[S] Sapphire X1900XT 512mb GFX BEAST :)

R

Ratwiz

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*New* Sapphire X1900XT 512mb R3180 + shipping

Greetz All,

Here's what I'm selling:

Sapphire ATi Radeon X1900XT 512mb - SEALED IN BOX

Features:

-Made by Sapphire, a brand generally regarded as one of the best, if not the best ATi card manufacturer.
-Ability to use SM 3.0 HDR and Anti-Aliasing in all games that support it (most notable title atm: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion).
-Better image quality and better video processing (AVIVO) than nVidia cards
-Easily OCs to X1900XTX levels (and further), making it on par with the undisputed best single-card GFX solution on the market at the moment.

Specs:

Features
384 million transistors on 90nm fabrication process
48 pixel shader processors
8 vertex shader processors
512mb, 256-bit 8-channel GDDR3 memory interface
Native PCI Express x16 bus interface
Vista Ready

Core clock 625MHz
Memory Clock 1450MHz

Ring Bus Memory Controller
512-bit internal ring bus for memory reads
Fully associative texture, color, and Z/stencil cache designs
Hierarchical Z-buffer with Early Z test
Lossless Z Compression (up to 48:1)
Fast Z-Buffer Clear
Optimized for performance at high display resolutions, including widescreen HDTV resolutions

Ultra-Threaded Shader Engine
Support for Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 programmable vertex and pixel shaders in hardware
Full speed 128-bit floating point processing for all shader operations
Up to 512 simultaneous pixel threads
Dedicated branch execution units for high performance dynamic branching and flow control
Dedicated texture address units for improved efficiency
3Dc+ texture compression o High quality 4:1 compression for normal maps and two-channel data formats
High quality 2:1 compression for luminance maps and single-channel data formats
Complete feature set also supported in OpenGL® 2.0

Advanced Image Quality Features
64-bit floating point HDR rendering supported throughout the pipeline
Includes support for blending and multi-sample anti-aliasing
32-bit integer HDR (10:10:10:2) format supported throughout the pipeline
Includes support for blending and multi-sample anti-aliasing
2x/4x/6x Anti-Aliasing modes
Multi-sample algorithm with gamma correction, programmable sparse sample patterns, and centroid sampling
New Adaptive Anti-Aliasing feature with Performance and Quality modes
Temporal Anti-Aliasing mode
Lossless Color Compression (up to 6:1) at all resolutions, including widescreen HDTV resolutions
2x/4x/8x/16x Anisotropic Filtering modes
Up to 128-tap texture filtering
Adaptive algorithm with Performance and Quality options
High resolution texture support (up to 4k x 4k)

Avivo™ Video and Display Platform
High performance programmable video processor
Accelerated MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, WMV9, VC-1, and H.264 decoding and transcoding
DXVA support
De-blocking and noise reduction filtering
Motion compensation, IDCT, DCT and color space conversion
Vector adaptive per-pixel de-interlacing
3:2 pulldown (frame rate conversion)
Seamless integration of pixel shaders with video in real time
HDR tone mapping acceleration
Maps any input format to 10 bit per channel output
Flexible display support
Dual integrated dual-link DVI transmitters
DVI 1.0 compliant / HDMI interoperable and HDCP ready*
Dual integrated 10 bit per channel 400 MHz DACs
16 bit per channel floating point HDR and 10 bit per channel DVI output
Programmable piecewise linear gamma correction, color correction, and color space conversion (10 bits per color)
Complete, independent color controls and video overlays for each display
High quality pre- and post-scaling engines, with underscan support for all outputs
Content-adaptive de-flicker filtering for interlaced displays
Xilleon™ TV encoder for high quality analog output
YPrPb component output for direct drive of HDTV displays
Spatial/temporal dithering enables 10-bit color quality on 8-bit and 6-bit displays
Fast, glitch-free mode switching
VGA mode support on all outputs
Drive two displays simultaneously with independent resolutions and refresh rates
Compatible with ATI TV/Video encoder products, including Theater 550

Package Contents:

HDTV Cable
S-Video Cable
Composite Cable
VIVO Cable
Power Cable
DVI to VGA Adapter
Driver CD

Reviews:

ATi Radeon X1900XT/XTX roundup @ Anandtech:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2695&p=1

And here’s a very recent comparison of cards including the X1900XT from Anandtech:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2812&p=1

Pics:

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/529/4cardszl4.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/7450/sidefrontja9.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/4449/backik9.jpg

Included with card:

• Catalyst 6.8 Drivers (significantly improved for OpenGL titles, even more performance)

Performance analysis of Catalyst 6.8 here:
http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110&Itemid=29

• Chuck-Patch for Catalyst 6.8

Warranty:

Duration of warranty: 1 year (if anything happens between 1 and 2 years I should still be able to help you out, but I am only going to commit myself to 1 year warranty as a definite)

Terms of warranty: Standard terms for a video card (No flashing BIOS or OCing to madman levels :D )

Conditions: You will have to pay for shipping costs involved to get it replaced as I will have to send it to the USA. However, if the card is faulty within the first month of purchase, I will get it replaced for free (you only pay for the shipping to and back from me).

I am selling these 4 cards at R3250 each, including shipping via SpeedServices Couriers. I am located in Somerset West if you would like to collect (R70 discount if you collect).

I have been added to the reliable seller's list on NAG:
http://www.nag.co.za/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?17154

I have been approved as a "PCBG Dealer":
http://www.pcbuyersguide.co.za/showthread.php?p=39940#post39940

PM or e-mail me at: rory_mag | at | iafrica.com ;)
 
Last edited:
Massive Price Drop

Updated my main post:

-Dropped price to R3450 (R100 off)
-Added: Shipping via SpeedServices to anywhere in SA now included in total price! (R70 taken off final price if you choose to collect instead)
-Added: Free return if the card is faulty within 1 month of purchase. You only pay for shipping to and back from me.

I have been added to reliable sellers list on NAG:
http://www.nag.co.za/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?17154

I specifically bought the highest-quality brand of ATi cards so that the chances of needing to RMA at a minimum. However, I would like to provide you with absolute peace of mind, so I have sweetened the warranty side of things for you.

I am selling this for over R1200 cheaper than you can get this card anywhere else locally and I will NOT be getting any more stock :( . The deal really doesn’t get any better than this :D .
 
Update!

- Got 2 cards left that are still up for grabs!

With the rising exhange rates, now is an good time to buy. I have not even seen a Sapphire X1900XT retailing for less than R5000.

Ati's superb Image Quality, its ability to perform Shader Model 3.0 HDR and Full-Screen Anti-Aliasing simultaneously and its 48 pixel-shader processors make this card not only provide vastly superior visuals, but it is also significantly more future-proof than the competition from nVidia.

But you already know that ;)
 
Ati's superb Image Quality, its ability to perform Shader Model 3.0 HDR and Full-Screen Anti-Aliasing simultaneously and its 48 pixel-shader processors make this card not only provide vastly superior visuals, but it is also significantly more future-proof than the competition from nVidia.
Click to expand...

Umm no! Good pricing on even better products but don't bounce 'em off against nvidia parts based on the above because its not entirely true.

There are no vastly superior visuals offered by single issue 48 fragment unit. 7900 has 24 fragment units but with dual issue, so it ends up at 48 pixel processes/cycle for both GPU's. Add to which 7900 has higher and better texture sampling abilites than R520/580. There's nothing future proof about Radeon X1900XT or any gfx card out right now for that matter, HDR + AA is not a DirectX9 requirement and is an option. The ability to do this will not make this card DX10 compliant, it is what it is right now a DX9 class GFX card.

Secondly there's no 8xSS AA on Radeon X1900XT, but it is there on 7900GTX. You only get up to 6xMS on Radeon X1900XT and no option to use SS or turn of AF optimizations & no TAA or Gamma AA.

You're selling brilliant cards there at super prices don't undermine that with mis-information. No information is better than incorrect information ;)

Once again good price!
 
The ATI's generally perform quite a bit better than the Nvidia's with high levels of AA and at higher resolutions. Thats why they make better single top range cards, but it doesnt help the middle range, the opposite in fact, that why the are lagging in middle range sales. The Nvidia's own there..

But I'd actually belive what the seller here said, I thought it was known that the X1900XT is the best single card around? And that is because of those reasons he listed, but only for the top range cards, where they are capable of high levels of AA.
 
Last edited:
@Nokkie

Yep, only got these :) .

@ShockG

I said the visuals were better because of the generally better IQ (ATi are known for it) and because the architecture allows SM3.0 HDR and AA to run at the same time.

The 48 pixel-processing pipelines I mentioned for the future-proofing, got any links to the info about nVidia's dual-issue? I also, only said that they were MORE future proof than nVidia which they def are IMO (DX10 is going to be delayed as long as Vista):

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics.html

With regard to the anti-aliasing, they have different feature sets. ATi has Temporal and Adaptive AA (I know nVidia doesn't have Temporal, not sure about Adaptive). I really am not going to debate here though.

Adaptive:
http://www.elitebastards.com/page.php?pageid=12254

Temporal:
http://www.elitebastards.com/page.php?pageid=4533&head=1&comments=1

Thanks for adding discussion :D ,
 
No not bashing your hardware at all.
48 pixel threads is not a secret. ATI C1/Xenos that powers 360 is also 48 pixel threads/ 16 textures/ 16 outs etc...

Adaptive and Tempral AA are still dealing with AA at the polygon boundry, Gamma AA, and Transparency AA deal with texture data and texture sampling. I know it can be confusing but they are quiet different.

I also don't see how 48 pixel threads can be more future proof than another 48 pixel threads :/ though.
Oh, HDR+AA on X1900XT is FP16 blends in the ROP under OEXR standard in DX9. DX10 only has one precision in the form of FP32. So the FP16 resolve in the R580 ROPs is not going to allow it to do HDR+AA in FP32 under DX10 title I'm afraid. In that respect it's either or but not both. (Also not forgeting 78/7900 even GF6 have only ever done FP32 with free FP16 normalize. That's partly the reason why HDR+AA couldn't be done. ;) )
 
@ ShockG

My main argument is that the X1900XT is better than even the most high-end single card configuration from nVidia. In terms of quality and performance.

From Anandtech:

Starting off our ultra high-end graphics section, we have NVIDIA's 7900 line-up. With the 7900 GTX, you'll find it performs right up there with the X1900 XT and X1900 XTX. It's difficult to say which is better as the 7900 GTX brings some excellent competition to ATI. The 7900 cards also generate less heat, use less power, and generally run quieter than their ATI counterparts, the X1900 XT and XTX. The main deciding factor between these cards will be the price and features, as well as the intended use. We would say that ATI tends to have the performance advantage in many games right now, but there are still titles that favor NVIDIA's cards. Taking a step down in performance, we've discovered that the 7900 GT performs slightly better than a 7800 GTX, which compared to ATI's offerings would put 7900 GT up with the X1800 XL and X1800 XT cards, performing about the same or slightly better than them.
Click to expand...

I can't argue with you in-depth about AA implementations between the cards, although like I said before, it's agreed IQ is generally better on ATi cards even with regards to anti-aliasing.

Thanks for the info on the HDR + AA implementation, but I'm just stating the obvious advantages of going high-end ATi as opposed to nVidia. It's just the way things have turned out this round. Maybe next time nVidia will have better technology, but this time round, ATi has the performance crown :) .
 
Starting off our ultra high-end graphics section, we have NVIDIA's 7900 line-up. With the 7900 GTX, you'll find it performs right up there with the X1900 XT and X1900 XTX. It's difficult to say which is better as the 7900 GTX brings some excellent competition to ATI. The 7900 cards also generate less heat, use less power, and generally run quieter than their ATI counterparts, the X1900 XT and XTX. The main deciding factor between these cards will be the price and features, as well as the intended use. We would say that ATI tends to have the performance advantage in many games right now, but there are still titles that favor NVIDIA's cards. Taking a step down in performance, we've discovered that the 7900 GT performs slightly better than a 7800 GTX, which compared to ATI's offerings would put 7900 GT up with the X1800 XL and X1800 XT cards, performing about the same or slightly better than them.
Click to expand...

Well that kinda puts me off it and the fact that ATI's drivers have sucked for jonks.

I am really tempted to go for this card tho... my heart and my wallet say yes while my brain says "wait for the next gen DX10 cards"

What to do what to do.
 
ATi's drivers themselves do not suck at all, although I know they have been criticized a lot about the Catalyst Control Centre. CustomPC addressed this myth in their last month's issue. You can always install the drivers without CCC or get the Omega or DNA 3rd-party modified drivers which are very respectable. Also, don't forget the improvements they've recently introduced with the 6.8 drivers with respect to running OpenGL games.

I know that the X1900XTs generate more heat and use more power, it's a tradeoff for changing camps, but the pros definitely outweigh the cons (don't forget AVIVO). The stock cooling is exceptional (full copper heatsink for core) and actively cooled RAM.They may be louder than the nVidia counter-parts, but I don't think it's by a significant amount. I have an X1800XT and the fan never goes to 100% while playing games and is perfectly bearable for playing any graphically intensive games (I don't like noisy comps). There is always aftermarket cooling, if you insist.

On the aspect of waiting for DX10... How long you can hold out all depends on what you're running atm. But of course, there's always going to be another next-gen coming ;) . It's going to take time for Vista to arrive with all the delays happening, it's going to take time to wait for the cards, it's going to take time before DX10 is really a must have and games stop using DX9 or only look good on DX10.

My 2 cents on this ;)
 
Maybe next time nVidia will have better technology, but this time round, ATi has the performance crown.
Click to expand...
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/326/11/
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/326/12/
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/326/13/
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?cat=grfx&id=440&pagenumber=4
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?cat=grfx&id=440&pagenumber=5
http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/326/14/
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?cat=grfx&id=440&pagenumber=6
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?cat=grfx&id=440&pagenumber=7
http://www.tbreak.com/reviews/article.php?cat=grfx&id=440&pagenumber=8

Nah not really...
But anyone wanting to buy a high end GFX card would be kidding themselves for missing out on such prices. R3.5K for a 7900GTX matching card is a steal on any day. Forget DX10, these cards are worth it. :)
 
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