1 GTX280 / 2 GTX260s / or 3 9800GTX+s???

[GameRGeeK]

Since the release of the GTX280 and the upcoming GTX260 and 9800GTX+s, I was wondering what configuration is the best of the best in terms of price and performance ratio

I know the GTX280 will eventually become a powerful card with better drivers (assuming their will surely be better drivers), but for now it seems to be a ton on price and somewhat negative reviews.

The GTX260, is said to be almost as powerful as the 280 with a cheaper price tag, but i have read from peoples' posts that its more of a waste than the 280, but if one was to have an SLI board wouldnt 2 GTX260s out match a 280 by 30%-even a 50% better performance?

And finally the revised 9800series with the new 9800GTX+, thats said to be affordable like its cousin, the 9800GTX, and cheaper than the GTX200series, would Dual or even Tri SLI out match the other two cards??

My main question is:

What graphics card configuration would be best performed or best used with a 26"inch LCD monitor??

*As you could see if I was to have a budget for a new card it would be $700, 1 card, 2 cards or 3 cards*

And if this configuration does not work, what Nvidia configuration would sound best to get the best graphics performance on a 26" inch monitor.

 

[Denithor]

You don't really provide enough info for a good answer.

What motherboard do you have? SLI or CF supported?
What cpu do you have pushing these card(s)?
What resolution is your 26" monitor running? (1920x1200, etc)

Making some basic assumptions here, I would say that:
1) With a $700 budget you cannot get 2xGTX260 today.
2) You could barely get 3x9800GTX+ (and your motherboard will have to support TriSLI).
3) Your powersupply had better be really strong.

I would actually recommend none of the above. Instead, if your motherboard supports SLI, get either 2x8800GT (~$275) or 2x8800GTS (~$325). If your motherboard supports CF, go with 2x4850 (~$350). Save the rest of the money and be happy knowing that you have better performance (in most cases) than a GTX280 (benchmarks).

 

[bryanW1995]

g92 looks pretty good in sli today, but I'd stay away from it for the long term. by the time gtx 260 is released it will probably be 300-350. if you have an sli mobo that will probably give you the best performance for ~ $700 for the long term.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: Denithor
You don't really provide enough info for a good answer.

What motherboard do you have? SLI or CF supported?
What cpu do you have pushing these card(s)?
What resolution is your 26" monitor running? (1920x1200, etc)

Making some basic assumptions here, I would say that:
1) With a $700 budget you cannot get 2xGTX260 today.
2) You could barely get 3x9800GTX+ (and your motherboard will have to support TriSLI).
3) Your powersupply had better be really strong.

I would actually recommend none of the above. Instead, if your motherboard supports SLI, get either 2x8800GT (~$275) or 2x8800GTS (~$325). If your motherboard supports CF, go with 2x4850 (~$350). Save the rest of the money and be happy knowing that you have better performance (in most cases) than a GTX280 (benchmarks).

1) I have a 680i SLI board
2) I am running an e6850 running @ 3.7Ghz
3) high quality 850Watt that could support 8pin/6pin videocards.

Actually was hoping this configuration would last till next year, in terms of games that will be released this year Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. I want a configuration that will fully maximize the graphics in these upcoming games.

As for the monitor I will be ordering an Acer X263Wbi Black 25.5"inch monitor

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK

Originally posted by: Denithor
You don't really provide enough info for a good answer.

What motherboard do you have? SLI or CF supported?
What cpu do you have pushing these card(s)?
What resolution is your 26" monitor running? (1920x1200, etc)

Making some basic assumptions here, I would say that:
1) With a $700 budget you cannot get 2xGTX260 today.
2) You could barely get 3x9800GTX+ (and your motherboard will have to support TriSLI).
3) Your powersupply had better be really strong.

I would actually recommend none of the above. Instead, if your motherboard supports SLI, get either 2x8800GT (~$275) or 2x8800GTS (~$325). If your motherboard supports CF, go with 2x4850 (~$350). Save the rest of the money and be happy knowing that you have better performance (in most cases) than a GTX280 (benchmarks).

1) I have a 680i SLI board
2) I am running an e6850 running @ 3.7Ghz
3) high quality 850Watt that could support 8pin/6pin videocards.

Actually was hoping this configuration would last till next year, in terms of games that will be released this year Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. I want a configuration that will fully maximize the graphics in these upcoming games.

As for the monitor I will be ordering an Acer X263Wbi Black 25.5"inch monitor

1) 680I does not support TRI-SLI. You would need 780I or higher for Tri-Sli.
2) That's just fine.
3) Brand? High-Quality doesn't mean anything to me...
4) I'd wait until july 8th, see what kind of impact the 4870's leaves, and see if prices will fall for GTX280, 260, etc.

 

[SickBeast]

I think I would go with two 9800GTX+ cards in SLI. They look like a good deal for what you get, and my guess is that they would overall beat a 280GTX.

They also should be a little bit cooler and perhaps lower power than the G92-based cards.

Your other option is to wait for the 4870X2, but I don't know what you're currently running or how long you're willing to wait. If you do wait a month or two, I have a feeling that the 280/260GTX will become much cheaper than they are currently. Right now their price/performance is way out of whack and I can't see NV selling very many of them.

 

[Sentry2]

I would say if you have the money just get a GTX 280. I've gone from an 8800GTX to 8800GTX SLI to 8800 Ultra SLI to a GTS 512 to a 9800GX2(and an X48) and now to a GTX 280. I wasn't going to pick up a 280 at first because 1) I had a GX2 and 2) the reviews were kinda dissapointing on the 280 and it's price. Then I read a couple of reviews that focused more on minimum framerates vs the GX2.....just what I was hoping for...the 280 crapped all over the GX2 most of the time for min fps.

I would say stay away from SLI/CF if you can. I love the 280 now. The GTX 280 IS the way to go especially if you're running vista. The GX2 was pretty stable in XP but it kinda sucked in vista.

It will be interesting to see how the 4870X2 performs and if some of the multi-gpu issues have been sorted out. It could really be a bad ass card.

I've got a decent 280 here I think.... I can do 734MHz gpu and 2520MHz memory on the stock cooler. I will be modding my MCW60R to fit it next week and volt modding it. Will probably post the results as well.

Anyway, I'd say go with an eVGA GTX 280 of any flavor.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK

Originally posted by: Denithor
You don't really provide enough info for a good answer.

What motherboard do you have? SLI or CF supported?
What cpu do you have pushing these card(s)?
What resolution is your 26" monitor running? (1920x1200, etc)

Making some basic assumptions here, I would say that:
1) With a $700 budget you cannot get 2xGTX260 today.
2) You could barely get 3x9800GTX+ (and your motherboard will have to support TriSLI).
3) Your powersupply had better be really strong.

I would actually recommend none of the above. Instead, if your motherboard supports SLI, get either 2x8800GT (~$275) or 2x8800GTS (~$325). If your motherboard supports CF, go with 2x4850 (~$350). Save the rest of the money and be happy knowing that you have better performance (in most cases) than a GTX280 (benchmarks).

1) I have a 680i SLI board
2) I am running an e6850 running @ 3.7Ghz
3) high quality 850Watt that could support 8pin/6pin videocards.

Actually was hoping this configuration would last till next year, in terms of games that will be released this year Far Cry 2 and Fallout 3. I want a configuration that will fully maximize the graphics in these upcoming games.

As for the monitor I will be ordering an Acer X263Wbi Black 25.5"inch monitor

1) 680I does not support TRI-SLI. You would need 780I or higher for Tri-Sli.
2) That's just fine.
3) Brand? High-Quality doesn't mean anything to me...
4) I'd wait until july 8th, see what kind of impact the 4870's leaves, and see if prices will fall for GTX280, 260, etc.

1) ok i guess that solves the option of Tri, so Dual is my only option, only question is which Single or SLI (2) cards will I get getting.
3) its a Thermaltake Tough power 850watt, have been using it for almost 2 years, still runs like a charm. I know it has no 8pin connecter, but i found a website that sells an 8pin adaptor so I could run a GTX280 if i ended up get it.
4)I will wait till I see solid reviews on the 260 as well as wait till the prices drop to a reasonable price.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I think I would go with two 9800GTX+ cards in SLI. They look like a good deal for what you get, and my guess is that they would overall beat a 280GTX.

They also should be a little bit cooler and perhaps lower power than the G92-based cards.

Your other option is to wait for the 4870X2, but I don't know what you're currently running or how long you're willing to wait. If you do wait a month or two, I have a feeling that the 280/260GTX will become much cheaper than they are currently. Right now their price/performance is way out of whack and I can't see NV selling very many of them.

Since my board can only run SLI and not Tri, i think 2 9800+s might do the trick. As for an ATI card sadly I am sticking with an Nvidia card, just need to find the best configuration to last me till next summer and as for how long I will be waiting, probably till mid-july. Cant do much for ATI since i have an Nvidia board, thats why I only mentioned an Nvidia configuration.

Thanks for the top though.

 

[Sentry2]

The eVGA GTX 280 come with a 2x 6pin to 8 pin adapter. I'm sure the ps has at least 3x 6 pin connectors right?

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
I would say if you have the money just get a GTX 280. I've gone from an 8800GTX to 8800GTX SLI to 8800 Ultra SLI to a GTS 512 to a 9800GX2(and an X48) and now to a GTX 280. I wasn't going to pick up a 280 at first because 1) I had a GX2 and 2) the reviews were kinda dissapointing on the 280 and it's price. Then I read a couple of reviews that focused more on minimum framerates vs the GX2.....just what I was hoping for...the 280 crapped all over the GX2 most of the time for min fps.

I would say stay away from SLI/CF if you can. I love the 280 now. The GTX 280 IS the way to go especially if you're running vista. The GX2 was pretty stable in XP but it kinda sucked in vista.

It will be interesting to see how the 4870X2 performs and if some of the multi-gpu issues have been sorted out. It could really be a bad ass card.

I've got a decent 280 here I think.... I can do 734MHz gpu and 2520MHz memory on the stock cooler. I will be modding my MCW60R to fit it next week and volt modding it. Will probably post the results as well.

Anyway, I'd say go with an eVGA GTX 280 of any flavor.

So in other words, you believe the GTX280 will eventually be better when updated drivers are available over other card configurations?

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
The eVGA GTX 280 come with a 2x 6pin to 8 pin adapter. I'm sure the ps has at least 3x 6 pin connectors right?

my ps has 4x 6pin connectors

 

[Sentry2]

Maybe, but I've had MANY SLI setups and I really do prefer a single 280 now. Minimum framerates are much better for the most part and games just seem to run smoother(less stutter).

 

[Sentry2]

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK

Originally posted by: Sentry2
The eVGA GTX 280 come with a 2x 6pin to 8 pin adapter. I'm sure the ps has at least 3x 6 pin connectors right?

my ps has 4x 6pin connectors

That's what I thought

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I think I would go with two 9800GTX+ cards in SLI. They look like a good deal for what you get, and my guess is that they would overall beat a 280GTX.

They also should be a little bit cooler and perhaps lower power than the G92-based cards.

Your other option is to wait for the 4870X2, but I don't know what you're currently running or how long you're willing to wait. If you do wait a month or two, I have a feeling that the 280/260GTX will become much cheaper than they are currently. Right now their price/performance is way out of whack and I can't see NV selling very many of them.

Since my board can only run SLI and not Tri, i think 2 9800+s might do the trick. As for an ATI card sadly I am sticking with an Nvidia card, just need to find the best configuration to last me till next summer and as for how long I will be waiting, probably till mid-july. Cant do much for ATI since i have an Nvidia board, thats why I only mentioned an Nvidia configuration.

Thanks for the top though.

An ATI card will run fine on your NV board. The only thing you can't do is crossfire.

 

[Sentry2]

If you need something now I'd say get a 280 but if you can wait for a couple of months the 4870X2 could be one hell of a card.

 

[lopri]

One GTX 280, no question.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: Sentry2
Maybe, but I've had MANY SLI setups and I really do prefer a single 280 now. Minimum framerates are much better for the most part and games just seem to run smoother(less stutter).

Do you think the GTX280 will perform really well in Fallout 3 and Far Cry 2, when they come out this fall, on a 26"inch (1900x1200) LCD screen??

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: lopri
One GTX 280, no question.

In that big 4850/70 thread, BFG10k just posted a link to some 4870 benchmarks in Crysis. It beat the GTX 260 and was within 1-2FPS of the GTX 280. Under CF, two 4870s crushed a single 280GTX and were very close to two of them under SLI for less than half the price.

 

[CP5670]

Then I read a couple of reviews that focused more on minimum framerates vs the GX2.....just what I was hoping for...the 280 crapped all over the GX2 most of the time for min fps.

Can you post links to these? This is not surprising, as the 9800GX2 is known to have much worse minimums than you would expect from the averages, but I haven't been able to find a single GT200 review that shows the minimum readings. Xbit should include them, but their reviews generally come out long after all the other sites.

 

[GameRGeeK]

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: lopri
One GTX 280, no question.

In that big 4850/70 thread, BFG10k just posted a link to some 4870 benchmarks in Crysis. It beat the GTX 260 and was within 1-2FPS of the GTX 280. Under CF, two 4870s crushed a single 280GTX and were very close to two of them under SLI for less than half the price.

so you saying the X4870 x2 will run better than the GTX280? Since x2 is ATI's way of Nvidia's GX2 where 2 gpus are slapped into one card, if ATI's card is successful, could I still run the X4870 x 2 in my 680i board?

Thanks for the info!:thumbsup:

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: GameRGeeK

Originally posted by: SickBeast

Originally posted by: lopri
One GTX 280, no question.

In that big 4850/70 thread, BFG10k just posted a link to some 4870 benchmarks in Crysis. It beat the GTX 260 and was within 1-2FPS of the GTX 280. Under CF, two 4870s crushed a single 280GTX and were very close to two of them under SLI for less than half the price.

so you saying the X4870 x2 will run better than the GTX280? Since x2 is ATI's way of Nvidia's GX2 where 2 gpus are slapped into one card, if ATI's card is successful, could I still run the X4870 x 2 in my 680i board?

Thanks for the info!:thumbsup:

If those leaked benchmarks are accurate, then yes, the 4870X2 looks like it will absolutely destroy a single 280GTX in Crysis. You will be able to run one in your board. :beer:

 

[Nathelion]

pretty big IF there...

Besides, it seems like you're going to be waiting for awhile anyway if you're planning on getting the gtx+, so you might as well wait for the real numbers to arrive on the 4870

 

[dds14u]

So what's the deal with the GTX 260s? Are they out yet?

The price point of the GTS 280 is just way too far out their for me to even consider as a casual gamer.

On that note, are the 4850s worth it?

 

[Blazer7]

@ GameRGeeK

680 can definitely do 3SLI. All you need is a 3SLI bridge sold seperately. If you need more info on 3SLI and 680 I suggest that you PM justinburton over at the Where Are The Gigabyte GA-N680SLI-DQ6 Motherboards? thread. He's been running 3 8800GTX on his GA-N680SLI-DQ6 for some months now so he can provide 1st hand info on this.