View Full Version : New GFX Card ...But Which one?
Im in the market for a new graphics card this 7900gtx is just not cutting it with new games and its about time i moved over to DX10
Ive been having a read and it seems there is a massive battle going on between the Nvidia and the ATI fan boys over who is making the better card
Which as going to give me best bang for bucks? ...ive about £160ish to spend as i will get a bit for the card i have
HELP ;)
I believe nVidia have a significant edge on functionality of their most recent GPUs, though that doesn't necessarily equate to performance, but they seem to have developed a decidedly dodgy policy regarding drivers (i.e. if you don't have the latest generation or two of cards, tough). That's a shame as they used to be better than ATI for drivers, particularly for the benefit of the open source community.
I'm not 'in the know' enough to comment on outright performance between the two though.
Flibster
28-08-2008, 21:47
Tough one. Got £160 you can squeeze a GTX 260 - the 4870 would compete with that, but is a few quid more ~ £170
So for the cash, the GTX 260 wins. But, I'd much rather have ATI's drivers. I can't stand nVidia's drivers - have to change them depending on what I want to play. ATI's just work.
The 260 is only DX10 not DX10.1 though - not that it makes a whole lot of difference at the moment.
Stan_Lite
28-08-2008, 22:58
I would have to agree with the comments so far. Nvidea's recent cards have the slight performance edge but they keep dicking people around with the drivers. The ATI 4870 cards are supposed to be damn good if you can stretch to it - if not, I believe the 4850 is a very capable card.
The 260 will probably be the best card you can get for your money atm but the chances are that in a years time, once a few new cards have been introduced, Nvidea will drop it like hot **** and new drivers will be thin on the ground.
HD4850 or HD4870 would be my choices, the 4870 more so if you can find it for £160.
I had started to edge towards the HD4870
Which are the better manufactures http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7813/123gifs0136fr.gif
LeperousDust
28-08-2008, 23:56
i'm not to happy with nvidias product quality control (http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&ct=result&cd=1&q=nvidia+recall&spell=1) recently, since it affected me big too.
Not sure that link gives the results you want, given that it includes reports, denials, and even April Fools jokes going back as far as 2006.
Stan_Lite
29-08-2008, 10:01
I had started to edge towards the HD4870
Which are the better manufactures http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7813/123gifs0136fr.gif
I've always had Sapphire when I've had ATI cards and been happy with them - they're not the cheapest but they are good.
Admiral Huddy
29-08-2008, 10:13
HD4870 although I have not ssen too many under £180. This is one
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=832699
I've always had Sapphire when I've had ATI cards and been happy with them - they're not the cheapest but they are good.
Same here
LeperousDust
29-08-2008, 14:21
Not sure that link gives the results you want, given that it includes reports, denials, and even April Fools jokes going back as far as 2006.
Haha, i was hoping a quick google would sort it out didnt bother to read the links. See here (http://www.engadget.com/tag/defective/) instead ;) Nvidia have really screwed up.
Thanks for all your input ..ive just found Dabs are doing free delivery and are 15 squid cheaper then most places for the :Sapphire Technology Radeon HD 4870 512MB PCIE DUAL DVI DDR5
How are the 64bit drivers from ATI?
Admiral Huddy
29-08-2008, 17:38
Rubbish!!
Nah only kidding, not used them but fine by all accounts.. Got a good deal there :)
Would be good to see you CS:S again
Rubbish!!
Nah only kidding, not used them but fine by all accounts.. Got a good deal there :)
Would be good to see you CS:S again
Ive had stuff from them before without problems "crosses finger"
Are you sure you want me back to kick ya ARSE again ?
Haha, i was hoping a quick google would sort it out didnt bother to read the links. See here (http://www.engadget.com/tag/defective/) instead ;) Nvidia have really screwed up.
Thanks. Chasing a few links shows that I'm affected too. BIOS flash, here we come. I run my system hot anyway so if it's going to break, you can be sure it'll break for me. :/
LeperousDust
29-08-2008, 19:20
The BIOS flash isnt' a fix though, its basically just makes sure the card doesn't hit a certain temperature. So essentially holds it back? Thats not a fix, thats a bodge! Really not happy with Nvidia, they can't make drivers for **** (especially laptops!) and leave their customers in the dark about major problems too. Arg...
A Place of Light
29-08-2008, 20:32
4870 without question.....if you're spending now.
The thing with graphics cards and, to a similar extent, CPU's is that you just have to hang your hat and buy.
BIOS rev. A13 installed. Couldn't find out much about what it does, but Vista performance score unaffected. That'll do me.
Stan_Lite
29-08-2008, 22:43
BIOS rev. A13 installed. Couldn't find out much about what it does, but Vista performance score unaffected. That'll do me.
As far as I can see, it's just like Alex says - the new BIOS regulates the fan to keep the card from overheating. It won't help an already ****ed card like mine - bloody Nvidea, won't be getting any more of my money :angry:
Justsomebloke
30-08-2008, 12:00
The thing with graphics cards and, to a similar extent, CPU's is that you just have to hang your hat and buy.
That is a Great statement & Well worth the Quotage :cool:
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