Is it smart to buy a GTX280 or GX2 card right now?

[I♥GFX]

Hi everyone,

Please forgive my ignorance, I always used to say I don't care about gaming and performance but now after trying it out I am addicted to video cards, overclocking and number-crunching (even though I am not good at any of those).

I have a laptop, a decent mid-range one I game on (about 7000 3DM06 w/ nVidia's Quadro FX 770M, pretty much a 9600M GT), but I am not happy with performance after hearing custom desktop builders get 2X to 3X the amount of FPS that I get on my favorite games (L4D, Half-Life: Episode 2, GTA4).

I am an nVidia fan, while the 4870 is nice I feel uncomfortable buying from ATI (I generally like the Intel/nVidia approach). I was thinking of getting into custom desktops this X-MAS and start off with one GTX280, but I fear it will be outdated soon. It is also extremely expensive, compared to the 1GB 4870 that can be had for ~$240 on newegg.com.

Will nVidia release a new card anytime soon? Or should I just go for it? I've done so much reading and with all these reviews, videos, benchmarks, for the life of me, cannot figure out which is best performance:

4870, GTX280 or 9800GX2?

All comments read differ, each saying the other one is better. I'm more curious between the top 2 nVidia cards actually. Then there are the following SLI or Crossfire setups:

4870x2, GTX280x2, 9800GX2x2?

I will never go past two cards, I cannot afford the electricity bill or a worthy cooling system for them, haha! Thank you for your patience with me, I apologize if I have broken any rules or come off as annoying.

[jolle]

There is a refresh on 55nm process for the GTX series just around the corner.
I dunno, but it might be worth waiting for that before buying.
Should be cheaper (atleast to manufacture), cooler and/or higher clocked then currently.
Think they will keep their names though, but the vendors will likely rename their models.

[MaxFX]

I say hold on a little for the 55nm if you can as it seems to be a superior card, maybe 1.5GB memory and probably gonna O/C like crazy

[DaveChambers]

If you do decide to go with the GTX 280, which I've been using happily for some while now, CompUSA has the eVGA card for $339 after rebate.

Also you can take advantage of the step up program they offer when the next series comes out early next year.

[I♥GFX]

Hmm, very interesting price, but still expensive. What is this program you speak of?

[DaveChambers]

Originally Posted by I♥GFX

Hmm, very interesting price, but still expensive. What is this program you speak of?

http://www.evga.com/stepup/

Basically if you upgrade to another evga card within 90 days, they'll credit what you paid towards the purchase of a new card. You send them your old one and pay the difference, you get a new one.

[john19055]

I would hold off untill the .55nm version of the GTX 280 comes out.But newegg has a great deal on a BFG GTX 280 OCE for $349.99 plus a $35 rebate makeing it just $314.99 and it comes with a free game of farcry2 and 3DMark Vantagr Advance and a keychain super bright flash lite.

[Dreamingawake]

anything you get will be better than what you have, as if you dont already know this.

please.

[XxDeadlyxX]

Whatever you do don't get the 9800GX2.

[I♥GFX]

Well if the 9800gx2 is bad, what makes us think the new gx2 is any better?

[DaveChambers]

Originally Posted by I♥GFX

Well if the 9800gx2 is bad, what makes us think the new gx2 is any better?

We've had one or two of each of the GX2 series cards, and from my experience theyre more hassle than the price is worth.

[Toss3]

+1 for DaveChambers suggestion - just get the 280 GTX now and step up when the refresh comes along.