sandiegoskyline

Since everyone seems to still be divided on the whole issue of the X850XT vs. the 7600GT, let me offer some insight (unbiased of course)
This will include many reviews and comparisons, so please read all.

First of all, let me describe the differences on paper:

X850XT:
SM2.0b, 16/6/16/16, 256-bit bus, 256mb GDDR3, 520/540 (PE: 540/560)
I will explain more about the SM differences later

Memory Bandwidth:34.56 GB/sec Shader Operations:8320 Operations/sec Pixel Fill Rate:8320 MPixels/sec Texture Fill Rate:8320 MTexels/sec Vertex Operations:780 MVertices/sec

7600GT:
SM3, 12/5/12/8, 128-bit bus, 256mb GDDR3, 560/700

Memory Bandwidth:22.4 GB/sec Shader Operations:6720 Operations/sec Pixel Fill Rate:4480 MPixels/sec Texture Fill Rate:6720 MTexels/sec Vertex Operations:700 MVertices/sec
As seen above, the X850XT is pure power... It almost doubles the pixel fill rate of the 7600GT.
Winner: X850XT

Now that we have seen the paper specs (reference card specs), let us move on to real life gaming performance (source THG VGA charts):



As you can see, the X850XT is ahead by a fair margin in low resolutions with no AA or AF



With higher resolutions and AA + AF, the gap closes, yet the 7600GT is still behind.

Now, on to another game:



Now, we are outdoors in Oblivion, which is by far very taxing on the GPU. Here the difference can be considered as playable and unplayable, with the X850XT having an 8fps advantage. I will not continue with Oblivion outdoor benchmarks, as at low resolutions, it brings both cards to their knees.


Indoors in Oblivion... less taxing on the cards, and thus we can turn up the resolution and the AA + AF. The X850XT is still holding a 10fps advantage, but the 7600GT provides playable fps.



Now we are in Prey, with the resolution turned up and the AA and AF on.
The 7600GT and the X850XT are neck and neck, and both provide almost playable fps. Surely with the detail reduced, both cards will prove to provide playable fps.

We are done comparing in-game performance:
The X850XT has a clear advantage, providing in many cases playable versus unplayable fps.
Winner: X850XT

Onward to the whole SM2 SM3 "problem"
The X850XT has support for up to Shader Model 2.0b, whereas the 7600GT has a newer architecture that supports Shader Model 3.0, which brings with it HDR. HDR is an acronym for High-Dynamic Range Lighting. A quick search will show you the difference between HDR and regular lighting in a game. HDR obviously looks better, but in the case of the X850XT vs. the 7600GT, what is more important? Better performance or Newer Technology?
That is up to you to decide.
Winner: 7600GT

Image Quality:
The X850XT carries ATI's superior image quality, however it does not inlcude the Image quality enhancements of SM3 that are found with the 7600GT.
Winner: Tie

Overall, the X850XT's performance advantage is large enough to choose older technology over newer technology.
From all this research, i believe that the X850XT is the winner.
Overall Winner: X850XT

7600GT and X850XT owners please feel free to include 3DMark05 scores. Surely that will also help in deciding what is the better performing card. I am at school now, so thus I cannot do a 3DM05 run; however, I will once I get home later

I hope this helps clear up all misunderstandings, and helps to guide potential graphics card buyers in the <$150 retail range.-SDSkyline

Attached Thumbnails

         

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The_Jester

These are at stock, yes? (I didn't read it). I can guarentee that a 7600GT will out OC an x850xt and when it does, it'll leave it in the dust. So in my eyes the 7600GT is the better card. For the average consumer, the x850xt maybe the better card though.

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bdattilo

Good post, and I agree that the X850XT has more raw power than the 7600GT. However, the X850XT cannot do HDR, which is becoming quite common in newer games. Maybe include an 3DMark06 score in your benchmarks up there so people can see that. My bottom line is if you want to play mostly older games, get the X850, but if you want to have the effects on newer games, take the 7600GT.

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la4ours

So what AGP version of the 7600 GT is the best? I want the Evga superoverclock, but I don't think they make it in agp. Suggestions!?

Villainstone

Leadtek make the only AGP version. Also the 850 series won't be playing anything BUT old game in the near future when all game will need HDR. If you are looking for a card that can slam out FPS with the sacrifice on quality the the 850 is the way to go, if you want eye cady find something else.

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sandiegoskyline

whats the point of a 3dm06 score when the X850XT has no sm3...?
you should compare 3Dm05

and jester
the X850XT will also o/c... i have seen upwards of 580 on the core

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sandiegoskyline

please dont attempt to hijack this thread

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The_Jester

Stock Volts on the 7600GT will take it to around 600 and 1600 on the mem.

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sandiegoskyline

thats a 40 mhz core oc... which is not much IMO
i asked for 3dm05 scores, can you do a run at defaults for me?

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Mootsfox

+REP for a good unbaised (although you only used one source :P) benchmarking and testing.

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