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GTX280 worth $100 more than 4870?

T

thilanliyan

Lifer
I can get a GTX280 for about $100 more than the 4870 1gb (with a $50 rebate for the 280). Is it worth it? For some reason the GTX280 is near the price of GTX260s so I might as well get the 280? I don't plan to upgrade for at least another year so which is the better buy? And if it's the 280 is BFG or eVGA the way to go (step-up is not an option for me)?

I don't care about stereovision or PhysX (not yet anyway). I care slightly more about warranty and customer service.

The 4870 would be watercooled as my current block fits it while the GTX280 would be left as is (I've heard the fan can get pretty loud).

Also my case is a Lian Li A05 so the 280 will be a tight fit but I think it will fit. Also due to the smaller case airflow may not be ideal.
 
If there truly is a $100 price difference, then I'd probably go with the 4870 1GB. However, I didn't see that type of price difference when I made my purchase. Plus, consider that some of the 280 GTX cards come with a free game. So for me, my 280GTX was 324.99 - 20 MIR, and came with Far Cry 2 ($49.99), something I was going to buy anyway. So as far as I am concerned, I paid about 254.99 AR.

Originally posted by: thilan29

The 4870 would be watercooled as my current block fits it while the GTX280 would be left as is (I've heard the fan can get pretty loud).
Click to expand...

I missed this part the first run through. Since you already have a waterblock i'd change my advice to a 4870 1GB. It will run cooler, and likely overclock better if you decide to do some volt mods to it.

As far as 280GTX fan noise. It is only slightly louder than my 8800GTS 512MB. At 50% of 280GTX fan speed = 59% 8800GTS 512MB fan speed in my estimation.
 
With rebates and such the difference is close to $100 here in Canada. I'm leaning more towards the 280 since watercooling the 4870 would be a bit more involved (most non-reference cooled 4870s don't have memory heatsinks and the VRMs aren't cooled properly either so I'd have to address those issues).

About the game...some have said some BFG cards come with FC2 in the box while the website says they've run out of bundles...no idea what to believe on that.

I'll put it another way....which card would last me about a year for gaming at 1920x1200?

EDIT: Also, would BFG or EVGA be the way to go?
 
I'd get the 4870 1 gig especially since you can water cool it. You won't miss the slight advantages the GTX280 has over it depending on the game, especially if you overclock the heck out of it. The memory on the 4870's really cranks, the limiting factor is the core in my experience. With some water cooling it would greatly help. Add to the fact that it's $100 cheaper and it's a better choice imho.
The GTX280 is a damn fine card, but it sounds like your set up is better suited towards the ATI at the moment. I personally don't worry about bundled games, I usually already have what I want. I got "The Witcher" free with my last card, woohoo.
 
My vote is eVGA. They are, IMO, better than BFG. But really, the big three eVGA, BFG, and XFX are great and you really can't go wrong.
 
Probably get the Asus. Better cooler, warranty. Not sure about rebates but I would believe Asus over Powercolor.
 
Originally posted by: thilan29
I can get a GTX280 for about $100 more than the 4870 1gb (with a $50 rebate for the 280). Is it worth it? For some reason the GTX280 is near the price of GTX260s so I might as well get the 280? I don't plan to upgrade for at least another year so which is the better buy? And if it's the 280 is BFG or eVGA the way to go (step-up is not an option for me)?

I don't care about stereovision or PhysX (not yet anyway). I care slightly more about warranty and customer service.

The 4870 would be watercooled as my current block fits it while the GTX280 would be left as is (I've heard the fan can get pretty loud).

Also my case is a Lian Li A05 so the 280 will be a tight fit but I think it will fit. Also due to the smaller case airflow may not be ideal.
Click to expand...

If $100 is your price difference, and you have an ATi water block, is this a question?

Of course you get the 4870.

Personally I'd rather have PhysX and (especially) stereovision, but you said you don't care so there's nothing to even discuss for you. Enjoy!
 
Originally posted by: Azn
Probably get the Asus. Better cooler, warranty. Not sure about rebates but I would believe Asus over Powercolor.
Click to expand...

There's no cooling on the memory though..and I'm gonna watercool it. I think you're right about the warranty but if I watercool it it's void anyway isn't it?

Originally posted by: Wreckage
$354 with a rebate seems to be a bit closer
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/P...x?Item=N82E16814143141
Click to expand...

That's the one I was looking at but as I said, once I add shipping and taxes the difference is actually $85 compared with the cheaper Powercolor.

EDIT: ARGH!!! Damn...looking at the Newegg reviews, the Powercolor may have some issues and apparently their customer service isn't great.
 
Unless if you can find the Powercolor version with the old PCB which offers better overclocking and lower heat dissipation, I would rather chose the Asus version, but if you care about warranty, you may want the XFX or Visiontek version which is also more expensive.
 
Originally posted by: evolucion8
Unless if you can find the Powercolor version with the old PCB which offers better overclocking and lower heat dissipation, I would rather chose the Asus version, but if you care about warranty, you may want the XFX or Visiontek version which is also more expensive.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'll go for the Asus version if I go with the 4870.

I'm gonna try getting NCIX to pricematch the GTX 280 on newegg, then the difference will be about $65 (with rebate) if they allow it. Is $65 low enough to be worth the difference?
 
At that price, is a matter of taste than anything else. GTX 280 is slighly faster and slighly more expensive and has PhysX and CUDA while the HD 4870 is slighly slower and cheaper, but has DX10.1, Stream and better video features.
 
Okay shoot I thought ATX motherboards were 10.5in in width but they're only about 9.6in. Sooo...the 280 would be a VERY tight fit and I'd have to take one of the HDDs out of my case...so I think I'm just gonna go with the 4870.
 
Originally posted by: thilan29


EDIT: ARGH!!! Damn...looking at the Newegg reviews, the Powercolor may have some issues and apparently their customer service isn't great.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the stress of picking a new video card. Good luck.

Personally if I was shopping right now I would shoot for a 55nm GTX 260 or a XFX 4870, however they both carry a bit of a price premium.

I think with the GTX285 coming the 280 will be phased out and there might be some deals soon. A modest clock on these new 260s gets too close to 280 territory to spend much more on one.
 
For the ATI you might just keep the stock cooler and create a profiel to run the fan higher during gaming. The stock cooler works well, it just is shipped to run silent instead of cool.
 
Originally posted by: Wreckage
I think with the GTX285 coming the 280 will be phased out and there might be some deals soon. A modest clock on these new 260s gets too close to 280 territory to spend much more on one.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'll hold off for a bit. I thought my 8800GT was dead after trying to vmod it but I got it working again just now and I'm not playing any gpu intensive games right now so I don't need it.

If it's between the 260 and 4870 I'd go for the 4870 but overall I'd rather have the 280. Hopefully the price comes down some more. Thanks all for your help. 🙂
 
Hey Thil, I never knew you were Canadian. Now I know lol.

Anyways, buy from NCIX or Direct Canada or Canada Computers, depending on where you live Way better prices than Newegg imo, and you don't have to pay for the insane shipping fees. Or you could wait till the $200 GTX280 hits Canada.....wonder how long that'd take.
 
Originally posted by: geokilla
Hey Thil, I never knew you were Canadian. Now I know lol.

Anyways, buy from NCIX or Direct Canada or Canada Computers, depending on where you live Way better prices than Newegg imo, and you don't have to pay for the insane shipping fees. Or you could wait till the $200 GTX280 hits Canada.....wonder how long that'd take.
Click to expand...

I used to live in TO but I'm in Edmonton right now (5% tax FTW!!). I usually buy from NCIX since they price match. Newegg without the shipping and handling has some decent prices.

You think the 280 will hit $200 here in Canada? Was that deal a mistake or was it legit?
 
Originally posted by: thilan29
Originally posted by: geokilla
Hey Thil, I never knew you were Canadian. Now I know lol.

Anyways, buy from NCIX or Direct Canada or Canada Computers, depending on where you live Way better prices than Newegg imo, and you don't have to pay for the insane shipping fees. Or you could wait till the $200 GTX280 hits Canada.....wonder how long that'd take.
Click to expand...

I used to live in TO but I'm in Edmonton right now (5% tax FTW!!). I usually buy from NCIX since they price match. Newegg without the shipping and handling has some decent prices.

You think the 280 will hit $200 here in Canada? Was that deal a mistake or was it legit?
Click to expand...

Hmm. With the currency exchange at the way it is maybe it'll drop to $300....Visit HardwareCanucks. They know good deals for Canadians and what not.

Edmonton has only 5% tax? What happened to PST or whatever you're suppose to have there?! Stupid 8% PST here..

GTX 260 Core 216 $279.99AR Get NCIX to pricematch.
 
Originally posted by: geokilla
Edmonton has only 5% tax? What happened to PST or whatever you're suppose to have there?! Stupid 8% PST here..

GTX 260 Core 216 $279.99AR Get NCIX to pricematch.
Click to expand...

I hope the 280 drops that far.

Yeah there's only 5% tax here...way better than the 13% I was paying in TO.

I saw that deal at memoryexpress but between the 260 and 4870 I'd rather get the 4870. Actually they also have the 280 on sale so I figured I can get it since there's no shipping but it still comes out cheaper with NCIX if I pricematch with newegg.ca.

EDIT: Looking at the 295 review from Hardwarecanucks...it doesn't seem the 280 is worth so much more than the 260...lol choosing a card is so tough. 🙂
 
Isn't the (65nm) Core 216 just as long as the GTX280 at 11.5"? As far as price is concerned, I believe the choice should only be between the 4870 and Core 216. As far as everything else is concerned (cooling, warranty, size) that's up for the OP to decide.
 
Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
Isn't the (65nm) Core 216 just as long as the GTX280 at 11.5"? As far as price is concerned, I believe the choice should only be between the 4870 and Core 216. As far as everything else is concerned (cooling, warranty, size) that's up for the OP to decide.
Click to expand...

I think you're right they're the same length but it's 10.5in not 11.5in...well that's a minus for the 260 for me then cause it's a tight fit in my Lian Li A05 which is completely full as it is.
 
Originally posted by: thilan29
Originally posted by: geokilla
Edmonton has only 5% tax? What happened to PST or whatever you're suppose to have there?! Stupid 8% PST here..

GTX 260 Core 216 $279.99AR Get NCIX to pricematch.
Click to expand...

I hope the 280 drops that far.

Yeah there's only 5% tax here...way better than the 13% I was paying in TO.

I saw that deal at memoryexpress but between the 260 and 4870 I'd rather get the 4870. Actually they also have the 280 on sale so I figured I can get it since there's no shipping but it still comes out cheaper with NCIX if I pricematch with newegg.ca.

EDIT: Looking at the 295 review from Hardwarecanucks...it doesn't seem the 280 is worth so much more than the 260...lol choosing a card is so tough. 🙂
Click to expand...

Maybe you can wait for those price drops, or get a GTX285 when it comes out.

I'd rather get the Core 216 than GTX280. However, I'd rather get the 4870 than the Core 216 lol. Too bad, I'm stuck with this 9600GT. At least I'm not a hard gamer.
 
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