New GFX Card ...But Which one?

8 I3ALL · 28-08-2008, 20:56

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

Mark · 28-08-2008, 21:33

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.

divine · 28-08-2008, 23:10

HD4850 or HD4870 would be my choices, the 4870 more so if you can find it for £160.

8 I3ALL · 28-08-2008, 23:31

I had started to edge towards the HD4870

Which are the better manufactures

LeperousDust · 28-08-2008, 23:56

i'm not to happy with nvidias product quality control recently, since it affected me big too.

Mark · 29-08-2008, 09:50

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8 I3ALL

I had started to edge towards the HD4870

Which are the better manufactures

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

28-08-2008, 20:56	#1
8 I3ALL Vodka Martini Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In Forum Heaven Posts: 732	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 __________________ MySpace

28-08-2008, 21:33	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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. Last edited by Mark; 28-08-2008 at 23:12. Reason: Clarified my points. :)

28-08-2008, 21:47	#3
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	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. __________________ Last edited by Flibster; 28-08-2008 at 21:49.

28-08-2008, 22:58	#4
Stan_Lite Stan, Stan the FLASHER MAN! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In bed with your sister Posts: 5,483	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. __________________ Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean I...

28-08-2008, 23:10	#5
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	HD4850 or HD4870 would be my choices, the 4870 more so if you can find it for £160. __________________

28-08-2008, 23:31	#6
8 I3ALL Vodka Martini Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In Forum Heaven Posts: 732	I had started to edge towards the HD4870 Which are the better manufactures __________________ MySpace

28-08-2008, 23:56	#7
LeperousDust Bananaman Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Liverpool/Edinburgh Posts: 4,817	i'm not to happy with nvidias product quality control recently, since it affected me big too. __________________

29-08-2008, 09:50	#8
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	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.

29-08-2008, 10:13	#10
Admiral Huddy HOMO-Sapien Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chelmsford Posts: 6,692	HD4870 although I have not ssen too many under £180. This is one http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=832699 __________________ I just got lost in thought.. It was very unfamiliar territory. Techie Talk \| My gaming Blog \| PC spec \| The Admirals log