1.3.  How does the 5900XT stand among other GeForce FX 59x0 chips?

The chip doesn’t differ at all, save for its marking (the letters “XT” are written in the top right corner of the protective cover/heatsink). Its recommended operational frequency is 10MHz lower compared to the non-Ultra 5900 chip, 390MHz instead of 400MHz (for notice: the GeForce 5900 Ultra works at 450MHz and the 5950 Ultra works at 475MHz). The 5900XT however clocks the memory at a much lower rate (700MHz against 850MHz of 5900/5900 Ultra and against 950MHz of the 5950 Ultra). This limitation is due to the fact that they use cheap memory chips with a cycle time of 2.8ns (i.e. rated for 714MHz). Besides that, a simpler and cheaper PCB design was specifically developed for the 5900XT – it’s not the NV35/38 reference design. I suppose that these things were made for the graphics card manufacturers to separate sharply 5900XT and 5900-based products.

1.4.  What are the 5900SE, 5900LE and 5900LX?

You won’t find a single word about any of these three products at NVIDIA’s corporate website, although they are often mentioned in forums. That’s because chips with such names do not exist! Such products are a private initiative of the individual manufacturer. All three types of graphics cards are identified by the driver as “GeForce 5900”, but their memory works at a smaller clock rate.

Leadtek supplies graphics cards marked as having a “5900LX” GPU. They carry a GeForce FX 5900 GPU, use the reference PCB design, wear the original “box” cooling system called Twin-Turbo II and have 128MB of graphics memory onboard (from Hynix, 2.8ns cycle time). The regular frequencies are 400/700MHz (core/memory). This product appeared a few months before the announcement of the 5900XT and has now practically left the market. Its model name is Leadtek WinFast A350 TDH LX. Don’t confuse it with the Leadtek WinFast A350 XT TDH, which is a true 5900XT-based graphics card!

The 5900LE comes into the market as the produce of Prolink. This graphics card has a heart made of the true GeForce FX 5900 (the nominal frequency of the GPU is 400MHz), but uses the PCB from the 5900XT and carries 128MB of 2.8ns memory (there are samples with 2.5ns memory chips). By default, the frequencies of the GPU and memory are 400/700MHz, respectively. Curiously, Prolink is producing both 5900LE (400/700) and 5900XT (390/700) products.

5900SE graphics cards come from ASUS and eVGA: they have a GeForce FX 5900 chip and follow the 5900XT reference design (i.e. they are fully analogous to the Prolink 5900LE). The ASUS card is distinguishable for not having different frequencies for 2D and 3D. It doesn’t have the “auto-brake”, either. eVGA also has a 5900XT (390/700) in its assortment, while ASUS limited itself with one model only.

1.5.  What’s better: 5900XT or 5700 Ultra?

There can’t be two opinions: even a non-overclocked 5900XT leaves no chance to the 5700 Ultra. Moreover, 5900XT-based cards generate less heat and often cost less than the 5700 Ultra.

1.6.  For how long will we enjoy this happiness?

Here’s your fly in the ointment! Alas, the 5900XT will soon vanish from the product lists of graphics card makers. Such cards were necessary to throw away the remains of NV35 chips and NVIDIA even sacrificed the sales of the GeForce FX 5700 Ultra for a while to get rid of its top-end chips. Now that the 5900XT leaves computer shops, its place will be taken over by the less fast (!) 5700 Ultra and the new GeForce 6800/6800 Ultra GPUs will occupy the hi-end sector. Thus, it’s going to be difficult soon to find a 5900XT graphics card. If you’re still undecided – be quick in making up your mind!