Help picking a GPU

[Xilikon]

Originally Posted by tzetsin

the gx2 while in sli mode (which is the whole point of the card) has the 1 gig of vram available just as the 280 would have it available. so theres really no difference. I've read enough reviews to be able to safely say that in game, there is minimal difference between the two cards, and in some cases the gx2 actually beats it.

I'm not saying the gx2 is better than the 280, but for the price the performance is almost exactly the same, while the gx2 definatly better than the 260.

the fact that the gx2 is 512 x2 and not 1 x 1 gig is not a detriment to the unit.

To consider having a full 1 GB, each GPU side should be able to access the memory from each other. In reality, it's not the case so it's still 512MB visible but being in SLI, the lack of memory amount is compensated by the raw speed so in the end, it also work almost as good as a GTX 280. However, not all games or software will support this mode so you are reduced to 8800GTS speeds.

For rendering and 3d work, a GTX 280 is better IMHO.

[tzetsin]

Originally Posted by Xilikon

To consider having a full 1 GB, each GPU side should be able to access the memory from each other. In reality, it's not the case so it's still 512MB visible but being in SLI, the lack of memory amount is compensated by the raw speed so in the end, it also work almost as good as a GTX 280. However, not all games or software will support this mode so you are reduced to 8800GTS speeds.

For rendering and 3d work, a GTX 280 is better IMHO.

most current and all future games support SLI

all rendering is done on the CPU, and displayed with the gpu.

the 9800 gx2 is 1024 while in SLI mode, which is how its intended to run, otherwise its just 2 underclocked 8800 gts 512's with the G92

the two cards are about the same in performance all around, except while folding where the gx2 kicks the crap out of the 280.

evga 260 896 mb ram = 259 on pricemach
evga 9800 gx2 = 279 on price match
evga 280 = 399 on price match

the best price / performance is definatly the 9800 gx2

[geokilla]

Seems that you'll be using a 24" monitor. I would go for the GTX260 216 or a 9800GX2. I don't think it's worth it to spend an extra $100 for the GTX 280. My friend himself has a GTX260 I think and he's getting around 8k PPD for F@H.

Also, have you looked into ATI's lineup? A 4870 is around the same price as the GTX260 216 and a 9800GX2, and it's very fast too. I'd say that the 4870 is faster than the GTX260 and the 9800GX2.

[rjbarker]

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Be careful, the GX2 have 2x512MB so even if it claim 1 GB, each side doesn't use more than 512MB. A GTX 280 will truly use 1 GB of VRAM and IMHO, it's a better card for your needs. If price is a concern, then a GTX 260 core 216 is a great choice as well (I have the GTX 260 and I love it, currently stepping up to the core 216).

Agree totally, I have no idea what the results are for Folding, however for gaming I'd stay away from the 9800GX2 altogether and go with either the 260 (216) or 280..hands down!! These are "next gen" Cards, 9800 GX2 was Nvidias failed attempt to get something on the Market "fast" as ATI was edging beyond the 8800 GTX / Ultra.
Issues with the 9800 GX2:
1. HEAT...the damn thing exhausts into the case..terrible!
2. Poor , choppy gameplay in next gen games.
Go to the Evga Web Site and check out all the folks getting rid of those Cards and all the "Heat" issues. As for 9800GX2 being "close to GTX 280 speeds"...c'mon...maybe some backroom review had it that way, but real world gaming..no comparison, even the GTX 260 (192) imo is superior.
there is a reason that Card is being "flogged for the cheap"...don't waste your $$$, if your going to spend that on the "sale price", gather a few more deniros and at least go for the GTX 260 (216).

my 2 cents worth...

[tzetsin]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

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Agree totally, I have no idea what the results are for Folding, however for gaming I'd stay away from the 9800GX2 altogether and go with either the 260 (216) or 280..hands down!! These are "next gen" Cards, 9800 GX2 was Nvidias failed attempt to get something on the Market "fast" as ATI was edging beyond the 8800 GTX / Ultra.
Issues with the 9800 GX2:
1. HEAT...the damn thing exhausts into the case..terrible!
2. Poor , choppy gameplay in next gen games.
Go to the Evga Web Site and check out all the folks getting rid of those Cards and all the "Heat" issues. As for 9800GX2 being "close to GTX 280 speeds"...c'mon...maybe some backroom review had it that way, but real world gaming..no comparison, even the GTX 260 (192) imo is superior.
there is a reason that Card is being "flogged for the cheap"...don't waste your $$$, if your going to spend that on the "sale price", gather a few more deniros and at least go for the GTX 260 (216).

my 2 cents worth...

VGA Charts - S.T.A.L.K.E.R. & Quake Wars

VGA Charts - Call of Duty 4

VGA Charts - Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter 2 & Frontlines: Fuel of War

VGA Charts - 3DMark06 - 3DMark Vantage

They look pretty close to me.


guru of 3d? hardly backwoods my friend.

i cant argue that they are hot, because they are. Ive got 2 in my case and it can get pretty toasty.

[rjbarker]

You're correct...Guru3D is not "backwoods".......however, check out Toms Hardware Review 9800GX2....

i cant argue that they are hot, because they are. Ive got 2 in my case and it can get pretty toasty.

2 of em?....uugghh...I was tempted to "Step-up" to one a number of months ago, prior to the GTX2xx Series release, but after reading Toms Hardware Review, knowing the failings of the previous 7800GX2 Cards, the fact that the heat exhausts into the Case (very poor design), inflated price, poor Quad SLI performance, 2 x 512 MB Cards essentially....and the "rumours" on the nVidia and Evga Web Site re: release of GT2xx next generation cards, it really was a no brainer and glad I didn't follow through with that particualr "Step-up"....hence I would never recommend someone purchasing now one (regardless of the price) when a far more "efficient" Card is available, such as either a 260 or 280.
As I said, they were a "desperate" move on the part of nVidia....and will likely disappear by 1st 1/4 '09...
.....two of em eh...ouch$$$

[tzetsin]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

.....two of em eh...ouch$$$

I actually picked em up for 260 a piece a while back, soo, not much more than the average price of any high end card.

Heat isnt perticularly a problem with my setup, but it definatly could be in some.

Tom's review is just one review, If you read the Guru's review its got alot of nice things to say about it, and very little bad. so its pretty subjective.

really i'm not trying to knock the 280 at all its a great card, but the numbers dont lie, If you cant afford a 280, the GX2 will give you similar performance, all other details aside.

Having 2 cores causes alot of heat, theres nothing you can do about it, it does vent "some" heat into the case, it doesnt vent exclusivly into the case. Its not a devil card that emits "sooooo" much heat into the case that it'll do "bad things". If you pay any attention at all to ventilation the extra heat is a non issue altogether.

Now lets purpose that you didnt care about design, reviews, peoples opinions, just numbers and you asked, which is the best bang for the buck.

gx2 is it.
if you can afford the 280, it will deliver a little more low resolution performance, and will run a little cooler.

If you have any plans for folding, HANDS DOWN the gx2 is the best card on the market.

you know, i find it a little disheartening how people can so passionatly discredit something they've only experienced through someone else's words. If you've never laid hands on a piece of equipment how can you give any real advice?

I personally own two gx2s, two 8800 GTS, AND a 280. i can tell you from experience that they all play crysis on high settings at 4000 x 1040 very well, though when i'm running the gx2s in quad sli they obviously womp the butt of all.

I can run crysis (arguably one of the hardest games to get FPS on) on very high @ 1600 x 1050 with just a single 8800 gts, so seriously how much difference would a couple fps be between the the 280 and the gx2?

my advice, from literature, and personal experience is,

if moneys no problem, and you dont fold, go with the 280, its newer, cooler, and has higher low resolution FPS and is nice and simple.

if you fold, or have a budget, go with the gx2, its cheeper, has 2 cores for folding, and delivers close to the same performance as the 280, and to top it all off, right now for the same price as a 280sc you can buy two of them and run quad SLI ;D wich will kick the butt of all.... as long as you have a huge PSU, very high resolution monitor, windows vista, muchos ram and very, very good case ventilation ;)

[rjbarker]

Point taken....very well explained btw....the only point I'm getting at is for the OP, he wants to know the most appropriate Card to purchase at this time for his Build...fair enough....imo.....its a waste of $$$ to purchase what will soon become an obsolete Card when he in fact can purchase something more "mainstream"...now, if he's Folding, then absolutely go for the GX2.....but for gaming....why purchase one??? Why not purchase a single GTX 280 or single GTX 260 and SLI at some point...?
The "venting system" on those GX2's is a downright foolish design and really put me off...
Anyhoo, your happy with it and that is what matters!!!

Although, I still would tend to advise folks to go with newer technology vs old....

HA...we will be seeing some version of a GTX280 GX2 in the future I believe....2GB!

[tzetsin]

Originally Posted by rjbarker

HA...we will be seeing some version of a GTX280 GX2 in the future I believe....2GB!

nVIDIA Geforce 280 260 9800 9600 8800 8600 GT GTX AMD ATI Radeon HD 4850 4870 X2 - Guru of 3D: PC Hardware Reviews News

lol, meby sooner than you think...

[Infiniti]

Also, it would depends on the OP's number of monitors. If he has two, then it'll be pointless getting a GX2, as you can't enable SLI. Also, I thought I saw somewhere here that the GX2 was discontinued or something..