Is Sapphire Radeon X1950PRO Worth The Extra $50?

[Gas Pipe Jimmy]

When buying the parts for my new computer the MSI Radeon 1950Pro was not available and so I purchased the 1650XT instead.
Now that I'm thinking about it more, I'm wondering if I should send the card back, eat the $20 restocking fee and spend another $30 to get the Sapphire 1950Pro.

I'm not a gamer, but the benchmark difference between these two cards seems to be a lot more significant that I remember.
Do I ship the card back and spend the extra money?
Is it worth the difference assuming that the soonest I will likely buy another video card will be something like 3 years if my past history is any guide.

If it matters, my LCD monitor has a native resolution of 1200 X 1600.

Hummm... tough call for me.

[CAD4466HK]

When buying the parts for my new computer the MSI Radeon 1950Pro was not available and so I purchased the 1650XT instead.
Now that I'm thinking about it more, I'm wondering if I should send the card back, eat the $20 restocking fee and spend another $30 to get the Sapphire 1950Pro.

I'm not a gamer, but the benchmark difference between these two cards seems to be a lot more significant that I remember.
Do I ship the card back and spend the extra money?
Is it worth the difference assuming that the soonest I will likely buy another video card will be something like 3 years if my past history is any guide.

If it matters, my LCD monitor has a native resolution of 1200 X 1600.

Hummm... tough call for me.

If I was you, I would get the 1950pro, since you say this will be with you for 3 or more years, since you dont game, that card would be good for more then 3+ years, IMAO

[Gas Pipe Jimmy]

I guess my major question is would I even notice the difference between these two cards in normal use? :confused:

If I remove the "I wont change cards for a few years" from the equation, does that change your recommendation?

In thinking some more, I decided that the DX10 cards in another year to 18 months should be mature enough and affordable enough to make that a worthwhile upgrade.

[PaulTa]

I guess my major question is would I even notice the difference between these two cards in normal use? :confused:

If I remove the "I wont change cards for a few years" from the equation, does that change your recommendation?

In thinking some more, I decided that the DX10 cards in another year to 18 months should be mature enough and affordable enough to make that a worthwhile upgrade.

Well "normal use" is subjective here. If you watch movies, do photo editing, etc, then I'd suggest eating the restocking fee and upgrading. Of course, your native monitor resolution would put you in a bind if you didn't have a more powerful card.

The performance difference is enough that you wouldn't have to upgrade as soon either, so you save money in that regard.

Hope that helps,
Paul

[Gas Pipe Jimmy]

Thanks Paul.
I just requested an RMA from Newegg and asked them to waive the restocking fee (I hear they usually will on unopened items if you ask).
I'm waiting to hear back from them.