x850xt or x1800

[specter539]

i know just by looking at the title youd say pick the x1800 (duh), but is it really worth the extra cash. Ive got 250$ to spend on ram and a video card. i am currently using on board video, which is ok, i can play bf2 and ut2004, but i need more. I also only have 512mb for ram, which i would like to upgrade. The x850xt and the x1800 are very similar (both have 256mb and 16 pixel pipelines) the only diff i could find was the x1800 had 625 core clock whre the x850xt has 520, and the x1800 has 1500 mem clock where the x850xt only has 1120. My question is how much of a difference will see. The x1800 is 50-70 more i beleive, but i dont know if it would actually be worth the money. I need to put some of my money to upgrading my ram to dual 512 sticks to make a total of 1g. (this is the right thing to do right?) thanks for the help. btw im running a 3800+ with a rs480-m mobo

[dgrmkrp]

..try some reviews+articles.. the x1800 is 80% of the time in front of the x850, but there are some situations when things get wierd... still, depending what x1800 u wanna buy, i hear they are better.. in the x1800 there are also other differences.. not only the speed stuff.. try finding a x1900 in the same price range.. with some rebates or discounts.. if u do want to play games, shell the moey for the card and leave ther am later.. if u want some balance (remember that ram is far less costly as video boards and u can get more money later for that second stick.. but changing the video frequently is harder), buy the ram and whatever you see best fit :) just my advice.. :)

[specter539]

thanks, yea my friend said to buy the best video card for the money i had(x1800 or x1900) because it would be able to hang in longer with the newer cards coming out.

[monoflap]

I am currently using on board video, which is ok, i can play bf2 and ut2004, but i need more. I also only have 512mb for ram, which i would like to upgrade.
However you worked that out I aplaud you. Anyway, I would go with the x850xt, I think the frequencies are high enough to be worth the 50 bucks when compared to the x1800. Im my opinion, the first thing I would do is get a video card so I don't have to use that onboard video. Then I would upgrade the ram.

[.Maleficus.]

However you worked that out I aplaud you. Anyway, I would go with the x850xt, I think the frequencies are high enough to be worth the 50 bucks when compared to the x1800. Im my opinion, the first thing I would do is get a video card so I don't have to use that onboard video. Then I would upgrade the ram.
So you're saying that it would be $50 less for the X850XT? If that's what you mean, then yes, I would get that and use the other $50 for RAM.

[simon275]

It's not that much go for the X1800.

[dgrmkrp]

..or better yet.. on second thought.. wait till dx10 boards arrive :) if possible.. still, the eye candy that the x1800-1900 can put out is in another league.. way better.. and ram is cheap.. even cool corsair and ocz prices are coming down.. there is a stupid (or not) speed race that is in the end good for us.. also, think about overclocking and noise.. if u go for the x1800 it will be quieter(i hope.. depends on the cooler the company u buy it from used) and it might have an even higer speed available under it's hood.. your choice.. :)