Can I improve on my GTX 260 C216 for $300?

[happy medium]

The angrier you get, the worse your spelling and grammar get. It's a bit funny.

The GTX 260 will also overclock.

You ignored the fourth option, which I and many other posters have suggested: Wait. That option, despite your nV salesman routine, is still the most viable option and one of the possible options that the OP suggested himself. Given that he suggested that option, it doesn't appear to be the case that playing DX11 Dirt 2 is an overwhelming factor in whatever decision he chooses.

So what am I selling? Are you saying I work for newegg or something?
My post #7 5850 or gtx 460.

Wait,.is also what I said (2 weeks) but, not for a refresh like you said?

Seems you can't read and you don't know when to get that foot out of your mouth.
Before you derail yet another thread with nothing to give, I'll say good day to you sir. or should I say T2K

 

[happy medium]

You ignored the fourth option, which I and many other posters have suggested: Wait

I don't care how many posters said wait....its how long YOU said wait.Wait for "Refresh" you said. And thats the worst option in the thread.
I agree to wait for price drops a few weeks. A refresh is more like 5 or 6 months.
Hows that foot taste?

Now excuse me so I can put you in my ignore list and enjoy the forums.

 

[3DVagabond]

I agree completely with your 1st sentence. The rest is purely subjective. I prefer to read many sites and distill the info.

Since we're comparing the performance of 2 nVidia cards, brand bias doesn't apply. Sorry to say, but I find most of what you've said non-applicable. Seems like you are just trying to discredit info that differs from yours.

Anyway, on topic, Maybe waiting a little while would be good. If the OP needs to buy sooner, then I would recommend 5850/5870 so he can go multiple monitor if he wants. IE: more than 2.

 

[happy medium]

I agree completely with your 1st sentence. The rest is purely subjective. I prefer to read many sites and distill the info.

Since we're comparing the performance of 2 nVidia cards, brand bias doesn't apply. Sorry to say, but I find most of what you've said non-applicable. Seems like you are just trying to discredit info that differs from yours.

Anyway, on topic, Maybe waiting a little while would be good. If the OP needs to buy sooner, then I would recommend 5850/5870 so he can go multiple monitor if he wants. IE: more than 2.

That would only apply if both review sites reviewed JUST Nvidia cards. Understand? I'm not trying to discredit, I'm more saying that you pick a site you trust and I pick a site because its the one I've been reading for ten years. The real problem is why all review sites are so far off from each other,wouldn't you say?

On topic: Multi monitor in my opinion is for crossfire/sli setup,especially since he said he likes all the details. With the 100$ displayport adapter, its way out of his price range.

 

[3DVagabond]

Only apply if both sites only tested nVidia cards? No I don't understand. Makes no sense at all.

I picked a site that 1, is reputable and 2, provides the relevant data. since the data was all collected by the same site, using the same testing procedures, relative to itself, it should be accurate and comparable. Unless you can show an actual current case for TPU wanting to make the 460 look worse relative to an older nVidia card, in this case the 260, you have no legit argument.

TPU rates the performance of the cards in 18 games and 5 benchmarks in 5 resolutions. Then they correlate the data into 6 charts comparing the overall performance at all 5 resolutions and at all resolutions combined. They even do perf/watt, perf/dollar... We are only talking relative raw performance though. Relative to each other on these charts, unless you can document a flaw or bias in their procedure, the data can be used to compare different cards on the charts to each other. You can't take the data from TPU and compare it with any other site. I agree there would be too many possible variables. I'm not trying to do that. I'm comparing the data they collected within the parameter it's meant to be used.

 

[Dribble]

I also own a GTX 260 216 (with a large stock o/c). Personally I don't think the GTX 460 is worth it - it's just not that much faster. A 5850 or GTX 470 would be the lowest upgrade for me but not I haven't bothered as imo they cost too much for the boost in fps they give, particularly as it's not as if the GTX 260 is struggling for performance yet. They also have problems - 5850 doesn't have physx/3D, and the GTX 470 is too power hungry/loud/hot.

I'd wait - wouldn't surprise me if nvidia pull out a 512 shader version using the GF104 architecture that's both faster/cheaper then the 470/480 and pushes down prices on the still-too-expensive 5850/5870.

 

[toyota]

I also own a GTX 260 216 (with a large stock o/c). Personally I don't think the GTX 460 is worth it - it's just not that much faster. A 5850 or GTX 470 would be the lowest upgrade for me but not I haven't bothered as imo they cost too much for the boost in fps they give, particularly as it's not as if the GTX 260 is struggling for performance yet. They also have problems - 5850 doesn't have physx/3D, and the GTX 470 is too power hungry/loud/hot.

I'd wait - wouldn't surprise me if nvidia pull out a 512 shader version using the GF104 architecture that's both faster/cheaper then the 470/480 and pushes down prices on the still-too-expensive 5850/5870.

they cant make a "512 shader version" because gf104 is only a 384 shader gpu.

 

[Dribble]

they cant make a "512 shader version" because gf104 is only a 384 shader gpu.

They can't use the current GF104 chip but they can make a 512 shader version using the GF104 architecture which would be smaller/faster/cooler/cheaper then the current GF100's. That would give them a GTX 475, and a GTX 485.

 

[toyota]

They can't use the current GF104 chip but they can make a 512 shader version using the GF104 architecture which would be smaller/faster/cooler/cheaper then the current GF100's. That would give them a GTX 475, and a GTX 485.

I know what you are trying to say but GF104 is a specific chip. to make a different version with more shaders would take an all new chip. plus it couldnt be 512sp if it was based on the same exact architecture that the GF104 uses.

 

[bryanW1995]

To put it to you simpley, we could go on and on with many different review sites and get dfferent results.

Anandtech is the biggest and the best. Amd and Nvidea needs them, not like other smaller sites which bow down and jump when GPU makers shout. I've read reviews where ANAndtech has blasted both AMD and Nvidia. Most other sites seem to pick who they will blast Amd OR Nvidia, rarely if ever both. They are chosing a side.

What better benches to give then from the forum YOU belong to.

I dont want to derail the thread so I will stop. Mabe I'll make a thread about review accountablilty and trust and why reviews are so undefined nowadays. The reviews just never match up anymore. agree?

AT is good, but honestly, I think that several other sites have better video card reviews. My personal favorite is hardwarecanucks, but hardocp has some interesting takes and abt is very good as well.

@toyota: we know what he means, basically he's saying nvidia could (and should) come out with a beefier version of gf 104. I think that they will, but it will be fermi II and release around the same time as SI. How nice would a 576 core fermi II card based upon gf 104 be? They could cut off one or two simd's to improve yields and/or get the gtx 475 as well. Many nvidia fans (and neutral 3rd parties for that matter) feel that fermi is going to very good for a long time but just needs some tweaking to get the thermals under control; gtx 460 is the first move in this direction and has definitely been a good one imho.

 

[toyota]

one day Anandtech will learn to make the first 5-10 posts moderator approved. lol

 

[balane]

As an update for those interested;

I found a 5870 on Craig's List in excellent condition (Sapphire model.) with the box and all the original contents for $335. The posting was six days old so I emailed him and offered $280 for it. He accepted and the deal is done.

I couldn't be happier with it. Playing Metro now and it's performing beautifully. I have not yet experimented with OC'ing the card but most likely it will be coming in the future.

Just going to stick with a single 28" LCD for now because I actually like all the open space on my desk and being able to easily reach my pen jar, phone cradle, lamp, printer and scanner without standing up and reaching around extra screens. (I was running a 24" and a 21" LCD on my GTX 260 and things seemed cluttered.)

But as of now, for the money I paid, I couldn't be happier. I Love the ATI color palette. (Not sure what that means but colors in games look better to me, shadows & lighting seem softer, more lifelike.) I haven't had an ATI card in a very long time but I'm thrilled to back with one. Not to dis on nVidia, my last five cards were nVidias and they never gave me any problems and were always lickety spit in speed.

Thanks for all the help. Now to sell my GTX 260 Core 216.

 

[MrK6]

As an update for those interested;

Glad you're enjoying your purchase, always good to hear a happy ending. :awe:

 

[balane]

Glad you're enjoying your purchase, always good to hear a happy ending. :awe:

Thanks. It was a great day all the way around. New puppy too!

 

[RussianSensation]

balane, congrats on the new puppy and a new card! The best way to upgrade to newer parts is to sell your old ones! (other than receiving a gift) I am sure you'll get a decent deal on the 260.