I want a GTX 280

[Cutthroat]

So even though I don't need a GTX 280, I don't think I can hold out, I need my crack. Everything tells me I should wait until the 55nm refresh before I click, but it's getting doubtful that I can wait that long. I'm guessing when NCIX puts up their weekly specials on Wed. if I see one under $500 I will probably not be able to stop myself.

I have a few reservations though...

1. I'm worried about heat output, not necessarily the temp of the card, but the amount of heat pumped into this room, the ambient today is already 30C. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket coolers for these yet either.

2. I'm also worried about power consumption, I have a 700W OCZ GameXStream. I would run 3 F@H clients (2xSMP & 1 GPU), so my Q9450 and GPU would always be running at 100%. Plus 6GB RAM, 3 HDD, etc. Also everything in this room runs on one 15A house circuit, and there is a large CRT TV, lights, fans, etc. I have to be getting close to the circuits limit.

3. The 8pin connector (and adapter) is confusing me, someone please tell me once and for all how many 6pin PCI-E connectors I need on my PSU to run this thing.

4. Is the EVGA step-up program available in Canada?

I'm interested in hearing from GTX 280 owners, what were your experiences so far, should I buy right away?

 

[taltamir]

divide watts by volts to get amps.

even though it is a 700watt PSU, that is theoretical max peak power draw... You will still need such a hefty PSU for much lower real power draws.
Realistically, you are looking at 100-150 watts total system power on idle (with an LCD monitor), and 300-350 watts load with a GTX280 and a quad core.

so... under 1 amp idle (which you never will with F@H), and 3 amps load.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: Cutthroat
4. Is the EVGA step-up program available in Canada?

It IS available in Canada but you have to be careful about customs. I was thinking about it before but some people had been charged customs and they go by the value of the card, not the extra amount you paid for it to step up.

 

[Jumpem]

There is already an MSI version for $460AR on Newegg.

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: taltamir
divide watts by volts to get amps.

even though it is a 700watt PSU, that is theoretical max peak power draw... You will still need such a hefty PSU for much lower real power draws.
Realistically, you are looking at 100-150 watts total system power on idle (with an LCD monitor), and 300-350 watts load with a GTX280 and a quad core.

so... under 1 amp idle (which you never will with F@H), and 3 amps load.

That's good to know, I looked into the power consumption of my TV (~100W), so at most I might be using 6-7A. I think the PSU can handle the GTX280 and the OC Q9450, but I'm not sure about the PCI-E connectors.

So doing the calculations it would appear I could use about 1kW when everything is running, how many kw/h does that translate into, I don't know how to make that calculation.

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: Cutthroat
4. Is the EVGA step-up program available in Canada?

It IS available in Canada but you have to be careful about customs. I was thinking about it before but some people had been charged customs and they go by the value of the card, not the extra amount you paid for it to step up.

Never thought of customs, although I think they only charge GST on the full amount of the card, there are still handling charges that are probably more. But it still may be cheaper than buying a new card if the refresh comes out in time and I can't help myself again.

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
There is already an MSI version for $460AR on Newegg.

I'm in Canada, newegg won't ship here.:frown:

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Cutthroat
So even though I don't need a GTX 280, I don't think I can hold out, I need my crack. Everything tells me I should wait until the 55nm refresh before I click, but it's getting doubtful that I can wait that long. I'm guessing when NCIX puts up their weekly specials on Wed. if I see one under $500 I will probably not be able to stop myself.

I have a few reservations though...

1. I'm worried about heat output, not necessarily the temp of the card, but the amount of heat pumped into this room, the ambient today is already 30C. There doesn't seem to be any aftermarket coolers for these yet either.

2. I'm also worried about power consumption, I have a 700W OCZ GameXStream. I would run 3 F@H clients (2xSMP & 1 GPU), so my Q9450 and GPU would always be running at 100%. Plus 6GB RAM, 3 HDD, etc. Also everything in this room runs on one 15A house circuit, and there is a large CRT TV, lights, fans, etc. I have to be getting close to the circuits limit.

3. The 8pin connector (and adapter) is confusing me, someone please tell me once and for all how many 6pin PCI-E connectors I need on my PSU to run this thing.

4. Is the EVGA step-up program available in Canada?

I'm interested in hearing from GTX 280 owners, what were your experiences so far, should I buy right away?

1. It actually runs cooler than my 8800GTX. Idles at 55-57C with fan at 40% and never exceeds 80C under load, fan speed has never exceeded 60% set to Auto. With my GTX Idle was 60-65, load could easily hit 83-88C and typically required me to manually run the fan at 85%.

2. From reviews it draws a bit more than a G80 GTX/Ultra. My system runs without a hitch with my 850W.

3. You need (1 x 8-pin and 1 x 6-pin) or (3 x 6-pin) or (2 x 6-pin + 2 x molex). Basically 2 x 6-pin = 1 x 8-pin, 2 molex = 1 x 6-pin. If you need an 8-pin adapter make sure you buy from a brand that has one in the box. Apparently they're hard to find in the wild.

4. Not sure.

As for buying now, rumors have it that there's a 55nm G200b refresh coming out. There's also rumors a future NV part will have DX10.1 support and GDDR5. Personally I don't think the latter are vital, although the former could obviously decrease power/heat and increase clock speeds/performance. It just depends on how long you want to wait I suppose. With the latest round of price cuts I have no problem recommending the GTX 280 as an upgrade, its a fantastic part.

 

[Cutthroat]

Thanks chizow, very helpful. But did your package come with 1 2xmolex>6pin adapter and 1 6pin>8pin adapter? Thats what it looks like when I look at pictures. So I would need to use a molex to 6pin adapter, and then 6pin to 8pin adapter?

I really want to wait for the 55nm refresh, but I doubt I have enough self control, at best it will likely be Q4. If it's good enough I just might buy it too.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Cutthroat
Thanks chizow, very helpful. But did your package come with 1 2xmolex>6pin adapter and 1 6pin>8pin adapter? Thats what it looks like when I look at pictures. So I would need to use a molex to 6pin adapter, and then 6pin to 8pin adapter?

If this is your PSU and it has 2 x 6-pin PCIE then I would juse use those 2 x 6-pin to the 8-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. I'd then use the 2 x molex to 6-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. Daisy chaining adapters sounds a bit scary, but I'm certainly not an EE or PSU expert.

I really want to wait for the 55nm refresh, but I doubt I have enough self control, at best it will likely be Q4. If it's good enough I just might buy it too.

LOL well I was about to say that also, but I'm not too concerned about a refresh and I bought when there were already rumors about a shrink coming. The performance is there now, its provided a huge difference at 1920 in my current games so it has been well worth it. I've been waiting for a faster single-GPU for the last 7-months so I really didn't want to wait another 3-6 on a refresh.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: taltamir


even though it is a 700watt PSU, that is theoretical max peak power draw... Y.

pretty sure OCZ rates on continuous power, not Peak.

 

[n7]

I'm with you.

Just trying to wait a bit more...see what happens.

I'm going to be running mine on an HX520 btw

I had my OCed Q6700 + 8 GB + 6-8 HDDs + sound card + optical drive + 7 fans + HD 3870 X2 running off my 520W just fine.

 

[taltamir]

power is measured in kwh, not kw/h. (if it was PER then it would be a constant amount that never goes up)

you take the kw and multiply it by the number of hours it runs to get the kwh consumption.

So, a 100watt device (your TV) running for 30 minutes is 100 watts * 0.001 kwatts/watts * 0.5 hours = 0.05 kwh.
Running the TV for 6 hours: 100 watss * 0.001 kw/w * 6 hours = 0.6 kwh
a kwh goes from between 6 cents to 24 cents in the USA depending on your state and the season (costs more during summer).
In texas I pay 14 cents per kwh.

It might seem low at first, but it adds up quick, and can come out to hundreds of dollars per year. So do the math.

Also, it inceases your AC cost, so you should probably triple your final result to account for the extra heat generated by electric devices. (if you live somewhere where you use lots of AC, if you live somewhere cold it actually lowers your heating cost)

 

[LittleNemoNES]

woah
I was eyeing the XFX GTX280 @ newegg since it included assassin's creed. ($499)
Looked at it @ 8:10 AM.
Come 8:30 it is now $519

$H1t -- that sucks so bad.

 

[Hauk]

Originally posted by: gersson
woah
I was eyeing the XFX GTX280 @ newegg since it included assassin's creed. ($499)
Looked at it @ 8:10 AM.
Come 8:30 it is now $519

$H1t -- that sucks so bad.

They screw with pricing more than I edit my posts..

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: chizow
If this is your PSU and it has 2 x 6-pin PCIE then I would juse use those 2 x 6-pin to the 8-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. I'd then use the 2 x molex to 6-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. Daisy chaining adapters sounds a bit scary, but I'm certainly not an EE or PSU expert.

Yeah that sounds easier, never thought of that.

Originally posted by: taltamir
power is measured in kwh, not kw/h. (if it was PER then it would be a constant amount that never goes up)

you take the kw and multiply it by the number of hours it runs to get the kwh consumption.

So, a 100watt device (your TV) running for 30 minutes is 100 watts * 0.001 kwatts/watts * 0.5 hours = 0.05 kwh.
Running the TV for 6 hours: 100 watss * 0.001 kw/w * 6 hours = 0.6 kwh
a kwh goes from between 6 cents to 24 cents in the USA depending on your state and the season (costs more during summer).
In texas I pay 14 cents per kwh.

It might seem low at first, but it adds up quick, and can come out to hundreds of dollars per year. So do the math.

Also, it inceases your AC cost, so you should probably triple your final result to account for the extra heat generated by electric devices. (if you live somewhere where you use lots of AC, if you live somewhere cold it actually lowers your heating cost)

Very helpful taltamir, so is your other thread about power consumption, thanks. Here's a comparison, how much do you think it's possible to save on the cost of the GTX 280 in electricity over a 8800GTX?

Looking at specs for the size of the cards it seems the 8800GTX and the 280GTX are exactly the same length, is that correct? I can't spare another 1/4 inch, my 8800GTX already blocks a couple of SATA ports.

BTW, my PC froze while typing this post, I had to reset with the power button. I thought I would have to retype this post, but when I launched Firefox I let it restore my session and it even restored the post window with all the text I had typed. I didn't lose a thing.

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: chizow
If this is your PSU and it has 2 x 6-pin PCIE then I would juse use those 2 x 6-pin to the 8-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. I'd then use the 2 x molex to 6-pin and connect that to the GTX 280. Daisy chaining adapters sounds a bit scary, but I'm certainly not an EE or PSU expert.

Yeah that sounds easier, never thought of that.

Originally posted by: taltamir
power is measured in kwh, not kw/h. (if it was PER then it would be a constant amount that never goes up)

you take the kw and multiply it by the number of hours it runs to get the kwh consumption.

So, a 100watt device (your TV) running for 30 minutes is 100 watts * 0.001 kwatts/watts * 0.5 hours = 0.05 kwh.
Running the TV for 6 hours: 100 watss * 0.001 kw/w * 6 hours = 0.6 kwh
a kwh goes from between 6 cents to 24 cents in the USA depending on your state and the season (costs more during summer).
In texas I pay 14 cents per kwh.

It might seem low at first, but it adds up quick, and can come out to hundreds of dollars per year. So do the math.

Also, it inceases your AC cost, so you should probably triple your final result to account for the extra heat generated by electric devices. (if you live somewhere where you use lots of AC, if you live somewhere cold it actually lowers your heating cost)

Very helpful taltamir, so is your other thread about power consumption, thanks. Here's a comparison, how much do you think it's possible to save on the cost of the GTX 280 in electricity over a 8800GTX?

Looking at specs for the size of the cards it seems the 8800GTX and the 280GTX are exactly the same length, is that correct? I can't spare another 1/4 inch, my 8800GTX already blocks a couple of SATA ports.

BTW, my PC froze while typing this post, I had to reset with the power button. I thought I would have to retype this post, but when I launched Firefox I let it restore my session and it even restored the post window with all the text I had typed. I didn't lose a thing.

 

[imported_Scoop]

I don't see why you'd want the GTX 280. 9800GX2 is a much better deal.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Scoop
I don't see why you'd want the GTX 280. 9800GX2 is a much better deal.

Um no. Many fail to realise that the minimum fps on the 9800GX2 is poor. The reason why the GX2 card gets such a high avg fps is because its max fps is much higher. Alot of owners who went from a GX2 to GTX280 (most went through step up) would agree with me that the GTX280 is the better card period.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: Scoop
I don't see why you'd want the GTX 280. 9800GX2 is a much better deal.

Um no. Many fail to realise that the minimum fps on the 9800GX2 is poor. The reason why the GX2 card gets such a high avg fps is because its max fps is much higher. Alot of owners who went from a GX2 to GTX280 (most went through step up) would agree with me that the GTX280 is the better card period.

Not to mention a single GPU solution that wont have issues with games that dont scale well in SLI. Also drivers are early for the 280. Most of the time by the end of the lifecycle on a GPU. You are looking at double digit increases in performance from driver optimization.

 

[Cutthroat]

It's a done deal, I just ordered BFG GeForce GTX 280 OC 615MHZ 1024MB 2.214GHZ for $430 after MIR.