4870 1Gb vs. GTX 260 216

[Sulaco]

Thanks very much for all the responses and links guys, very informative!

It's still kind of a toss-up right now, they each have pros and cons, but I'm leaning towards the 4870, and Anand seems to be in favor of the 4870.

The less heat and smaller size of the GTX260 is appealing, but the larger size (I believe it's a full inch longer?) makes me worry about fitting in my case.


Newegg seems to have Diamond, Sapphire, HIS, MSI, Asus, and Gigbyte model 4870s in stock. Which brand would you feel most comfortable buying?

Thanks again guys!

 

[Chriz]

Originally posted by: MTDEW
So nobody feels that GPU physics should play a role in this decision?

I was leaning towards buying a GTX 260 for my new system for the ability to add a second card that does PhysX. But, after reading that both Win XP and Windows 7 (But not Vista) can have an ATI card as the primary graphics and use Nvidia as a PhysX only card, I think I will be going that route instead.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
better review:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415&p=4

Wow Wreckage posted a skewed review towards Nvidia, that's a shocker. :roll: The AT review shows that the 4870 1GB is very well matched to the GTX216, even a bit faster overall. If it wasn't for the rumored refresh coming from both companies soon I would think that the 4870 1GB would definitely be the better card.

Originally posted by: MTDEW
So nobody feels that GPU physics should play a role in this decision?

I don't think it's much more then a check box feature at this point. Some games use it to some degree, but from what I understand it really doesn't add much to the experience yet. Maybe in the future when games are built with hardware physics in mind instead of a patch that just adds some more debri or whatever, it'll be more important. I think you can still add an Nvidia card for physics if you really want to, even if an ATI card is your primary video card. I could be wrong on that, but I thought people have managed to do this.

 

[badnewcastle]

Here's my personal experience with the GTX 260 c216 @ 1680x1050 vs. my old 8800gt.

Res: 1680x1050 no AA
8800gt @ 720|gtx 260 c216 @ 702/1512/2400

Crysis & Warhead DX10 - everything on Very High/Enthusiast
12-15|28-31 AND SMOOTH!!! (compared to 8800gt ne-ways)

Stalker: Clear Sky Enhanced Full Dynamic Lighting (DX10)/Full AF/All On/Maxed No AA

7-12 (not Playable)|42(avg.) 25-33 in the am when the sun in trees DEFINITELY PLAYABLE!!!

COD 4/5 (beta MP) All Maxed/4x AA
64 (avg)|100+ Nuff said...

Grid All Maxed/16QSAA
7-10(not playable)45 with 4xAA|56-60

Next going to play FC2 when it comes in the mail!

 

[cm123]

Hands down the HD4870 1GB - starting to see a DX 10.1 game here and there as well (stalker is one).

Working with boths cards, the 4870 1gb is more of a card to be compared to the GTX 280 than 260 - faster than 260 in most cases, dx 10.1, and in Vista no have to worry about all the driver issues Nvidia has had along the way.

 

[OCGuy]

GTX260 and dont look back. Go EVGA, and you can grab a GT200b for a little more money in the next 3 months.

Also, OC is covered by warranty.

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks guys!

I'm leaning heavily towards the 48701gb right now. Can anyone recommend a good make? Or are they all about the same? Is Sapphire still good?

Finally, does anyone have any experience with the GTX260 fitting in a CoolerMaster Centurion 534 or similar sized case?

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: Sulaco
Thanks guys!

I'm leaning heavily towards the 48701gb right now. Can anyone recommend a good make? Or are they all about the same? Is Sapphire still good?

Finally, does anyone have any experience with the GTX260 fitting in a CoolerMaster Centurion 534 or similar sized case?

I just got the Sapphire model with the non-reference cooler for my tri-fire setup and it runs real nice - http://i38.tinypic.com/291f0cn.jpg

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Chriz
I disagree about the HSF. The 4850 and 4870 have quite a few HSF variations from the standard, while the GTX 260 and 280's have none with the exception of the watercooling versions.

I guess your right about this generation of nVIDIA cards. But starting from NV40 up, nVIDIA cards did have alot of variety when it came to 3rd part HSF.