ATI vs Nvidia

[pingu12]

There are probably many, many of these threads but i would like to know more about the reliability of these cards, and there cost effectivness. Over the years i have had both ATI and Nvidia but i jumped from a Radeon X600 to an 8800 GTX and have had neither long enough to find out, so i would like to know from you guys which companys you think gives you the most performance for your money and compatibility and best ability to overclock.

 

[concrum]

GTX280 cheapest price = 430$
4870X2 = 549$

yup, G280 gives the best bang for the money

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Compatibility wise, both do good. Performance wise, ATI currently has the fastest card. Youd have to break it down by pricepoint, which leads us to bang for buck. Currently, the 4850 is a steal, outperforming all but 5 or 6 of the best cards for well under 200$. Over 200, the 4870 edges out the G260 in performance and price. Over 300, youre talking monster cards, best of the best. The G280 and the 4870x2. Not sure of the overall dominance, but the 4870x2 was just released today, and looks to be 20-30% faster than the G280, and maybe more, and since it just released, youll be paying price premium for it. The ATI cards all come with DX10.1 , looking ahead to future games, whereas the nVidia counter parts are still stuck using only DX10, which means, long term, many benefits from DX10.1 wont be available with nVidias solution. Not sure how long you keep your cards, but if its longer term, DX10.1 is a no brainer. Recently nVidia has had to adjust its pricing way downwards, to even compete with ATI, and we havnt seen the reductions from ATI yet, which will make it tough for nVidia to copy. Theres individual cards thatre exceptions, certain games play better on certain cards, but heres a basic of where were at

 

[huron]

That is only for the very high end concrum.

If you look at the mid-range - the 4850 is fantastic and is the best bang for the buck (usually found for 130-150) and the 4870 is usually around 250 or so.

Just read the article on this site - "best cards for the money" and look for the most recent month (August).

I don't believe that the GTX280 is a great value, but that's just my opinion.

I'm no ATI fanboy - have an nVidia board and an 8800 GTS (planning on SLI sometime soon).

 

[pingu12]

See at the moment everyone seems to be raving about ATI, where as when i really got into gaming, just before the 8800's came out it seemed as tho nvidia was the only way to go in terms of performance, so i didnt really conisder ATI. This does by no means make me an nvidia fan boy, but as i will be looking to upgrade some time soon, im wondering weather ATI might be the right way to go.

 

[roadrunner197069]

ATI is on top right now, no doubt about it. They got better cards across the board now.

Sure the 4870x2 is $549 well it only was available since a couple hours ago.

280GTX was $650+ when it was released, and look at it now. The 4870x2 will come down when it has pressure on it but now its top dog so it will be more$$.

There will be a 4850 x2 as well and it will keep pace with 280GTX and probably be cheaper.

 

[concrum]

ATI is on top right now, no doubt about it. They got better cards across the board now.

Sure the 4870x2 is $549 well it only was available since a couple hours ago.

280GTX was $650+ when it was released, and look at it now. The 4870x2 will come down when it has pressure on it but now its top dog so it will be more$$.

There will be a 4850 x2 as well and it will keep pace with 280GTX and probably be cheaper.

and in no time G280 SLI will be cheaper than 4870X2, and then Nvidia will ask you '' who's your daddy now''?

hell G260 SLI is already cheaper than 4870X2 and its in par with it in performace except at ultra high resolution, but how many gamers in the world today play games with 40 inches monitor.. no one lol

 

[pulasky]

and in no time G280 SLI will be cheaper than 4870X2, and then Nvidia will ask you '' who's your daddy now''?

hell G260 SLI is already cheaper than 4870X2 and its in par with it in performace except at ultra high resolution, but how many gamers in the world today play games with 40 inches monitor.. no one lol

where show link :lol:

 

[night_wolf_in]

ATI hands down. the new card just busted the nvidia in their ass.

 

[pingu12]

Well some of it is true,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-073-GW&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=927&name=Gainward%20GeForce%20GTX%20260%20896MB%20GDDR3%20TV-Out/Dual%20DVI%20(PCI-Express)%20-%20Retail

that was the cheapest GTX 260 i could find and if u bought 2 in sli = £328.98
cheapest 4870x2 i could find = £375.98

I dunno which performs better think the 4870x2 tho, but they have only just come out so will be sure to go down in price to something near the GTX280, surley?

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Thats exactly what these cards ARE for. When a 4870 can handle basically any game at 16x10 and most at 19x12, the only reason to have a x2 or a SLI G200 is at highest res using max eyecandy. You just dont get it. And if the G280 is gonna go for 275$, Ill buy one. Show me these proofs on pricing. Links please

 

[pingu12]

cheapest ive seen a G280 £258.98 ($490). Anyway Ati are using GDDR5 and nvidia are using GDDR3, are there any majoor benefits other than the higher frequency?

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Basically it comes down to arch. The ATI arch is currently better at memory management, including the 4850, which uses GDDR3, so its not just the GDDR5, but design. Also, check out the ability of ATIs cards using AA and AF. Using them has a much lower effect than on nVidias cards. Thats also the overall archetecture. The new ATI cards just seem to be better balanced, with TMUs, shaders etc

 

[sarwar_r87]

GTX280 cheapest price = 430$
4870X2 = 549$

yup, G280 gives the best bang for the money

y r u taking best bang for money argument now......u wernt like this when GTX 280 was $600+ and was the fastes card in the block.......
ok fine lets have it ur way.......4870x2 is 21% more pricy compared to the ChEAPEST gtx280......but performance gain is 30 to 50%..............now....which is the best bang.

and in no time G280 SLI will be cheaper than 4870X2, and then Nvidia will ask you '' who's your daddy now''?

hell G260 SLI is already cheaper than 4870X2 and its in par with it in performace except at ultra high resolution, but how many gamers in the world today play games with 40 inches monitor.. no one lol

when gtx280 sli will be cheaper than 4870x2.....ill take u to moon and back...don worrie...ill pay and arrange 4 ur trip.

gtx260 is $290; thats $580 on cards + a really expensive PSu + a really expensive MB. srsly....r u any good with math.
and y would anyone, i repeat WHY, buy a 4870x2 or gtx280 is they don wana play at hightest resolution. 4870 is more than ok for anything bellow that

 

[szwaba67]

I play games on a 47" Westinghouse monitor, but that's only 1920x1080. Still looks damn good though.

 

[pingu12]

OMG 47" u must have to site like 4m from the screen to see anything

 

[JerryC]

and in no time G280 SLI will be cheaper than 4870X2, and then Nvidia will ask you '' who's your daddy now''?

hell G260 SLI is already cheaper than 4870X2 and its in par with it in performace except at ultra high resolution, but how many gamers in the world today play games with 40 inches monitor.. no one lol

Uh, I do.

 

[JerryC]

OMG 47" u must have to site like 4m from the screen to see anything

Not quite 4 meters, its more like 3.

 

[ro3dog]

I play games on a 47" Westinghouse monitor, but that's only 1920x1080. Still looks damn good though.

I game on a 47'' LG ,and love the gaming real estate.

 

[outlw6669]

Silly concrum.
The die of the GTX 280 is to large and costly to allow the price to be lowerd that low.

My vote for the most cost effective GPU would be the 4850.
Fast enough for modern games at moderate resolutions and with a price you can not beat.

 

[SpinachEater]

... so i would like to know from you guys which companys you think gives you the most performance for your money and compatibility and best ability to overclock.

That changes from generation to generation of GPUs that come out from both sides and how each party decides to update them. I have owned NV cards exclusively up till the 4870. I decided to support ATI for the main reason that I don't like how NVidia has been doing business for the past couple of years. They were raping customers with their prices (8800GTX...cough cough). They had a good product but didn't make it accessible to a lot of people. ATI swept in and restored balance to the market and helped remind us who have been brainwashed by NV's high prices that we can get a top notch VGA for under $200. Moving off my rant....

It is complicated to generalize which one works best or is more compatible because there are factors such as driver support, how different game engines are designed, 3rd party hardware designs and warranty bonuses...ect...ect...that all play a role in what you get for your money. NV and ATI both have stellar products out right now so choose according to what titles you play the most .