GTX 285 and 4870x2

[Dorkenstein]

The GTX is around 400 and the 4870x2 is around 450, at least where I see it. For a resolution of 1920x1280 which of the cards is the better performer? I am guessing that the x2 has an edge but how are the temps?

Has anyone here put third party cooling on an x2? Thanks for any help.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Has anyone here put third party cooling on an x2? Thanks for any help.

I think the only option you have in this case is to use a waterblock. I haven't seen any aftermarket heatsinks designed for a 4870X2.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Oh. Would at least replacing the thermal paste help?

 

[masteryoda34]

X2 has the edge in games that support XFire. GTX probably offers slightly more consistent performance. Theres also the GTX 295 for $500 if thats in you budget.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Oh. Would at least replacing the thermal paste help?

I don't think it would make a huge difference...

 

[Wreckage]

Here is a review of the 285 vs the 4850x2 to give you some idea.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...geforce-gtx285ssc.html

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
Here is a review of the 285 vs the 4850x2 to give you some idea.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...geforce-gtx285ssc.html

The OP is looking at the 4870X2, not 4850X2 .

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
The GTX is around 400 and the 4870x2 is around 450, at least where I see it. For a resolution of 1920x1280 which of the cards is the better performer? I am guessing that the x2 has an edge but how are the temps?

Has anyone here put third party cooling on an x2? Thanks for any help.

The 4870X2 is faster most of the time, especially at higher resolutions like 2560 and higher AA settings, but the 285 draws very close and actually beats the 4870X2 quite often. The 285 will offer more consistent performance without any of the issues associated with multi-GPU.

PCGH GTX 285 Review

Also, I wouldn't bother with 3rd party cooling solutions, as that will certainly add significantly to the cost of the parts and change your analysis. From what I've read the 4870X2 is slightly better at cooling than the 295, but also quieter. Both are much louder than the excellent cooler on the 285, which also runs cooler and generates significantly less heat as well.

 

[Elfear]

The GTX 285 is ~5-10% quicker than the GTX 280. There are a ton of reviews out there with the GTX 280 vs. 4870X2 so you can extrapolate from there. The 4870X2 will be decently quicker in most situations. There are a few games it doesn't scale with very well but they are pretty few and far between.

It really depends on the games you play too. If Crysis and Stalker Clear Sky are off the list, I think you'd be fine with the GTX 285 at 1920x1200. It's not as future proof as the X2 but it is cheaper and offers a bit more consistency between games. That being said, I've been very happy with my X2 and wouldn't hesitate recommending it.

 

[imported_Asianman]

actually, changing a thermal paste can lower the temps by up to ten degrees, also, alot of 3rd party board partners has changed to cooling systems, from single slot water cooling to massive tri slot dual fan coolers. From a cooling perspective, the one that I would go for is the ASUS 4870X2. It is a dual slot design with three fans. The 285 is a fair bit slower and if the price isn't too different, go for the radeon.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Hey! I can use benchmarks too!

As you can see, in Firing Squad's benchmarks the 4870X2 is a good deal faster than the overclocked GTX285 in all of their game tests.

 

[alcoholbob]

Basically on a AAA title the 4870X2 will run faster than a GTX285. It would be suicide for ATI not to optimized for popular titles.

Now there are games that won't scale with SLI. Typically these are obscure games, or RPGs. Typically in these games one of two things will happen.
1) The game is playable on both GTX285 and 4870X2, with the 285 being faster due to lack of Xfire scaling.
2) The game is barely playable on the 285, and unplayable on the 4870
3) The game is unplayable on both cards.

I think the only thing you really ever have to worry about is #2. If #2 is more important than everything else, then go with the 285. Otherwise seems like 4870X2 is the best choice for the money.

As far as temps as long as you have a decently ventilated case (i.e., not a Dell) then you should be fine since GPUs have a very high tolerance for heat (more than the rest of your components anyway).

 

[dguy6789]

If a game is old enough to not be given a Crossfire profile, it will probably be incredibly easy for a 4870 to run by itself anyway. AMD seems to want to make Crossfire their standard solution for high end, so Crossfire support and implementation will only get better.

 

[dust]

I'd get the 285, it's the fastest single GPU available now and you could always buy another one at a later time if you want to upgrade, Both CF and SLI have problems right now and they will be dealt with over time. I'm running two 4870 in CF and have little gain over a single 4870 card, in games anyway. The only "real" gain is in benchmarks but who cares abt those when Crysis runs like s@%t @ 19/12.

A friend of mine has two 9800gtx and guess what, the same issue. There are scaling problems with both ATI CF & Nvidia SLI and personally I won't make the mistake of relying on multiple GPU solutions again, if they don't correct the issues that is.

 

[alcoholbob]

As far as scaling problems, even getting +20% is better than nothing right? Heh.

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

There are more issues with multi-gpu setups then just poor scaling though. The ever-popular microstuttering, and rendering artifacts show up too.
Can you even disable crossfire on an X2 and use it in single GPU mode for when things go wrong?

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: dguy6789
If a game is old enough to not be given a Crossfire profile, it will probably be incredibly easy for a 4870 to run by itself anyway. AMD seems to want to make Crossfire their standard solution for high end, so Crossfire support and implementation will only get better.

They need to allow the use of custom profiles. This is an are they are severely lacking in.

 

[Elfear]

Originally posted by: PhatoseAlpha
There are more issues with multi-gpu setups then just poor scaling though. The ever-popular microstuttering, and rendering artifacts show up too.
Can you even disable crossfire on an X2 and use it in single GPU mode for when things go wrong?

Yes.