Radeon X1600 vs Radeon X800

Speed and memory

In our performance index the Radeon X1600 scores 0.3 and the Radeon X800 scores 0.2, which makes the Radeon X1600 about 50% faster. That is a gap you will notice: roughly one step up in quality setting, or the difference between 60 and 80 fps.

Both cards have shared GB of video memory, so memory will not separate them.

In our estimates for popular games at 1080p on High, the biggest gap is in Red Dead Redemption 2 (2 against 1 fps), and the smallest is in Grand Theft Auto V Legacy (7 against 5 fps). Games that are light enough to run above 200 fps on both cards show little difference at all.

Power and value

The Radeon X1600 is rated at 40 W and the Radeon X800 at 65 W. With a mid-range processor that means a power supply of about 450 W for the first and 450 W for the second. The power draw is close enough that cooling and noise will be similar.

At launch the Radeon X1600 cost $149 and the Radeon X800 $299. Per dollar, the Radeon X1600 gave more performance (0.2 points per $100 against 0.1). Current prices differ, so run the same sum on what you can actually buy today.

Which one to buy

Choose the Radeon X1600 if you want the faster card, and it also has at least as much memory. It makes the most sense at 1440p and above, or on a monitor with a high refresh rate.

Choose the Radeon X800 if the price gap matters more than the 50% speed difference. Whichever you pick, check reviews for the games you play, because two cards with similar scores can differ in individual titles.