HDR+AA - ATI vs nVidia

[huntingbear]

So I've read that you can't use HDR+AA at all with nVidia cards. ATI X1xxx cards will though. I was thinking of getting a 7900 for my next build but this discourages me. So I start looking at ATI cards and see all this bad sounding stuff about AIT's history with bad drivers and stuff. Could someone tell me if I'm overreacting or should I really switch to ATI?

 

[Ren.182]

Well, i've never had any bad experiences with ATi drivers or graphics cards. I've owned a 9200, 9800SE, X850XT PE (2, fans died on both though). They always gave me superb graphics and I think ATi gives better image quality overall. Though nVidia cards seem to be faster for me.

The only trouble I had was the fan dying on my X850 XT PE... got it replaced and that fan died too. Though i think i just got cards from a bad batch >_<

 

[JNightshade]

I've had nothing but excellent experience with ATi as well- but I've never had a fan die on me :E

 

[giant384]

umm there is a very slight differiental of image quality between nvidia. basically its not really noticable. also the hdr+aa is kind bull im mean just play at higher resolution

 

[Cole]

Well heres the thing:

Now the most accurate HDR has to be done on a certain buffer. It just so happens Nvidia's buffer can either do HDR or AA not both. Of course some developers like Valve got around this and used a much less accurate HDR but you could have HDR and AA applied at the same time. Most Developers have not chosen this route.

ATI on the other hand has 2 different buffers for AA and HDR allowing them to use HDR for one buffer and AA for the other.

Anyway, I would wait until Dx9\Dx10 GPU's become available which should be around the end of the year. They should be faster and have full dx10 support. ATI will not be releasing a Dx10 GPU until vista comes along, not sure about Nvidia.


I use to have a 9600XT it was great. I have a 7800GTX it is great. To be honest both ATI and Nvidia have great cards and decent window drivers. Not only that but the 1900XT is a little faster and are a little cheaper. I would personally go with ATI if I were buying a new graphic card off hand.

In the end either card you choose will be great.

 

[Asus]

ATI drivers USED to be poor. Right about the 9700 series everything changed I guess. They do monthly driver updates (doesn't mean you should update them every month) but if you have an issue then it is there pretty soon. Nvidia waits awhile before doing their driver updates (no real difference IMO).

If you play a number of games that use HDR (oblivion) then AA and HDR makes sense. The thing with HDR and AA is when HDR is used it can create jaggies or I guess make jaggies stand out more.

If you have a big screen (20inch+) then just turn up the resolution but otherwise AA might be a better option.

Besides features, I perfer getting ATI cards for the very highend and also low end. Nvidia does really well with the step down from the very highend and mid range cards, comparing performance between ATI and Nvidia.

 

[huntingbear]

i think you guys have just changed me from a nVidia guy to a name-brand-don't-matter guy.

thx

 

[NJspeed]

The thing that annoyed me most about ATI, which I used for my previous 3 cards, was the stupid 60hz bug!!

I play in 1600x1200 @ 85hz or 2048x1536 @ 75hz but no matter what I would do, ATI would CONSTANTLY switch me back to 60hz.. I finally got fed up and haven't had a problem setting the hertz on my 7800 GT CO.

It's true that ATI has slightly better picture quality. I'd say ATI with 0 AA is comparable to Nvidia with 2xAA. With both at 0, Nvidia produces a slightly more blockier image.

But the colors are easier to set with Nvidia. ATI's look washed out in comparison.

My honest opinion.

 

[Lemonking]

imo HDR is overrated..I would stick with the 7900.

 

[DigiQ8]

i say wait for GF8 or R600 later this year

 

[Garfield_]

ATi vs. Nvidia, there is no answer for which of them are the best. Everything depends on which games you play and on which settings. I'd personally never consider going over to Nvidia due to their lack of using HDR+AA at the same time and they allways fall behind ATi when it's about AA, and AA is something I really need in games. The X1800XT cards are about 6-7 months old but they are still as fast and even faster in some cases than the recently released 7900GT which is supposed to be an high-end graphics card.

If you want impressive performance together with great image quality and special effects (AA/AF/HDR) you should consider to buy an X1800/X1900 XT or XTX

 

[Barney Fife]

I'm Nivida boy, tell me whatever you want.

 

[destrukt]

garfield_ just how have nvidia fallen behind ati in aa ? besides the hdr/aa thing, what else ?

 

[giant384]

I had a 9800XT back in the day, hell I got it when Hl2 was just coming out. Absolutely awesome card :smoking: , I made the jump to PCI-E with Nvidia's 6800GT (BFG) and that thing sucked big time. I figured I'd give em' another chance so I bought the 7800GTX (Evga) and it's pretty nice however; I plan on going back to ATI once the newer cards come out.

how did the 6800gt suck on hl2 coming from a 9800xt??