Fan noise: 250GTS vs. 260GTX Core216

[asintu]

Is one of these cards quieter than the other by any chance?

 

[Zap]

It depends on the fan used. Most GTX 260 use the same fansink so they'll sound pretty similar. The GTS 250 cards sometimes have various random fansinks. Since the GTS 250 runs cooler than the GTS 260, it is possible that one with a good fansink will be quieter (plus won't have that squealing noise some complain about on the GTX cards).

You also need to ask yourself what kind of performance you want, as the GTX 260 is a much better performer.

 

[asintu]

I would trade some performance for quietness but not if the difference is not very noticeable. That's y i wanted to know if there's a bigg different. if not, ill go with 260 for sure.

 

[Zap]

There is a pretty big difference in performance, but it also depends on what games you play and at what resolutions. So, what games do you play, and at what resolutions?

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: Zap
There is a pretty big difference in performance, but it also depends on what games you play and at what resolutions. So, what games do you play, and at what resolutions?

I play at 1680x1050 and I'd like to play far cry 2 and crysis with good framerates

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Well, since the GTS250 is essentially a 9800, check out those reviews so you can get an idea of the performance differential.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Well, since the GTS250 is essentially a 9800, check out those reviews so you can get an idea of the performance differential.

It is... but it isn't. The GTS 250 will typically cost a few bucks more (though in Hot Deals there is one for $99) and will be around 20% faster (give or take) due to 16 more stream processors (a whole 9400 GT worth, LOL), 138MHz more core clock speeds, 400MHz more memory clock speed, 336MHz more shader clock speed, will typically run cooler than the "stock" single slot coolers of the 9800 GT (because NVIDIA specifies that partners need to use dual-slot coolers) and will produce less heat and draw less power when not in 3D mode because it will throttle to 300MHz core (and lower shader/RAM as well). Oh yeah, it also supports Tri-SLI, FWIW. To call it the "same" as a 9800 GT is correct in that they both use the G92 variant of NVIDIA GPU, but that's like calling a Mustang GT the "same" as a Crown Vic because they use the same V8 engine block.

FarCry2 and Crysis are some pretty demanding games. Read the Anandtech article. It has Crysis Warhead and FarCry2 benchmarks

Crysis Warhead
1680x1050 Gamer (Enthusiast Shaders) DX10
GTX 260 31.1
GTS 250 26.2

FarCry2
1680x1050 Ultra High DX10 4xAA
GTX 260 33.4
GTS 250 20.8

That sounds as if everything's maxed out, and if so then even a GTX 260 won't be able to get more than a bit above 30FPS at your chosen resolution, so depening on your sensitivity to framerates, you may have to turn down settings no matter which card you go with.

Let's try to approach this from another angle. What power supply do you have? The GTS 250 only requires one PCIe 6-pin plug while the GTX 260 requires two. Also, what case do you have? The "normal" GTS 250 cards are around 9" long while the GTX 260 are 10.5" long and will stick out past the motherboard. If your power supply or case are unable to support the GTX 260, then unless you want to (or can afford to) replace them, then the better choice may end up being the lesser card.

Soemthing else to take into consideration is the cooler on the card. Most GTX 260 use pretty much the same cooler, while the GTS 250 uses whatever random stuff that the manufacturer puts on them, and some will be more effective, run cooler or quieter than others. IMO the best ones are the ones that do rear exhaust.

Of course if you REALLY want it quieter, you can buy a BFG 9800 GT Passive for $120 AR with free Call of Duty: World at War. Nothing beats quiet like not having a fan. Hey, half the people around here claim that the GTS 250 is really a 9800 GT so that 20% performance loss over a GTS 250 would just be your imagination, right?

Disclaimer: I work for BFG. I just pointed out that card because the OP is looking for "quiet" and it is the fastest passively cooled card I can find on Newegg right now.

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Well, since the GTS250 is essentially a 9800, check out those reviews so you can get an idea of the performance differential.

It is... but it isn't. The GTS 250 will typically cost a few bucks more (though in Hot Deals there is one for $99) and will be around 20% faster (give or take) due to 16 more stream processors (a whole 9400 GT worth, LOL), 138MHz more core clock speeds, 400MHz more memory clock speed, 336MHz more shader clock speed, will typically run cooler than the "stock" single slot coolers of the 9800 GT (because NVIDIA specifies that partners need to use dual-slot coolers) and will produce less heat and draw less power when not in 3D mode because it will throttle to 300MHz core (and lower shader/RAM as well). Oh yeah, it also supports Tri-SLI, FWIW. To call it the "same" as a 9800 GT is correct in that they both use the G92 variant of NVIDIA GPU, but that's like calling a Mustang GT the "same" as a Crown Vic because they use the same V8 engine block.

FarCry2 and Crysis are some pretty demanding games. Read the Anandtech article. It has Crysis Warhead and FarCry2 benchmarks

Crysis Warhead
1680x1050 Gamer (Enthusiast Shaders) DX10
GTX 260 31.1
GTS 250 26.2

FarCry2
1680x1050 Ultra High DX10 4xAA
GTX 260 33.4
GTS 250 20.8

That sounds as if everything's maxed out, and if so then even a GTX 260 won't be able to get more than a bit above 30FPS at your chosen resolution, so depening on your sensitivity to framerates, you may have to turn down settings no matter which card you go with.

Let's try to approach this from another angle. What power supply do you have? The GTS 250 only requires one PCIe 6-pin plug while the GTX 260 requires two. Also, what case do you have? The "normal" GTS 250 cards are around 9" long while the GTX 260 are 10.5" long and will stick out past the motherboard. If your power supply or case are unable to support the GTX 260, then unless you want to (or can afford to) replace them, then the better choice may end up being the lesser card.

Soemthing else to take into consideration is the cooler on the card. Most GTX 260 use pretty much the same cooler, while the GTS 250 uses whatever random stuff that the manufacturer puts on them, and some will be more effective, run cooler or quieter than others. IMO the best ones are the ones that do rear exhaust.

Of course if you REALLY want it quieter, you can buy a BFG 9800 GT Passive for $120 AR with free Call of Duty: World at War. Nothing beats quiet like not having a fan. Hey, half the people around here claim that the GTS 250 is really a 9800 GT so that 20% performance loss over a GTS 250 would just be your imagination, right?

Disclaimer: I work for BFG. I just pointed out that card because the OP is looking for "quiet" and it is the fastest passively cooled card I can find on Newegg right now.

I have this case (power supply included)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129037

and this mobo:
http://ncix.com/products/?sku=...5-T2RS&manufacture=DFI

Assuming it fits, the 260gtx would be the best card I can match with this setup right?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: asintu
I have this case (power supply included)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129037

The power supply is good for it, but the GTX 260 will NOT fit in that case without you having to cut out part of the drive bays. I think the edge of the drive bays are barely (like ¼"-½") too close for the bigger cards.

Unless you want to dremel your case or buy a new one, looks like you have a GTS 250 to look forward to. Just make sure you find one with the faster RAM (2200MHz, not 2000MHz so you're getting the best), single PCIe power plug (so it is the new PCB version) and a rear exhausting fansink unless you find a killer deal. I'm not sure you need 1GB RAM on it, but it wouldn't hurt as long as you aren't paying too much. You can also shop for a 9800 GTX+ because they are pretty much interchangeable (unlike 9800 GT).

Let us critique your choice before placing the order.

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Well, since the GTS250 is essentially a 9800, check out those reviews so you can get an idea of the performance differential.

It is... but it isn't. ... To call it the "same" as a 9800 GT is correct in that they both use the G92 variant ...

It's the same as a 9800GTX+ though, right? (the 512MB version, at least)
I was a little confused by your reply since Gazelle just said 9800, and you make it sound like he said 9800GT.

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: asintu
I have this case (power supply included)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129037

The power supply is good for it, but the GTX 260 will NOT fit in that case without you having to cut out part of the drive bays. I think the edge of the drive bays are barely (like ¼"-½") too close for the bigger cards.

Unless you want to dremel your case or buy a new one, looks like you have a GTS 250 to look forward to. Just make sure you find one with the faster RAM (2200MHz, not 2000MHz so you're getting the best), single PCIe power plug (so it is the new PCB version) and a rear exhausting fansink unless you find a killer deal. I'm not sure you need 1GB RAM on it, but it wouldn't hurt as long as you aren't paying too much. You can also shop for a 9800 GTX+ because they are pretty much interchangeable (unlike 9800 GT).

Let us critique your choice before placing the order.

i took some measurements inside my case. The length of the 260 I read it is 10.5''
Does this include the 1cm or so L-shaped metal bracket extension at the end of the card?
If so, it probably wont fit. If 10.5 length starts only from the PCB then it might actually fir it from what I can see.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: vj8usa
It's the same as a 9800GTX+ though, right? (the 512MB version, at least)
I was a little confused by your reply since Gazelle just said 9800, and you make it sound like he said 9800GT.

Yes. I guess I just assumed "GT" because that seems to be the popular stance. Sorry for the confusion.

Originally posted by: asintu
i took some measurements inside my case. The length of the 260 I read it is 10.5''
Does this include the 1cm or so L-shaped metal bracket extension at the end of the card?
If so, it probably wont fit. If 10.5 length starts only from the PCB then it might actually fir it from what I can see.

It will NOT fit. I just measured my Antec Solo case (same as your Sonata Plus) and it measures 10¼". The 10½" does not include the extra bit of the bracket. How I measured was to remove one of the brackets and extend a tape measure into the case until the tip touched the part of the HDD bay closest to the motherboard area.

Someone had to do some modding (first link in Google from "antec solo gtx 260")

You can see in the photos that it was soooooo close, but would not quite fit.

 

[asintu]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: vj8usa
It's the same as a 9800GTX+ though, right? (the 512MB version, at least)
I was a little confused by your reply since Gazelle just said 9800, and you make it sound like he said 9800GT.

Yes. I guess I just assumed "GT" because that seems to be the popular stance. Sorry for the confusion.

Originally posted by: asintu
i took some measurements inside my case. The length of the 260 I read it is 10.5''
Does this include the 1cm or so L-shaped metal bracket extension at the end of the card?
If so, it probably wont fit. If 10.5 length starts only from the PCB then it might actually fir it from what I can see.

It will NOT fit. I just measured my Antec Solo case (same as your Sonata Plus) and it measures 10¼". The 10½" does not include the extra bit of the bracket. How I measured was to remove one of the brackets and extend a tape measure into the case until the tip touched the part of the HDD bay closest to the motherboard area.

Someone had to do some modding (first link in Google from "antec solo gtx 260")

You can see in the photos that it was soooooo close, but would not quite fit.

Oh ok..makes sense now. I guess if its nvidia its gotta be a 250 for now. What's the length of a 4870 like? Shorter than a 260?