I'm somewhat familiar with the GPU branding, but honestly Nvidia and ATI's price points leaves me utterly confused.
From what I can understand here's how it works:
Nvidia:
- Intrdocues a new high end line (7000's)
- Introduces the high end GPU on that line (e.g., 7800)
- Introduces variants on the model (like a car) GTX, XT, TC, etc...
- Introduces a lower end model on the line (7300)
- Introduces various point on the line throughout.
ATI:
- Mostly the same thing, but they've renumbered their 9000's line for PCI express with an X (e.g., X1900)
Some questions I have:
- Are high end lower lines better than a low end higher line (FX 5900 vs 7300 or 6200 TC)
- What are the biggest factors to the quality of a graphics card (4x or 8x AGP, MBs, Pipelines, etc...)
- Is there a standard rating system available that comapres cards? Newer cards always get benchmarked it seems against each other, but what about older vs. newer (again, 5900 vs. 7300) Is there a website that provides this?
- Is there any way to compare mid range ATI and Nvidia cards? Where do 9250s, 9550s, 9800, etc.. fall between the FX and 7000 series?
- Does price always reflect quality?
- Does the card manufacturer matter greatly? (eVga, Leadtek, PNY, etc)
Any help is appreciated. Inconsequentially I think I may buy a new sub $100 card. Maybe even sub $60 since I may be upgrading my computer in a year or two.
From what I can understand here's how it works:
Nvidia:
- Intrdocues a new high end line (7000's)
- Introduces the high end GPU on that line (e.g., 7800)
- Introduces variants on the model (like a car) GTX, XT, TC, etc...
- Introduces a lower end model on the line (7300)
- Introduces various point on the line throughout.
ATI:
- Mostly the same thing, but they've renumbered their 9000's line for PCI express with an X (e.g., X1900)
Some questions I have:
- Are high end lower lines better than a low end higher line (FX 5900 vs 7300 or 6200 TC)
- What are the biggest factors to the quality of a graphics card (4x or 8x AGP, MBs, Pipelines, etc...)
- Is there a standard rating system available that comapres cards? Newer cards always get benchmarked it seems against each other, but what about older vs. newer (again, 5900 vs. 7300) Is there a website that provides this?
- Is there any way to compare mid range ATI and Nvidia cards? Where do 9250s, 9550s, 9800, etc.. fall between the FX and 7000 series?
- Does price always reflect quality?
- Does the card manufacturer matter greatly? (eVga, Leadtek, PNY, etc)
Any help is appreciated. Inconsequentially I think I may buy a new sub $100 card. Maybe even sub $60 since I may be upgrading my computer in a year or two.