Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > GTX 280 vs 9800 GT
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rockr23   08-20-2008 at 03:32:09 PM

Shopping for a computer, need to know if the GTX is worth the 3-400 dollar markup over the 9800 GT.

If it matters:

3.0GHZ dual core processor
750 watt power supply
680i motherboard
4gb ddr2 RAM

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sdf   08-20-2008 at 03:46:11 PM
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Not really unless you're playing crysis on high res maxed out. Keep in mind the 9800 GT is a rebranded 8800GT same everything. What are you playing to warrents a GTX, at what resolution? Don't know if the mobo can do it but if it allows SLI 2 9800's sli should beat the GTX in most benchmarks and cost less. Just a thought.


Message edited by sdf on 08-20-2008 at 03:47:52 PM
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nottheking   08-20-2008 at 03:57:10 PM
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The GeForce 9800 GT is the name that nVidia SHOULD'VE used from the start for what they instead called the 8800 GT. For most normal resolutions, this card should be quite adequate.

Really, there is zero point for a GTX 280. If you're going to spend that much money, you can get CONSIDERABLY more for it by going with a different card. At high resolutions without AA, the GeForce 9800GX2 usually tends to be a better choice, and if you use AA, the Radeon 4850, 4870, and 4870X2 pretty much make any nVidia card $180US and up utterly pointless.

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geofelt   08-20-2008 at 04:22:02 PM
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The 9800GT is a very capable card. Get the EVGA version which will let you "step-up" to a better card if you should find that the 9800GT is not doing the job for you.

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xxcoop42xx   08-20-2008 at 05:10:48 PM
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yeah man, go with the 9800GT, i had a choice of the gtx and dual 9800GT and after looking up some benchies, the dual GT's beat the gtx mostly from what i saw.

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themyrmidon   08-20-2008 at 05:38:44 PM
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I'd say get either the GTX+ or GTX 260, there really is no point to the 9800GT when the 8800GT is only lacking OpenGL 3 (which will be fixed with a driver) and is much cheaper. Obviously you're only talking nV cards because of your 680i, which means you plan to SLI, something that the GTX260 can do in Tri-style.

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vertigo_2000   08-20-2008 at 06:09:59 PM
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Skip nVidia. Go to ATI.

nottheking got it right.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ * Disclaimer - The above poster is not an expert on any subject relating to computers and does not pretend to be. The above poster cannot and will not be held liable for any advice taken by the reader.
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rockr23   08-20-2008 at 07:12:48 PM
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Yeah, I'm only really looking at Fallout and Warhammer online. I was told in another thread to skip the dual 9800s and just get the single most powerful card I could get instead of dualing thats why I figured the GTX 280 was the way to go.

thanks for the info, i'm thinking I'll go back to dual 9800s.

Edit: I do have the option to go to dual GTX 260's but that will cost nearly as much as the single GTX 280. Is that worth it for the type of games im looking to play? I'll probably never get into the "Crysis" level of computer gaming (as far as hardware requirements are concerned).


Message edited by rockr23 on 08-20-2008 at 07:16:10 PM
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geofelt   08-20-2008 at 07:31:57 PM
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With SLI:
1) You will need a stronger PSU to drive two vga cards.
2) You will have to pay more for a SLI capable motherboard.
3) Even though you will have two vga cards, you will not get 2X the performance.

Don't use SLI if one good card will do the job.

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cjl   08-20-2008 at 07:39:35 PM
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Go with a 4850 or a 4870.

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Nik_I   08-20-2008 at 07:42:18 PM
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cjl wrote :

Go with a 4850 or a 4870.



'nuff said

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rockr23   08-20-2008 at 08:57:01 PM
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These are my options, only suggestions of one of these will be helpful:

9800 GT
260 GTX
280 GTX
Dual 9800 GT
Dual 260 GTX

I realize the going oppinion on this board is build your own computer and buy ATI, thats not what I'm in the market for. My next PC I will build myself and then all the other stuff will be useful but for this one, until I can get some hardware experience, I'm buying from a manufacturer so my options are limited by what they are willing/able to offer me.

Message quoted 1 times
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mathiasschnell   08-20-2008 at 09:07:19 PM
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You can install an ATI card on that mobo without a problem, you just wouldn't be able to do Crossfire. Also, you don't HAVE to buy from the manufacturer unless you're saying that they're going to install the card for you or you're getting a discount or free card or something.

 

But anyways, out of those options, I'd say your best bet is a single GTX 260 and here's why. GTX 260 will likely set you back about $280 - $320 depending on who's selling it to you. It'll run just about anything you want at 1920x1200 and below with good, if not maxed out, settings (Crysis being the exception). It's also not too hot while running (at least I've never heard of it overheating or anything), and there's no rumors about it being defective (which people are saying the G92 and other cores are). Another advantage is that it's a single card and you wouldn't have to worry about any SLI issues if they come up. It's probably your safest and most cost effective bet.

 

Oh and regarding the specs you posted in your first post, are those specs set in stone? Because if not, then you'd be better off changing to a lower PSU (say, 600W) and a better Motherboard. The 680i is a bit on the old side and has had some problems. A 780i/790i would be better for you I think.


Message edited by mathiasschnell on 08-20-2008 at 09:10:04 PM
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sdf   08-20-2008 at 09:09:24 PM
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I'd say for the moment go with the single 9800 (8800) GT and check out benchmarks for the two games that you are playing. If one will suffice why pay the extra money for performance that you won't notice? If one 9800 GT won't play them at the resolution you want with or without AA/AF for the price take a look at the 9800 GTX (+). Some can be found at the egg for $170 give or take and will give you a little added performance edge over the GT.

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rockr23   08-20-2008 at 09:09:28 PM
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Extremely helpful. Thankyou very much.

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geofelt   08-20-2008 at 11:26:24 PM
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I would vote for a single GTX280. I assume that there is some premium for dual cards.
It is about in the middle for performance of your choices.

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cjl   08-21-2008 at 02:19:17 AM
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A GTX 260 is a nice option if you have to have Nvidia, as the 280 isn't worth the premium. Alternatively, the 9800GT is a great choice if you want a cheap card that is still no slouch.

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blackhawk1928   08-21-2008 at 03:08:18 AM
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Like one of the other posters said, unless you are playing Crysis, then you wont notice any difference in performance between the two cards, 280gtx is certainly more powerful but for you it wont have any benifit.

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mantis2001   08-25-2008 at 11:22:19 AM
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GTX 280/260 is not as good as 4870x2, I suggest you choose 4870x2

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nottheking   08-25-2008 at 08:07:10 PM
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vertigo_2000 wrote :

Skip nVidia. Go to ATI.


I'd note that if you're looking for a card under $150US, the 8800GT (the exact same thing as a 9800GT) is the best card you can buy, and has a price-performance ratio competitive with the 4850; there ARE nVidia cards worth buying... I was just specifying that for the most part, there weren't much of any above the $180US mark.

rockr23 wrote :

I realize the going oppinion on this board is build your own computer and buy ATI, thats not what I'm in the market for.


I should correct you to note that the going opinions of the board tend to reflect what video cards are the best deals. And right now, in the price ranges you're largely looking at, ATi rather effectively dominates the board. Note that YES, you can use ATi cards with an nVidia chipset, (and nVidia cards with an ATi chipset) you just won't be able to use CrossFire/SLi.

Also, who are you getting this computer from? It's liable that they will charge some of their own extra markup on what card you get, so that would also affect things; that's a major reason why building your own PC is so heavily recommended: the price for getting a video card through NewEgg or another online retailer will invariably be lower than the cost of paying a PC OEM to put it in a computer they're shipping you.

Given the level of markup you listed, I'd have to say that the only option there that makes any sense to me is the 9800GT. Unless you're playing on a very high resolution (like 1920x1200 or above) it should be plenty sufficient for the likes of Fallout 3 and Warhammer Online. I wouldn't spend more money on more expensive cards, nor spend more money to get two cards.

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