GTX460 2gig vs. GTX295

[puttitat]

Hi,

I've come across a fairly cheap secondhand GTX295 with a year of warranty left. I'm considering buying it for my current rig:

ASUS P5N-EM HDMI mobo
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 3.16 GHz CPU
4 gb DDR2-ram
Geforce 9600GT 512mb (clearly needs retirement...)
750 watt PSU
Win7 64-bit

Would it make any sense stuffing a GTX295 in it? Is it worth it? I really miss some framerate in for example Mafia II - my current gfx will only run at 39 fps using MII's integrated benchmark, at 1280x720 resolution.

My monitor supports up to 1680x1050, so why not use it?

The alternative is a brand spanking new Gainward GTX460 "Golden Sample" 2 gig, but when looking at benchmarks, the GTX295 kicks its butt GOOD.

What would you guys / "guyettes" recommend me to do?

And sorry for my worn-out english (well, maybe more too-little-practiced)

Troels
Denmark

 

[toyota]

you do not need a 2gb gtx460. just get a gtx460 1gb or even 768mb model as that will be plenty for 1680x1050. I would just skip the second hand gtx295 altogether. with your cpu you are not going to get the numbers you see in some benchmarks for the gtx295 anyway. also I doubt it has a transferable warranty.

 

[puttitat]

The price of the 2gb is equalient to the price of a 1gb. Seems no point in saving nothing, and get 1gb less

 

[cusideabelincoln]

If the 295 is cheaper than the 460 then it would be a good purchase.

 

[puttitat]

The price is the same. $300

 

[toyota]

The price of the 2gb is equalient to the price of a 1gb. Seems no point in saving nothing, and get 1gb less

well surely they have cheaper 1gb versions there? if the 768mb models are quite a bit cheaper then go with one of those. at 1680 the 768mb is more than sufficient.

 

[puttitat]

well surely they have cheaper 1gb versions there? if the 768mb models are quite a bit cheaper then go with one of those. at 1680 the 768mb is more than sufficient.

The 768mb edition is only 20 bucks cheaper... And who know, maybe it'll give me an excuse to attach my 2nd, identical monitor, to go dual-display

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I wouldn't consider the 768mb version at all.

 

[toyota]

I wouldn't consider the 768mb version at all.

for a 1680x1050 monitor its just fine. above that sure I would never recommend the 768mb model though.

 

[puttitat]

Well, my 42inch Philips flat supports 1920x1080, why not try that if the gfx can do it?

Btw toyota, props for the Bundy avatar... Is it as much cult "over there", as here in Denmark?

 

[toyota]

Well, my 42inch Philips flat supports 1920x1080, why not try that if the gfx can do it?

Btw toyota, props for the Bundy avatar... Is it as much cult "over there", as here in Denmark?

yeah for 1920x1080 then certainly skip the 768mb model.

wow Al Bundy is more popular than I thought. lol. that show is pretty old now but some of the rerun episodes still crack me up.

 

[puttitat]

yeah for 1920x1080 then certainly skip the 768mb model.

wow Al Bundy is more popular than I thought. lol. that show is pretty old now but some of the rerun episodes still crack me up.

Better safe than sorry, and $20 for an extra 1.1 gigs of memory seems fair to me.

If you ask any dane above 18yrs, they'll at least recognize the Bundys if they see them on screen But off course, being Denmark and all, it has been renamed from "Married With Children" to "Our Worst Years" (Vore Værste År)... No voiceover though - and THANK GOD for that!

 

[toyota]

Better safe than sorry, and $20 for an extra 1.1 gigs of memory seems fair to me.

If you ask any dane above 18yrs, they'll at least recognize the Bundys if they see them on screen But off course, being Denmark and all, it has been renamed from "Married With Children" to "Our Worst Years" (Vore Værste År)... No voiceover though - and THANK GOD for that!

well you will likely never go over 1gb at just 1920x1080 but as you said the 2gb model is the same price so go for it.

 

[puttitat]

Thanks for your answers!

I'd still like to hear more responses, it might seem like a tiny expense for some, but for me, it's all i have to spend for myself the whole month when mortgage and such has been paid

 

[cusideabelincoln]

for a 1680x1050 monitor its just fine. above that sure I would never recommend the 768mb model though.

Well, for him. The extra $20 buys more than just memory. Gets him extra memory bandwidth and performance. Well worth it.

 

[toyota]

Well, for him. The extra $20 buys more than just memory. Gets him extra memory bandwidth and performance. Well worth it.

yes I know the only difference isn't the amount of memory. still for someone at 1680x1050 there is nearly zero performance difference though. anyway he has a 1920x1080 tv he might use so the 768mb isn't really up for debate now.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I know you know but I don't think he knew

 

[puttitat]

Well, I had a feeling... I've used 3 years of my life to make my self able to rightfully title myself "IT Technician", so the fancy words doesn't scare me.

But, to be honest, gaming hasn't really caught my attention. I just like to be able to play if I want, and play something that soothes my eyes The 9600GT has done great so far, but it's time to realise that it just doesn't do the job anymore.

While I've concentrated about software, it's nice that somebody concentrated about hardware, and is able to tell "right from wrong".

From the beginning I had my mind set to go invest in the GTX460 2gig, but who knew - maybe somebody could prove me wrong - I'm just human

Make no mistake - I'm SO thankful for your help and comments, and would like to hear more from you - I (well, and you) have until the shops opens at monday to change my mind if it makes sense to do so.

 

[edplayer]

I had a 9600GT SSC and recently replaced it with a 768MB GTX 460. Very happy with it. I am using a 1920x1080 monitor. The 9600GT was actually OK at that resolution until I got Bad Company 2. That game punished it.

 

[tweakboy]

The more VRAM is not going to make a difference in framerate.

1GB is plenty full already.

A 460 is newer generation new technologies DX11 other enhancements from their previous gen.


460 and 295 you wont tell a difference it will be soo fast already.

But 460 wins at end because its enhancements and DX11 support

thx and gg and gb

 

[puttitat]

I can't find any reason to save nothing and get 1 gb less, I think my mind is made up, for the Gainward GS GTX460 2gig

 

[netxzero64]

i think the GTX 460 is not hungry enough to require a 2gb version...

 

[Bl0cks]

The price of the 2gb is equalient to the price of a 1gb. Seems no point in saving nothing, and get 1gb less

Did everyone skip this post? Sure he may not use 1gb, but if it's the same cost, more power to him.

 

[dguy6789]

I'd pick the GTX 460 over the GTX 295. It's fast, has full Direct X 11 support, and will be easier on your power supply.

 

[puttitat]

Hi,
I ended out ordering a Gainward GeForce GTX 460 2GB PhysX CUDA.
Thanks for all your help, you guys have been awesome!