Question about GTX 280

[thilanliyan]

Do you guys/gals think that the 280 will be somewhat future proof? (ie.) Will it last as long as the 8800GTX did?

Are there certain types of games where it can shine? Is AA performance actually that good (ie. the performance drop)?

 

[OCGuy]

As far as I know, the 8800GTX is still a viable graphics card at most resolutions and on most games.

I dont think there will be any game in the next 24 months that cant be ran with eye candy on with a 280. It is the most powerful GPU ever made for now.

 

[thilanliyan]

At the time though the 8800GTX was much faster than anything out at the time. Whereas the 280 isn't a LOT faster than every card...hence the price cuts. I'd really like to know, is the 280 at it's limits right now (disregarding a die shrink) or is there something holding it back?

 

[Cutthroat]

It will play the newest games at good settings for quite some time, but it will not be king for as long as the 8800GTX was. The HD4870X2 and GT200 refresh are coming soon, they will take the crown.

IME, I start taking a hit at 8xAA, but I don't notice much difference above 4xAA at 1680x1050, AA isn't so important to me anymore.

The GTX280 really shines in Crysis, I can now run all very high settings at about 25fps average, too bad I find it boring now.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: thilan29
At the time though the 8800GTX was much faster than anything out at the time. Whereas the 280 isn't a LOT faster than every card...hence the price cuts. I'd really like to know, is the 280 at it's limits right now (disregarding a die shrink) or is there something holding it back?

When you use the term "Future proof", I assume you are talking about actual performace of a card in games. Your response was leaning on if its future-proof as far as being "the best" GPU.

Software developers determine how future-proof a card will be, not the competition by NV/ATi to make better and better cards.

 

[thilanliyan]

Good point Ocguy. With the card now hitting $400, I'm wondering if it's worth the $100 over the 4870. I was sure my next card would be the 4870 since the price of the GTX 280 was so high. However, now that it's come down, it's not such an easy choice anymore.

I'll try the question another way...do you think the performance delta between the 4870 & 280 will increase as time goes on or will it stay the same? If it will stay the same then to me it's not worth the extra money.

If the 280 is being held back somehow then it WOULD be worth the extra money...and that's what I'm wondering...is it being held back somehow...or has it reached it's limits in terms of shader and memory bandwidth utlization?

 

[AmberClad]

Well, there's always going to be some game developer out there who's looking to make a name for themselves by creating something far more demanding than anything else out there, to the point of being nearly unplayable on the current top end hardware. Oblivion and Crysis are two of the more recent ones.

 

[BFG10K]

Originally posted by: thilan29

Will it last as long as the 8800GTX did?

I doubt it as ATi are much more competitive now than they were with the 3xxx series. The GT200+ is coming in August which could be quite a bit faster than the original.

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

Originally posted by: thilan29

Will it last as long as the 8800GTX did?

I doubt it as ATi are much more competitive now than they were with the 3xxx series. The GT200+ is coming in August which could be quite a bit faster than the original.

A simple die shrink won't result in a large increase could it? I don't remember that happening in recent memory.

 

[BFG10K]

Originally posted by: thilan29

A simple die shrink won't result in a large increase could it?

It's possible - remember what the 7900 GTX did over the 7800 GTX?

In any case with ATi much more competitive this generation it's unlikely the GTX280 will last as long as the 8800 GTX did.