BUYERS POLL! on upcoming releases

[Hauk]

Right now, prior to reviews and verified benchmarks.

Let's not get this thread locked. Keep it simple, vote and post short comments only. :beer:

Use "official" threads for discussion..

 

[bryanW1995]

If I get anything, it will probably be 4870. Of course, then I would xfire it with my 3870. would that make it 4370 crossfire?

 

[rudder]

What are the anticipated prices of say the 4850 or the GTX 260? I am looking for a DX10 card and wondering whether I should spring $120 for a 8800gt or wait a few weeks.

 

[BassBomb]

My vote is heavily dependant on price/performance

I voted for 260 since it will likely be cheapest but if the ATi out performs it for not much more I'd get that.

I really don't need a card at the current time though

 

[chizow]

Leaning towards a GTX 280 although that might turn into a GTX 260 depending on benches. GTX 260 isn't cut down nearly as much relative to GTX 280 as G80 GTS was to G80 GTX so performance should be much closer. If there's only 10% difference or so I may just opt for saving $200.

Not really interesed in the other options since they either involve multi-GPU for noticeable improvement or only a marginal improvement in single-card. Not interested in multi-GPU for many reasons but I would like around 2x performance at 1920 for AA or to smooth frame rates out in some of my more demanding titles.

I'll be curious to see how well GT200 OCs, if at all and how it scales with core clocks. I don't think I can hold out for a 55nm refresh so after launch I may wait a week and see if EVGA releases some OC versions before buying.

 

[AzN]

260gtx would be nice depending on the performance and $$$. 280gtx is just way too much power consuming monster to my liking.

 

[Extelleron]

Either a single GTX 260 or a single HD 4870.

If GTX 260 is impressive I'll buy it through Step-up, but it will still cost me ~$200 out of pocket. If the HD 4870 is available for <$300 and gets good performance, then I will likely get it instead.

I'm interested in how both cards OC. G92 on 65nm can hit 800MHz core / 2GHz shaders...... I'm wondering if the GTX 260 / 280 are being held back just because of power consumption and heat. If so, 100% fan + 700MHz+ FTW. I remember my G80 GTS was the best oc'er I have ever had, hoping GT200 is the same way.

HD 4870 also looks like it could be a great oc'er if it clocked at only 750MHz.

 

[quadomatic]

I won't ever touch ATI again...not until Linux drivers get a major improvement.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: chizow
Leaning towards a GTX 280 although that might turn into a GTX 260 depending on benches. GTX 260 isn't cut down nearly as much relative to GTX 280 as G80 GTS was to G80 GTX so performance should be much closer. If there's only 10% difference or so I may just opt for saving $200.

Not really interesed in the other options since they either involve multi-GPU for noticeable improvement or only a marginal improvement in single-card. Not interested in multi-GPU for many reasons but I would like around 2x performance at 1920 for AA or to smooth frame rates out in some of my more demanding titles.

I'll be curious to see how well GT200 OCs, if at all and how it scales with core clocks. I don't think I can hold out for a 55nm refresh so after launch I may wait a week and see if EVGA releases some OC versions before buying.

It seems to break down like this:

-----------------------------------------------
G80:
8800GTX--->8800GTS640

Mem bus: 384--->320 = @83.5% of GTX
Shaders: 128--->96 = @75% of GTX
Memory: 768--->640 = @ 83.5% of GTX

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX to GTS640 is @ 19.5%

------------------------------------------------

GT200 (according to rumors)

GTX280--->GTX260

Mem bus: 512--->448 = @87.5% of GTX280
Shaders: 240--->192? = @80% of GTX280
Memory: 1024--->896? = @87.5% of GTX280

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX280 to GTx260 is @ 15%

------------------------------------------------

So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: chizow
Leaning towards a GTX 280 although that might turn into a GTX 260 depending on benches. GTX 260 isn't cut down nearly as much relative to GTX 280 as G80 GTS was to G80 GTX so performance should be much closer. If there's only 10% difference or so I may just opt for saving $200.

Not really interesed in the other options since they either involve multi-GPU for noticeable improvement or only a marginal improvement in single-card. Not interested in multi-GPU for many reasons but I would like around 2x performance at 1920 for AA or to smooth frame rates out in some of my more demanding titles.

I'll be curious to see how well GT200 OCs, if at all and how it scales with core clocks. I don't think I can hold out for a 55nm refresh so after launch I may wait a week and see if EVGA releases some OC versions before buying.

It seems to break down like this:

-----------------------------------------------
G80:
8800GTX--->8800GTS640

Mem bus: 384--->320 = @83.5% of GTX
Shaders: 128--->96 = @75% of GTX
Memory: 768--->640 = @ 83.5% of GTX

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX to GTS640 is @ 19.5%

------------------------------------------------

GT200 (according to rumors)

GTX280--->GTX260

Mem bus: 512--->448 = @87.5% of GTX280
Shaders: 240--->192? = @80% of GTX280
Memory: 1024--->896? = @87.5% of GTX280

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX280 to GTx260 is @ 15%

------------------------------------------------

So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

That's not exactly the whole story, because you're not factoring in clocks.

8800GTS 640MB = 96SP @ 1.188GHz
8800GTX 768MB = 128SP @ 1.350GHz

The GTX has ~50% more shading power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 24 TMU @ 500MHz
8800GTX 768MB = 32 TMU @ 575MHz

The GTX has ~53% more texture power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 64.0 GB/s
8800GTX 768MB = 86.4 GB/s

The GTX has ~35% more memory bandwidth than the GTS.

Now GTX 280 vs GTX 260.....

GTX 280 1024MB = 240SP @ 1.296GHz
GTX 260 8 96MB = 192SP @ 1.242GHz

The GTX 280 has ~30% more shading power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 80 TMU @ 600MHz
GTX 260 896MB = 64 TMU @ 575MHz

The GTX 280 has ~30% more texture power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 140.8 GB/s
GTX 260 896MB = 112.0 GB/s

The GTX 280 has ~26% more memory bandwidth than the GTX 260.

So the difference is actually huge.... GTX 260 isn't cut down much, G80 GTS was cut down big time.

 

[bka4u2c]

I'll probably go 4870 CF.

 

[zagood]

good info keys. 260 for me depending on performace numbers.

-z

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

Those differences are all correct based on leaked specs, but they don't cover the biggest differences imho which are core clock and ROPs.

G80

ROP: 24 > 20 = 83%
Core: 576 > 513 = 89%

GT200

ROP: 32 > 28 = 87.5
Core: 600 > 575 = 95.8%

Personally I think the stock clock speed of G80 GTS was a largely superficial means of influencing overall perception at G80's launch, fortunately this time around there will not be as much of a difference to skew actual hardware differences.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: chizow
Leaning towards a GTX 280 although that might turn into a GTX 260 depending on benches. GTX 260 isn't cut down nearly as much relative to GTX 280 as G80 GTS was to G80 GTX so performance should be much closer. If there's only 10% difference or so I may just opt for saving $200.

Not really interesed in the other options since they either involve multi-GPU for noticeable improvement or only a marginal improvement in single-card. Not interested in multi-GPU for many reasons but I would like around 2x performance at 1920 for AA or to smooth frame rates out in some of my more demanding titles.

I'll be curious to see how well GT200 OCs, if at all and how it scales with core clocks. I don't think I can hold out for a 55nm refresh so after launch I may wait a week and see if EVGA releases some OC versions before buying.

It seems to break down like this:

-----------------------------------------------
G80:
8800GTX--->8800GTS640

Mem bus: 384--->320 = @83.5% of GTX
Shaders: 128--->96 = @75% of GTX
Memory: 768--->640 = @ 83.5% of GTX

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX to GTS640 is @ 19.5%

------------------------------------------------

GT200 (according to rumors)

GTX280--->GTX260

Mem bus: 512--->448 = @87.5% of GTX280
Shaders: 240--->192? = @80% of GTX280
Memory: 1024--->896? = @87.5% of GTX280

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX280 to GTx260 is @ 15%

------------------------------------------------

So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

That's not exactly the whole story, because you're not factoring in clocks.

8800GTS 640MB = 96SP @ 1.188GHz
8800GTX 768MB = 128SP @ 1.350GHz
87.5% of GTX

The GTX has ~50% more shading power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 24 TMU @ 500MHz
8800GTX 768MB = 32 TMU @ 575MHz
Or, 75% of the shading power of GTX

The GTX has ~53% more texture power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 64.0 GB/s
8800GTX 768MB = 86.4 GB/s
75% of GTX

The GTX has ~35% more memory bandwidth than the GTS.

Now GTX 280 vs GTX 260.....

GTX 280 1024MB = 240SP @ 1.296GHz
GTX 260 8 96MB = 192SP @ 1.242GHz
80% Like I said

The GTX 280 has ~30% more shading power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 80 TMU @ 600MHz
GTX 260 896MB = 64 TMU @ 575MHz
80% of GTX280

The GTX 280 has ~30% more texture power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 140.8 GB/s
GTX 260 896MB = 112.0 GB/s
80% of GTX280

The GTX 280 has ~26% more memory bandwidth than the GTX 260.

So the difference is actually huge.... GTX 260 isn't cut down much, G80 GTS was cut down big time.

Basically, you said the exact same thing that I did. Albeit with more detail.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: chizow
Leaning towards a GTX 280 although that might turn into a GTX 260 depending on benches. GTX 260 isn't cut down nearly as much relative to GTX 280 as G80 GTS was to G80 GTX so performance should be much closer. If there's only 10% difference or so I may just opt for saving $200.

Not really interesed in the other options since they either involve multi-GPU for noticeable improvement or only a marginal improvement in single-card. Not interested in multi-GPU for many reasons but I would like around 2x performance at 1920 for AA or to smooth frame rates out in some of my more demanding titles.

I'll be curious to see how well GT200 OCs, if at all and how it scales with core clocks. I don't think I can hold out for a 55nm refresh so after launch I may wait a week and see if EVGA releases some OC versions before buying.

It seems to break down like this:

-----------------------------------------------
G80:
8800GTX--->8800GTS640

Mem bus: 384--->320 = @83.5% of GTX
Shaders: 128--->96 = @75% of GTX
Memory: 768--->640 = @ 83.5% of GTX

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX to GTS640 is @ 19.5%

------------------------------------------------

GT200 (according to rumors)

GTX280--->GTX260

Mem bus: 512--->448 = @87.5% of GTX280
Shaders: 240--->192? = @80% of GTX280
Memory: 1024--->896? = @87.5% of GTX280

Overall percentage of physical hardware deficit from GTX280 to GTx260 is @ 15%

------------------------------------------------

So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

That's not exactly the whole story, because you're not factoring in clocks.

8800GTS 640MB = 96SP @ 1.188GHz
8800GTX 768MB = 128SP @ 1.350GHz
87.5% of GTX

The GTX has ~50% more shading power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 24 TMU @ 500MHz
8800GTX 768MB = 32 TMU @ 575MHz
Or, 75% of the shading power of GTX

The GTX has ~53% more texture power than the GTS.

8800GTS 640MB = 64.0 GB/s
8800GTX 768MB = 86.4 GB/s
75% of GTX

The GTX has ~35% more memory bandwidth than the GTS.

Now GTX 280 vs GTX 260.....

GTX 280 1024MB = 240SP @ 1.296GHz
GTX 260 8 96MB = 192SP @ 1.242GHz
80% Like I said

The GTX 280 has ~30% more shading power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 80 TMU @ 600MHz
GTX 260 896MB = 64 TMU @ 575MHz
80% of GTX280

The GTX 280 has ~30% more texture power than the GTX 260.

GTX 280 1024MB = 140.8 GB/s
GTX 260 896MB = 112.0 GB/s
80% of GTX280

The GTX 280 has ~26% more memory bandwidth than the GTX 260.

So the difference is actually huge.... GTX 260 isn't cut down much, G80 GTS was cut down big time.

Basically, you said the exact same thing that I did. Albeit with more detail.

Not really, as I said you didn't factor in clock speeds.

Example, you said that G80 GTS had 75% the shading resources of the GTX.... but when you factor in the clocks, it really has 66%.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Extelleron



Not really, as I said you didn't factor in clock speeds.

Example, you said that G80 GTS had 75% the shading resources of the GTX.... but when you factor in the clocks, it really has 66%.

Ok, but we really do not know the final clocks of the new series. So I went just from a physical hardware standpoint. Clock speeds can be manipulated, and usually, physical hardware cannot be. Clock speed does play a part of course, just not in the context of pure hardware as I was describing.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003
So, while while it is different, and less of a deficit than a GTX to GTS640, the GTX260 is only 4.5% closer to a GTX280, than a GTS640 was to a GTX.

All this being said, for the OP, I would like to await actual benchmarks to have a valid price/performance perspective. I'm not voting yet.

Those differences are all correct based on leaked specs, but they don't cover the biggest differences imho which are core clock and ROPs.

G80

ROP: 24 > 20 = 83%
Core: 576 > 513 = 89%

GT200

ROP: 32 > 28 = 87.5
Core: 600 > 575 = 95.8%

Personally I think the stock clock speed of G80 GTS was a largely superficial means of influencing overall perception at G80's launch, fortunately this time around there will not be as much of a difference to skew actual hardware differences.

Ah yes. ROP's. If those ROP numbers are accurate, then it still falls in line (about 87.5%)
Like I said, just from a hardware perspective. Core clocks can change. But good looking out.

 

[Munky]

I'm not considering anything until my 8800gt starts to struggle in games I play... and yes, I don't care about Crysis.

 

[Aberforth]

Best option would be to buy a single GTX 260 and a aftermarket cooler then OC it beyond GT280 speeds to get value for $$$ but again that all depends on it's OC potential.

 

[Foxery]

Well, this thread got off track quickly

My vote stays with ATI for the same reason as the previous generation: power consumption. (Along with the resulting heat and noise.) I'll stick with "almost" performance in order to save on the rest.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Foxery
Well, this thread got off track quickly

My vote stays with ATI for the same reason as the previous generation: power consumption. (Along with the resulting heat and noise.) I'll stick with "almost" performance in order to save on the rest.

How is it off track? We are discussing which cards we may or may not be interested in purchasing when they become available. We should be able to talk about reasons why we choose what we choose.

 

[Hauk]

Yea nothing wrong with a little chat about the choices. Just thought a pre-benchmark poll would be interesting. It's okay Keys, you can buy whatever you want; you're not locked in you know..

All those Intel chipsets out there. If Red can produce solid benchmarks, I'm betting those CF votes will increase..

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I'm leaning towards the 8800GTS 320mb that i just bought for $88 shipped.

How about that?

 

[darckhart]

I have a history of using old hardware long past its prime (just switched from geforce2 to x800xt last august, thank god RPGs don't need much), so assuming the 4870 comes in under the $300 mark, I'll most likely grab that and see how long it lasts me. GT2xx sounds great, but I'm afraid the refresh will come sooner rather than later.

 

[TC91]

pondering a single 4870 upgrade, but probably most likely i ll upgrade another time.