HELP me decide what to do with this GTX 260 !!

[Hauk]

So I've played with 4850's and gave them a new home. I intended on waiting for 4870 X2, but in a fit of spontaineity, I purchased an EVGA GTX 260 for $299 w/free shipping. I have it sealed in hand.

I decided on the 260 as a stop gap over 4870 because of the step-up option, plus I'd be too tempted to keep a 4870 and run it with the X2, which of course would require a new PSU. I also wanted the opportuntiy to play with a GT200 series card, it's too damn nice a card to never have handled. It's the end result that's important here. I'm torn though, here are my options:


* Pay shipping to return the 260 for a full refund. Wait the solid three weeks without buying anything else until X2 arrives.

* Use the 260 until solid data and availability of GTX 280+ comes available and step-up. If 4870 X2 is still more than 25% faster, sell the 260 and buy an X2.

* Use 260 until X2 launches and sell 260 on ebay for $265-$275.


So what would you do? No debates please. Both the X2 or 280 would work for my needs. Thanks..

 

[OCGuy]

If you are a fan of overclocking, I would slap that 260 in right away. EVGA not only provides the tool in that box to overclock it, but the lifetime warranty covers it as well. You will be in a great position to step-up in 3 months, like you mentioned. You should get a 680 core out of that guy with no real problem. That will meet/beat a stock 4870, and get you close to a stock 280.

 

[Hugh H]

If I was you, I would keep it for now and then step up to the gtx 280+ when it comes out.

However, I think the next gtx will remain a little behind the 4870 X 2 in performance (all speculation); so if you mostly care about maximum overall performance, I would return it now and then buy the X2 when it comes out. Keep in mind that the X2 does not scales well with all games (see Crysis).

 

[Hauk]

Yep, will overclock the 260 for sure. And no, I don't need the fastest card, and have considered (too much so) the pro/cons of single vs. multi gpu.

 

[woolfe9999]

I would not choose option 3. In 3-4 weeks the ARP on the 260 will be below $300. $265-$275 is what you could ebay a used one for right now, but not in 3-4 weeks. YMMV, but I don't think it's worth turning it into a second hand card just to play around with it for a few weeks.

Personally I'd ship it back and get an X2, but I doubt you'll do that. I've never known a hardware freak (myself included) to have a new video card fresh in shrinkrap and resist the temptation to open it and give it a spin.

- woolfe