Sapphire x1950 pro ultimate & 512MB

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kent Smith
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Kent Smith

I was going to get a Sapphire 256MB x1950pro ultimate but notice they also
have a 512MB for about the same price.

I would imagine the 512MB would have better performance due to the memory
size but the ultimate would be more reliable due to better cooling. Would
that be correct?

Has anyone seen these cards compared and know the advantages/disadvantages?
The only difference I can see in the specs is the memory clock runs 200MHz
faster on the ultimate - overclocked?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102070

Leaning towards the ultimate as it's been around a bit longer and tends to
have better consumer reviews but this could just be because there are more
of them. :)



-KENT
 
I was going to get a Sapphire 256MB x1950pro ultimate but notice they also
have a 512MB for about the same price.

I would imagine the 512MB would have better performance due to the memory
size but the ultimate would be more reliable due to better cooling. Would
that be correct?
Click to expand...

If the memory speed is the same, the performance in most cases will be
the same. There might be some differences in very high resolutions,
but the board at the same time don't have the performance to use such
high resolutions.
Has anyone seen these cards compared and know the advantages/disadvantages?
The only difference I can see in the specs is the memory clock runs 200MHz
faster on the ultimate - overclocked?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102070
Click to expand...

No, not overclocked. Since the 256 MB version has faster memory, it
will in general be faster than the 512 MB version.

512 MB on a board in this segment is a marketing tricks in most
situations.

I personally havn't tested the 1950Pro in 256 vs 512, but have done it
with the X1900XT, which is "about the same" -- in general not much of
a difference.
 
The 256 MB "Ultimate" will run faster in almost all games due to the
higher-clocked memory, so get that one.

Be aware the screw heads on the back of the Ultimate's Zalman cooler stick
out more than usual. If the two PCIe x16 slots on your motherboard are
separated by just one slot, you won't be able fit two of these cards in
Crossfire.
 
Clas said:
If the memory speed is the same, the performance in most cases will be
the same. There might be some differences in very high resolutions,
but the board at the same time don't have the performance to use such
high resolutions.


No, not overclocked. Since the 256 MB version has faster memory, it
will in general be faster than the 512 MB version.

512 MB on a board in this segment is a marketing tricks in most
situations.

I personally havn't tested the 1950Pro in 256 vs 512, but have done it
with the X1900XT, which is "about the same" -- in general not much of
a difference.
Click to expand...

Fantastic - thanks for good info and quick reply. I'll go with the
ultimate.


-KENT
 
Kent Smith said:
I was going to get a Sapphire 256MB x1950pro ultimate but notice they also
have a 512MB for about the same price.

I would imagine the 512MB would have better performance due to the memory
size but the ultimate would be more reliable due to better cooling. Would
that be correct?
Click to expand...

I have the same Zalman cooler on my X1900 GT and it is silent. Current games
don't take advantage of 512MB and by the time games benefit from 512MB, the
x1950pro will not be able to handle them. I'd definitely go for the
ultimate.
 
First said:
The 256 MB "Ultimate" will run faster in almost all games due to the
higher-clocked memory, so get that one.

Be aware the screw heads on the back of the Ultimate's Zalman cooler
stick out more than usual. If the two PCIe x16 slots on your
motherboard are separated by just one slot, you won't be able fit two
of these cards in Crossfire.
Click to expand...
Thanks, good to know. I've got two slots (Gigabyte GA-965P-DS4) but not
looking at doing crossfire just yet. Might eventually up to a couple of
Directx10's when they're a bit more competitively priced.


-KENT
 
Kent Smith schreef:
I was going to get a Sapphire 256MB x1950pro ultimate but notice they also
have a 512MB for about the same price.

I would imagine the 512MB would have better performance due to the memory
size but the ultimate would be more reliable due to better cooling. Would
that be correct?

Has anyone seen these cards compared and know the advantages/disadvantages?
The only difference I can see in the specs is the memory clock runs 200MHz
faster on the ultimate - overclocked?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102075
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102070

Leaning towards the ultimate as it's been around a bit longer and tends to
have better consumer reviews but this could just be because there are more
of them. :)



-KENT
Click to expand...

What i understand is, yes: with the toprange line of ATI, it makes sense
to have 512M memory onboard, but wit with the budget or mid range, it
slows down performance, compared to 256M versions..
Question: if so, why bother even bringing such models on market ?
 
TheFug said:
Kent Smith schreef:
What i understand is, yes: with the toprange line of ATI, it makes
sense to have 512M memory onboard, but wit with the budget or mid
range, it slows down performance, compared to 256M versions..
Question: if so, why bother even bringing such models on market ?
Click to expand...

I agree with a previous post, the answer unfortunately, is probably
marketing. I almost bought the 512MB based purely on memory size. If they
can make a bunch of people buy these things over a competitors 256MB cards,
it has a purpose on the market. :)


-KENT
 
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