ATI HD 2900 XT 512Mb vs NVIDIA 8800 GTS 320Mb Review

Videocards/VGA Reviews by geoffrey @ 2007-07-06

We take an in-depth look at how the new ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT 512Mb stacks up to the lower priced NVIDIA Geforce 8800 GTS 320Mb; comparing overclocked performance and scaling as well as Crossfire tested with multiple games. Can the new HD 2900 XT outrun the current mid/high range GTS performance champ? Let´s find out.

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Jetway Radeon HD 2900XT: Inside the box

Jetway Radeon HD 2900XT: Inside the box

A small window gives you a glimpse of the cool looking VGA-card inside, but in contrary to the inside the box itself is kind off sober with very basic information on its back side.

Madshrimps (c)


Inside we find:

Madshrimps (c)


  • Jetway Radeon HD 2900 XT
  • One crossfire bridge
  • Two DVI => VGA adapters
  • One DVI => HDMI adapter
  • One component video-out cable
  • One composite/svideo video-out cable
  • Two Molex => PCI-E 6-pin adapters
  • The manual
  • CD with drivers
  • Voucher for Valves Black Box (Half File 2: Episode 2, Team Fortress 2, Portal) for download from Steam.

    Jetway Radeon HD 2900XT

  • Chipset : ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT with R600 GPU core
    - 2D Clock: 506MHz
    - 3D Clock: 743MHz
  • 512Mb (16x32Mb) GDDR3 memory with 512-bit interface
    - Brand/Type: Hynix HY5RS
    - 2D Clock: 513MHz DDR (1026MHz)
    - 3D Clock: 828MHz DDR (1656MHz)
  • Connector: HDTV, dual DVI- I DVI w/HDCP (HDMI adaptor)
  • System Interface: PCI- Express x16

    Madshrimps (c)


    The general looks of the cards made me think someone hooked me up with another NVIDIA 8800 GTS as the cooler design is quite similar, only painted red this time, though a small note made me clear that it was indeed a Radeon HD2900XT in front of me. On a serious note, the HD 2900 XT has ATI's red tint all over it, there shouldn't be any confusion here. A translucent plastic cover unveils the Aluminum heatsink used to keep the R600 GPU within temp range. On top of the heatsink cover we find iron colored flames which gives the HD 2900 XT the looks of a true performer.

    Madshrimps (c)


    Jetway based their HD 2900 XT on ATI's reference design which means this card is a exact copy of how ATI original designed their 2900 XT, the only thing we found different is Jetway's logo on top of the GPU fan:

    Madshrimps (c)
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    Comment from Cranox @ 2007/07/06
    Nice review ( like always ) geoffrey , u know that i was waiting for this .
    Comment from Techie @ 2007/07/07
    hmm maybe it's worth mentioning that catalyst 7.6 is released. In most reviews on the internet, the 2900XT is faster than the 8800GTS 640MB and almost as fast as 8800GTX...
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/07/07
    Geoffrey tested the Cat 7.6 but did not find performance to be noticeable better than 7.5 in his games
    Comment from Rutar @ 2007/07/07
    Why no comparison of the noise and power consumption of the two?
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/07/07
    Can be (approx) compared with result of the GTS here: http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=get...&articID=5 61
    but indeed, next round giving them a nice head2head comparison is needed
    Comment from Techie @ 2007/07/07
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jmke View Post
    Geoffrey tested the Cat 7.6 but did not find performance to be noticeable better than 7.5 in his games
    On most forums i read that the cat 7.6 gave a nice performance boost. But if it's tested, it's tested
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/07/07
    Let's wait for Geoff to reply
    Comment from geoffrey @ 2007/07/14
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jmke View Post
    Geoffrey tested the Cat 7.6 but did not find performance to be noticeable better than 7.5 in his games
    Right on, minor bug fixes and small performance increases here and there, nothing special in the end, I expected more from ATI: http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=149354
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/07/15
    well, the driver releases are MONTHLY, I'm sure they have months were they focus on certain features; be it performance, bugfixes or other things, never all at the same time
    Comment from Unknown Soldier @ 2007/07/17
    Thank you for this comparison

    US
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/07/18
    HD 2900 XT loves Unreal 3 engine, try running Rainbow Six Las Vegas
    http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2988&p=22

    performance on par with GTX!
    Comment from Trixx @ 2007/08/16
    Im thinking about buying one of these systems but i dunno wich one. on paper there pretty similar. [i pinked up the stuff thats different for u guys]

    - Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 2.40GHz Dual Core CPU Overclocked too a minimum of 2.93GHz and beyond. (9 x 333MHz - 1333MHz FSB)
    - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Intel approved cooler
    - Arctic Silver 5 Heatsink compound professionally hand installed by our technicians
    - Intel P35 Asus P5K (Socket LGA775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
    - Award winning Team Elite 2GB PC2-6400 (2x1GB) Dual Channel Kit (Running at 800MHz)
    - 250GB Western Digital 16MB Cache SATA-2 Hard Drive
    - ATI Radeon HD 2900 512MB GDDR3 VIVO HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) DirectX 10 Graphics Card- Asus 18x DVD±RW Dual Layer LabelFlash ReWriter (Black)
    - Black Sony Floppy Drive
    - Antec NINE HUNDRED Gamers ATX Case
    - Enermax Infiniti 650W Next Generation Power Supply


    Alternative

    - Intel Core 2 DUO E6600 2.40GHz Dual Core CPU Overclocked too a minimum of 2.93GHz and beyond. (9 x 333MHz - 1333MHz FSB)
    - Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Intel approved cooler
    - Arctic Silver 5 Heatsink compound professionally hand installed by our technicians
    - Asus P5N32-E SLi NVIDIA 680 (Socket LGA775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
    - Award winning Corsair 2GB PC2-6400 (2x1GB) Dual Channel Kit (Overclocked at 900MHz+)
    - 250GB Western Digital Enterprise 16MB Cache SATA-2 Hard Drive
    - NVIDIA 8800 GTS 320MB GDDR3 VIVO HDTV/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) DirectX 10 Graphics Card
    - NEC 7173 18x DVD±RW Dual Layer LabelFlash ReWriter (Black)
    - Black Sony Floppy Drive
    - Antec NINE HUNDRED Gamers ATX Case
    - Antec 650W Next Generation Power Supply

    i read the review on ATI vs NVIDIA so im swayed more to ATI although the NVIDIA does have the oc memory. There both the same price too, your opinions please
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/16
    Asus P35 + 8800 GTS and get the most affordable RAM, RAM OC doesn't do much for system performance
    Comment from blind_ripper @ 2007/08/17
    yeah john 2900XT driver's are getting beter .
    il give u update on game benches with single and CF to add to the review ones i get my cards back
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/17
    the GTS 320 is cheaper and a better deal, in stores for $240 and less!
    Comment from Trixx @ 2007/08/17
    I forgot to say guys this is a pre built system so i cant take Asus P35 with 8800 GTS. It has to be that one or the other. Btw the system costs £1000 does that sound fair to you?
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/17
    overpriced it sounds to me; why it is prebuild?
    Comment from blind_ripper @ 2007/08/17
    8800GTS 640MB in belguim shop for 312€ !
    HD2900XT same shop 355€
    Comment from jmke @ 2007/08/17
    ow! in that case, no challenge, GTS 640Mb FTW
    Comment from Trixx @ 2007/08/17
    Its pre build because anything electrical i touch turns to ashes :P My friend who used to own a computer store told me he'd be me one that spec for loads cheaper anyway but thanks for all your advice fellas.

     

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