R520, worth the wait?

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 08:51 PM

Vote !

BWX · Oct 5, 2005, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Vote !

Vote where? LOL....

edit..
Oh on the front page... I saw the thread without looking at the FP.. heh.

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWX

Vote where? LOL....

Well if you would wait 10 seconds between me posting and setting up the poll you might be able to

BWX · Oct 5, 2005, 08:54 PM

ha..

EDIT--

Performance is good, I might get one- someday..

But I don't like the 1 yr warranty, that is a big deal to me.

**temeteus82** · Oct 5, 2005, 09:00 PM

Voted: unsure
I think that I need more in-depth benchmarks, like CF vs. SLI...

Sandok · Oct 5, 2005, 09:04 PM

For the moment, disapointed. I had high hopes

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

For the moment, disapointed. I had high hopes

Honestly? from what ive read you posting lately you seemed to be kind of hoping for it to fail.

What exactly hasnt impressed you? is it the price? the performance or something else? Surely it isnt the feature set.....

Asmoday · Oct 5, 2005, 09:16 PM

I voted unsure, seeing some crossfire benches will be very interesting. And I also hope that the availability in Sweden will be alot better then the x850 cards were when released....but I most probably won't upgrade my videocard very soon, mainly because I can't afford it..

redsolar · Oct 5, 2005, 10:07 PM

The card looks good. We have competition. When it's time to upgrade for me from aging AGP, I will still have to make a choice (which makes me happy to have one).

Feature set it great. Benchies are nothing short great, considering we are looking at an "only" 16-pipeline card.

Would I buy it now? No, not yet - since I would need a major overhaul of my box, and I don't have a reason to yet. In the future? We'll see what tricks both companies come up with 3-6 months down the road.

If I were to buy today - it's a tough choice.

Sandok · Oct 5, 2005, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

Honestly? from what ive read you posting lately you seemed to be kind of hoping for it to fail.

What exactly hasnt impressed you? is it the price? the performance or something else? Surely it isnt the feature set.....

Ah you miss interprete me Zardon

I'm a real ATI Fanboy and all you know, wouldn't want ATI to fail but I was expecting so much from this.

Okay, yes the price is a bit high. I wouldn't mind that but the fact that you get less than 10% increase over the 7800 GTX on average with a 25% rise in price just hurts. And the lower warrenty now. Not good methinks.

I love the features and all and I find it wicked

That's good but I mean, what I really want is 3Dc (which won't ever be implemented) and Adaptive AA (which I can have on my current gen) so I fail to see what's SO good about theR520. I had hyped about it WAY back and well, I was expecting tons. The features are great for the card (pipeline method) and Avivio thingy but still...

Seriously, look at it. It's damn long, already clocked very high (meaning it won't OC much at all) and it's dual slot. Zardon, imagine your SFF without that 7800GTX!!!

Well the R520 is just not the best of cards out there. I'm very impressed with NV.

One thing that ATI will always make me happy with is their monthly Catalyst. And their great technology (I mean, AAA for 9700 +!!! w00t). But I feel that they aren't doing great (No Crossifre, a good but nothing exceptional R520), etc...

Zardon · Oct 5, 2005, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandok

Seriously, look at it. It's damn long, already clocked very high (meaning it won't OC much at all) and it's dual slot. Zardon, imagine your SFF without that 7800GTX!!!

Well the R520 is just not the best of cards out there. I'm very impressed with NV.:

My Asus 7800GTX wont be leaving the shuttle

I was just really trying to see how you guys all felt about the new card thats all, im just reading comments like "the card sucks" or "not impressed". I just want to hear exactly why you arent impressed, and it seems quite a few people arent.

Interesting comments.

Necrosis · Oct 5, 2005, 10:43 PM

All I know is I want an R580 at the same clock.

tastyweat · Oct 5, 2005, 10:50 PM

don't like the dual slot cooler... but the fact that it outperforms 7800gtx sli in some things i like!

Unless the r580/600 are out before I next buy computer stuff it'll be my next graphics card.

BWX · Oct 5, 2005, 10:54 PM

HDR with AA (even AAA) is a high point though, something NV can't do currently.

Drakon · Oct 5, 2005, 10:56 PM

Well considering I just bought a x850xt pe, I won't be getting this card soon. Especially since there might not be any AGP versions. But I am impressed with the many features it has and how it performs to the other top contenders currently out, especially for a 16 pipeline card

Raptor · Oct 5, 2005, 10:56 PM

I would get one *IF* I hadn't just got a 850PE AND no agp sort of kills it for me anyway. Guess I shouldn't be voting. It sounds like a killer card tho.

swimtech · Oct 5, 2005, 11:08 PM

BTW guys, your review was excellent - the best yet. Awesome information on the particulars involved in the tech of the card and unmatched visual presentation of the data in the benchmarks for many reasons...

I however, voted unsure - because I am, and that is what the majority so far have voted. The main reason for me, and we'll hear this until the card becomes cheap, is that it shipped with the same number of pipes that the previous generation top card did. Graphics card enthusiasts are stuck, and for good reason as performance always escalates with increased 'pipeage', on the number of pipelines a card has until such time as one with the same or fewer pipes beats or blows away another one with the same number.

I noted in the review that the ring architecture (and other innovations involving the processing path) has been implemented and that it allows (and would require if this card is to handily beat the 7800GTX in performance in future games) the game developers ( or maybe ATI via CCC? Hmmm...) to tap that resource. Am I off base here? The card with present games is obviously efficient whipping the X850XT, but I see the implication that this card's architecture can be leveraged in the future to much better levels of performance.

This card may well be a taste of things to come - where pipes are not the end all-be all of performance as they have, for the most part, been for the last several years. I'm hoping, since this card's performance has disappointed many enthusiasts.

Again, am I off in left field???

Rasta Monsta · Oct 5, 2005, 11:31 PM

No AGP.

rasta

BiGBrOwNPimpsta · Oct 5, 2005, 11:56 PM

i might get one.... it finally implements newer technologies to see good increase in IQ. the x800 pro was just more speed. no PS 3.0 or anything. the technologies theories are so nutty and complicated but they just dont always play out properly...

No_Style · Oct 6, 2005, 12:20 AM

Pros:

SM 3.0
Adaptive AA
Nice Performance

Cons:

Higher power consumption when going for a die shrink (Prescott?)
Larger card (ATI, to me, was known for elegent sized cards ie: X800XT vs 6800 Ultra)
Dual slot (Combination of both the above)
Price (Not terribly great)
Availability (or lack thereof)
Dual-card ability is unproven.

BulletTheory · Oct 6, 2005, 12:43 AM

Just stay with your 7800GTX, its the same performance for less money. I think they screwed it up and the CF is the same. As I said sometimes, nVidia>Ati!

Snickers · Oct 6, 2005, 02:08 AM

I will be getting a 7800ultra(or whatever it will be) next year unless ATI gives me a heart attack with R580. This card just doesn't impress me. It's way too huge, 2 slot cooler and I dont't know about ocability. Performance isn't what i expected either and the price point but then again this year performance was only what 30 percent increase? Ati is losing their rep with the paper launch and their warrenty reduction. I love ati but they need to get things together more. Ati keeps putting out great support and drivers, love Terry and the team there. Just not impressed with this card... and I am doubting the r580 but I will see next year. This quarter wasn't really good anyway. But I hope there will be a great next year. I hope the best for ati, even though i'm on an nvidia card. I chose the 6800gt since I had the 9800pro last time. I really do hope I get an ati card next year if atis r580 roxorz my boxorz. But until then I have doubts and nvidia was very impressive this year.

ronnn · Oct 6, 2005, 02:20 AM

I voted probably, but maybe should have voted unsure. The whole launch left me feeling uneasy. Ati showcased a very nice card with impressive features. The efficiency makes the 7800gtx look like a dated muscle car. Will have a hard time handling the curves in the future. Nvidia released yet another set of wonder drivers, which could be as advertised, but ...... (texture shimmering) could lead to mega reduced IQ for nvidia owners.

On the other hand, the launch was clumsy with promises they could not meet. Availability is nil and may stay that way? The cards use lots of power and the fan is huge. Now it could be as many are saying the process will become more refined and by January or so - these new chips will be being produced super cheaply, with all problems worked out. May even be discussing an optical shrink of the r580 to r590. --- Or Ati could be basically out of the high end gpu by than.

This was a bizarre launch of a vid card with some nice, new features and some obvious problems, hopefully minor.

BulletTheory · Oct 6, 2005, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnn

The efficiency makes the 7800gtx look like a dated muscle car.

definition of PURE POWER! GeForce All The Way Baby!!

ronnn · Oct 6, 2005, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital-KilleR

definition of PURE POWER! GeForce All The Way Baby!!

Silly, but funny. Of course if this was true it would be winning all the current benchies, but sadly it is not. Is why I feel uneasy, no clear winner and both lines have very obvious flaws. Ati loses in general construction and noise, and wins in IQ and likely future proofing (which is worth very little).

Lchevy79 · Oct 6, 2005, 05:01 AM

1st cost to much
2nd no agp
3rd my 9800pro still works
4th was not impressed wanted more

caqde · Oct 6, 2005, 06:09 AM

Quote:

That's good but I mean, what I really want is 3Dc(which won't ever be implemented)

From ATI's Site

Quote:

3Dc+ texture compression

What are you talking about??? In games or in software drivers? The X1800 supports 3Dc as far as I can see and even the next gen 3Dc. I believe the drivers also support it so I don't know.. I'm confused...

But otherwise as far as the topic goes... Maybe I might get one. Although that depends on if they end up selling an X1800XL AGP card or not.. Because I am not planning on switching motherboards anytime soon.. It will also depend on the price of the cards in retail when I have the money to upgrade..

bug77 · Oct 6, 2005, 10:15 AM

Disappointed.

I just have the feeling these cards were supposed to have 4 or 8 more pipes the got lost down the road. HDR+AA would be a selling point, but I've yet to see some decent (from an artistic point of view) implementation of HDR.

niceguyrichy · Oct 6, 2005, 10:22 AM

Like so many others I still think that there's plenty life left in AGP, and ATi are shooting themselves in the foot by not exploiting this.

The kind of money I'd have to come up with to upgrade to the new card is ridiculous (to me anyways), whereas if it was agp I might consider a christmas present to myself.......

For the moment though, my cheap X800 plays everything pretty sweet, don't see that it's worth it just yet.

SFOSOK · Oct 6, 2005, 10:54 AM

I have a 7800GTX and I'm very happy I'm not an ATI fanboy

Oct 5, 2005, 08:51 PM	#1
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	R520, worth the wait? Vote !

Oct 5, 2005, 08:54 PM	#4
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	ha.. EDIT-- Performance is good, I might get one- someday.. But I don't like the 1 yr warranty, that is a big deal to me. __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 09:16 PM	#8
Asmoday Demonic Join Date: May 2002 Location: In the cold, dark north... Posts: 5,198 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	I voted unsure, seeing some crossfire benches will be very interesting. And I also hope that the availability in Sweden will be alot better then the x850 cards were when released....but I most probably won't upgrade my videocard very soon, mainly because I can't afford it.. __________________ How You can help Hardwareheaven by using Digg Last edited by Asmoday; Oct 5, 2005 at 09:34 PM.

Oct 5, 2005, 10:07 PM	#9
redsolar Off duty Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Las Vegas, USA Posts: 1,242 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	The card looks good. We have competition. When it's time to upgrade for me from aging AGP, I will still have to make a choice (which makes me happy to have one). Feature set it great. Benchies are nothing short great, considering we are looking at an "only" 16-pipeline card. Would I buy it now? No, not yet - since I would need a major overhaul of my box, and I don't have a reason to yet. In the future? We'll see what tricks both companies come up with 3-6 months down the road. If I were to buy today - it's a tough choice. __________________ Real_Men_Do_Not_Use_Space_Bar Main rig: Intel Core i7 930 @ 4.0 Ghz \| Corsair H50 Push/Pull \| 12GB OCZ DDR3 \| ASUS Radeon HD 5850 \| 3x 1TB Samsung F3 RAID5 on Dell PERC 5i SAS + 1TB Hitachi \| MSI X58 Pro-e \| 850W Antec Truepower Quattro \| RocketFish by Lian Li Full Tower Case \| Gateway XHD3000 30" LCD \| Dell 2408WFP 24" LCD \| Dell 2407WFP 24" LCD \| Logitech Z-5500 Speakers \| Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Laptop: Samsung x360-34P \| Core 2 Duo SU9400 1.4 GHz \| 4GB DDR3 \| 128GB Samsung SSD \| Intel 4500M w/ HDMI \| WiFi \| Bluetooth \| 13.3" WLED 1280x800 \| Windows 7 Professional x64

Oct 5, 2005, 10:50 PM	#13
tastyweat Lurking Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The void Posts: 4,794 Rep Power: 75 System Specs	don't like the dual slot cooler... but the fact that it outperforms 7800gtx sli in some things i like! Unless the r580/600 are out before I next buy computer stuff it'll be my next graphics card. __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 09:04 PM	#6
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	For the moment, disapointed. I had high hopes

Oct 5, 2005, 10:43 PM	#12
Necrosis HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 8,838 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	All I know is I want an R580 at the same clock.

Oct 5, 2005, 10:54 PM	#14
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,669 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	HDR with AA (even AAA) is a high point though, something NV can't do currently. __________________

Oct 5, 2005, 10:56 PM	#15
Drakon DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Floatin'... Posts: 4,957 Rep Power: 0	Well considering I just bought a x850xt pe, I won't be getting this card soon. Especially since there might not be any AGP versions. But I am impressed with the many features it has and how it performs to the other top contenders currently out, especially for a 16 pipeline card

Oct 5, 2005, 10:56 PM	#16
Raptor DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: California USA Posts: 464 Rep Power: 0	I would get one IF I hadn't just got a 850PE AND no agp sort of kills it for me anyway. Guess I shouldn't be voting. It sounds like a killer card tho. __________________ [COLOR=Green][COLOR=DarkOrange] P4C-800 DELUXE/P4 3.4 NORTHWOOD/2 GB CORSAIR PC3200/X850XTPE/2 300 GB MAXTOR HD'S/LOGITECH G5/LOGITECH Z-5500/CREATIVE XFI EXTREME MUSIC/MS 4000 KEYBOARD/Vizio VX37L HDTV/Toshiba HD-A2 HD DVD and Toshiba HD-XA1/Oppo HV970HD SACD/DVD-A universal player/Xbox 360/Sony PS3. [/COLOR][/COLOR]

Oct 5, 2005, 11:08 PM	#17
swimtech HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,040 Rep Power: 124 System Specs	BTW guys, your review was excellent - the best yet. Awesome information on the particulars involved in the tech of the card and unmatched visual presentation of the data in the benchmarks for many reasons... I however, voted unsure - because I am, and that is what the majority so far have voted. The main reason for me, and we'll hear this until the card becomes cheap, is that it shipped with the same number of pipes that the previous generation top card did. Graphics card enthusiasts are stuck, and for good reason as performance always escalates with increased 'pipeage', on the number of pipelines a card has until such time as one with the same or fewer pipes beats or blows away another one with the same number. I noted in the review that the ring architecture (and other innovations involving the processing path) has been implemented and that it allows (and would require if this card is to handily beat the 7800GTX in performance in future games) the game developers ( or maybe ATI via CCC? Hmmm...) to tap that resource. Am I off base here? The card with present games is obviously efficient whipping the X850XT, but I see the implication that this card's architecture can be leveraged in the future to much better levels of performance. This card may well be a taste of things to come - where pipes are not the end all-be all of performance as they have, for the most part, been for the last several years. I'm hoping, since this card's performance has disappointed many enthusiasts. Again, am I off in left field??? __________________ It's not so much getting your way that matters or not - what matters is how you go about getting it.

Oct 5, 2005, 11:56 PM	#19
BiGBrOwNPimpsta HH's #1 Hustla and Pimp Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Dirty Dot Posts: 7,717 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	i might get one.... it finally implements newer technologies to see good increase in IQ. the x800 pro was just more speed. no PS 3.0 or anything. the technologies theories are so nutty and complicated but they just dont always play out properly... __________________ Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music \| Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers \| 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners \| Logitech G700 Mouse \| Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

Oct 6, 2005, 12:20 AM	#20
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	Pros: SM 3.0 Adaptive AA Nice Performance Cons: Higher power consumption when going for a die shrink (Prescott?) Larger card (ATI, to me, was known for elegent sized cards ie: X800XT vs 6800 Ultra) Dual slot (Combination of both the above) Price (Not terribly great) Availability (or lack thereof) Dual-card ability is unproven. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Oct 6, 2005, 12:43 AM	#21
BulletTheory Forgiveness is a Six Gun Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Quebec City Posts: 1,329 Rep Power: 55 System Specs	Just stay with your 7800GTX, its the same performance for less money. I think they screwed it up and the CF is the same. As I said sometimes, nVidia>Ati! __________________ Asus P8Z68-Pro \| Intel i7 2600K @ 4.4Ghz \| Asus GTX580 Matrix @ 940/4630 \| 8GB Corsair Vengence \| Intel 510 120GB SSD WD Black 1TB \| Corsair AX750W PSU \| Corsair Obsidian 650D Case \| Samsung 245bw 24inch LCD Razer Lycosa \| Razer Imperator \| Razer Goliathus Extended Edition \| Razer Megalodon Headset

Oct 6, 2005, 02:08 AM	#22
Snickers DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 73 Rep Power: 0	I will be getting a 7800ultra(or whatever it will be) next year unless ATI gives me a heart attack with R580. This card just doesn't impress me. It's way too huge, 2 slot cooler and I dont't know about ocability. Performance isn't what i expected either and the price point but then again this year performance was only what 30 percent increase? Ati is losing their rep with the paper launch and their warrenty reduction. I love ati but they need to get things together more. Ati keeps putting out great support and drivers, love Terry and the team there. Just not impressed with this card... and I am doubting the r580 but I will see next year. This quarter wasn't really good anyway. But I hope there will be a great next year. I hope the best for ati, even though i'm on an nvidia card. I chose the 6800gt since I had the 9800pro last time. I really do hope I get an ati card next year if atis r580 roxorz my boxorz. But until then I have doubts and nvidia was very impressive this year. __________________ AMD Athlon 3400+ @ 2.4 GHz 200 MHz FSB 2x512mb Kingston PC4000 DDR500 HyperX + 1x512mb Kingston PC3200 DDR400 ValueRAM (yes stable) nVIDIA GeForce 6800 GT 370/1000 MHz ASUS K8V-X Motherboard VIA K8T800 chipset Antec 400W PSU Audigy2 ZS Windows XP Professional

Oct 6, 2005, 02:20 AM	#23
ronnn DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 617 Rep Power: 0	I voted probably, but maybe should have voted unsure. The whole launch left me feeling uneasy. Ati showcased a very nice card with impressive features. The efficiency makes the 7800gtx look like a dated muscle car. Will have a hard time handling the curves in the future. Nvidia released yet another set of wonder drivers, which could be as advertised, but ...... (texture shimmering) could lead to mega reduced IQ for nvidia owners. On the other hand, the launch was clumsy with promises they could not meet. Availability is nil and may stay that way? The cards use lots of power and the fan is huge. Now it could be as many are saying the process will become more refined and by January or so - these new chips will be being produced super cheaply, with all problems worked out. May even be discussing an optical shrink of the r580 to r590. --- Or Ati could be basically out of the high end gpu by than. This was a bizarre launch of a vid card with some nice, new features and some obvious problems, hopefully minor.

Oct 6, 2005, 05:01 AM	#26
Lchevy79 -=[DHzer0point Team]=- Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 725 Rep Power: 0	1st cost to much 2nd no agp 3rd my 9800pro still works 4th was not impressed wanted more __________________ msi K7N2 delta2-AMD 2800xp@2083-1gig of pc2700ram -ati x850xt 256mb -Audigy mp3+ - 1 80gig maxtor 8mb and 1 250gig 16mb maxtor -48x24x48 buslink burner-and a lite on 4x +/- dvd burner xp home samsung lcd (19") 930b monitor

Oct 6, 2005, 10:15 AM	#28
bug77 DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: around Posts: 792 Rep Power: 0	Disappointed. I just have the feeling these cards were supposed to have 4 or 8 more pipes the got lost down the road. HDR+AA would be a selling point, but I've yet to see some decent (from an artistic point of view) implementation of HDR.

Oct 6, 2005, 10:54 AM	#30
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 90 System Specs	I have a 7800GTX and I'm very happy I'm not an ATI fanboy __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!