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High-end 3D throwdown: ATI vs. Nvidia

Rich Brown Rich Brown, Senior Editor May 5, 2006

So which 3D card should you get if cash isn't an object? Depends. If you want one card, we recommend ATI's Radeon X1900 XTX. Its performance edges out the GeForce 7900 GTX's on most titles, and it also has more robust image quality. But if you're looking for a dual-card rig, you need to think harder. Adding a pair of GeForce 7900 GTX cards will set you back $1,000; a 1900 XTX and the requisite Radeon X1900 CrossFire card will run you roughly $1,200, but for the extra $200, you actually get less performance. Granted, the image quality issue remains--Nvidia's cards let you turn on fewer effects simultaneously--but given the ease of setting up two Nvidia cards in SLI mode and the better price, the GeForce 7900 GTX gets our nod if you're looking to double up.

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Nvidia's more mainstream GeForce 7900 GT,
ATI's aggressively priced Radeon X1800 GTO,
The budget-minded GeForce 7600 GT,
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Review date April 26, 2006 April 28, 2006
The Bottom Line The GeForce 7900 GTX offers excellent visual quality and lets you crank the settings on just about any game. Though it's expensive, it costs significantly less than the previous generation of top-end 3D cards. If you're looking for a single high-end 3D card, the Radeon X1900 XTX shows a lot of promise. If you have dreams of upgrading to a dual-card configuration, stay far, far away.
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Features
Max resolution (external)2560 x 1600
Info unavailable
Video RAM installed512 MB
512 MB
Interface typeInfo unavailablePCI Express x16
Video interface(s) providedInfo unavailableDVI-I
HDTV output
Composite video input
Composite video output
S-video output
Graphics ProcessorInfo unavailableATI Radeon X1900 XTX
Max monitors supportedInfo unavailable2
CompatibilityPC
Mac
PC
Full specifications Full specifications Full specifications
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Click here for a list of 3D cards with this chip from Nvidia's partners.