Help me choose high end video card!

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philw007

Member
Aug 19, 2002
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Looking at following:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143167
BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792E GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$500

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150334
XFX GX285NZDFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$350

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130367
EVGA 01G-P3-1282-AR GeForce GTX 280 SuperClocked Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130367
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$260

Now, while money is not an object, I do prefer price-to-performance. Plan on upgrading again in about a year or 2 as needed. My leaning is toward the gtx 295.

I left the 4870x2 and x1 out of my list as I don't want hassles and suspect the drivers will not be as forthcoming and good as nvidia. If anandtech'ers feel they are just as stable, I think choice is easy with 4870x2 at $400.

I am building a new i7 920 with gigabyte ud5 mb. Have 24"monitor now, running 8800gts 320mb. Avid gamer. Just purchased 30" monitor running at 2500x1600.

Which would you choose? Or should I wait few months for next gen cards due 3-4/09? The advantage of getting the bfg 295 will be that it has a step up program for 100 days...
 
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djnsmith7

Platinum Member
Apr 13, 2004
2,612
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I'm leaning towards the 295, but I'm going to wait & see what happens to the market...I'd like to see the prices drop as a result of the 4870X2 price drops...Only time will tell, so you'd need to be patient for that...According to the reviews, driver support is decent off the shelf & new drivers should be released shortly...I don't think it will be long before we see the 295 for $400, then $300...These cards won't really sell at $500, so they won't have much choice...

 
Dorkenstein

Dorkenstein

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2004
3,554
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That 4850x2 looks pretty good, but I am curious why people are giving it such mediocre/mixed reviews. Some are mentioning proprietary drivers...
 
Denithor

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
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For the price, & if you don't have a crossfire board, it's probably the best value available right now at the high end.

As long as crossfire scales well it kills any single card available and only trails the 4870X2 by about 10% (or less) in most games.
 
Elfear

Elfear

Diamond Member
May 30, 2004
7,163
819
126
I'd say 4870X2. I haven't had any driver issues with mine and you can pick one up at Newegg for $369.99 AR. The 4850X2 would also be a great card for the price.
 
Dorkenstein

Dorkenstein

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2004
3,554
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0
Is the 4850x2 still a good pick with the weird drivers and heat dissipation? Also, what's up with the 4 dvi ports?
 
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philw007

Member
Aug 19, 2002
70
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again, im shyin away from ati because of driver support issues esp with x58/i7. if driver suport was equal, no contest id get 4870x2...

some more info...also gettin either a 26' lcd 1900x1200 or 30' lcd 2500xwhatever...so i am leanin even more toward the 295. also considerin the xfx 285 for $350 with plans to sli when prices down...lastly the evga 260 ssc for $260 (plan for sli)

using gigabyte ud5 board so supports tri sli/crossfire
 
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TidusZ

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2007
1,765
2
81
Again, he's shyin away from ati because of driver support. again and again and again and again.
 
HeXploiT

HeXploiT

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2004
4,359
1
76
Originally posted by: philw007
Looking at following:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150333
XFX GX295NHHFF GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$500

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814143167
BFG Tech BFGEGTX2951792E GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 896 (448 x 2)-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$500

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130367
EVGA 01G-P3-1282-AR GeForce GTX 280 SuperClocked Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$320

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130367
EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
$260

Now, while money is not an object, I do prefer price-to-performance. Plan on upgrading again in about a year or 2 as needed. My leaning is toward the gtx 260 with plans to sli in future as bang for buck.

I left the 4870x2 and x1 out of my list as I don't want hassles and suspect the drivers will not be as forthcoming and good as nvidia. If anandtech'ers feel they are just as stable, I think choice is easy with 4870x2 at $400.

I am building a new i7 920 with gigabyte ud5 mb. Have 24"monitor now, running 8800gts 320mb. Avid gamer.

Which would you choose? Or should I wait few months for next gen cards due 3-4/09?
Click to expand...

Why only one card?
2x of these in SLI or any two GTX260 cards in sli and you'll stomp one single GTX280 or 4870X2 into the ground. :thumbsup:
 
Dorkenstein

Dorkenstein

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2004
3,554
0
0
I have a crossfire board but I have a single gtx 260. So it's not a simple thing for me. I would need another motherboard for sli.
 
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philw007

Member
Aug 19, 2002
70
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I think the numbers show that gtx 260 in sli will cost more than the gtx 295 and be a little slower than the 295.

New info...just bought a 30" monitor (IPS) resolution 2500x1600 so now really need a sli or dual option!

Again leaning toward the 295 because afraid of ati drivers playing nice with vista 64bit and x58/i7. Even the anandtech review says this. I don't want to spend time with funky drivers...

XFX has a 285 board on sale at newegg for $350.
 
apoppin

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
34,890
1
0
alienbabeltech.com
Originally posted by: philw007
I think the numbers show that gtx 260 in sli will cost more than the gtx 295 and be a little slower than the 295.

New info...just bought a 30" monitor (IPS) resolution 2500x1600 so now really need a sli or dual option!

Again leaning toward the 295 because afraid of ati drivers playing nice with vista 64bit and x58/i7. Even the anandtech review says this. I don't want to spend time with funky drivers...

XFX has a 285 board on sale at newegg for $350.
Click to expand...

first of all don't worry about ATi drivers .. they are the equal of Nvidia's

but for your situation where cost is unimportant, get a GTX295

why settle for less and you can still upgrade further, i believe, with a 2nd one later on
rose.gif
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
3,204
0
76
Originally posted by: philw007


New info...just bought a 30" monitor (IPS) resolution 2500x1600 so now really need a sli or dual option!
Click to expand...

Now there isn't any doubt about what to get : GTX 295 or 4870X2 ( although you hate it). One thing I see wrong about this 295 card though, is that it doesn't have 1 gb of vram. A lot of processing power, but on bellow 1 gb of Vram. That should hurt performance at 2500X1600, when AA is on. Oh well, it's the best, so take it!
 
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philw007

Member
Aug 19, 2002
70
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Again, I don't hate the 4870 x2. I actually prefer the underdog. I feel that its more technologically advanced at a better value. However, I'm not willing to suffer thru driver problems...and can afford not to. My time is worth more to me...I don't want to have "issues" with drivers. When anandtech and other reputable review sites cannot recommend the card because of driver related issues, I listen...

If a driver was released today and anandtech retracted its comments about driver issues with x58/i7, i'd buy one in an instant.

That said, will prob order the 295 from newegg today.
 
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philw007

Member
Aug 19, 2002
70
0
0
Good point. And a future sli of the gtx 285 would be awesome. I wouldn't want to buy 2 right now, however, because I think they are overpriced. And i'd be a little worried about the lone 285 driving my 30" @ 2500x1600.

Lets throw in another kicker. The 285 on sale is the xfx.

I'm thinking of getting the bfg 295 also. That has the 100 day step up program so if the new gpus due april come out I can step up? What do you think of that?
 
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