Curse

木火土金水 · Jan 05, 2009, 09:46 PM // 21:46

As the topic says I'm going to buy a new computer soon, but I'm not sure which graphic card to buy. I'm thinking at one of these options:

- 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 (one of the best graphic cards i heard?!)
- 2GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 (best graphic card, but I'm not sure, because it costs pretty much)
- Dual 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT (as last option)

The cheapest option would be the Dual 9800 GT, but I don't know how this dual graphic card thing works, so my most important question is what is better, Dual 9800 GT or 1GB GTX 280.
I know ATI is the best option, but as I said I'm unsure about the price..

Thanks in advance!

Evil Genius · Jan 06, 2009, 03:23 AM // 03:23

First off you may be interested in nvidia's new cards being released at the start of CES (Consumer Electronics Show). These are:
GTX 295 - a dual GPU solution. Two 55nm GTX 260s with all the shader clusters enabled on a single card. Should cost the same as the 4870X2 and deliver better performance.
GTX 285 - a 55nm GTX 280 with higher clock speeds.
Also the 55nm GTX 260s will be released. These are identical to current cards in terms of SPs, memory bandwidth but would consume less power and run cooler (and therefore can run at faster clock speeds when overclocked.) Nvidia does not allow its partners to make a big fuss over 55nm GTX 260s so it might be a bit harder to distinguish them from normal ones.

Secondly you will need to post your computers specifications. The GPUs you listed require a rather large quality power supply. Additionally it is no good having a great graphics card held back by a sub par CPU.

Quote:

- 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280 (one of the best graphic cards i heard?!)
- 2GB GDDR5 ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 (best graphic card, but I'm not sure, because it costs pretty much)
- Dual 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT (as last option)

There are other options you could consider like GTX 260s and single 4870s depending on your budget.

Quote:

The cheapest option would be the Dual 9800 GT, but I don't know how this dual graphic card thing works, so my most important question is what is better, Dual 9800 GT or 1GB GTX 280.

To run dual 9800GTs you would need a motherboard that supports SLi. The GTX 280 would be faster than dual 9800GTs and would not face any issues associated with SLi.

carnage-runner · Jan 06, 2009, 04:42 AM // 04:42

I hope you're planning on playing more than GW with those ideas.....

Using a single Radeon 7850 X2 is plenty for most any game...

You could run a single Nvidia 9950 gtx and get away with it too.

TheGuildWarsPenguin · Jan 06, 2009, 05:40 AM // 05:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by carnage-runner

I hope you're planning on playing more than GW with those ideas.....

Using a single Radeon 7850 X2 is plenty for most any game...

You could run a single Nvidia 9950 gtx and get away with it too.

Both of those cards don't exist.

木火土金水 · Jan 06, 2009, 12:19 PM // 12:19

Thanks so far..well I decided to keep my budget a bit lower so I would just like to know your opinion to those two in comparison:

- 896 MB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
- Dual 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT

Price is nearly the same.

moriz · Jan 06, 2009, 01:34 PM // 13:34

i'd go with the gtx 260.

keep in mind though, there will soon be three (3!!) different versions of that card, with different performances.

then there's also the radeon HD4870, the 512mb version can be had for as little as $240 these days, and will keep up with a gtx 260.

RotteN · Jan 06, 2009, 07:06 PM // 19:06

I'd take the GTX260 aswell, granted it's one with 216 SPs, preferably a 55nm.

Kokuyougan · Jan 06, 2009, 10:34 PM // 22:34

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130434 <--- 55nm has been here for nearly three days.

Lord Sojar · Jan 08, 2009, 07:53 AM // 07:53

The GTX280 will be receiving a 40-45% price drop at most retailers starting Jan 14th thanks to the launch of the GTX 285. This would be a prime time to grab a GTX 280 and rip apart any game you have in mind.

As for the 4870 vs the GTX 260... Assuming you bought a Core216 GTX 260 (which are quickly taking over the old model entirely), it will beat the 512MB 4870. The 1GB 4870 holds ground against the 65nm nm GTX 260 Core 216 though. The card Kokuyougan linked to above me is the best card in that price range, period.

Kokuyougan · Jan 09, 2009, 01:37 AM // 01:37

So, dual 280's will cost the same as a GTX 295 but outperform by a significant margin? O.o

木火土金水 · Jan 09, 2009, 11:49 PM // 23:49

Sounds good, so I gonna wait a few more days...hope alienware cuts down the price of the gtx 280 fast

Celestial Crown · Jan 12, 2009, 05:09 PM // 17:09

If you're still looking for one, I'd recommend the Sapphire 4850 x2. It has 2gb of memory which makes it able to play at high reses and it should always beat a gtx280, not sure about the gtx285/295 though and its only $300 on newegg.

木火土金水 · Jan 14, 2009, 12:41 PM // 12:41

Still looking...but alienware (germany) isn't selling HD 4850 atm..allthough i prefer nVidia

Celestial Crown · Jan 15, 2009, 12:54 AM // 00:54

http://www.google.de/products?hl=de&...num=1&ct=title

Isn't alienware really overpriced on everything anyway?

木火土金水 · Jan 15, 2009, 02:25 PM // 14:25

Yes it is, but i luv the cases

Celestial Crown · Jan 15, 2009, 09:46 PM // 21:46

Try IBuyPower instead.