Vista - ATI or Nvidia... MEH!

Problem with the ATI cards is that they draw *huge* amounts of power compared to the nVidias - read the Tom's hardware guide articles that motarola posted (and that I also posted in another topic, along with the 4870 and 4850 review links).

ya no **** huh John... almost 300 that 4870 sucks. and the 260 is at 270.. big difference.. and even worse is the 4870 idle power consumption... it stays pretty high for some reason... I'm actually going to get a GTX 260 tomorro. I'm leaving in 15 minutes to sell my 8800 GTS OCE for $140 the G80 model. lol. and I'm getting a 260 in the morning. I've decided to go with it for the fact that it can OC farther than the ATI, and eVGA has a better warranty and step up program. if a better 200 series comes out on the 55nm process I'll just get one of those.. lol Looks like 260 is what I'll probably be getting.

The 3870X2 OC's better than any ATI card I've ever had.

My 3870X2 is far better than the two X1800's I had a few years ago. I ended up out of the two X1800's RMAing the X1800 Crossfire Edition card twice. For all intents and purposes I shouldn't have had to do that.

I game my backside off for hours on end with my 3870X2, and I'm not even overclocking, a lot more than I can say for the 8800GTS cards, and those two X1800's that I had before that.

Gunter - out of curiosity - I can step-up to the 9800 GTX + for $6 because of the price I paid for my 8800 GTS - would it be worth it? I mean, there is a *slight* increase in performance, but not *that* much - and I am doubly surprised that the 9800 GTX+ is so much cheaper than the older 8800 GTS (even my G92 based GTS)....something doesn't make sense here....

well, you do have the KO edition.. but to be honest.. I would for SURE step up.. if you had a 9800GTX I'd say don't step up, just OC, but seein you have a 8800 I'd totally step up. the 9800GTX+ is right up there with the 4850. and the 8800 is not. The 9800GTX+ looks like a pretty good card. I was planning on getting one, then when I realised I could sell my old G80 8800 for as much as I just did. I figured use that cash, and what I woulda spent on the 9800+ and add them together and get a beast like the 260 or the 4870.... But honestly, I'm now even considering getting the GTX 280.... HEHEHE. I'm thinkin what the hell, might as well. it's only 100 more. not so bad. or is that not worth it over the 260. it's only a little better, and I can OC the 260 to equal the stock 280..

I'd say either do a step up and get the +.. or, OR since your in the states you could find a cheap used 8800 GTS and SLI them. I think you'd be best of with that. Getting another 8800 GTS used on craigslist locally, or on newegg.. MOST you'll pay is 150. I bet you could get one for 100 somewhere.. That would be on par or better than the 9800GX2 and better cuz the GX2 had stutter problems. yours would not.
but if your not lookin to spend any money. step up to the 9800 GTX+ is the best and right choice.

let me kno what you do.. and I just sold my G80 8800 GTS OCE for $150. thats a good deal as I paid 60 lol. i kno i kno don't ask..

so that plus i just sold my old computer for 400.. I might as well get the 280.. Or should I get the 260??? help.

I hate these hard choices.. lol! I really do, and love em at same time. but all I know is Far Cry 2 Here I COME... I can't wait.. BOOYA!

lol.......

yep great times ahead..

johngalt ...for $6 its gotta be done the GTX+ is reported to clk like a beast ..

''Legit review claims the 9800GTX+ can do 855Mhz core / 2200Mhz shaders / 2550Mhz memory on the stock cooler... fully stable!''

I've heard that from More than 1 review.. I've been told from a freind I know personally at Fry's electronics that he has one at home running 835 Mhz, very very stable and he's lovin it. It might suck more power, but that smaller Core allows for some Great OC'n.

So question. Is it a Fair assumption to say that Nvidia cards can OC better than ATI..??? also is the 280 that much better than the 260, or is the price of 150 not worth the small increase in performance..???

Heres Mine..