How much faster 'could' Dual 480's be vs 1 295?

mgon154

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Jan 28, 2010
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Ok so, I think I've heard enough rambling about the GTX 480 vs the 5870 by ATI so I'm done with that for now. The deeper I get into this frenzy, the more I begin to realize whats really important to me. And the question that matters more to me now, is how much faster is it then a GTX 295?

Yes, I know there aren't specs right now, but based off of what we "already know" I'd like to get your thoughts on its speed vs what I have already. So keep that in mind.

I ask this because I've stressed myself a little by "hoping" and "wishing" its faster than the 5870 which I still feel a bit confident on. However, the thing that matters to me is how much of an increase in performance will dual 480's be over one GTX 295? I'll be getting 2 GTX 480's but if the performance increase over a single 295 is only like, %20 then there's no way on earth I'll get a GTX 480. I had dual 295's but I learned that one 295 scaled much better and ran higher performance than dual 295's. 4 GPU's is just too much transfering data back and forth to be consitent and smooth.

Any ideas on the fastest graphics solution for me? Price is no concern at the moment. I feel pretty good that 2 GTX 480's will be faster than one ATI 5970. If one 5970 is STILL faster (which will be very very very sad and embarrasing on NVIDIA's part that their top model stuck in SLI can't even beat a 5970) then I'll go with the 5970. I just don't want to make a mistake and buy what I think is performs the best and flunk out. Please don't meantion price because I'll pay for the top no matter what it is. My question is, what IS the top.

As you can see I still think about 2 GTX 480's vs 1 5970, but my main concern is how much faster could 2 480's be over 1 GTX 295. Thanks!
 

Nemesis 1

Lifer
Dec 30, 2006
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If it runs good and your happy . What differance does it really make if Ati is slower or faster? As long as your happy thats what the bottom line is. It doesn't matter If its slower or faster its your happiness with the product that matters only to yourself.

The only thing I really dislike about NV . Are its AEG cronies . I had more fun with them befor they had it sigged because they had other members hood winked so it was pretty much bang up on White wolf . . Funny part is I really like Rollo a lot . He got me banned a few times . But man I had some good times with this forum and him . My favorit was white Wolf eskimo native Bs story I told him one night it was great fun . That ended with Ban . Me LOL!
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
9,031
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Even with the small amount of info we have, it is a pretty safe bet that GTX 480 SLI will be the fastest dual gpu setup for a little while. The only way it wouldn't be is if the SLI drivers/profiles were absolutely abysmal.
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
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Look for 5870 crossfire benches. It will be about as fast as that.
Figure at least 50% faster then a gtx 295.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
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Wait for benchmarks not these leaks we have then make up your mind. It doesn't seem we're going to get any benchmarks from any reputable websites until it actually launches and not a day earlier which sucks.
 

nitromullet

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2004
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It doesn't seem we're going to get any benchmarks from any reputable websites until it actually launches and not a day earlier

Why would you get benchmarks from a reputable site pre-launch? The only websites that will post pre-launch benchmarks are obtaining any info they have from someone breaking their NDA. "Reputable" doesn't really describe a source like that.

How often have the legit sites' benchmarks completely contradicted the general consensus prior to launch? The general consensus is:

5970 > GTX 480 > 5870 >= GTX 470 > 5850

Would you honestly bet against that?
 
Apr 20, 2008
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On a similar topic, how much faster will the 6870 be compared to dual 480's?

Oh yeah, we have no idea.
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
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On a similar topic, how much faster will the 6870 be compared to dual 480's?

Oh yeah, we have no idea.

The 6870? I heard that chip was gonna be too big, too hot, use too much power,and cost too much.

I thought everyone knew that?:rolleyes:
 

Puffnstuff

Lifer
Mar 9, 2005
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I think that once the nda's have lifted we'll have a pretty good idea of where things stand. I personally want the fastest single card solution rather than going sli/xfire like I've done in the past. I'm leaning towards the 5970 but alas nobody has them in stock. I can only hope that amd has secretly been stock piling them to flood the market when nvidia does their paper launch on the 26th.
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
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I think that once the nda's have lifted we'll have a pretty good idea of where things stand. I personally want the fastest single card solution rather than going sli/xfire like I've done in the past. I'm leaning towards the 5970 but alas nobody has them in stock. I can only hope that amd has secretly been stock piling them to flood the market when nvidia does their paper launch on the 26th.

Hmm I thought the 5970 is a crossfire solution?
 

rodrigu3

Member
May 14, 2007
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1000000x's faster

over9000.jpg


OVER 9000!?!?!?!
 

Tempered81

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2007
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You should get two 5870 2GB's or two GTX480's. Just wait for the reviews and make your purchase in early april.
 

Hauk

Platinum Member
Nov 22, 2001
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.. I can only hope that amd has secretly been stock piling them to flood the market when nvidia does their paper launch on the 26th.

Funny you mention that. From what we know, AMD is spending little coin to counter Fermi, but does have tricks planned:

1) 5870 2GB (originally planned to launch following debut)
2) Board parter redesigns (zero AMD dollars)
3) Dual gpu pcb's ready for board partner purchase?
 

Hauk

Platinum Member
Nov 22, 2001
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You should get two 5870 2GB's or two GTX480's. Just wait for the reviews and make your purchase in early april.

OP, this is the best advice for you. I know you said you're done with ATI, but if you're wanting the best, consider the options. 5870 2GB Crossfire will be GTX 480 SLI's closest competitor. Which one is "best" depends on several things, not just benchmarks. Thermal considerations become even more important with multi-gpu. Same with power. "Faster" is as easy as waiting for bechmarks. Stable is taking all factors into consideration.

Good you're seeing that more than 2 gpu's is a waste. GTX 295 SLI sounded good at the time, kinda like GTX 285 Tri-Sli sounded good to me. Too much power spread across too much hardware. Two 5870 or 480 gpus will yield much better scaling.

Cheers to whichever you choose. I'm ready to make the grab as well..
 
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v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
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RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
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If price is not a concern, then nothing will touch 5970s in CF for a while. However, that's probably a major overkill for current games on a single display.

Otherwise, just wait for benchmarks of GTX480 and see how that compares to a single 5870.

Honestly, just wait 15 more days for benches :)
 
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Martimus

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2007
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If enough are available, we will find out in two weeks. If there aren't enough available (rumored supply of 480's is very low), then it won't matter since getting two might be extremely difficult.
 

v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
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If price is no concern he'll have no problems getting two. Even the phantom editions of 7800 512 and X800XTPE were very available on ebay. I'm sure worst case he could buy some Alienwares from Dell and get as many GTX480 GPUs as he wants that way.

With a $10,000 or bigger budget hardware availability problems disappear. Granted, it's not my cup of tea -- I'd rather save the cash knowing the $1k machines coming in 6-12 months will be as fast or faster, but if someone is fabulously wealthy spending 10 grand every 6 months on the best of the best is like dropping 50c into a snack vending machine for us mere mortals.
 

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
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If price is no concern he'll have no problems getting two. Even the phantom editions of 7800 512 and X800XTPE were very available on ebay. I'm sure worst case he could buy some Alienwares from Dell and get as many GTX480 GPUs as he wants that way.

With a $10,000 or bigger budget hardware availability problems disappear. Granted, it's not my cup of tea -- I'd rather save the cash knowing the $1k machines coming in 6-12 months will be as fast or faster, but if someone is fabulously wealthy spending 10 grand every 6 months on the best of the best is like dropping 50c into a snack vending machine for us mere mortals.

Yep like you said, they'll be on eBay and you can get them if price is of no concern. I could see them easily going for at least $900 on fleabay.
 

v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
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My guess is MSRPs of $499 for the 470, $679 for the 480. Egg-gouged to 600 and 800 first day until sell out, with ebay prices of around $1000 for the 470 and $2000 for the 480. Let's see if my inflation adjusted projections of previous press edition launches are anywhere near correct.

The upper bound on GTX480 pricing will be determined by a Dell box with that GPU in SLI, or around $4.5k/2.