Videocards.. which to buy and whatnot.. simply videocards!

[donaldgladden]

i read in some pc magazine that a new nvidia card was in the works and slated to be the all time fastest. i forgot the name so google was much of help

[Carcrazy]

...you mean the 'GT' Line? AKA: the 200GTX line?

There's also the new '9800+' coming in, which is like an overclocked 9800 with a PhysX card installed...

[baumaxx1]

Huh? Radeon 4850? The 3xxxs just came out didn't they... and what's this... 200GTX? We only just got nine series... and why are they upgrading the nine series already when the 200s just came out.... Why are they bringing out all this crap with minimal improvement?

[S2000_Skyline12]

Lol, sounds like you don't keep up to date with your hardware news lol...and 280GTX>4870 =P

[baumaxx1]

Lol, I stopped keeping up about the time yr 12 started, my cash flow diminished, I got a PS3 and I realized that I couldn't really afford an Uber rig. I gotta get a job as soon as i finish for uber rig, car, europe trip with family, japan trip in a few years, and uni, lol

[PSZeTa]

Huh? Radeon 4850? The 3xxxs just came out didn't they... and what's this... 200GTX? We only just got nine series... and why are they upgrading the nine series already when the 200s just came out.... Why are they bringing out all this crap with minimal improvement?

They are bringing this minimal improvement crap out as midrange cards to compete with ATi.

and 280GTX>4870 =P

4870 probably shiznit on the 280GTX with its price/performance ratio.

[donaldgladden]

im pretty sure they'll both shiznit on my 6200

[S2000_Skyline12]

Huh? Radeon 4850? The 3xxxs just came out didn't they... and what's this... 200GTX? We only just got nine series... and why are they upgrading the nine series already when the 200s just came out.... Why are they bringing out all this crap with minimal improvement?

They are bringing this minimal improvement crap out as midrange cards to compete with ATi.

and 280GTX>4870 =P

4870 probably shiznit on the 280GTX with its price/performance ratio.

Yeah, i'm not gonna lie about that, I don't think I can sleep on ATi anymore since the 3870. I like nVidia more than ATi but I wouldn't mind having a 38/4870 cause of the price/performance ratio.

[GINIX_2007]

I have been an ATi fan ever since the Radeon 9 series and have never had a reason to buy a nvidia card and now that they have come up with the GTX 280 and 260 that just makes it worst. I get better bang for my buck from ATi:)

[boganbusman]

So, I need a new card and I'm thinking about getting a 9800GTX.
Is it worth the extra money to get a 260? Or is there anything new coming soon that I should wait for?

I haven't been keeping up with hardware at all lately, therefore any help from you guys would be great

[baumaxx1]

So, I need a new card and I'm thinking about getting a 9800GTX. Is it worth the extra money to get a 260?

I haven't been keeping up with hardware at all lately, therefore any help from you guys would be great

Check out the ATI HD4850 too... I believe it is slightly better and cheaper, as I was advised when putting a list together for a new rig... before I decided to do a quick fix, lol.

[boganbusman]

Wow that was fast lol
I'm pretty keen on sticking with nVidia, unless ATI is significantly better.

Oh and I have PCI-E x16, if that matters at all.

[baumaxx1]

Wow that was fast lol
I'm pretty keen on sticking with nVidia, unless ATI is significantly better.

Oh and I have PCI-E x16, if that matters at all.

Yeah, they're both PCI-E 2.0 cards, but run on PCI-E 1. But, 2 weeks ago, the ATI was $50 better, used less power, and was slightly faster, but not sure if the Nvidia cards have come down in price. Up to you... the ATI isn't significantly faster anyway from what I've seen.

[Pabl0z]

Ati HD4870. Get it.
Best bang for buck with the HD4850 atm.

[boganbusman]

Alright, done some more reading and the 4870 seems like the one to get. I guess I'll be switching sides (again).

Do you have any preference for brands?

[baumaxx1]

Alright, done some more reading and the 4870 seems like the one to get. I guess I'll be switching sides (again).

Do you have any preference for brands?

I prefer Nvidia, but I get whatever is the best deal out.

[boganbusman]

Umm, where am I going to find an nVidia 4870?

I meant brands like: Asus, Gigabyte, Leadtek etc. etc.

[baumaxx1]

Umm, where am I going to find an nVidia 4870?

I meant brands like: Asus, Gigabyte, Leadtek etc. etc.

Sorry, I have my retard moments... like stuffing up Q 1a, a simple derivation in an exam where I only lost 3 marks.

Umm... Gigabyte are good, but Palit are a good cheaper option, served me well the last 2.5 years with my 7600GT, and currently have a leadtek 8600, which performs well as well as 2 TV tuners that haven't exploded, lol. Umm... I think there is a slight difference in performance between brands, so check out some reviews and comparisons maybe.

[boganbusman]

Ok thanks for your help guys, I just ordered a Powercolor 4870 PCS 800Mhz 512MB. AUD$329 including delivery.

I actually have 3 computer stores right next door to where I work, and only one of them had a 4870, and he wanted $390 for it. wtf is the deal with that?

[Pabl0z]

Well it's a new card and people noticed right away it's a damn good card for its price.
The first couple of batches that arrived in Finland a few weeks ago were sold immediately.

The prices of course vary between brands.
Often the more expensive and more well known brands might have more reliable cooling fans and/or have longer warranties.
I think in the first first few HD4870 versions from different brands that arrived here, they all had the same reference-card coolers, just with different stickers, but still the cheapest couple of brands gave their cards a 2 year warranty when the others had 3 year warranties.
I wouldn't have a problem buying one of the cheaper ones because my current card (7800GT) is from Club3d which was like the cheapest brand within the HD4870 cards and it has worked well, but the difference in price to those with longer warranties were only like 10€, so I'd gladly pay the 10€ more for the warranty.

[The Gravedigger]

Ok thanks for your help guys, I just ordered a Powercolor 4870 PCS 800Mhz 512MB. AUD$329 including delivery.

I actually have 3 computer stores right next door to where I work, and only one of them had a 4870, and he wanted $390 for it. wtf is the deal with that?

He's an idiot, simple as that.

Simply put, the 48xx series is teh bomb, got a 4870X2 o//

[t3ice]

Im thinking abt upgrading my gpx card, since the 7900GTX wont do anymore.

Im not completely up to date, with whats hot n whats not...so anyways
I was wondering if buying a GTX 280 is worth the buck, because i heard the 9800GX2 ( which is a bit cheaper ) performs a little better.
OR
Wait a little for bit n get the next Nvidia card that pops up.

[S2000_Skyline12]

Don't be a fanboy. 4850/4870 are raping right now. X2 is the ultimate. Beats a 280. But really, just get what's actually good in performance instead of company =)

[Carcrazy]

I'm with him. I've been looking at 260's, but if you want the very top of the line, I'd look over the 280's into ATI 4870's, and maybe even the X2's.

[baumaxx1]

I thought the Nvidias still got the best performance with the top of the line... but ATI was half the price? Or has ATI released some colossus?