Video Card Naming Schemes
March 26 Trevor Flynn
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I am of the opinion that video card naming and numbering schemes are now created to purposely confuse and mislead the consumer. I’m all for having selection, but things are starting to get ridiculous.
Without googling, put the following GPUs in order from fastest to slowest: the x1950 pro, x1950XT the x1900XT, the x1900XL, the x1900XTX, or the x1900GT. Here’s a hint, the x1950 is not the fastest. Only the super hardcore enthusiast will be able to come even remotely close. What’s worse is that it doesn’t even take into account the additional monikers of “Extreme”, “Ultimate” or “Turbo” that manufacturers add to cards that have slightly faster than stock clock speeds in order to make them stand out. And just to make sure that you’re hopelessly confused, many of the models listed about come in both 256MB and 512MB versions.
I consider myself to be pretty well informed when it comes to computer hardware, but if given the choice above based on model number alone I’d be hard pressed to make the proper decision. How then is your average computer enthusiasts supposed to be able to make a buying decision that is right for him?
In an ideal world, both ATI and Nvidia would subscribe to a naming standard based on and independent performance benchmark. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but wouldn’t it be nice if at the very least video card manufacturers adopted a performance based naming scheme like the one CPU manufacturers used? Sure it would be dumbing down the buying process to the lowest common denominator, but is that really such a bad thing? I for one find it annoying to have to spend as much time researching a $250 purchase as I would a university paper.
The real question here though is why manufacturers chose to use such a confusing naming schemes in the first place. The answer is quite simple. By naming a card X1900XL instead of perhaps a more apt X1750, the manufacturer draws an association with the higher end X1900XT, which ultimately leads the average consumer to feel like they are getting a high end product at a low end price. It also allows for the sale of 7300 as “gaming” cards to the unsuspecting consumer who mistakenly believes that they are getting an upgrade on their current 6600GT. That is at least until they get home and install the card anyway…
Filed under: PC Hardware
Tags: AMD, nvidia, Video Cards
Good point, but would you mind listing the answer to the hook in the beginning?
I would say:
x1900XTX
x1950XT
x1900XT
x1950pro
x1900XL
x1900GT
If you’re looking to buy such a fancy card, I would hope you know your ass from your elbow anyway.
Based on fillrate, it goes
x1900XTX
x1950XT
x1900XT
x1950 pro
x1900GT
But the x1950 XT has more memory bandwidth than the 1900 XTX thanks to its higher memory clock speed.
Not sure where the 1900 XL fits in.. I think it’s an OEM only part… So it’s probably still using RV3xx architecture ;)
personally I like the idea of going the way of cpu branding because at least with cpus you know what you’re getting - graphics cards are becoming rediculous (or rather, have been for quite a few years).
imho I’d like it to be like cars, you know what you’re getting and they just say this is a 99 buick, still a buick and everyone knows that and they know that the 99 one is better then the 1990 model.
so eg nvidia top card 07
but with one of their fancy names to make it sound better :)
“wouldn’t it be nice if at the very least video card manufacturers adopted a performance based naming scheme like the one CPU manufacturers used?”
Ha, CPU manufacturers don’t follow a standard either, try comparing an AMD to an Intel based only on the name…
THANK YOU!!! yeah, wtf is up with these crazy ass naming schemes?! why do we even need 4 fing digits?! aaaaaah!
I cant wait for the super-Extreme xxx edition Ice- cool water cooled super fast Xxxx19050000xtxxx super speed Fatality special limited print edition to hit the shelves!
I’m tired of spending as long as a week looking into video card spect’s trying to fing the best for the $. 99% of my friends think the name is tell’s you all you need to know. When realy Clock speed & amount/speed of memory is what realy counts not the name.
p.s. oh yea the benchmark of the video card and your favort game should count too.
Furthermore, they neglected to consider the X1950XTX.
Then it all makes sense:
X1950 XTX
X1900 XTX
X1950 XT
X1900 XT
X1950 PRO (OR GT as some manufacturers name)
X1900 GT (OR PRO as some manufacturers name)
Clear enough?
[...] version of the 8500GT, which may or may not have an effect or performance. (I’ve already ranted on video card naming schemes so I’ll resist repeating [...]