Got my HD2600XT ddr4 today! [Archive]

GLD

08-30-2007, 06:17 AM

I got my Sapphire 2600XT 256mb ddr4 card today for the low price of $128! Thanks to "devguy" for posting the Newegg promo code on the 22nd. :cool: Oh yea, and I got GRAW 2 with it for free. With the promo code and the free game it was a $75 savings. How sweet is that? :D

I just got it in to my Antec NSK1300 (Aria). It's psu is 300w PFC with 18a on the 12v. This rig has XP Pro 32bit, 2gigs, a 3800+ Venice and just onboard sound on the Biostar TForce 6100 939. It is hooked up to my main LG lcd and z640's atm. I fired up the Medal Of Honor Airborne demo setup and this system defaults to 1280x1024 (monitor max), High texture detail, Medium model detail, Medium decals, and Full post processing effects. So to simplify I will say 1280x1024/High/Medium/Medium/Full.

My main rig in sig is currently in the 2nd station/desk hooked to a 15" analog lcd with max resolution of 1024x768. The MoHA demo setup on this rig defaults to 800x600/High/Low/Low/Full. :eek: I expected the 7900GS to default to at least the same settings as the 2600XT. Guess not. :nutkick:

So far so Sapphire good! :rockout:

FR@NK

08-30-2007, 06:48 AM

Thats a pretty good deal. I think I can get one direct from ati for about that much but doesnt come with any games bundled.

Sovereign

08-30-2007, 07:22 AM

Congrats! :pimp:

Any chance of posting a few benchies (3Dmark06, Aquamark, ect ect)? Would like to see how it compares to the one I just bought for $133 shipped.

GLD

08-30-2007, 08:04 AM

I will get to some benchmarks, but I plan to move the 4000+ and X-Fi card in to the Antec first. I just played some BF2. It defaults to the same video settings as my X850XT, 1024x768, all High settings, no AA. I could run 1280x1024, 4x AA though on the X850XT, 6x (max available) would cause the sandbags to look all messed up. This 2600XT lets me run 1280x1024, all High settings with the max available 8x AA. Everything looks and plays good. More to come. :)

I feel dumb now, I reported BF2 running good with 8x AA enabled. In my haste I didn't realize that the game needed to be restarted to enable any new AA settings. I just restarted the map, not the whole game. So I was running with out AA, but at alll high settings @ 1280x1024. It was late, I fell stupid. Still happy with the card. I will test more later. Sorry for the mis-information.

EnglishLion

08-30-2007, 09:04 AM

niko084

08-30-2007, 09:17 AM

Sounds like you got yourself a bargain. Let us know when you get some benchmarks or run fraps with bf2 to get some fps.

I just got a new X1950pro instead of a mid range dx10 card (2600xt/8600GT) and would like to know if I chose well?!!?

Unfortunately the 2600xt gddr4 version is now beating the 1950pros with the 7.8 drivers...
But its not by far...

8600gt is crap! 8600GTS is decent.

Urbklr

08-31-2007, 06:41 PM

HD2600XT FTW....i love my HD2600XT....plays BF2142 maxed at 1280x1024...but no AA. And i get 94FPS in CS:S stress test maxed at 1280x1024 4xaa 8xaf:rockout:

Xolair

09-01-2007, 09:54 AM

Unfortunately the 2600xt gddr4 version is now beating the 1950pros with the 7.8 drivers...
But its not by far...

How's that possible? Do you have some proof for that?! :eek: :p

EnglishLion

09-01-2007, 11:41 AM

HD2600XT FTW....i love my HD2600XT....plays BF2142 maxed at 1280x1024...but no AA. And i get 94FPS in CS:S stress test maxed at 1280x1024 4xaa 8xaf:rockout:

Can you run this same test at 1024x768 for me so that I can compare my x1950pro. I'm on an old 15" monitor unfortunately so cannot compare!

Ketxxx

09-01-2007, 11:59 AM

I wanna seem some 3dm06 scores. If the HD26XT can beat 6.1k (OCd or not) I'll accept its a smidge faster in lower resolutions than a 1950Pro. Personally, I dont think it can beat 6.1k. Prove me wrong.

niko084

09-01-2007, 12:18 PM

How's that possible? Do you have some proof for that?! :eek: :p

In some applications it is... I don't remember where I saw all the tests they were very detailed and very well written.. The 1950pro still beat it in a few things here and there, but overall considering they are the same price the 2600xt draws way less power and the drivers are still improving it, its going to beat it flat out very soon across the boards.

Darknova

09-01-2007, 12:38 PM

8600gt is crap! 8600GTS is decent.

Other way around. GTS sucks, it pales compared to the 8800GTS, and it's only £30 cheaper over here.

8600GT is a decent card for the money, but the HD2600 looks to be overtaking it now.

The new drivers are really good. Improved performance on my rig quite a bit, so I'm not surprised the 2600 has improved a lot.

mullered07

09-01-2007, 01:14 PM

Other way around. GTS sucks, it pales compared to the 8800GTS, and it's only £30 cheaper over here.

8600GT is a decent card for the money, but the HD2600 looks to be overtaking it now.

The new drivers are really good. Improved performance on my rig quite a bit, so I'm not surprised the 2600 has improved a lot.

other way around ? i think not, 8600gt = crap doesnt oc that far and perf is quite a bit behind the gts not worth it imo only good for htpc?, and the only 8600gts that is £30 cheaper is the xfx XXX 8600gts but who needs that when you can get a vanilla one and oc it past xxx speeds for £100 now where can you get a new 8800gts for £130 ?

Darknova

09-01-2007, 01:27 PM

Xolair

09-01-2007, 02:14 PM

^ What kind of improvements could you expect with the 7.8 drivers? Is some 500-1,000 points more in 3DMark06/5-10 FPS more in games an overstatement with the 2600 XT? :p

niko084

09-01-2007, 02:21 PM

^ What kind of improvements could you expect with the 7.8 drivers? Is some 500-1,000 points more in 3DMark06/5-10 FPS more in games an overstatement with the 2600 XT? :p

Don't under estimate the power of properly written drivers...
And give up on this silly benchmarking 3dmark crap numbers... They give a general basis not what they really perform like...

Put it this way my 1300pro and my 1300xt both scored about dead even in 3dmark06 in the same machine, when I got the 1300xt I gained more than 20 fps in CS:S.... So.... Shows how useless benchmarking software can be huh.

devguy

09-01-2007, 03:23 PM

Yeah, np for the coupon code. And iirc it does seem that the latest drivers allow the hd 2600xt to match the x1950pro, but only up to 1280x1024. After that, the 2600xt gets it's ass kicked by the x1950pro (c'mon ati, launch an overclocked 2600xt w/a 256bit memory bus for about $160)!

Paradox

09-01-2007, 03:32 PM

other way around ? i think not, 8600gt = crap doesnt oc that far and perf is quite a bit behind the gts not worth it imo only good for htpc?, and the only 8600gts that is £30 cheaper is the xfx XXX 8600gts but who needs that when you can get a vanilla one and oc it past xxx speeds for £100 now where can you get a new 8800gts for £130 ?

Yeah... uh... XFX 8600GT 540/800 stock
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/PaRaDoX_seal/804n1037.jpg

3DMark Score 5354 3DMarks
SM 2.0 Score 2596 Marks
SM 3.0 Score 2254 Marks
CPU Score 1287 Marks

Graphics Tests
1 - Return to Proxycon 21.065 FPS
2 - Firefly Forest 22.209 FPS

CPU Tests
CPU1 - Red Valley 0.398 FPS
CPU2 - Red Valley 0.666 FPS

HDR Tests
1 - Canyon Flight (SM 3.0) 20.439 FPS
2 - Deep Freeze (SM 3.0) 24.651 FPS

Not too bad, but my 2600XT pulls 4800 stock, with the drivers out now.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c66/PaRaDoX_seal/computer/GPU.png

I get 5292 with SLi 7600GT's, 4519 with a X1900GT, 5933 with my X1950XT so I don't think these cards are bad at all...

EnglishLion

09-01-2007, 05:10 PM

Looks like these cards are pretty good now with the new drivers but I'm still glad I got my X1950pro as they both cost the same (ebuyer - ~£85) and the X1950pro has extra memory 512Mb at a faster bus speed 256bit.

Urbklr

09-01-2007, 05:59 PM

Can you run this same test at 1024x768 for me so that I can compare my x1950pro. I'm on an old 15" monitor unfortunately so cannot compare!

Yea sure....ill post the results later today:)

Xolair

09-01-2007, 07:01 PM

Don't under estimate the power of properly written drivers...
And give up on this silly benchmarking 3dmark crap numbers... They give a general basis not what they really perform like...

Put it this way my 1300pro and my 1300xt both scored about dead even in 3dmark06 in the same machine, when I got the 1300xt I gained more than 20 fps in CS:S.... So.... Shows how useless benchmarking software can be huh.

Just asked the 3DMark06 -result as a reference... if the score would improve some 500p or more, it'd surely reflect on games too.

Well, let's put it this way; would a 2600 XT enable to run Bioshock/Crysis at 1280*1024 & high/medium detail, and still get an average of 25+ FPS (without AA & AF)? :D

niko084

09-01-2007, 09:34 PM

Just asked the 3DMark06 -result as a reference... if the score would improve some 500p or more, it'd surely reflect on games too.

Well, let's put it this way; would a 2600 XT enable to run Bioshock/Crysis at 1280*1024 & high/medium detail, and still get an average of 25+ FPS (without AA & AF)? :D

A gddr4 most likely, but being I don't have one I can't say for certain...

****
A few people did raise a good point in "high" resolution the x1950 is still beating the 2600xt simply because of the extra memory possibility and the 256bit bus.

zekrahminator

09-01-2007, 09:42 PM

Lemme sum up the argument real quick:

HD 2600XT with GDDR4 = 40W version of X1950Pro GDDR3.

niko084

09-01-2007, 09:49 PM

Lemme sum up the argument real quick:

HD 2600XT with GDDR4 = 40W version of X1950Pro GDDR3.

Just wanted to fix this for ya...

HD 2600XT with GDDR4 256mb = 40W version of X1950Pro GDDR3 256mb

HD 2600xt with GDDR512mb = 50W choked version of x1950Pro GDDR3 512mb

cdawall

09-01-2007, 09:51 PM

niko084

09-01-2007, 10:54 PM

http://hwbot.org/hardware.compare.do?type=gpu&id=1054_1&id=1144_1

hows that?

Thats an error....

http://hwbot.org/quickSearch.do?hardwareId=GPU_1144
Here 6054

cdawall

09-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Thats an error....

http://hwbot.org/quickSearch.do?hardwareId=GPU_1144
Here 6054

oh yeah guess it is

Urbklr

09-02-2007, 02:39 AM

Here are my 1024x768 results:

136FPS CS:S Stress Test Settings Maxed 1024x768 4xAA 8xAF
70FPS AVERAGE BF2142 1024x768 8xAF

Used Fraps for 10 mins of play on BF2142

niko084

09-02-2007, 10:37 PM

Which are both more than perfectly acceptable frame rates... Looks nice, I very well might be replacing my 1950's with a set of 2600xt's...

Ketxxx

09-03-2007, 01:13 AM

http://hwbot.org/hardware.compare.do?type=gpu&id=1054_1&id=1144_1

hows that?

Not very good. looks like their testing a 512 DDR4 26XT vs a 256MB 1950Pro. They should test cards with the same amount of frame buffer. Something is wrong with those scores anyway, in 3dm01 my Pro scores something like 53k, in 3dm05 I get something like 12-13k, and since when has a 26XT been able to hit 10k in 3dm06 :wtf: :rolleyes:

niko084

09-03-2007, 03:25 AM

Not very good. looks like their testing a 512 DDR4 26XT vs a 256MB 1950Pro. They should test cards with the same amount of frame buffer. Something is wrong with those scores anyway, in 3dm01 my Pro scores something like 53k, in 3dm05 I get something like 12-13k, and since when has a 26XT been able to hit 10k in 3dm06 :wtf: :rolleyes:

No they are 256mb versions..... The 2600xt is equal and in some cases better than a 1950pro... Simple as that, except in really high resolutions where even a single 1950pro is going to be questionable...

To go beyond that the 10k mark is a bug it was reported as xfire cards.
I believe the highest on there for a 2600xt 256mb is like 5960 or something.

GLD

09-03-2007, 11:06 AM

Xaser04

09-03-2007, 01:31 PM

No they are 256mb versions..... The 2600xt is equal and in some cases better than a 1950pro... Simple as that, except in really high resolutions where even a single 1950pro is going to be questionable...

To go beyond that the 10k mark is a bug it was reported as xfire cards.
I believe the highest on there for a 2600xt 256mb is like 5960 or something.

Is that with or without AA? IIRC the 2600 series is crippled when AA is applied due to its shader based design (something the 2900 series have enough oomph to overcome).

niko084

09-03-2007, 11:12 PM

Is that with or without AA? IIRC the 2600 series is crippled when AA is applied due to its shader based design (something the 2900 series have enough oomph to overcome).

With or without really they are pretty close...

The thing about it being shader based is that you don't need as high of settings for equal quality output either ;)

theonetruewill

09-03-2007, 11:20 PM

No they are 256mb versions..... The 2600xt is equal and in some cases better than a 1950pro... Simple as that, except in really high resolutions where even a single 1950pro is going to be questionable...

To go beyond that the 10k mark is a bug it was reported as xfire cards.
I believe the highest on there for a 2600xt 256mb is like 5960 or something.

But most X1950Pro's could beat that if they tried. I know Ket's can.

niko084

09-03-2007, 11:51 PM

But most X1950Pro's could beat that if they tried. I know Ket's can.

No MOST can't... Look at the records on the site..

Even in benchmarking they run hand in hand, don't look at the graphs they are really in-accurate hell it shows a 1300xt at around 1800 3dmark06 and my personal score was 2026 and I'm in 2nd place...

2600xt 256mb gddr4 > 1950pro 256mb

End of story, equal performance, less then half the power draw, dx10 support and shader 4.0
Plus the performance is still being tweaked.
1950pro under 512mb is dead.

theonetruewill

09-04-2007, 12:01 AM

No MOST can't... Look at the records on the site..

Even in benchmarking they run hand in hand, don't look at the graphs they are really in-accurate hell it shows a 1300xt at around 1800 3dmark06 and my personal score was 2026 and I'm in 2nd place...

2600xt 256mb gddr4 > 1950pro 256mb

End of story, equal performance, less then half the power draw, dx10 support and shader 4.0
Plus the performance is still being tweaked.
1950pro under 512mb is dead.

I am looking at the records right now and can see a 6475 X1950Pro 256 and only a 6054 HD 2600XT. In fact, I'm even seeing a 6976 X1900GT (I knew these GT babies could smoke 1950Pro's)

Sovereign

09-04-2007, 12:44 AM

I dl'ed 3DMark06 and the patch here from TPU. It installed but just hangs up on launch. I ran AquaMark3 and it goes through the test but goes to black screen at the end without giving results. :banghead: I always run the Cat. Uninstaller and use only ATi drivers. I don't think it is the card or the dl at all as my XP Pro on this rig has seemed cranky for awhile. Thinking of a format, or maybe Vista on here, idk. So I can't produce these benchmarks at this time. :(

Another :banghead: I pulled out the card to put on a Zalman VF700 to find out it does NOT fit. The holes around the core do not line up. :( . I have a Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer (all aluminum/blue fan), it does NOT fit either. I might buy and try a Zalman VF900 on it as I know it has more mounting hole options. I like the looks of the stock red/flames cooler, but am not happy with the temps. 60*c-70*c range. To be fair though, it is in a cube case atm, so that surely doesn't help produce low temps.

Happy with the card. I prob. just need a format and my 3" hole saw.

I had the same problem. The problem is that the X1650 and HD2600 series use unique mounting holes and require a specialized 3rd party cooler. I am not 100% sure but I don't think the VF900 will work either. Last time I looked on Newegg, they only had like 3 coolers that were compatible with the X1650 and/or HD2600 series and that was a few months ago.

Because of this issue, that was one of the big reasons why I bought the MSI HD2600XT GDDR4 Diamond OC edition card. It comes pre-installed with a very nice high performance cooler that semi resembles an AC Silencer.

niko084

09-04-2007, 12:53 AM

I am looking at the records right now and can see a 6475 X1950Pro 256 and only a 6054 HD 2600XT. In fact, I'm even seeing a 6976 X1900GT (I knew these GT babies could smoke 1950Pro's)

You are looking at a what 1000 point spread on an intensive extreme overclock with what type of machine to get the cpu score?

Think about it, compare both cards in the same system with frame rates and get back to me, I have.

Sovereign

09-04-2007, 12:54 AM

I am looking at the records right now and can see a 6475 X1950Pro 256 and only a 6054 HD 2600XT. In fact, I'm even seeing a 6976 X1900GT (I knew these GT babies could smoke 1950Pro's)

I'm also looking at the 3DMark06 thread here on TPU and I notice a pair of HD2600XT's, one GDDR3 and one GDDR4 that are beating out a couple of X1950PROs...

My thoughts are that the X1950PRO has more leg room which is evident when you start to OC the card but the HD2600XT can compete when things are on even ground (stock). This may change however once we are able to figure out what is holding back the ability to overclock the HD2600XT series. Right now there seems to either be a bios lock or some bug that is keeping clock speed from moving much further past the 850MHz core and 1179MHz memory mark. In my particular case, I'm running completely stock as my clock speeds are already factory set at these speeds and I have not found a single program that will let me overclock it even 1MHz!!!

niko084

09-04-2007, 12:55 AM

I'm also looking at the 3DMark06 thread here on TPU and I notice a pair of HD2600XT's, one GDDR3 and one GDDR4 that are beating out a couple of X1950PROs...

My thoughts are that the X1950PRO has more leg room which is evident when you start to OC the card but the HD2600XT can compete when things are on even ground (stock). This may change however once we are able to figure out what is holding back the ability to overclock the HD2600XT series. Right now there seems to either be a bios lock or some bug that is keeping clock speed from moving much further past the 850MHz core and 1179MHz memory mark. In my particular case, I'm running completely stock as my clock speeds are already factory set at these speeds and I have not found a single program that will let me overclock it even 1MHz!!!

Exactly, you are hitting it pretty much dead on the head there.

And like has been said a hundred times before the 1950s have hit their peak, the 2600xt's are still performing better with drivers.... Remember with the original release drivers they were getting beaten by the 1650xt still application and benchmark.

theonetruewill

09-04-2007, 01:04 AM

And obviously you don't know much about 1950Gt's or 1950pro's...

They are the SAME card.... Therefore you saw someone who bought a 1950gt and got a good one and clocked the piss out of it.

Alo you are looking at a what 1000 point spread on an intensive extreme overclock with what type of machine to get the cpu score?

Think about it, compare both cards in the same system with frame rates and get back to me, I have.

Excuse me? I clearly stated the X1900GT not the X1950GT. They are two very different cards. The X1900GT is based on a 90nm fabrication process, while the X1950GT/Pro's are based off a 80nm process. Please do not insult my knowledge about my own card. Even a 3D06 score like mine based on a AMD system can reach 5793; so in my opinion the HD 2600XT is not as good at the moment as a X1950Pro, bar AquaMark 3, in overall performance. In the end we can debate this till the cows come home but each person is entitled to his/her own opinion. But please do not insult my intelligence and imply I am ignorant and bigoted.

niko084

09-04-2007, 01:07 AM

Excuse me? I clearly stated the X1900GT not the X1950GT. They are two very different cards. The X1900GT is based on a 90nm fabrication process, while the X1950GT/Pro's are based off a 80nm process. Please do not insult my knowledge about my own card. Even a 3D06 score like mine based on a AMD system can reach 5793 so the HD 2600XT is not as good at the moment as a X1950Pro, bar AquaMark 3, in overall performance. In the end we can debate this till the cos come home but each person is entitled to his/her own opinion. But please do not insult my intelligence and imply I am ignorant and bigoted.

Sorry missed that it said 1900gt, yes that card is a 1950pro killer.

Yes a 1900gt is very capable of "still" beating a 2600xt, but the 1950pro is not worth the extra power requirement...

Only reason to run a 1950gt/pro is if you are running big resolutions and you are buying a 512mb version.

I really wanted to see ATI release a card that runs in the same line price wise as the x1950 at the time of release... They didn't the 2600xt is more related price wise to a 1650xt at the time of the release. They need a 2700xt/2800xt something in there with GDDR4 and a 256bit bus, then I could have something for a decent price that could take on my 1950xt's.

theonetruewill

09-04-2007, 01:10 AM

Sorry missed that it said 1900gt, yes that card is a 1950pro killer.

OK thats cool- I suspect with driver updates the 2600XT will become killer, as AMD/ATi really need it to, to be honest. Let's hope it becomes the 7600GT of today.

niko084

09-04-2007, 01:14 AM

OK thats cool- I suspect with driver updates the 2600XT will become killer, as AMD/ATi really need it to, to be honest. Let's hope it becomes the 7600GT of today.

That would be nice.... But only time will tell, considering though the average card in the average machine has already gained 2000+ 3dmark06 points from release, and in application 30+% from what I have personally seen, its looking up...

Who knows maybe they will even do something like the 1800xt which actually dropped 13 watts or something like that in power draw and gained a bit on the final driver fix for it.

I know that if they get much better I will consider buying a set to replace my 1950xt's, it wont really hurt me being I don't play extreme graphics intensive games or huge resolutions, only use dual monitors on occasion.

cdawall

09-04-2007, 11:35 PM

lol i love that this turned into a massive arguement

theonetruewill

09-05-2007, 12:36 AM

lol i love that this turned into a massive arguement

And then calmed down into a soothing agreement:)

GLD

09-05-2007, 03:04 AM

I wan't Sovereign's nice MSI dual slot cooler. :cry: I was looking at my new Zalman VF700 sitting there and thought why don't I just drill 2 new mounting post holes on the Zalman brackets to make this thing fit. There is room on there and I got lots of drill bits. :toast:

cdawall

09-05-2007, 11:26 PM

do it there is no reason not to

i will have to do the same thing to get water or highend air on my 7800GS :nutkick: way to go NV just change the bolt pattern why dont you :roll:

Urbklr

09-05-2007, 11:55 PM

I dl'ed 3DMark06 and the patch here from TPU. It installed but just hangs up on launch. I ran AquaMark3 and it goes through the test but goes to black screen at the end without giving results. :banghead: I always run the Cat. Uninstaller and use only ATi drivers. I don't think it is the card or the dl at all as my XP Pro on this rig has seemed cranky for awhile. Thinking of a format, or maybe Vista on here, idk. So I can't produce these benchmarks at this time. :(

Another :banghead: I pulled out the card to put on a Zalman VF700 to find out it does NOT fit. The holes around the core do not line up. :( . I have a Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer (all aluminum/blue fan), it does NOT fit either. I might buy and try a Zalman VF900 on it as I know it has more mounting hole options. I like the looks of the stock red/flames cooler, but am not happy with the temps. 60*c-70*c range. To be fair though, it is in a cube case atm, so that surely doesn't help produce low temps.

Happy with the card. I prob. just need a format and my 3" hole saw.

Run ATItool beta 2 and up your fan speeds....stock they only run %40....at %75 its quiet and cools well and at %100 it sounds like a jet and drops temps to 50's i believe.

Jannu

09-08-2007, 09:00 PM

I had the same problem. The problem is that the X1650 and HD2600 series use unique mounting holes and require a specialized 3rd party cooler. I am not 100% sure but I don't think the VF900 will work either. Last time I looked on Newegg, they only had like 3 coolers that were compatible with the X1650 and/or HD2600 series and that was a few months ago.

Because of this issue, that was one of the big reasons why I bought the MSI HD2600XT GDDR4 Diamond OC edition card. It comes pre-installed with a very nice high performance cooler that semi resembles an AC Silencer.

VF-900 fits perfectly, installed one on my gigabyte's ddr4 2600xt today. Noiseless, max load ~50c