So why should I buy a GTX280 again?

[MisterMister]

Originally Posted by Vanzagar

Last I heard through the rumour mill was that the GTX280 was going to see a refresh by the end of sept, maybe called the GTX280+, anyone have any more info/estimates on this?

*DISCLAIMER* Please keep in mind that this is all speculation on my part, pieced together by what I have read/heard via industry news as well as what I have experienced in the industry over the years...

Yea, it will basically have a die shrink from 65 to 55nm, allowing for slightly higher stock clocks and max over-clocks as well as lower overall temps and power draw. Exactly what the stock clocks will be is pure speculation at this point, so I won’t bother quoting heresy off of various online sites.

We will also likely see an increase in the MSRP with the "+" version, akin to the 9800GTX+. This will probably be ~ 30-50 USD over the MSRP for the standard version. Of course, this may also push down the cost of the older model 260 & 280GTX, which is good news to people who don’t care about the die shrink factor.

Then you also have the rumor that Nvidia will be adding GDDR5 VRAM to the 260/280GTX boards. I doubt this will be on the + version, but then again this is just my opinion. I would assume that IF Nvidia decides to up the VRAM on the current 200GTX boards (they may be saving this for their next generation GFX card), it will be listed as something more then just a 260/280GTX+ to further differentiate them between the GDDR3 versions. I'm thinking of something like "260/280-Ultra". This will undoubtedly add to the cost by quite a bit, so there will most likely also be other changes. This is where a new dual GPU/single PCB set up may step in; Read: enter the "260/280GX2"... or something of the sort.

I could see Nvidia releasing a dual 55nm GPU, single PCB card, using the 200GTX graphics processors, as well as the faster GDDR5 VRAM. With a single step, they would most likely put the kibosh on ATI's current power lead in the GFX card department. I can also see them being able to do this while keeping the MSRP at or very near that of the HD4870X2, since the vast majority of the cost has already been addressed by Nvidia in regards to the 512-bit memory bandwidth.

And that gives me wood. Thinking of a dual 55nm GPU/single PCB 260 or 280GTX with 512-bit GDDR5 VRAM is quite the graphics giant! And with an MSRP of under $600 USD, that is one card I would be more then willing to splurge on.

[tweaked]

splurge on?

figuratively or literally?

[Destroy]

Originally Posted by Vanzagar

I'm still debating the exact same question, but I am trying to decide between the results of this poll I created:

4870X2 and microstuttering

and this article:

PCGH proves micro stuttering on the Radeon HD 4870 X2

Well I decided. Ordered a BFG GTX280 OC from TigerDirect for $423.98 shipped. I feel nVidia is still best with drivers; example delivering FSAA first with games that normally couldn't do it. Will post feedback after arrival and some testing.

[Heinz68]

Originally Posted by Destroy

Gah. I keep going back and forth between

GTX280 - $395US
or
4870x2 - $534US

Being a gfx *****, I always run at max gfx setting at my native res 19x10 4xAA 16xAF.

Only downside I see from ATI is possible HDTV scaling issues at 1080p, slightly poor FSAA compatibility, heat and my PSU(HX520) may not cut it (add another $130 if it fails to deliver).

My brain says buy the x2 but my gut tells me I'll be more hassle free (I hate doing returns and restocking fees just to try) going 280.

Money isn't too much of an issue but it's pushing the limit if I need different PSU.

Knowing all the above, some one make a decision for me.

This is not advice what you should do. You should be able to make up your own mind.

Here as I look at the current situation.
Based strictly on "performance per dollar", the GTX 280 is definitely better deal, thanks to ATI forcing the NVIDIA big price reduction. Anyway based only on the above GTX 260 and HD 4870 is even better deal.
People with smaller monitors using lower resolution for gaming should definitely consider that.

When looking to buy the top performance card the HD 4870 x2 is definitely the winner after so many reviews including users ones I can't believe anybody would still have any doubts about it.
Also it is better solution for higher resolution and high settings.

About the "HDTV scaling issues at 1080p" it will more depend on the HDTV used, have yet find anybody having problem with the Westy HDTV monitors.

Anyway I posted here how some people at AMD Game Forum found a very simple solution about that. But if the problem is reported in numbers ATI would have to find very fast fix for that.

I'm sure my next upgrade is HD 4870 x2 just waiting for the Nehalem first. Or at least closer to the release day.

[Heinz68]

Originally Posted by nekrosoft13

another vote for 280.

cheaper, and being able to avoid multi-GPU is a HUGE HUGE HUGE plus

First about the cheaper. Good vote thanks to ATI but coming from somebody who recently didn't mind to pay $650 for the GTX 280 when the HD 4870 was $300 it is at least very surprising.

Now talking about the HUGE problems with the HD 4870 x2, it sure could not come from your own experience neither from the experiences from the majority of REAL users.
Unless you talk about your own experience it doesn't matter how HUGE you like to make it look like by selecting the super large fonts.

[namuk]

Originally Posted by LitHiuM

Given the choice, 280 every time.
Two of the reasons are the 280 runs cooler and uses less power (also Powermizer - the ATI/AMD power GPU management - is still fubar afaik).

yea .. you thinks like me nice one. also you missed a reactor is not suppyled

[particleman]

I have owned both 4870 Crossfire and 280 GTX SLi. Neither of them provided a noticeable benefit over a single 280 GTX for me, unless I stared at a framerate counter. The games that Crossfire and SLi work well with a single 280 GTX already gets insanely high framerates, it is impossible to tell the difference between 100 fps and 200 fps. And I find that SLi and Crossfire don't always help that much in terms of minimum framerate.

With Crossfire and SLi you end up having to wait for patches, wait for new drivers etc etc. 280 GTX gives you consistent performance and no headaches.

[MisterMister]

Originally Posted by tweaked

splurge on?

figuratively or literally?

Literally.

BTW; That's SPLURGE not "spooge".

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/splurge

[Destroy]

Originally Posted by particleman

With Crossfire and SLi you end up having to wait for patches, wait for new drivers etc etc. 280 GTX gives you consistent performance and no headaches.

Yes, the trade off is speed vs. compatibility. Speed does me no good if I can't play the game properly or how I like.

[LBJM]

Originally Posted by LitHiuM

Given the choice, 280 every time.
Two of the reasons are the 280 runs cooler and uses less power (also Powermizer - the ATI/AMD power GPU management - is still fubar afaik).

no it's not. it works on my 4870x2.

[jcrox]

Originally Posted by LitHiuM

Given the choice, 280 every time.
Two of the reasons are the 280 runs cooler and uses less power (also Powermizer - the ATI/AMD power GPU management - is still fubar afaik).

as long as you get one that isn't attempting to double as a toaster oven

[Blkout]

Originally Posted by namuk

yea .. you thinks like me nice one. also you missed a reactor is not suppyled

If you spent one day with a 4870x2, you would completely forget about any power usage. The card is amazing.