Graphics Card Dilemma

[fragster999]

Trying to figure this out is sending me crazy, so I'd like some help here.

I'm looking to spend up to £200 exc VAT, and here's what I need:

1. decent performance in 1920x1200 in current games (I believe a 260gtx or 4870 would deliver this)
2. low noise
3. low heat
4. low power consumption
5. ability to move to crossfire/sli in future (if I upgraded to a 30" and wanted to run 2560x1600 for instance, or if i just needed more power)

Now, from my criteria I'd been looking at GTX 275 with an arctic cooling xtreme cooler, however this is a 3 slot cooler so sli wouldn't be possible, these are also pretty impossible to find at the moment and with the cooler end up a bit over budget. I've reconsidered a bit because I think actually a 260-216 or a 1GB 4870 would run at 1920x1200 just fine.

The problem here is, SLI seems pretty bad compared to Crossfire, so that would mean a future upgrade wouldn't be so great compared to the ATI option. Seems then like ATI would be an easy choice... however the 4870 cards appear to run very hot, hence I'm thinking the fans work harder and they would be noisy.

This kind of pushes me towards 4890, they actually seem to meet all my criteria though really I don't need a 4890 I think, but lack of other viable cards has pushed me that way. I did briefly consider 4850 and even 4830 crossfired, but this would leave me with no upgrade path and higher power consumption to start off with.

I'm thinking perhaps a 4890 non reference design with a quieter cooler would be pretty perfect, I do love the Arctic Cooling Accelero Xtreme GTX 280 I'm not sure if there is anything equivalent for 4890's, I'd prefer if it came with the cooler installed but I would consider installing it myself, looking for a 2 slot max card though.

Any thoughts and opinions welcome!

 

[nbkpsycho]

If it was me id go for a 4890 and then have the option to add another card at a later date.

 

[arc@css]

Well, looking at the criteria you have set in mind I'd say go for an Nvidia card. Probably will run with less noise, a little less heat output and should also have a bit less power consumption. Go for a 260 or a cheap second hand 280 and like you say, you could always add another at a later date.

 

[fragster999]

I think I've settled on either a GTX 260-216 or an Asus Custom Cooled 4890 if this is out when I order, all dependant on price. I know with the 260 it'll be a lot cheaper and if I'm unhappy with the noise I can always fit the Accelero, but if the Asus 4890 is out, gets good reviews and is not extortionate I may choose that instead.

 

[mikeym]

I'm thinking along the same lines as you fragster - although I'm not so fussed about future SLI / Crossfire. My mobo only has crossfire capability I think.

Been umming and ahhhing for a while and think I'm going to go with the 260 - which can be had for as little as £150.00 for an XFX example. I've ruled out the 4870 due to the higher temps.

From reviews I have seen, the nvidia cards have a lot lower idle power draw compared to the ati cards but this levels out under load pretty much. Logically, temperatures are a lot lower at idle with 260/275 etc and pretty similar under load to the 4890.

Regardless, the 260 is at least £50 cheaper than the competition and is generally the best performer for power/temps with only a minimal compromise in performance.

I'm still not 100% decided though and with 4890 prices coming down to around £195 I will definitely be keeping my eye open for a bit longer and will be looking to see what others have to say on this thread

 

[fragster999]

I'll keep you up to date on what I'm thinking, I think the 260 is a pretty safe choice though, I'll be clocking it up a little and depending how noisy the cooler is may well fit the accelero

 

[OVC]

Nar... forget the 260 I would go with the HIS 4890 1GB card which is better than the 260 and 275. A little over your £200.00 but for the extra I would go for the ATI 4890 1BG card myself. It’s nothing to do with the fact I love ATI GFX cards, it’s the fact they are stable driver compared with NIVIDIA. I’ve been around the block and believe me I have been through them all over the last 20 Years.

 

[fragster999]

It’s nothing to do with the fact I love ATI GFX cards, it’s the fact they are stable driver compared with NIVIDIA

I have been through them all over the last 20 Years.

uhuh... I'm only looking for objective advice, I myself have enough subjective experience, I'm not sure what graphics cards Nvidia were selling 20 years ago (well, I am, none.) but seeing as I've been involved from ati rages, voodoo 1's (orchid righteous 3d + mechwarrior yay) and tnts myself from the start to present, well, just dont bs, thanks