Mainstream post 300 series?

[hopar]

So we already know that the low end market is going be replaced by the 210, 220 and the 240 (in some cases already is), the 250 GTS will stay in the mid low market, as entry level mainstream, what will we have for the higher end mainstream? Are the prices of the 200 GTX cards going to come down? will we get a lower cost version of the 300 series (with fewer steam processors and lower memory bandwidth)?

 

[WR2]

from: http://www.semiaccurate.com

 

[hopar]

Ok that confused me, what does that mean? Is there a Geforce 250GTS replacement in the pipes? Or do I finally make the switch for ATI?

 

[WR2]

No replacement at least through spring 2010. And remember, GTS 250 is a warmed over 9800GTX+.
GTS 250 will hold the same position through Spring 2010 that it holds now.

 

[hopar]

So what are my best option for an upgrade for 8800GT? From what I hear the 240 GT will be inferior to the 250 GTS, and the 250GTS is a minor upgrade for the most part. If I stay with Nvidia, the 260gtx seems like my only option, any hopes of prices on it dropping soon and possibly a die shrink? I really dont wanna go ATI unless I have to X_x

 

[WR2]

With GTX 260s going for about $150 and GTX 275 hitting $230+ the GTX 260 is the best bang for the buck Nvidia upgrade.

What monitor resolution will you be using?

ATI's new HD 5770 is near the same price point as the GTX 260.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Until nVidia drops its pricing to be competitive, thats your best option.
The true G300 mids may not be out til May-June.

 

[hopar]

I am using 1280 by 1040, so not very demanding. My only issue is power draw, I currently run a 480 watt PSU, its nice little PSU (not a case generic) and I have been running it for almost 5 years now (was pretty top of the line back than) so I dont wanna upgrade it, how more power does a 260GTX draw compared to a 8800GT?

And again, do you think there will be a price drop on the 200 GTX line in the next month or two? cause I can wait a bit.

 

[WR2]

GTX 260 has an 'official' recommendation of a 500W PSU.
EVGA GTX 260 webpage - look under System Requirements.
500W with minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 36 Amps and 2 6-pin PCI-E power connectors.

 

[WR2]

8800GT probably used about 78W. GTX 260 probably about 130W.

Price drops? Hard to say but you might see some good deals - like Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales.

 

[WR2]

its nice little PSU (not a case generic) and I have been running it for almost 5 years

Thats quite a while for a PSU. I don't think its up to putting out it full rated power after such a long period.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

I doubt theyll drop. The new 5xxx series from ATI is somewhat in short supply because of process issues at TSMC, where theyre made, and nVidia has put a EOL on alot of their cards, clearing inventory.
Until more cards come into the market, prices most likely will hold

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Keeping near 100 or so watts may be your only option with that psu, as WR2 said, its old, and has most likely lost 20% of its output

 

[WR2]

The HD 5770 does fall into the same power envelope as the 8800GT.
And there isnt much difference between GTX 260 and GTS 250 in power draw.

Charts and details from the HD 5770 review @ AnandTech website

edit;
other review sites show a wider power use gap between GTS 250 and GTX 260.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Power draw looks to be 110+ watts for the 2 nVidia cards.
Kinda pushing it, only because of the age of your psu

 

[hopar]

I guess I am looking for the GeForce 9800 GT EE version of the GT260GTX

 

[rawsteel]

Why would you buy GTX260 over 5770 !?

40nm, low heat, low power (especially since your case), same performance, DX11 (big thing), overclockability

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

OP wishes to avoid ATI, but it may be something to think about

 

[hopar]

I guess I am sort of against naturally crippled cards, last time I used a GPU with a 128bit memory interface was my old 6600GT 5 years ago, and back than it was enough. Nowadays I ma sure that the rest of the hardware, especially those zippy GDDR5 chips are probably getting chocked by the 128bit interface.

Also DX11 is a non-issue for me, practicably no games support it, and I am sure that the 5700 card would choke if they actually tried running DX11 features

I am actually considering 4870 cards? how do they stack up with the Geforce 260? Both from a performance as well as efficiency stand point (power draw).

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Too many opinions, not enough facts.
128 doesnt change the benches you see .
It really does work, having a faster ram vs wider bus, no matter what rumors have been spread.
You want lower power, youll need 40nm for 48xx ,250-60 perf

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Of course, Fermis going to have? and its bus will be?
I know youre an nVidia fan, but looking forwards, theyre just now doing what ATI has been doing for awhile now, smaller bus, faster ram

 

[hopar]

Well from the reviews that I have read, the 5770 gets beat by the 4870 more often than not, considering that the 5770 has faster settings the memory bus is the only thing to blame imo, also the current price difference is around 40-50$ in favor of the 4870, the fast card. Unfortunately the 4870 is even a bigger power hog than the 250gts/260gtx, thus I am gonna spare my PSU the potential meltdown

I guess I wait.

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Watch for driver improvements, as this change is greater than before, more to work with. It should surpass the 4870.
Runs cooler as well, also leaves its partners for some very nice non standard builds

 

[hopar]

It does meat my power requirements, but not the performance per/$$.

I read some reviews online for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133279

Its pretty much a 9800GT but with much lower power requirements but with equal performance, I don't know what PNY did to that card, but I want them to do it to a 260