DH Review: Radeon HD2900XT (Asus and Sapphire)

Erroneus · May 16, 2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

Quite an interesting thread below on the 2900XT fps rate comparing old and updated drivers with oblivion and fear.

http://www.rage3d.com/board/showthread.php?t=33890940

VR-zone had similar results in Q4, with an 40% boost.

I believe there is a lot more to get from the drivers, but it depends on if AMD is up to the task and get them optimised of if they are allready focused on a 2950 series.

swimtech · May 16, 2007, 11:35 PM

Man, this performance "problem" had been alluded to in the couple weeks past and undeniably confirmed through this outstanding review - thank you guys. I said "ouch" too, 'cause I too am disappointed.

Guess they had to show they could do a full featured DX10 card, and settle... AMD knew what the results would be, of course.

Indeed, for myself - still assembling components to put a total system together in the next couple months - Intel and Nvidia have a lock in my mind for the first time I can remember.

ronnn · May 17, 2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vampyromaniac

R600's AA runs differently than G80's due to a different hardware implementation, so no software fix unfortunately.

Having looked at a few reviews now, I'll be getting a 320MB GTS. Firstly, there's no ATI model in the $300 range (big gap in the line-up from $200 to $400.) Then looking at the power and performance of the 2900XT, it's hard to imagine that when ATI does have a $300 part, that it would be better than the 320MB GTS in either performance or power... and definitely not in both! And finally I'm in the market now, not in who-knows-how-long till they have a $300 part.

Yep if only a hardware fix, we will have to wait for a refresh. The rumours of something busted are likely true. The 320mb gts looks like a nice card, but not in the same league performance wise with the 2900xt. Drivers will improve things alot - they always do with new tech and the gts will fall behind. Alot depends on how long you keep a card for really. I am still running my x1900gt and am in no hurry to change. Am waiting for vista - dx10 games to mature and will pick a winner at that time. If I was buying for today would pick up one of these cheap x1900's. For fps per $. hard to beat.

X1800XTTOP · May 17, 2007, 06:51 PM

AMD explaining poor AA-performance on HD2900:
http://www.custompc.co.uk/custompc/n...rformance.html

Apperantly its not an 'issue', they CHOSE to focus on Shader-AA. This makes the HD2900 a better card in the future (according to them). Only time can tell i guess

**kris23** · May 18, 2007, 04:57 AM

now thats dumb.....DX10 games arent even out, by the time people will make use of the cards power, we may have beefier R700s and G90s or something that will put everything out currently in its place....

ronnn · May 18, 2007, 07:02 AM

There are people that buy $400 cards and hope to get more than a year out of it. Silly I know.

emmi · May 20, 2007, 06:50 PM

I havent ordered the card yet and I doubt I will. X1950Pro is working just fine for me, but I have to say when I go DX10 the 8800GTX looks like a better option. I was really hoping for something better from ATi, better luck next time guys!

Intelman · May 28, 2007, 08:08 AM

The review said that F.E.A.R. was multithreaded, it is not.

RoyBatty · Jun 9, 2007, 06:51 PM

I don't know how long has it been there, but the Ruby: Whiteout demo is available for download, just in case someone missed it: http://ati.amd.com/developer/demos/rhd2000.html

BWX · Jun 12, 2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyBatty

I don't know how long has it been there, but the Ruby: Whiteout demo is available for download, just in case someone missed it: http://ati.amd.com/developer/demos/rhd2000.html

Is there a high-res movie of the demo in action anywhere?

Sandok · Jun 12, 2007, 11:35 PM

http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4965

Hi res goodiness!

BWX · Jun 13, 2007, 12:13 AM

cool.. not bad.

Only thing that looks bad to me, and it is with all games and animation, not just the Ruby demo, is the physics. Everything looks robotic, not natural- same as with most all animated movies too. Oh well, maybe someday "they" will get it right.

May 16, 2007, 11:35 PM	#92
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	Man, this performance "problem" had been alluded to in the couple weeks past and undeniably confirmed through this outstanding review - thank you guys. I said "ouch" too, 'cause I too am disappointed. Guess they had to show they could do a full featured DX10 card, and settle... AMD knew what the results would be, of course. Indeed, for myself - still assembling components to put a total system together in the next couple months - Intel and Nvidia have a lock in my mind for the first time I can remember. __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

May 17, 2007, 06:51 PM	#94
X1800XTTOP DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 316 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	AMD explaining poor AA-performance on HD2900: http://www.custompc.co.uk/custompc/n...rformance.html Apperantly its not an 'issue', they CHOSE to focus on Shader-AA. This makes the HD2900 a better card in the future (according to them). Only time can tell i guess Last edited by X1800XTTOP; May 17, 2007 at 09:51 PM.

May 18, 2007, 04:57 AM	#95
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,990 Rep Power: 121 System Specs	now thats dumb.....DX10 games arent even out, by the time people will make use of the cards power, we may have beefier R700s and G90s or something that will put everything out currently in its place.... __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

May 20, 2007, 06:50 PM	#97
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	I havent ordered the card yet and I doubt I will. X1950Pro is working just fine for me, but I have to say when I go DX10 the 8800GTX looks like a better option. I was really hoping for something better from ATi, better luck next time guys! __________________ PSX.is

Jun 13, 2007, 12:13 AM	#102
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,665 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	cool.. not bad. Only thing that looks bad to me, and it is with all games and animation, not just the Ruby demo, is the physics. Everything looks robotic, not natural- same as with most all animated movies too. Oh well, maybe someday "they" will get it right. __________________

May 18, 2007, 07:02 AM	#96
ronnn DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 617 Rep Power: 0	There are people that buy $400 cards and hope to get more than a year out of it. Silly I know.

May 28, 2007, 08:08 AM	#98
Intelman DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 0	The review said that F.E.A.R. was multithreaded, it is not.

Jun 9, 2007, 06:51 PM	#99
RoyBatty HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,930 Rep Power: 115 System Specs	I don't know how long has it been there, but the Ruby: Whiteout demo is available for download, just in case someone missed it: http://ati.amd.com/developer/demos/rhd2000.html

Jun 12, 2007, 11:35 PM	#101
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 66	http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=4965 Hi res goodiness!