New cards

[To0]

Read this (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-gtx-280,1953-29.html)

Turns out that the current ranks for performance/cost are as follows:
9800 GX2
GTX260
HD 3870 X2
GTX280

If you have two 3870s @ £100 then you beat them all in performance/cost provided it gets similar performance to the X2 which it should but you have to clock both cards so theoretically the same could be said for the 9600GT.

The performance breakdown is interesting as the X2 shows a clear advantage in terms of computational power and massive lack in texture lookup and raster capabilities. With two differing styles and game makers having to optimise for both it is obvious that the further AMD go from the Nvidia norm the less reason there is to buy an AMD card. I think the AMD approach is using technology from the CPU department and has a focus on the industrial side rather than the desktop market. Either that or they have lost the plot. The new cards from AMD are due out before the end of the month but don't expect them to be much better than an X2 in a single GPU configuration. You want the fastest most baddass card, get the GTX280 now. And I do mean as soon as it is released. The last two flagship Nvidia cards have held their value or increased in cost since release date. The last flagship was king for almost 18 months!

[To0]

I have been reading suggestions that indicate that 2 48050s will be cheaper and faster than a single 280 GTX. Also that 2 4870s will be approximately the same cost and considerably faster than a 280 GTX, interesting.

[To0]

Get 'em while they're hot (http://www.awd-it.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=1992) Radeon HD4870 @ £1

[Octavion]

Get 'em while they're hot (http://www.awd-it.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=1992) Radeon HD4870 @ £1

Wait...what the fuck!?

[GigaFuzz]

Get 'em while they're hot (http://www.awd-it.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=1992) Radeon HD4870 @ £1

They can't possibly honour that price can they? I forget what the rules are.

[Sid]

They can't possibly honour that price can they? I forget what the rules are.
I'm pretty certain that they don't need to honour it. In the past, I've heard of people who have got lucky with these things and the distributer has shipped it without realizing. Can't hurt to try.

[Fyndir]

Err, committee.

1: Buy lots of these at £5 each (rounding for shipping).
2: Ebay.
3: ??????
4: Profit.

5: Troll break legs and take profit from puny committee.

[Sideshow]

They're not for sale yet. Give it up.

[To0]

Ok so the new cards are all out and for sale now and sadly due to us being the wrong side of the pond we get crappy prices but still...

http://www.yegadoyai.com/untitled.jpg

[GigaFuzz]

Seems the 4870 is a real winner:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341
(long article, might want to skip to interesting bits/benchmarks)

also:
http://www.pcgameshardware.de/screenshots/original/2008/06/ut3_1680_1050_8x.png

[Captain_Caveman]

Found a reasonable price for the 4850 http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=609184

[To0]

I'd argue that if you can get 2 4850s for less than £300 you'd be better off with that. if we had a direct dollar conversion then it would be ideal.

On average the Nvidia is a good bit quicker than the 4870 and for sure at most games at high res and AA & AF the 280 will come out on top. But not by much, and certainly not by enough to warrant the price hike.

[DAve]

I'm not sure why you're even thinking about SLI. It's a pile of cack (http://www.custompc.co.uk/labs/602745/multi-gpu-graphics/products.html). At the very best, it only gives about a 50% increase in frame rates in very specific games and only when the drivers have been optimised (which they frequently aren't for all but the most popular of games).

Better getting a fast single GPU card.

[To0]

Indeed, DAve SLI is cack, Crossfire on the otherhand is AMDs future, expect it to be better soon, also, specific cases have shown to 90% scaling.

[Fil2eFly]

OK as yega knows my 8800gtx has went poof... will post pix

big question... what do i do??
wat card??

[GigaFuzz]

OK as yega knows my 8800gtx has went poof... will post pix

big question... what do i do??
wat card??

4870 would probably be my choice.

[Fil2eFly]

4870 would probably be my choice.

hum,,, well jst got off the phone from ebuyer n should be getting a credit..

so hopeflly around £200-£300

and tbh i can afford to get what the fck i want with in reason

[To0]

For your purposes Barney I'd argue that you've been given an oppertunity at a free upgrade, the 260/4870 costs £200-£250 and will beat your old card in terms of performance. However, as you have credit, unless there is something else you want I'd highly reccommend splashing out on the 1Gb 280. It is the fastet card and technically you are getting one for about £100. That is a fucking sweet deal IMHO, if you don't fancy that, PM me and I'll trade you my 3870 for the credit note. :P

ebuyers cheapest 280 is £360. You'd be getting it for song mate. (you also get GRAW2 and CoH with that card!!!)

[To0]

Possibly the best news any of us could read this week (http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-ati-physx,5841.html)

[neogramps]

Possibly the best news any of us could read this week

Er, no.

[To0]

I said possibly, certainly it is not going to be the worst news you read...

[Fil2eFly]

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146706

Looky the asus GTX280 jst droped in price to £331 and the rest of the 280's have droped a few bob too goody!

[To0]

the x2 4870 is supposed to be out sometime next month and come with a £300 price tag... should be interesting, better than 280 performance for less than a 280 AND you can get 2, 3 or 4 of them if you really want!?!

[Fil2eFly]

.....

but ffs i need my PC going asap. NEED TO PLAY FUCKING GAMES!1111 FUCKING SHITY LAPTOP IS RAGEING ME111
111312

[Fyndir]

Q_Q

[Fil2eFly]

ohhh ohh lawl!1111

YIFF IN HELL FURFAG!

[Fil2eFly]

Dear Barney bream, This item is no longer covered by its warranty. It will be returned to the customer. Regards, Ebuyer Customer Support http://www.ebuyer.co.uk

em... *epic sad face*

on a good note the gtx has now fallen in price .. again £304 now

[Fyndir]

I told you not to soak it in piss to cool it down, I TOLD you that would screw up the warranty.

[Fil2eFly]

ohhh ohh lawl!1111

YIFF IN HELL FURFAG!

qft

[Fil2eFly]

ohhh uyeah my shiny new GXT280 is being deliverd as a direct replacement to my 8800GTX so free upgrade whoot !

[To0]

W T F!

[Fil2eFly]

Got My Fucking Gtx280 Its Like Xboxhuge And Total Win

[To0]

A round of applause for ebuyer customer service then?

[Fil2eFly]

well, yes and no

unless i dug up hell with them i would have got nothing

[To0]

But you _did_ get the top of the line single card solution when they could have just replaced your card.

[Fil2eFly]

yes xD

[To0]

benchmarks and impressions would be appreciated.

[Fil2eFly]

its big and black


so far im very pleased with it, Is a clear step up from my 8800GTX and runs a fair bit cooler too.

if i want some benchmarks give me some links to prpgs that u want me to used and id be happy to give them a whirl

[To0]

tell you what you send me your card and I'll just do the benchmarks?

[Fil2eFly]

hum let me think about this.... GEt your own RMA upgrade! lawl