1. #1
    Hi, guys... I'm trying to decide between the GT or the XT. From reviews I've read, they are pretty comparable, but of course, most reviews do not use FB/PF as a test. I'm also trying to resolve the power issue over at the Dell board. I'm running a 9800Pro on the stock 250w Dell PSU w/o problems and it is well documented on the Dell boards that the 6800GT runs just fine on the stock supply as well. I can't find much on the XT on the stock supply, however. ATi specs call for 300w+ for the XT, which is about the same for the 9800Pro and the 6800GT so logic tells me that if the Pro and the GT both run OK with stock supply, the XT should, too, but I'm open to comments/suggestions. If I can run the XT w/o having to upgrade the PSU, I'll probably go that route; OTOH, if the PSU *must* be replaced, I'll probably buy the GT, as, as stated above, it is documented to run on the stock supply. Right now the XT is a great deal (about $35 more than the GT)and worth the extra $$ if the PSU is not an issue. If it is, then the difference is closer to $100, which makes the ATi less attractive and probably not worth the difference, given the near parity of the two cards. Thanks for the input; greatly appreciated.

    ~Eddie
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  2. #2
    First, before you choose either one, you really should get one of these...

    https://magnum-pc.securewebsiteserve...281026ed5d0dbd

    and especially if you decide on the nVidia.

    You also simply do not have a fast enough CPU to take advantage of the cards, so upgrade that as well before you go video card nuts.

    Wait, before you even do that you should get one of these...

    https://magnum-pc.securewebsiteserve...281026ed5d0dbd

    and it will slide nicely into your next PC.

    I would definately go with ATI at this point and another option I'd look into would be the 800XL card that is available in AGP. It does not require the power supply upgrade.

    Still, even with the information you've given, we are still guessing as to how to help you. Please post your diagnosis. If you need instructions, see Luckyboy's Guide For Complete Users.
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  3. #3
    And don't buy any of it from Dell!
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  4. #4
    -HH-Quazi's Avatar Senior Member
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    I've ran several X800 series of cards on the Dell 250watt psu and a 2.4GHz cpu (Dell 4550). But just because you can doesn't necessarily make it the thing to do. But I did so for nearly 5 or 6 months without issue. Just keep an eye out for at least a 300watt quality psu. And don't let Dell tell you that you have to buy it from them because of proprietary BS. I found a brand new 300watt Turbo Blue from PC Power and Cooling on eBay for $27 that fit perfectly.

    You will still see a marked improvement while using the 2.4GHz cpu with either of those cards, but you do need to know that it will be choking the cards capabilities down a little. Like I said, I ran a 2.4GHz cpu with several X800 series cards and loved every minute of it. But when I maxed out the mobo with a 3.06GHz cpu, it was almost like getting a faster video card. So down the road, consider selling the 2.4GHz cpu and getting the fastest your mobo will handle, and I think that would be the 3.06GHz cpu. BTW, these chips are pretty cheap these days.

    One thing you could do that would help your 2.4GHz cpu to breathe alot more is to replace that SB Live! 5.1 sound card with an Audigy 2. The sound card you are using now requires your cpu to render ingame sounds and this takes away precious cpu cycles. An Audigy 2 sound card has its' own APU and doesn't need to use any of your 2.4GHz cpus' resourses. This one upgrade netted me nearly 8fps across the board ingame.
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  5. #5
    LB and Quaz:

    Yeah, I buy PC's from Dell, but upgrades usually come from NewEgg. Given your success with X800 card on a 4550, I'm tempted to go ahead with the XT. Was it an XT, or another model? I've got a thread over on the Dell board, as well as a couple of PM's to forum members I "know", on this issue. One of those suggested this psu, as he has one in his 4600 and it was a plug for plug swap and works fine w/no mods, which is the route I prefer: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817153007.

    However, that adds ~$65 to the cost of the XT,for a grand total of ~$400, which is $100 more than I can currently get a 6800GT for. The cards' performance is neck and neck from what I can tell, so I'm not of a mind to part with $100 more, when I can get the same basic performance from the GT which, as I say, is well documented in terms of being used successfully with a D4600 w/stock psu. Does anyone know for sure how power consumption on the XT compares to the 9800Pro and/or the 6800GT?

    I have given some thought to a basic ("value"?) version of the Audigy2. I'm happy with the sound from the SB, but the consensus is that the Audigy is better due to onboard apu. Is it a huge deal to swap one for the other, or basically same procedure as with a vidcard? I've done vidcards several times, but never a sound card.

    Thanks again for the help, guys. I'm on the fence, but tottering...

    ~Eddie
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  6. #6
    You do realize that poor steve v feels compelled to strangle an innocent kitten each and every time I have to ask for a diagnosis twice? It takes all of 5-10 minutes to do and post, so even if you don't want to consider your own needs or the many people who read this forum and are just so, so sick of seeing me post...

    Post your diagnosis please. If you need instructions, see Luckyboy's Guide For Complete Users.

    if you can't consider any of that, for God's sake man, think of the wittle fuzzy kittens!

    I'll tell you what, you show me the diagnosis and I'll give you a link to a card that will mximize the use of your rig without concerns about power and heating so much... sound like a deal Mr. I don't wanna get the power supply I'm gonna eventually need anyways?
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  7. #7
    LB:

    Thank you for your input and time. I will get that dxdiag for you, but am presently hindered by the fact that I'm at my second home (maybe first), my office, whereby the bills for this "habit" and other necessities are funded. Anyway, I will post the diagnosis over the weekend for your reading pleasure. Please know that I appreciate your taking the time and using your expertise in evaluating and making recommendations.

    ~Eddie
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  8. #8
    -HH-Quazi's Avatar Senior Member
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    Originally posted by eddiewertz:
    LB and Quaz:

    Yeah, I buy PC's from Dell, but upgrades usually come from NewEgg. Given your success with X800 card on a 4550, I'm tempted to go ahead with the XT. Was it an XT, or another model? I've got a thread over on the Dell board, as well as a couple of PM's to forum members I "know", on this issue. One of those suggested this psu, as he has one in his 4600 and it was a plug for plug swap and works fine w/no mods, which is the route I prefer: http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16817153007.

    However, that adds ~$65 to the cost of the XT,for a grand total of ~$400, which is $100 more than I can currently get a 6800GT for. The cards' performance is neck and neck from what I can tell, so I'm not of a mind to part with $100 more, when I can get the same basic performance from the GT which, as I say, is well documented in terms of being used successfully with a D4600 w/stock psu. Does anyone know for sure how power consumption on the XT compares to the 9800Pro and/or the 6800GT?

    I have given some thought to a basic ("value"?) version of the Audigy2. I'm happy with the sound from the SB, but the consensus is that the Audigy is better due to onboard apu. Is it a huge deal to swap one for the other, or basically same procedure as with a vidcard? I've done vidcards several times, but never a sound card.

    Thanks again for the help, guys. I'm on the fence, but tottering...

    ~Eddie
    Hey Eddie, consider the X800XL. It is under $300. One difference between it and the X800XT is clock speeds. The XT runs at 500/500 and the XL runs at 400/490. The other difference is how fast each card reads Gpixels and MTriangles. Go to www.ati.com and do a product comparison between the X800XT and the X800XL. If you do go with the XT, you will have the option of flashing the bios to an X800XT PE. I run an X800XT flashed to an X800XT PE. But, given that the $100 is an issue, you can't go wrong with the X800XL. These are even cheaper than the 6800GT and offers all 16 pipelines. The only factory 6800GT that comes with all 16 pipelines enabled is from a company called LeadTek. But still yet, the X800XL is cheaper. These can be had for $289.

    I ran an X800Pro, XT, and XT PE with that factory Dell psu. I was pushing my luck, and luckily I got by. But I have heard of many m8's using these psu's without any issues. I would however replace it with at least a 300 watt psu as soon as you can part with the $$$.

    Sound cards are not bad at all to replace. Download DriverCleaner Pro 3 and remove all the Creative drivers, then turn off your computer, unplug it, remove the SB Live and install the Audigy 2. You can get the current drivers from using Creatives auto update. After you install the Audigy 2, cancel when windows wants to install the drivers for it. Then go to Creatives website and use the auto update feature. Imho, this is as important as upgrading your video card.

    I have built myself a new gaming rig, but I still have the 4550 I maxed out and it is an awesome little gaming platform now.
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  9. #9


    That's the card, it will not need a power supply upgrade and is available in AGP even at www.newegg.com if you must... and seeings how you weren't at the PC steve v will not have to strangle a kitten just yet... steve? steve?! I'll be right back!

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  10. #10
    PF_Coastie's Avatar Senior Member
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    As was briefly covered above, I think you will be severly cpu limited if you go with the top end card(XTPE or Ultra). I agree that the X800XL will be the best bang for the buck right now and will be a nice upgrade, However.....

    You will still be cpu limited. Don't expect to see a huge fps gain. A big fps gain will only come from a big upgrade to the cpu.

    You will be able to crank the eyecandy and still get a few better fps than you are currently getting.

    I just upgraded from 9800 to x800xl. I have an amd 2800+ OC'ed a bit and I saw about a 15% jump in fps with the same settings I was using on the 9800. Now I can crank the eyecandy settings and still be up a few fps. It is a wonderful card.

    Good Luck!
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