[sunderland]

they do but thats the 1gb memory one the 2gb is 299

[Ph0en1x]

The 1GB 4850X2 is a bit better than the black and good value for money, if you can put up with the noise and energy use.

[Houghsx]

Originally Posted by Ph0en1x

The 1GB 4850X2 is a bit better than the black and good value for money, if you can put up with the noise and energy use.

Dont forget the heat being dumped straight into your case as well. Also, you are relying in developers to support multi GPU and good drivers. Sometimes a game will run worse so you need to disable the crossfire which then leaves you with just 1 4850. As long as games can run at 40-60fps (60 being the ideal) then above that doesn't matter really, does it?
I guess you would need the 2g for the high resolutions you would want to throw at that card.

[Sharp Shard]

I sold my 8800 GTX in preperation for the new card I am getting and am currently back down to my old 6600 whilst I decide.

Problem is, I'm totally confused as to what to get and how much to spend.

Money isn't the issue, but bang for buck and future proofing is. I don't plan to be upgrading every few months and won't be getting another card for a couple of years after this, so... what should I do?

The reports on the new 260's are impressive, and I think a 4870 standard is definitely out of the picture now, but between the 260, 280 and 4870x2, I'm back to square one.

[sunderland]

well scan have put back the delivery of the xfx black till monday/tuesday,wonder if they get any in

[Lord Bunky]

I sent scan an email...really annoyed they took my money a week ago.

Really fed up, as when i ordered it, it was in-stock.

Just a note on ATI cards. I had a X1900XT in between a Geforce 6800GT and 8800 GTX. My ATI card lasted not even 6 months.. I hated their drivers and the CCC. I wont go back to ATI until they change that CCC.

I'll stick with Nvidia for the time being.

Btw anyone notice that Futuremark Vantage is geared towards ATI. The boat in the first test is called Sapphire with the big S badge. No wonder it does well over Nvidia in benchmarks with that software.

I just got Call of Duty WaW...is it directx 10? Runs well smooth on full settings. I like CoD 4 better tho.

[Ph0en1x]

The 4870X2 is the best card you can get but its extra performance is not really worth the cost. If money is no problem and you want the best you can get.. this is it.

The GTX 280 is a very good card, better than the (new 216 core) GTX 260's, but the GTX 260 black version is almost as good as the GTX 280 and is cheaper so works out better value for money (in my opinion). However it is currently out of stock.

The other option is the 4850X2 (1GB or 2GB), both versions seem to be better than either of Nvidia's cards and if you can find it for £270ish then it is probably the best value for money of all, but it has drawbacks in the sense of it being noisy and using alot of power... probably meaning it gets quite hot (as Houghsx said), so it may be a little limited in overclocking.

However I disagree with the comments about multi-gpu being a bad thing, any modern games see a clear improvement when using multi-gpu's.. I can't see a single benchmark that suggests that is an issue on new games, and it will play old games using just 1 card anyway. Also the 1GB version handles high resolutions well. Review of the 4850X2 here, this being said, I wouldn't base opinion of a card on a single review (for any card).

[sunderland]

if you read here you will see the evga is the same or faster than the xfx gtx260,
Fudzilla - XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 tested

also how do you get free delivery with scan,as i thought you did if you are a member from here any help please

[Ph0en1x]

Originally Posted by sunderland

also how do you get free delivery with scan,as i thought you did if you are a member from here any help please

here

[sunderland]

sorted going for the evga,as ive sold my card and cant go to long without one

[Houghsx]

Originally Posted by Ph0en1x

The 4870X2 is the best card you can get but its extra performance is not really worth the cost. If money is no problem and you want the best you can get.. this is it.

The GTX 280 is a very good card, better than the (new 216 core) GTX 260's, but the GTX 260 black version is almost as good as the GTX 280 and is cheaper so works out better value for money (in my opinion). However it is currently out of stock.

The other option is the 4850X2 (1GB or 2GB), both versions seem to be better than either of Nvidia's cards and if you can find it for £270ish then it is probably the best value for money of all, but it has drawbacks in the sense of it being noisy and using alot of power... probably meaning it gets quite hot (as Houghsx said), so it may be a little limited in overclocking.

However I disagree with the comments about multi-gpu being a bad thing, any modern games see a clear improvement when using multi-gpu's.. I can't see a single benchmark that suggests that is an issue on new games, and it will play old games using just 1 card anyway. Also the 1GB version handles high resolutions well. Review of the 4850X2 here, this being said, I wouldn't base opinion of a card on a single review (for any card).

Dont get me wrong, if the game does take advantage then dual is better. I have read a few things that would make me lean towards single GPU. Like I said, if you can get 40-60 fps does a card that does 120fps really matter?

[Lord Bunky]

Originally Posted by sunderland

if you read here you will see the evga is the same or faster than the xfx gtx260,
Fudzilla - XFX GTX 260 Black Edition Core 216 tested

also how do you get free delivery with scan,as i thought you did if you are a member from here any help please

Nice cards, them EVGA ones....Enjoy it, m8.

Though with OC-ing my card hits 13,758, so in all honesty, it doesnt matter which version you get, as most are the same.

[sunderland]

agree mate but hoping to clock it a bit higher than what it is at now,plus free game so happy,well will be when it comes

[SibTiger33]

im in the market for a new card

which nvivida card should i go for as im a fan of low noise cards

cant be doing with noisy cards at all

[Lord Bunky]

Sib

I have a gtx 260 Black Edition and my fan runs at 40%. I play Crysis, Cod-WoW, MS flight sim x and ive never heard the fan on the card speed up. It runs pretty cool.

[SibTiger33]

Originally Posted by Lord Bunky

Sib

I have a gtx 260 Black Edition and my fan runs at 40%. I play Crysis, Cod-WoW, MS flight sim x and ive never heard the fan on the card speed up. It runs pretty cool.

excellent mate

whats what i wanna hear

do u use riva tuner to modify your fan speed?


what settings does crysis run at?

thanks

[Lord Bunky]

Hi Sib,

No mate, i use the Nvidia tool.

Crysis i run on highest directx 10 settings @ 1680x1050 (max for my 20" screen).

[Sharp Shard]

I've settled on a 280 and will get it from the other half for chrimbo.

But I have a question: I've got a hx620 psu and it doesn't have a 6+2pin pci express cable.

It only has two modular ports for two single 6pin pci express cables. How would I run a 280 on that and keep it stable?

Also, is it worth investing in those pci surge protecters that apparently 'save' your GPU in the event of a power outtage and so on?

Thanks.

[SibTiger33]

Originally Posted by Lord Bunky

Hi Sib,

No mate, i use the Nvidia tool.

Crysis i run on highest directx 10 settings @ 1680x1050 (max for my 20" screen).

hows your framerate in the game?


Thanks

[Lord Bunky]

Originally Posted by SibTiger33

hows your framerate in the game?


Thanks

Smooth, mate.

Have not had any slowdown, even on frantic scenes.

Im running with - Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 3.5Ghz and 4Gb of GeIL Black Dragon DDR2 800Mhz & Vista 64 Bit.

I did the flyover test. Average was 39fps, but the game runs better in actual play. Just ordered another XFX GTX 260 Black for SLI. Hopefully should have it tomorrow. Was looking at a site that showed them in SLI beating up on the 4870x2. Every Hi-res game was won by the SLI Black Editions. Of course, you could counter act that with two 4870x2's, but the cost would be near or over the £700 mark.