also uses alot of power so you best make sure you power supply is up to the job

[Morglor9]

Yes well, as Vista is new and my computer is not quite so new, I feel that it may strain my computer more than is necessary. Also, because Vista is new, I'm guessing it needs many bug fixes and upgrades which will be developed in the future. I plan on waiting a couple years to buy a new computer, and then going to get Vista.

Anyhow, for future reference, how can you tell that the 1950 is better than the 2600?

[slipend]

I think, but not completly sure.

The 1 and 2, are the model series. so the 1950 is the latest and best of the first series and the 2600 is middle of the road for ther second series.

[KillerXL5]

The x1950 is the top of the range for for the ATI x1000 series hence more love and tech went into it :) The hd2600xt is the budget to mid level user hence the small price. Definatly go with the x1950, if you can really stretch your limit go for the 512mb model.

[Morglor9]

Well it seems that my favourite computer store has dropped the 1950Pro, they were probably just selling out their stock. Now it seems like my budget-concious choices are the 2600 and the 2900, once again 20-40 dollars price difference, so i'll probably get the 2900. Thanks for letting me know, so at least now I have some clue what the ATI model numbers mean!

[KillerXL5]

If your now planning on a 2900 best to go with the pro 1gb version that im getting (ebuyer.com for £179) Its very cheap for the GDDR4 memory which is highly overclockable if you know how and if you planning on getting a bigger monitor (1280x1024 and higher lets say) then the 1gb memory will really pay dividence =) With the new ATI 3000 range its easier to tell the cards apart because the higher the number the better so they've dropped the XT, PRO, Ultimate etc... so its easier to pick the one thats right for what you want it for :)

Hope this helps

[Morglor9]

Originally Posted by KillerXL5 If your now planning on a 2900 best to go with the pro 1gb version that im getting (ebuyer.com for £179) Its very cheap for the GDDR4 memory which is highly overclockable if you know how and if you planning on getting a bigger monitor (1280x1024 and higher lets say) then the 1gb memory will really pay dividence =) With the new ATI 3000 range its easier to tell the cards apart because the higher the number the better so they've dropped the XT, PRO, Ultimate etc... so its easier to pick the one thats right for what you want it for :) Hope this helps

Yes well, if you'd read the rest of the thread you'd see I'm on a budget. One which doesn't fit 179 pounds.

[KillerXL5]

No such thing as a cheap 2900 lol The cheapest i can think of is the 2900GT but that only comes with 256mb of memory.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134540 << 2900GT (256mb) £108

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134852 << 2600XT (512mb) £75