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ATi 4870 or GTX 260

ArcAneTSGK

ArcAneTSGK

ArcAneTSGK

Associate
Joined
3 Jan 2008
Posts
374
Location
Manchester
Hello, I want to buy a new GPU for my system, i recently sold a 4850X2 i had because of some problems i had with it in games, and am currently using 3870 again that i have spare. I want to upgrade to either the 4870 or GTX 260.

As you can see in my signature, i play at 1680x1050 mainly Unreal Tournament 3, and other Unreal Engine and Source engine based games.

i can afford either the 260 or 4870, so i have no issue with money - i also know i will need to up my bad 500W PSU, getting a 650W.

So far i'm sold on getting an nVidia for a change, but i thought i would post here for any last second opinions. I intend to walk down to OCuK on Saturday (Thanks to them moving 10 minutes away :D)

Here is what i intend to buy http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-104-GW

Seems the clocks are increased compared to the others, and the price is amazing. It was either that 260, or This 4870: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-100-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939

Or maybe http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-188-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939

So far all the reviews i read seem to indicate that @ 1680x1050, with AA and AF, the GTX 260 pulls out ahead of the 4870 in frame rate. Also i hear this new "Core 216" is quite worth it.

Any last second opinions/facts greatly appreciated.

EDIT: I also would like to point out - i am not going to wait until octover for the DX11 cards, i probably won't afford them anyway, and i don't foresee a huge price drop in the cards now, maybe £30 or so..., Not worth waiting another 3 months IMO.
 
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Both cards perform to similar levels, one is better in some games and vice versa. So it's basically what you prefer. The HIS 4870 you've posted is only the 512mb version, I'd be tempted to go for 1gb instead. I'd compare the GTX260 to this 4870 instead of the ones you've mentioned

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-192-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939

Nvidia or ATi, the choice is yours. Both are excellent cards and will perform well at 1680*1050.
 
I'd reccomend the 260 personally - or put together the extra for the 4890 - although at 1680x res the 260 will do very nicely.
 
No i can't afford a 4890 as i need to get a new PSU aswell.

Also i don't think i require a 4890 for the intended use. 260 / 4870 seem to play every game out there at good FPS, i don't really play Crysis, or any other games that are really heavy on hardware.

I think i will get the GTX 260
 
4870 requires less power than GTX 260 i think

Besides, i don't like using the Molex Adaptors

Not sure that my 500W could power the GTX 260
 
It would be touch and go... my old OCZ 600watt PSU powered 260GTX SLI + Q6600 fine - so in theory a single 260 on a 500 should work - but it very much depends on the PSU - I've now upgraded to a 700watt tho just to be sure :D
 
Check if your mobo supports both crossfire AND Sli, or if it only does one. Then id suggest getting the one that suits your mobo as it means you can get a 2nd card at a later date if you start running low on your graphics, rather then having to sell it/scrap it and buy a whole new expencive card.
 
lol,

I looked at minimum Requirement for a GTX 260, and it says 500W so i will give it a bash.

Means using 2 of them god awful 4 pin to 6 pin
 
ArcAne151 said:
What are the risks, if i put the 260 on the 500W PSU

Will it blow my machine up :( ?
Click to expand...

No risks if it's decent brand, yours is.

I had a 512MB 4870 and then got a 260 (216) and had/have no issues with a Corsair 520watt PSU.

This is on a OCd Q6600, 8GB 1GHz ram, 3x SATA HDD, gfx also ocd to ssc speeds and a powered xonar d2x soundcard.

Rails are always stable.
 
I will let you all know how it goes and post piccies on Saturday

i have the money for a PSU anyway if i did need to buy one, but hopefully not so i can save for something else.
 
As said both are about equal in games, GTX better in some 4870 in others.
Just made this decision myself & got the 4870, but either would suit your needs.
 
The 4870 1GB and GTX260 are the same price from what i can see - i don't want the "Dark Knight" 4870 1GB which is cheaper, because the Cooler doesn't look good, the Gainward GTX 260 cooler looks like it will get the job done. 4890 prices just dropped on "This week only offers" but i don't think they warrant the extra £20-30?
 
ArcAne151 said:
The 4870 1GB and GTX260 are the same price from what i can see - i don't want the "Dark Knight" 4870 1GB which is cheaper, because the Cooler doesn't look good, the Gainward GTX 260 cooler looks like it will get the job done. 4890 prices just dropped on "This week only offers" but i don't think they warrant the extra £20-30?
Click to expand...

Not sure if you've read this review between the 2?

http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTYyNiw5LCxoY29u

Basically DK4870 run bit warmer under load than the GTX260
 
No i had not seen this review before, still looks like i will buy the GTX 260

Really a shame that it didn't end up on a "This week only offer"

just time to bite the bullet and buy one, i am told i will not be dissapointed xD

Anyway - i will probably be buying another card in a year anyway after Windows 7 and DX11 is here. Hopefully the DX11 cards will have good variety and prices by then
 
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