GTX 260 SLI vs 4870x2

[TheWhoDat]

I am not trying to start any flame wars or NV vs ATI.

As I stated in an early post:

I am upgrading from a 8800GTX SLI setup. One 8800GTX died and I gave the other one to one of my out-laws (brother-in-law).

I game at 1920x1200. I am playing most of the new games (Mass Effect, Company of Heroes, SupCom, etc) and some oldies but goodies (KOTOR I & II, Freelancer, Civ IV.)

Between:

2 GTX 260s in SLI or
4870x2

which one will give me the best image quality with AA , and playable FPS in current and future game at 1920x1200.

As I stated, I have used SLI, and am familiar with the NV side.
I have not used ATI in a while since the 9700, so I am new to Crossfire or x2(even on card crossfire.)

Thank you for any help.

 

[dmw16]

I personally would prefer a 1 card solution if they offered about the same performance. But I am a bang-for-your-buck guy. I would assume since 1 GTX260 has very slightly higher performance then the 4870, then 2x260GTX would give you better performance than the 4870x2.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Here are a few reviews that put the 4870x2 up against the 260gtx SLI (among others) at your given resolution:

link1
link2
link3

They look very similar across many games (Crysis being an exception). Looks like with current rebate deals out there, you could get the SLI cheaper than the x2. They appear to have similar power usage, but the 260SLI looks like it runs cooler. But cheaper is the main thing.

 

[TheWhoDat]

I am also wondering which setup will be more future-proof.

The 8800gtx fared pretty well.

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: TheWhoDat
I am not trying to start any flame wars or NV vs ATI.

As I stated in an early post:

I am upgrading from a 8800GTX SLI setup. One 8800GTX died and I gave the other one to one of my out-laws (brother-in-law).

I game at 1920x1200. I am playing most of the new games (Mass Effect, Company of Heroes, SupCom, etc) and some oldies but goodies (KOTOR I & II, Freelancer, Civ IV.)

Between:

2 GTX 260s in SLI or
4870x2

which one will give me the best image quality with AA , and playable FPS in current and future game at 1920x1200.

As I stated, I have used SLI, and am familiar with the NV side.
I have not used ATI in a while since the 9700, so I am new to Crossfire or x2(even on card crossfire.)

Thank you for any help.

If you want an NV mobo, i'd take the 260's. If it's an intel p35/x38/x48/p45, I'd take the 4870x2

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: dmw16
I personally would prefer a 1 card solution if they offered about the same performance. But I am a bang-for-your-buck guy. I would assume since 1 GTX260 has very slightly higher performance then the 4870, then 2x260GTX would give you better performance than the 4870x2.

It looks the opposite from the reviews I've seen.

 

[RussianSensation]

Although I would probably recommend a single HD4870 over GTX 260, in your situation I'd rather go for dual 260s and here is why:

eVGA GTX 260 - $240 x 2 - $480
1) Step up for 90 days in case NV releases GTX 260 (216 shaders) with savings from #2
2) Savings of $80 over 4870 X2 Visiontek with lifetime warranty
3) NV has gaming profiles which is better for SLI/CF setup (plus you are already used to them)

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: TheWhoDat
I am also wondering which setup will be more future-proof.

if you get a Crossfire MB, the X2 will be


you can always get another x2 for a Crossfire-x4 solution or a 4870 for X3 gaming.

However .. The gt260's in SLi seems a bit more powerful and the X2 does not OC for crap

I am not trying to start any flame wars or NV vs ATI.

You don't have to *try*



and the 8800GTX is not that much slower than a 4870 .. maybe 20% or a little more .. if it were ME - in your place - i'd go for a single GTX280 with an eye to getting a 2nd one later - GTX280 SLI would be an awesome upgrade for you - not either of your choices