My sealed XFX GTX 260 c216 Black Edition

[Psynaut]

I have an XFX 260 c216 Black Edition in a sealed box. I could probably net around $270.00 for it on Ebay. Given current, and upcomming, card releases should I sell this and buy something else (either now or in the near future) or just use it.

In the new AT GTX 285 review, they use the old GTX 260 for comparison instead of the core 216 so that isn't as much help. I also think I read that the next gen cards are coming out in March/April? My 9800 GTX is still chugging along, though it is starting to show some strain, but I am sure I could make due with it for 2 more months if the next gen cards are coming out soon leading to a plummeting of the price of current cards.

Anyway, I have been too busy trying to survive the current economic collapse to spend as much time reading about GPU's as I normally would and would really appreciate some quick guidance from you guys on this decision.

Thanks.

 

[chizow]

You'll definitely see a boost in performance with your rig and monitor to make it worthwhile. You can probably sell the 9800GTX for around half of what you'd expect to get from the GTX 260. You won't see 2x gain from the 260, but it'll definitely be worthwhile at 1920, especially with AA. Recent launch of the 55nm GTX 285 and GTX 260 has pushed down prices of 280 and 260 c216, so if you were going to sell, you'd want to do it soon.

If you're busy with work and not so busy gaming, it wouldn't hurt to wait. RV790 (more SP, smaller process, higher clocks) is rumored to be available in April or so and GT212 (updated GT200 with more SP, smaller process, higher clocks) is rumored to be available in May/June. They'll most likely reset prices as well though with $350-400 MSRPs at launch.

 

[Denithor]

So nVidia is up to their usual tricks? Release a "GX2" card and then shortly thereafter drop a new architecture on the market...

7900GX2 -> 8800 series
9800GX2 -> GT200 series
GTX 295 -> GT212 ?

 

[Psynaut]

May/June is still quite a ways off, so I don't know if I would want to wait that long. I could upgrade to a GTX 285 now, but I wonder if it is enough better than the card I have, that it is worth the effort. Obviously I would be OC'ing the 285. Any idea how much extra performance I would gain with an OC'd GTX 285 over the Black Edition XFX 260 c216?

 

[Shmee]

Well, you could send it to me for SLI
would even be willing to pay for it, if for a good price

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Denithor
So nVidia is up to their usual tricks? Release a "GX2" card and then shortly thereafter drop a new architecture on the market...

7900GX2 -> 8800 series
9800GX2 -> GT200 series
GTX 295 -> GT212 ?

If you're a gamer, you should hope they launch higher performing parts every week of the year.

No one forces you to buy them, and computer parts shouldn't be looked at as an investment anyway.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Psynaut
May/June is still quite a ways off, so I don't know if I would want to wait that long. I could upgrade to a GTX 285 now, but I wonder if it is enough better than the card I have, that it is worth the effort. Obviously I would be OC'ing the 285. Any idea how much extra performance I would gain with an OC'd GTX 285 over the Black Edition XFX 260 c216?

A Black Edition 260 c216 typically performs on par with a stock GTX 280. Given the 285 is about 8-10% faster than the 280, and overclocks another 10-15% beyond stock, you can probably expect a 20-25% improvement at max overclocks for both GTX 260 and 285. Really depends on your resolution and settings too though.

I've been looking into the overclocks on the 285 myself and haven't seen anything compelling to make me upgrade yet either, although there have been some pretty nice deals, like a GTX 285 for $320 or so after cash back from Tiger Direct. Seems like the GTX 285 isn't gaining too much on the core overclocks, 730-750MHz max. The big gains are with the shader and memory though, about 250-300MHz and 200-250MHz respectively.

Originally posted by: Denithor
So nVidia is up to their usual tricks? Release a "GX2" card and then shortly thereafter drop a new architecture on the market...

7900GX2 -> 8800 series
9800GX2 -> GT200 series
GTX 295 -> GT212 ?

Yep, the main difference this time though is they'll be well-positioned to launch a GX2 part sooner by adopting newer processes sooner, meaning the GX2 should be relevant longer before its replaced. The trade-off is that it'll probably cost more as well.

 

[Hauk]

Originally posted by: Denithor
So nVidia is up to their usual tricks? Release a "GX2" card and then shortly thereafter drop a new architecture on the market...

7900GX2 -> 8800 series
9800GX2 -> GT200 series
GTX 295 -> GT212 ?

Contributing naught to OP's question, you win the of the day!

 

[Psynaut]

Well, 20% - 25% improvement over the XFX 260 c216 card is pretty significant. And if deals can be had in the loww $300.00's on a GTX 285, then maybe I should consider selling it and upgrading. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

 

[Hauk]

Yea while resale value is at it's highest for the 260 black, sell it. GTX 280's are already encroaching on the value of your 260 black and they'll continue to do so which will drive your value down.

Pretty much a given a vanilla 285 will oc to at least 670/1548/2500 so you're assured a fairly good percentage boost. Memory oc's like mad on these things, though going past 2600 is not really necessary.

 

[Psynaut]

Ok, I went ahead and relisted it. I just want to say thanks again for all the expert advice; it is really much appreciated.

 

[Hauk]

Tonight I'm playing with XFX 285's in SLI and WOW am I impressed, especially with temps and fan performance. My temps may be a little better than normal as I used Arctic Silver 5 for the GPU's and Arctic Ceramique for everything else; but wow these things run great!

With Precision I have them clocked to 691/1573/2600. I kept fan set to auto, with FC2 and The Witcher temps hovered around 60 on primary and 54 on slave, fan stayed at 40%. Bumping fan to 55%, temps dropped to 55 on primary and 50 on slave. Idle temps are in the mid 40's.

With side panel off and all other fans on low, fan noise from 40-50% is barely audible. At 55%, fans are audible with side panel off. Above 55% it becomes progressively louder. I figure I'll never have to exceed 55% fan speed. Even two in SLI are quiet!

I'm very, very impressed. Awesome power and quiet too. Grab a 285. You'll love it... :thumbsup:

 

[Jephph]

I read, either on Anandtech or Tom's or XBit, that the GTX 285 has a worse price/performance ratio than the GTX280. It was something like an 8% performance increase for a 12% price increase or something like that. Just something to consider.