GTX 260 Core 216 SLI VS 4890 Crossfire

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: Keysplayr


Where does it say you can only use the rebate for I card? And the shipping is now free btw.
179.00 per card, free FarCry2 and CoD5, free shipping. Still a no brainer? If you say so.
Either way, this lad will have plenty of horsepower for a while. Wonder what will happen when more PhysX games come out. Will he curse you, or bless you? That remains to be seen. Not saying that PhysX is or is not a consideration of the OP, but if it is..

Buying GTX260's for the cost of 4890's is laughable, nevermind the extra work of selling the games. And the rebate says 1 rebate per item per address, so that sounds like one rebate per card unless you get your neighbor in on it. Also, PhysX should NEVER be a consideration when buying a video card. It runs like crap and most of the games that support it are mediocre at best.

Couldn't have said it better myself. The GTX 260 is a great card unless it's at the same price point as the 4890.

You could have said it much better. The realist way. And yes, both cards are great cards.

 

[MrK6]

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: Keysplayr
I'd get two of these and be done with it.
You'll get two copies EACH of CoD W@W and FarCry2 on top of it. 189 each AR.

What's each game worth now? 'bout 30.00 bucks each? 60.00 worth of games nets you the
card for about 129.00 when all is said and done. I don't think this can be beat.

But, which board do you have? Does it support both SLI and Xfire? Or are you going to base your mobo purchase on the vid cards you decide on?

EDIT: I guess people are only reading the OP. LOL.

Actually the OEM games aren't worth nearly that much. FarCry 2 you could probably get $12-15 for, at least according to the For Sale forum FarCry 2 and FarCry 2. COD: WaW you might get a bit more but probably $20 at most. Once you factor in shipping (~$3.00 using super cheap Media Mail or possibly $2 if you use First Class) you'd only net around $60 at best from the four games. Plus you have the hassle of selling the games, packaging everything up, and making a trip to the post office.

In the end you're looking at the GTX 260s costing $330 ($180 + $210 - $60, as the rebate can only be used for one card) and the 4890s being $360 ($180 + $180, coupon can be used on two separate orders). Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Where does it say you can only use the rebate for I card? And the shipping is now free btw.
179.00 per card, free FarCry2 and CoD5, free shipping. Still a no brainer? If you say so.
Either way, this lad will have plenty of horsepower for a while. Wonder what will happen when more PhysX games come out. Will he curse you, or bless you? That remains to be seen. Not saying that PhysX is or is not a consideration of the OP, but if it is..

Buying GTX260's for the cost of 4890's is laughable
You are a rare sort of dude who doesn't like game bundles? Thinks they're worthless? How many times have you seen a toss up video card purchase decision, and the answer almost always is, "Go for the cheaper one with the best bundle!".
All the time.No, I'm the rare sort of dude that doesn't buy the same (shitty) games twice, but I guess that's a nvIDIOT thing to do :roll:

nevermind the extra work of selling the games.
Money is money. Elbow grease is free, except maybe the cost of lunch.I'm glad you have that kind of time to waste.

And the rebate says 1 rebate per item per address, so that sounds like one rebate per card unless you get your neighbor in on it.
Is this a big deal? Saving some money, you could have a brother or a sister do it for you. Because they don't live at the same address? Or are you going to have to pay extra to ship it to you? Honestly, you're really digging here.

Also, PhysX should NEVER be a consideration when buying a video card.
If you're closed minded, you're absolutely right.How much is NVIDIA paying/giving you again?

It runs like crap and most of the games that support it are mediocre at best.
It most certainly does not run like crap. A 9800GTX+ handled all the PhysX I could throw at it and still remain playable at 16x10. What makes you think a 260 couldn't at 19x12? My GTX280 can on my 24" without breaking a sweat. And the OP is considering TWO of these cards at 19x12. Think he'll have a problem? What game? GRAW? Awesome, three years old and it finally runs well!? No way!

You want to turn this into a PhysX war, go right ahead. The OP should be made aware of this feature, especially since he has the potential to go 260 SLI. Formidable for a long while to come when it comes to new game releases, and especially the ones that utilize PhysX. So, now the OP knows, and there is nothing you can do to make him "un-know". He may not care and still go for the 4890's for a bit less of a bundle. It's silly that nobody mentioned PhysX. Nobody can keep things real it would seem. So seriously dude, don't let your malice toward PhysX (because it's not Havok) prevent you from revealing everything that a member NEEDS to know for a purchase decision. PhysX is not the be all end all feature right at this moment, but it sure is a hell of a lot more than nothing.
You mentioned PhysX and I mentioned it was a moot point, move on or start another thread, don't derail the OP's. The GTX 260 SLI is a fine product and has its place in the line-up of great bang-for-your-buck cards (at ~$150 each, that's where they rule). However, choosing a GTX260 SLI set-up over a 4890 Crossfire set-up for the same price is poor decision. It's funny that you complain about "keeping things real" (didn't realize this was all about street cred) when you're trying to sway a newcomer seeking advice into wasting his money for "your" company. I don't know who that reflects more poorly on - you or, because you're a moderator, the Anandtech community.

EDIT:

Originally posted by: ElfearCouldn't have said it better myself. The GTX 260 is a great card unless it's at the same price point as the 4890.

Exactly, glad someone else isn't "green with envy."



The above constitutes a mod callout (bringing up the issue of someone's moderator title in a thread where they are participating as a regular member) and it is not permitted.

AmberClad
Video Moderator

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: Elfear

Originally posted by: Keysplayr
I'd get two of these and be done with it.
You'll get two copies EACH of CoD W@W and FarCry2 on top of it. 189 each AR.

What's each game worth now? 'bout 30.00 bucks each? 60.00 worth of games nets you the
card for about 129.00 when all is said and done. I don't think this can be beat.

But, which board do you have? Does it support both SLI and Xfire? Or are you going to base your mobo purchase on the vid cards you decide on?

EDIT: I guess people are only reading the OP. LOL.

Actually the OEM games aren't worth nearly that much. FarCry 2 you could probably get $12-15 for, at least according to the For Sale forum FarCry 2 and FarCry 2. COD: WaW you might get a bit more but probably $20 at most. Once you factor in shipping (~$3.00 using super cheap Media Mail or possibly $2 if you use First Class) you'd only net around $60 at best from the four games. Plus you have the hassle of selling the games, packaging everything up, and making a trip to the post office.

In the end you're looking at the GTX 260s costing $330 ($180 + $210 - $60, as the rebate can only be used for one card) and the 4890s being $360 ($180 + $180, coupon can be used on two separate orders). Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Where does it say you can only use the rebate for I card? And the shipping is now free btw.
179.00 per card, free FarCry2 and CoD5, free shipping. Still a no brainer? If you say so.
Either way, this lad will have plenty of horsepower for a while. Wonder what will happen when more PhysX games come out. Will he curse you, or bless you? That remains to be seen. Not saying that PhysX is or is not a consideration of the OP, but if it is..

Buying GTX260's for the cost of 4890's is laughable
You are a rare sort of dude who doesn't like game bundles? Thinks they're worthless? How many times have you seen a toss up video card purchase decision, and the answer almost always is, "Go for the cheaper one with the best bundle!".
All the time.No, I'm the rare sort of dude that doesn't buy the same (shitty) games twice, but I guess that's a nvIDIOT thing to do :roll:

nevermind the extra work of selling the games.
Money is money. Elbow grease is free, except maybe the cost of lunch.I'm glad you have that kind of time to waste.

And the rebate says 1 rebate per item per address, so that sounds like one rebate per card unless you get your neighbor in on it.
Is this a big deal? Saving some money, you could have a brother or a sister do it for you. Because they don't live at the same address? Or are you going to have to pay extra to ship it to you? Honestly, you're really digging here.

Also, PhysX should NEVER be a consideration when buying a video card.
If you're closed minded, you're absolutely right.How much is NVIDIA paying/giving you again?

It runs like crap and most of the games that support it are mediocre at best.
It most certainly does not run like crap. A 9800GTX+ handled all the PhysX I could throw at it and still remain playable at 16x10. What makes you think a 260 couldn't at 19x12? My GTX280 can on my 24" without breaking a sweat. And the OP is considering TWO of these cards at 19x12. Think he'll have a problem? What game? GRAW? Awesome, three years old and it finally runs well!? No way!

You want to turn this into a PhysX war, go right ahead. The OP should be made aware of this feature, especially since he has the potential to go 260 SLI. Formidable for a long while to come when it comes to new game releases, and especially the ones that utilize PhysX. So, now the OP knows, and there is nothing you can do to make him "un-know". He may not care and still go for the 4890's for a bit less of a bundle. It's silly that nobody mentioned PhysX. Nobody can keep things real it would seem. So seriously dude, don't let your malice toward PhysX (because it's not Havok) prevent you from revealing everything that a member NEEDS to know for a purchase decision. PhysX is not the be all end all feature right at this moment, but it sure is a hell of a lot more than nothing.
You mentioned PhysX and I mentioned it was a moot point, move on or start another thread, don't derail the OP's. The GTX 260 SLI is a fine product and has its place in the line-up of great bang-for-your-buck cards (at ~$150 each, that's where they rule). However, choosing a GTX260 SLI set-up over a 4890 Crossfire set-up for the same price is poor decision. It's funny that you complain about "keeping things real" (didn't realize this was all about street cred) when you're trying to sway a newcomer seeking advice into wasting his money for "your" company. I don't know who that reflects more poorly on - you or, because you're a moderator, the Anandtech community.

EDIT:

Originally posted by: ElfearCouldn't have said it better myself. The GTX 260 is a great card unless it's at the same price point as the 4890.

Exactly, glad someone else isn't "green with envy."

Me too. My point is, if you're going to recommend something, present all data. Not selective data.

And it doesn't matter if the OP has been here 5 minutes for 5 years. My comments would have been the same. It's actually funny, but I didn't even look at the OP's join date or post count.(and still haven't). Apparently you did. Don't know why, but you did. This shouldn't matter, ever.

And I'd like to know the logic behind your statement that I'm derailing the OP's thread.
You know what nevermind. It won't make sense.

Anyway, I'll leave you to it. All your personal attacks will be forwarded, of course. Shame you can't keep that stuff in check.

cheers.

 

[MegaWorks]

Keys I'm not trying to engage in any confrontation but MrK6 does have a point. He probably took it overboard, but it's still a valid argument. I mean the GTX 260 is a great card I have one and I would recommend it to anyone, but we're talking about a GTX 260 with the same price as the 4890.........:Q

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: MegaWorks
Keys I'm not trying to engage in any confrontation but MrK6 does have a point. He probably took it overboard, but it's still a valid argument. I mean the GTX 260 is a great card I have one and I would recommend it to anyone, but we're talking about a GTX 260 with the same price as the 4890.........:Q

I know that. Now weigh the details.

 

[Kraeoss]

Originally posted by: jandlecack

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: brucee
These are the games I will be Playing Crysis - I want to play this specific game at 1920 X 1200 Very High maybe 4x-8 AA with alteast 28-34 fps?

Far cry 2, Cod5, Fear 2, BF2, Orange Box, Cod4

Then you'll want 4890 Crossfire, definitely go for it :thumbsup:

JUST GET A GTX 295:beer:

Disagreed.

maybe he just wants it for 3dmark06 ?...

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: jandlecack

Originally posted by: 1ManArmY

Originally posted by: MrK6

Originally posted by: brucee
These are the games I will be Playing Crysis - I want to play this specific game at 1920 X 1200 Very High maybe 4x-8 AA with alteast 28-34 fps?

Far cry 2, Cod5, Fear 2, BF2, Orange Box, Cod4

Then you'll want 4890 Crossfire, definitely go for it :thumbsup:

JUST GET A GTX 295:beer:

Disagreed.

I know I was being sarcastic, personally I'm trying to hold out for the next generation of video cards but I'm not sure if I can so I might break down and get a GTX 295 if and when it comes out on one PCB. Hopefully it will be cooler.

 

[Forumpanda]

I agree with whoever said get 1 sapphire 4890 then reevaluate if you even need the extra performance in the games you play.

By the time you start playing games that will push that 1 card you can probably pick up a better performing dx11 card for 200$ ish.

 

[ZimZum]

Originally posted by: Keysplayr

Originally posted by: MegaWorks
Keys I'm not trying to engage in any confrontation but MrK6 does have a point. He probably took it overboard, but it's still a valid argument. I mean the GTX 260 is a great card I have one and I would recommend it to anyone, but we're talking about a GTX 260 with the same price as the 4890.........:Q

I know that. Now weigh the details.

Umm Ok. 4890>gtx260 ?

 

[brucee]

how many games does PhysX support? i know it works with Crysis/Mirrors edge.

 

[dguy6789]

Cryostasis, not Crysis.

 

[1ManArmY]

Originally posted by: brucee
how many games does PhysX support? i know it works with Crysis/Mirrors edge.

PhysX should not be a deal breaker when selecting your GFX card. Get the card that fits your budget and one that you can live with or sell it and upgrade within the next 6 months.

 

[cbn]

The 4890 is stronger for certain (especially with all of its overclocking headroom) but the 260 GTX is likely plenty.

Honestly since these GPUs are all rapidly depreciating commodity items I would just buy whatever is the best deal. (the 260 GTX with 2 free games might be the way to go in this case)