Conclusions
Contents
As we’ve already stated in our GeForce 7900 GT review, GeForce 7900 GT is the perfect product for users wanting a high-end performance but not willing to give an arm to buy a high-end VGA like GeForce 7900 GTX or GeForce 7950 GX2. So we were very excited about this overclocked model from XFX, as Radeon X1900 GT gave GeForce 7900 GT a hard time on 3DMark05, making it difficult to say which card is the best.
We expected more from XFX GeForce 7900 GT 550M XTREME 256 MB with VIVO (PV-T71G-UCP7). Running at 550 MHz against 450 MHz on the standard GeForce 7900 GT wasn’t enough for making this video card faster than Radeon X1900 GT on 3DMark05. In all scenarios but one they achieve the same performance level. This exception was on 1600×1200 with image quality settings enable, where ATI’s product was 23.89% faster. This was really frustrating! Compared to the standard GeForce 7900 GT, the reviewed model was between 5% and 13% faster.
On the other hand, on 3DMark03, which simulates Shader 2.0 games, the overclocked GeForce 7900 GT from XFX was between 27% and 35% faster than Radeon X1900 GT, and 12% and 20% faster than standard GeForce 7900 GT.
At Doom 3 the reviewed video card achieved the same performance of the standard GeForce 7900 GT, being a little bit faster at 1600×1200 (around 7% faster). Here it was between 3% and 29% faster than Radeon X1900 GT, depending on the configuration.
And finally at Far Cry the overclocked GeForce 7900 GT from XFX achieved the same performance level of the standard GeForce 7900 GT, except at 1600×1200 with image quality settings enabled, where it was 17% faster. Radeon X1900 GT was, however, between 7% and 10% faster, but at 1600×1200 enabling image quality settings the overclocked GeForce 7900 GT from XFX was 15% faster.
The main problem we see with this video card is that it is virtually impossible to find it around. The only online store we’ve seen selling it was ZipZoomFly, and it was in back order there, quoted at USD 350 – Radeon X1900 GT’s official price.
You can find the standard GeForce 7900 GT also from XFX being sold at USD 270 in several on-line stores. Right, the standard model does not have video capture function. But you can find the standard GeForce 7900 GT model with VIVO at USD 290. Radeon X1900 GT can be found being sold at USD 300 – and it also has video capture function.
Since the overclocking carried by this particular model from XFX can be easily set with a standard GeForce 7900 GT – as it doesn’t have any special component compared to the standard model (like a memory with a higher speed grade, for instance) – we think buying this video card isn’t worthwhile.
In summary: First, this video card is hard to find; Second, it is quoted USD 60 more than a standard GeForce 7900 GT with VIVO function; Third, even though it was faster than standard GeForce 7900 GT, it would need a smaller price difference to make it attractive; Forth, you can set the same overclocking level with a standard GeForce 7900 GT.
You need a high-end card with video capture costing up to USD 300, we would recommend standard GeForce 7900 GT or Radeon X1900 GT, depending on the kind of game you play most.
