GTX260 VS HD 4870

[Deluxe1]

If I was starting from fresh then I agree but my EVGA board cost about £200 so I am reluctant to change that as its a cracking board.
The GTX260 arrived a while ago and its installed and I am very happy so far. Lots of tweaking to be done but all good so far.

Add your results to this thread if you plan on overclocking it:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17890274

 

[Greebo]

The biggest problem is the size. I read that while Intel can get over 2,000 Atom processors from a wafer, Nvidia get closer to 200 GT280/260 chips.

Allowing for the fact that the yield will never be 100% either, I don't think they can afford to drop the price without a die shrink.

It has been reported that early yields of the 280GTX was only 40%

 

[achitophel]

It has been reported that early yields of the 280GTX was only 40%

...and the biggest headache is the relative die size difference of the 4870 and the 280 - the latter is almost four times the size of the former. Now, that means the core costs almost four times as much to make (which is the biggest single cost of the card after amortising the R&D spend). Nvidia really do have a problem then, since their variable profit / loss point will by definition be MUCH tighter than ATi's. Wouldn't surprise me if we saw a price discount and then a severe shortage of available 280s at that price until the die shrinkage goes through later this year.

 

[Greebo]

...and the biggest headache is the relative die size difference of the 4870 and the 280 - the latter is almost four times the size of the former. Now, that means the core costs almost four times as much to make (which is the biggest single cost of the card after amortising the R&D spend). Nvidia really do have a problem then, since their variable profit / loss point will by definition be MUCH tighter than ATi's. Wouldn't surprise me if we saw a price discount and then a severe shortage of available 280s at that price until the die shrinkage goes through later this year.

And don't forget Nvidia went down the 512bit memory bus route which makes the pcb very complicated and expensive too.

 

[chaosophy]

I guess they could look at GDDR5 and drop back to 256bit like ATi though?

 

[Greebo]

I guess they could look at GDDR5 and drop back to 256bit like ATi though?

And that takes time. A complete re-design and it took them 18 months to get the 280 to market.

I would expect Nvidia's next gen to use gddr5 but that won't help them now.

Nvidia are where ATI was on release on the 2900xt. Time for Nvidia to have poor sales until next gen when it might swing back round in their favour again.

 

[rebeeper]

Is it better to have 1GB on a single card or 2x512Mb cards.

What I am trying to understand is;
Would a 4870(X2) 1GB be any different to two 512Mb 4870's in crossfire?

 

[mishima]

Guys,

I'm looking at getting something to replace my 8800GT. Should I go for the GTX 260 or 4870?

I don't want to spend anymore than £190-200

Thanks

 

[LoadsaMoney]

4870, its cheaper and faster.

 

[mishima]

That would be the one to go for then hopefully I can sell the 8800GT and make a nice transition

 

[davecarter]

Was thinking of getting a 260 to replace my 8800gt sli setup which is just too troublesome for little benefit.

I know the 4470 seems the better card (and cheaper) but as i Have an nvidia board would it be best I stuck with a nvidia card

 

[bridder]

davecarter,

if you plan on multi gpu (sli) in the future then you need to stick with nvidia, if you don't mind having just the one GPU then you can go with either...

J.

 

[Reality|Bites]

The Intel X58 chipset is supposedly(sp?) going to have support for SLI and Crossfire on certain premium motherboards.

 

[Sone]

Not at the current time, no (unless you count integrated chipsets which we don't), the most likely new candidate is Intel with their new Larrabee architecture, people have rather mixed views about whether it'll be a good gaming card or not, though.

And... Uh.. S3's still a player at the very low end.

Bitboys are coming any minute

Board is being released same day as DNF

 

[davecarter]

davecarter,

if you plan on multi gpu (sli) in the future then you need to stick with nvidia, if you don't mind having just the one GPU then you can go with either...

J.

Not bothered about multi GPU in the future just want the best single card solution and dont want to replace my board and processor for a year or so yet (only just installed Mass effect )