Help: Nvidia GTX 260 Core 216 vs. Radeon HD 4850 1GB

[xanoc]

I am building a new gaming PC, I have done some research, read the recent roundups, and am looking for final confirmation on my decision.

I will be using 2 graphics cards either in SLI or Crossfire, and think that I have settled on 2 GTX260 Core 216s. Does anyone see this as a problem? I don't have a mobo or case chosen yet so that should make it easy to find one which will support two cards.

I'm generally not an ATI fan, but 2x 1GB 4850s seem to compare so I figured I would ask.

I have seen some issues noted with GTX260s for heat and noise, but I assume if I buy a case with good cooling I should be all set?

I am looking at these cards specifically:

PNY VCGGTX260CXPB GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133270

EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130434

EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130433

Thanks.

 

[jyjjy]

What resolution do you plan on using.

 

[xanoc]

1920 x 1080 on my 23" monitor which is a SyncMaster P2370

 

[coozie7]

There is only a tiny price difference, so I'd suggest the EVGA Superclocked card over the stock version and the PNY card. EVGA also gives a huge warranty in the US, but you MUST register to get it, so no forgetting!

Check the cooling when you select the case, these cards are high performance and need reasonable airflow or they can run hot.

Also take a good, close look at the motherboard choice, more than a few put the PCI-E slots quite close together and this can lead to the top card running hot because the lower card partially blocks the airflow to it.

Remember, a good PSU is a MUST to SLI these cards, stick to a good brand like: OCZ, Seasonic, Pc Power and Cooling, Antec and Corsair, around the 750W mark with 4 6 pin PCI-E connectors will see you right.
Something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022

 

[xanoc]

Yeah I was leaning strongly towards the superclocked card as well.

I am only considering cases with lots of cooling.

AHA, I was planning to go with the Antec TruePower New 650. Given that the price is the same might as well go 750.

 

[coozie7]

^ Good choice, you can never have too much power😉

 

[neon neophyte]

if i could just have either, no contest, the gtx260.

it goes like this:

4850vs9800gtx+/gts250
4870vsgtx260
4890vsgtx275

 

[xanoc]

Aha thanks for the side by sides. I was going based on the price mentioned in the recent July Graphics Cards lineup for 2x cards for approx same price... What about 2x 4870s? Still the gtx260?

 

[jennyh]

Not much in it though you will generally be able to find a much cheaper xfire mobo than a sli one. Also, nvidia are evil and kick baby kittens.

 

[alberthynek]

get the 260 216 for sure, and the superclocked card is a good value, but if u get the regular stock card you can use EVGA precision (covered by EVGA warranty YAY) if u get an evga card and overclock it to superclocked clocks easily

if you really are considering 2 4870s than hands down the 4870s as thats almost as good as 2 260s . if u could get 2 260s than go with that, but if u dont have a crossfire/sli mobo than the ati cards would be a better value as the mobos are much cheaper

 

[xanoc]

Yeah I haven't chosen the mobo yet, but (ahem) budget isn't a big problem within reason and within range of these levels of components. So perhaps I'll do some investigation into the 2 ATI cards especially if I can't find a mobo which meets the specs I am looking for.