BFG GTX 260 Review Comment Thread

[SKYMTL]

After a long wait, we have finally received a GTX 260 from our friends over at BFG. You can check out how the card does with the latest drivers against a whole bevy of other cards right here:

BFG GeForce GTX 260 896MB Video Card Review

Please use this thread for you questions, comments, rants and raves.

ENJOY!!!

[Mibs]

Another excellent review SKYMTL! If you're an nvidia fan then I would definitely say to go for this card over the gtx280, just for the sheer price difference. Like you said in the review it's still hard to choose this over the HD4870, but the cheaper 4870 is a bit more appealing for most. If only nvidia could drop the price of the gtx260 just a little more.

[Jon_di2]

I think this is a good comment:
"To tell you the truth, trying to determine the performance differences between the HD4870 and the GTX 260 really comes down to a game of Russian roulette since they trade wins from one game to the next."

Also I always feel that they should compare the BGF, XFX and EVGA versions (benchmarking) just for the sake of it, if it comes out to be identical, then at least we know.

Oh and the article states that the GTX 260 (I assume its considering the BGF version) is more expensive... Not sure if this is only for people in the US:

"Unfortunately, while it is a great performer the GTX 260 still seems to be partially handicapped by its price. On average it retails for a good 10-20% more (before those pesky mail in rebates) than the competing HD4870..."

But it seems to me that with the GTX260 $15 lower they would recommend it over the HD 4870.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ture=VISIONTEK - 294.99

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=30924 - 279.99

[Jon_di2]

Originally Posted by Mibs

Another excellent review SKYMTL! If you're an nvidia fan then I would definitely say to go for this card over the gtx280, just for the sheer price difference. Like you said in the review it's still hard to choose this over the HD4870, but the cheaper 4870 is a bit more appealing for most. If only nvidia could drop the price of the gtx260 just a little more.

Where do you see the HD4870 being cheaper?

These are closer in price (or same for the Palit one)

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Diamond

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...media%20Inc%2E

but the Superclocked GTX 260 is 274.99 ($5 less then the cheapest 4870)
AND it comes with Free Shipping from Ncix

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

[freakgeek1337]

So if I can read this is what it says.

4870>GTX260(in most cases)

What if the the GTX260 was only $5 more than the 4870? Which would you choose SKY and people?

[Mibs]

Well right now there is an HIS HD4870 for $269.99 at ncix: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...S&promoid=1015

A Diamond 4870 for $268 at Direct canada: http://www.directcanada.com/products...acture=DIAMOND

Vanilla evga gtx260 at ncix is $269 according to pricecanada on ncix: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...4&promoid=1015 however it says price too low to display.

Generally speaking the 4870 is cheaper and has been since launch. SKYMTL even made that clear in his review "the GTX 260 still seems to be partially handicapped by its price. On average it retails for a good 10-20% more (before those pesky mail in rebates) than the competing HD4870..."

[SKYMTL]

Oh and the article states that the GTX 260 (I assume its considering the BGF version) is more expensive... Not sure if this is only for people in the US:

The non-overclocked version of the BFG card is more expensive than the overclocked version.

But it seems to me that with the GTX260 $15 lower they would recommend it over the HD 4870.

No.

If someone is looking for the absolute best price / performance ratio without taking warranties or trade-up programs into account, the HD4870 is still the best way to go. Period. IMO, the GTX 260 has to be a minimum of $30 cheaper than the HD4870 to compete. In this day and age many people want to use AA in their games and in this case, the HD4870 walks all over the 260 no matter which way you look at it. Granted, there are times when the 260's amount of memory takes precedence but it is only at extreme resolutions.

[freakgeek1337]

Opinions, opinions... Which one do I believe?

[SKYMTL]

Originally Posted by Jon_di2

Where do you see the HD4870 being cheaper?

These are closer in price (or same for the Palit one)

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...acture=Diamond

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...media%20Inc%2E

but the Superclocked GTX 260 is 274.99 ($5 less then the cheapest 4870)
AND it comes with Free Shipping from Ncix

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...nufacture=eVGA

Unfortunately, we can all look at one price and say "hey look, it is cheaper". If you take a look at our price compare engine you will see that on average the HD4870 is cheaper than the GTX 260 before MIRs.

HD4870 pricing: Canadian Prices: Search Results

GTX 260 pricing: Canadian Prices: Search Results

In addition, before everyone gets bent out of shape I have to remind you that this review was about the BFG GTX 260 and many pricing comments were made in relation to that particular card.

[Mibs]

Originally Posted by freakgeek1337

Opinions, opinions... Which one do I believe?

Well if I had the money and it was time for a gpu upgrade, I would still get the HD4870! Even if the gtx260 did drop. But like I said, for those who are loyal to nvidia, and there are customers like that, then the gtx260 seems like a great choice.


EDIT: Good point SKY, this was a review of a card from one specific vendor, so keep that in mind when pricing.

[Jon_di2]

Originally Posted by SKYMTL

Unfortunately, we can all look at one price and say "hey look, it is cheaper". If you take a look at our price compare engine you will see that on average the HD4870 is cheaper than the GTX 260 before MIRs.

HD4870 pricing: Canadian Prices: Search Results

GTX 260 pricing: Canadian Prices: Search Results

In addition, before everyone gets bent out of shape I have to remind you that this review was about the BFG GTX 260 and many pricing comments were made in relation to that particular card.

Too bad that engine doesn't actually work that well, click on the lowest HD 4870 price " Visiontek Radeon HD 4870 "
Supposed to be 249.99 @ ncix... nope 294.99 @ncix

But I do agree that the the price comments were made on the particular GTX 260 card... but I do think that the GTX 260, and HD 4870 should be compared as a whole, and the price comparisons should be based on the suggested Retail prices from NVIDIA and ATI... because as you said we can all claim one or the other is cheaper.

[werty316]

Too bad the release of nVidia's GT200 was spoiled by ATI but none the less great review; the GTX260 is one sweet card

[encorp]

I still think ATI needs to hire Martha Stewart to design something more aesthetically pleasing for their cards? Maybe a GPU Kozy? haha.. They look cheap and flimsy. Although solid performers for sure!

[freakgeek1337]

Honestly, I just want a black PCB!

[da_bradler]

did I misread the graphs? To me the facts seem to put the GTX260 ahead of the 4870 in all but a few cases. The wording is a little fishy. when the GTX260 is ahead you say it's barely holding off the 4870 and when the 4870 is ahead "the GTX 260 plays second fiddle".

Umm wouldn't the more accurate conclusion be pick whichever card is cheaper? I mean they are both fairly even in performance. even with AA enabled the GTX260 is normally in the lead. So if you can find the GTX 260 for less then the 4870 I don't see any reason not to buy the 260.


Also I have a question. did you disable PhysX support or run the GTX 260 on outdated firmware with the 3d mark vantage test because there is no way the gpu and overall scores should be so aligned after Nvidias current update.