GTX 260 55nm - coming?

[magictorch]

Yes I understand the need to remain competitive although the Nvidia GPU turnover is a little dizzying. Its also difficult to research something that was just a largely dismissed rumor until this week.

For example someone buying a GTX216 in the last 3- 4 weeks or even a 280 probably did research the matter but bought anyway as the GTX270/290 still looked like a rumor until a few days ago-now they seem to be very close to release by the look of it.

Originally Posted by rjbarker

You forgot...between 880 GTX / Ultra and GTX 2xx Series...the 9800GX2!

Really, I've been purchasing nVidia for the last 4 yrs and it is the consumers responsibility to "stay-up" on the specifications of any or all Cards in which you're considering to purchase. If your going to dump between $350 - $550 on a GPU, ....research it!
I'm glad that nVidia is pumping out a wide variety of Cards for the simple reason it keeped ATI on thier toes, which in turn means more variety of mid to high end Cards @ more reasonable prices.

[rjbarker]

For example someone buying a GTX216 in the last 3- 4 weeks or even a 280 probably did research the matter but bought anyway as the GTX270/290 still looked like a rumor until a few days ago-now they seem to be very close to release by the look of it.

its hard to say when they will be released (270 / 290), thats nVidia and "Capitalism" at its finest....it was only a few months ago I purchased a 260 (192 Core) and within 3 days the 260 (216) Core was out!! Even with my diligent reserching it slipped past me...anyhow, sent the 260 back to DC (payed the "open box" restocking fee and went with a 280)...which was what I really wanted in the 1st place!
thier were a lot of folks who "couldn't wait" and had to have that 9800GX2 to replace thier 8800 Ultra / GTX and BOOM..not a few months later new GTX 2 Series are out...
You gotta love it...!

[magictorch]

Yes its tough to keep track rj. The current GTX's are really great cards with a decent life expectancy but some kind of a heads up on the later models, rather than this chit-chat, would be good. Marketing genius maybe

[rjbarker]

but some kind of a heads up on the later models, rather than this chit-chat, would be good. Marketing genius maybe

Yep I totally agree with you Magic...would be nice on nVidias behalf, unfortunately from thiere perspective (business only) I guess it doesn't / woldn't make sense, better to have folks filling thier boots (sales) right up until the last minute (release date)...they got a good bunch of "tight-lipped" employees thier at nnVidia..:)

Oh well, guess the key really is to be happy with whay you have and your performance....I know my wife would sh_t if she saw the Purolator van outside our home and different Cards in the PC (she can see through the window in the side...no hiding hahahaha)...

[rjbarker]

btw Magic Torch...how do you like that 74Gig Raptor? I've got one coming Monday and have been deciding how to run things...thinking 74 Raptor for OS / games and 320 Gig Seagate for all other data..I only ever have a couple or 3 games installed at one time anyhow...

[magictorch]

Yes I think I'd be happy with 2 GTX280s! SLI is really working out well now with those cards. As for nividia and tight lipped...I suspect theres been some leaks of an imminent release (hence the recent web-links and sale activity)- a lot of high-end cards being dumped into the FS thread the last few days which likely signals a changing of the GPU guard soon.

EDIT: Also I'm really happy with the raptor-great for gaming and the OS. I have never tried raid I'm afraid though so I don't have much to compare it to in that sense.

Originally Posted by rjbarker

Yep I totally agree with you Magic...would be nice on nVidias behalf, unfortunately from thiere perspective (business only) I guess it doesn't / woldn't make sense, better to have folks filling thier boots (sales) right up until the last minute (release date)...they got a good bunch of "tight-lipped" employees thier at nnVidia..:)

Oh well, guess the key really is to be happy with whay you have and your performance....I know my wife would sh_t if she saw the Purolator van outside our home and different Cards in the PC (she can see through the window in the side...no hiding hahahaha)...

[rjbarker]

SLI is really working out well now with those cards.

I have put off on SLI over the past couple of years only because there seemed to be a lot of issues.....but, I can honestly say that those issues seem to have finally been ironed out as these things were completely painless to install and get running properly...other than "heat issues"...hence the new case.

[Eagle Eye]

A pretty expensive upgrade though, nonetheless a wise one. I don't think you would of had major temperature issues with the raidmax, but they would of been higher and quite frankly I don't know how you stood the noise of those 80mm fans. I've had cases with 92mm and thats still a little loud for me, 120mm or larger is a must for me.

[rjbarker]

That Raidmax Smilidon sitting beside my head was like an F14 sitting thier...also, the top 280 Card would get up to 78c while playing Crysis...lower Card a little cooler....not a lot of room in that Case for them to breathe! So yeah.....SLI was somewhat costly, new Card, new PSU and new Case......but hell...I'll be sticking with this for awhile, even a possible I7 Upgrade / 1366 MOBO and DDR3 RAM I still have all other Hardware necessary...so its not really a waste......
But I won't be spending mow for awhile! Do have a 74GB Raptor coming tomorrow though :) Question: Can I hook up my Raptor HC on the same modular SATA power cable that my Seagate 320 GB is running on?...

[MonsterSound]

More rumours at Expreview.com (a lot of salt recommended for this thread eh?)
55nm in December, maybe? And still named GTX 260 / 280? oh brother

(I'm still holding out for a 55nm version of the 216 core 260 - soon please)

[magictorch]

Yes Ive read a few things like that now.
So its a bit of a "lucky dip" for a while as to whether you get that 55nm or not perhaps.

Originally Posted by MonsterSound

More rumours at Expreview.com (a lot of salt recommended for this thread eh?)
55nm in December, maybe? And still named GTX 260 / 280? oh brother

(I'm still holding out for a 55nm version of the 216 core 260 - soon please)

[zlojack]

I get the feeling we won't see them until January or February.

If it was for December, there would be more leaks and more information.

[drnip]

I'm saying Jan. we will see them come out to play.

[MonsterSound]

HA! Well whuddya know,... eVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked - 55nm $269.99 US - and In Stock.
(Wonder how well this overclocks and what's the power draw.)

[rjbarker]

(Wonder how well this overclocks and what's the power draw.)

I'm sure it will OC very similar to the older 65nm Cards...my experience OC'ing both the 65nm 260's and 280's has proven to myself that the OC was not limited to heat at all, but was limited to stability. These Cards can become unstable at normal operating Temps with higher OC's, for example, my older 260's and my present 280's are perfectly stable at 720 / 1458 / 1260 Temps Maxed out at 72c, the minute you bump the OC a little more, although Temps don't change the Cards will start to Artifact. particularly when playing Crysis.
Imo, these newer 55nm Cards are not worth moving to if you presently have the 65nm Cards....These 55nm 2xx Series Cards are going to be by-passed by myself and wait for the more anticipated 3xx Series in May / June 09.