When to Upgrade from my GTX 280

[PCJake]

Most reviews state that it's not unbearably loud (not like an FX5800) but if it's in the 90c range you can expect the fan to be on 75%+ constantly. The cooling solution actually does a pretty good job for the massive power output is has to dissipate. If minimums are important then the 480 has a clear advantage there, dual GPU cards or CF/SLI solutions will all suffer from abnormal minimums compared to single GPUs from time to time. I'd say get the 480....if you can find it for sale anywhere.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the 480. I think I'll grab an MSI one off of Newegg for $509, since that's pretty much the only one available.

 

[PCJake]

Heh, the EVGA GTX 480 Superclocked edition just came back into stock on Newegg within the last hour or so. Just ordered one

 

[darXoul]

You shouldn't regret it, IMO. The card isn't really quiet or cool but it's not the heat/noise monster some reviewers claim it is. I consider my GTX 480 SC a clear upgrade over my previous card, GTX 295 rev. 2, not even mentioning the card I'd previously used, namely the GTX 280 FTW. From LotRO DX10 to Crysis, from Fallout 3 to GTA IV, it's not even a contest, especially with FSAA.

 

[PCJake]

You shouldn't regret it, IMO. The card isn't really quiet or cool but it's not the heat/noise monster some reviewers claim it is. I consider my GTX 480 SC a clear upgrade over my previous card, GTX 295 rev. 2, not even mentioning the card I'd previously used, namely the GTX 280 FTW. From LotRO DX10 to Crysis, from Fallout 3 to GTA IV, it's not even a contest, especially with FSAA.

That's excellent, I can't wait to get it hooked up. It should go quite well with the Intel X25 80GB SSD coming on Monday and the Windows 7 x64 Ultimate Upgrade that I bought today for ten bucks from my college

 

[evolucion8]

You shouldn't regret it, IMO. The card isn't really quiet or cool but it's not the heat/noise monster some reviewers claim it is. I consider my GTX 480 SC a clear upgrade over my previous card, GTX 295 rev. 2, not even mentioning the card I'd previously used, namely the GTX 280 FTW. From LotRO DX10 to Crysis, from Fallout 3 to GTA IV, it's not even a contest, especially with FSAA.

I doubt that going from the GTX 295 to a GTX 480 is a huge upgrade, specially when the HD 5870 trade blows with the GTX 295 and the GTX 480 is 15% average faster than both, may be you meant at 2560x1600 or other scenarios where the GTX 295 is VRAM limited.

 

[zerocool84]

Are you running the game on DX10 or 9? Do you have HBAO on? Bloom on? Have you tried turning things off?

You already ordered it so never mind.

 

[faxon]

Don't buy anything that's under the GTX 480 or HD 5870, otherwise the performance difference will be dissapointing. The biggest leapfrog in performance in terms of single GPU would be a GTX 480 or the 15% slower HD 5870, or a HD 5850 in Crossfire.

actually, in BC2, which he mentioned, the 5870 is about 20% faster, and in dragon's age, it's about 2-5% slower, in addition to being over 60 minimum fps for both cards in DAO. it's possible depending on the games he plays that the 5870 might be a better choice, considering it's cheaper, quieter, and lower power draw. what i would do is sell the 280 and get a 5870 honestly. if you have the budget, the 5970 would probably be the best choice if you're looking for a large boost in performance over what you currently have. i would recommend looking at benchmarks for the games you play though and deciding for yourself, but i think the 5870 is probably the better buy if you're considering between it and the 480. really depends on how much BC2 you play :awe:

i cite info from the anandtech and hardware canuck reviews on the 480 for my sources.