• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Best NVIDIA card to buy at the moment?

AdladUK

AdladUK

AdladUK

Associate
Joined
6 Jan 2007
Posts
1,509
Hi,

Since my ATI 4890 sounds like a vacuum cleaner and pretty much constantly runs hot, I've decided I'm going back to NVIDIA. However looking around it seems the only viable in stock option (without spending crazy monies) is the 260 GTX. Is that right? Everything else seems to be out of stock.

My ideal price point is £200. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thank you
 
If you are willing to stick ATI go for a 5850, they are much quieter and cooler than the 4890, although prices have risen so you would need to push the boat a little. An overclocked 5830 would also be an idea now they can be had near 160, as its about the same speed as a 4890 but cooler, quieter, more features and they are meant to clock well. Unfortunately there is little worth buying from Nvidia right now unless you must go Nvidia, especially at that price range. If you really want Nvidia, second hand would probably be the the best place to look. Not a great situation for the consumer.
 
Last edited:
I have a 5850 and it runs quiet and cool. It's a little over your price range, but the 5830 is safely under. Both cards blow the 260 GTX out of the water performance wise.
 
Wait until Computex, NVIDIA are supposedly launching their midrange-low end cards (GF104,106,108), it starts on June 1st so it's only 3 weeks away. I would think the GF104 should outperform the GTX260 by a fair margin and have DX11 (if that matters to you).

I just sold my ATI 48xx recently because i don't have many games to play until later in the year, and i wanted to move back to NVIDIA for their better driver support in a few apps i use (not games). If the GTS450/460 look good i will grab one of those.
 
Alexrose1uk said:
If you are willing to stick ATI go for a 5850, they are much quieter and cooler than the 4890, although prices have risen so you would need to push the boat a little. An overclocked 5830 would also be an idea now they can be had near 160, as its about the same speed as a 4890 but cooler, quieter, more features and they are meant to clock well. Unfortunately there is little worth buying from Nvidia right now unless you must go Nvidia, especially at that price range. Not a great situation for the consumer.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply but at this point I'm honestly done with ATI. Tried them on about 3 occasions and every time there's been an issue with something. Whenever I've bought NVIDIA they've always been great. I got the HD 4890 Zalman because everyone said it was the best bang for buck card.

Anyways how about the GTX 275? Seems those are in the £200 range. Although no one seems to have stock...
 
If you can find one not a bad card. Its in the same performance region as your 4890.
Ironically Ive had more issues with Nv cards and drivers than ATI, luck of the draw :)
 
Just doing a bit of research and it seems Scythe have a decent cooler out that supports the 4890 series (it's called Musashi). For 35 quid I reckon it would be worth switching out the cooler on this thing and seeing if it makes a difference... What you guys reckon? I've always found Scythe to produce awesome products
 
p0rks0da said:
Wait until Computex, NVIDIA are supposedly launching their midrange-low end cards (GF104,106,108), it starts on June 1st so it's only 3 weeks away. I would think the GF104 should outperform the GTX260 by a fair margin and have DX11 (if that matters to you).

I just sold my ATI 48xx recently because i don't have many games to play until later in the year, and i wanted to move back to NVIDIA for their better driver support in a few apps i use (not games). If the GTS450/460 look good i will grab one of those.
Click to expand...

Thanks I'll bear that in mind
 
Go for it, someone will buy the 4890 off you if you still want rid, and if it makes the card quiet enough for you its much cheaper than a new one.
 
3t3P said:
don't buy a GTX275 for £200!
Click to expand...

This ^^, you'd be crazy to spend that sort of money on old tech, even more so when you see them going for just over the 100 pound mark in mm.

If you really have to go Nvidia, save up another 60 odd quid and get a 470, they can be had for £265 if you hunt around.
 
AdladUK said:
Just doing a bit of research and it seems Scythe have a decent cooler out that supports the 4890 series (it's called Musashi). For 35 quid I reckon it would be worth switching out the cooler on this thing and seeing if it makes a difference... What you guys reckon? I've always found Scythe to produce awesome products
Click to expand...

Tried one on my old 4890 as it also sounded like a vacuum cleaner and was unbearable. It was a lot quieter with the Musashi but temps were only about the same and the VRM temps were horrendous, like 120c. So I sold it on.

Going to a GTX275 would be a waste of time as it's only as fast. Get a 5850 or wait until Fermi comes down in price tbh.
 
5850 / 470. Only upgrade path really for single card solutions I'm afraid. If you do not wish to spend 230 - 300+ then I think a second hand card would be best and probably your only option left.
 
Last edited:
Well if you want an Nvidia card then the GTX470 is probably the one to get. I can't see the point buying a DX10 Nvidia card when you have a good card already. A GTX 260 is a bit slower than what you have now. Also bear in mind that the GTX 260 was £140 new over a year ago and it wasn't the latest card then!

You are probably better off just waiting for now. That's what I am doing
 
GTX260 will put up a good fight against the 4890 on latest drivers... but buying one now unless you get one v. cheap second hand or to populate an SLI setup seems a bit mad.

Personally I think your really going to have to put up the money for the GTX470 - and personally I wouldn't buy one of those either unless I was going for an SLI setup - where it presents better value for money. The "big bang" esque drivers coming out for it "soon" should boost performance 15-25% in quite a few games.

Personally I can quite well identify with spending the extra money for the nVidia card for the better user experience.
 
As others have said the value for money in Nvidia products at the moment is nonexistent.

To spend £200 on a GTX 275 would be crazy.I think if you MUST go nvidia then save up for a while and get a GTX 470.
 
Rroff said:
GTX260 will put up a good fight against the 4890 on latest drivers...
Click to expand...

Not in the real world it cant.



I think the the best Nvidia card would would be a used gtx285 from the bay. Personally I would just sound deaden your case and wait until Nvidia refresh.
 
Right now, none

as they don't make them no more

unless you get hold of a GTX275/GTX280
 
Thanks for all the info guys. I've decided I'm going to leave my 4890 as it is, sell it and use the extra money to purchase the GTX 470
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom