GTX 280 SLI vs 4870X2

[julius_caesar_01]

Hello all. I am thinking of making a new pc for this holiday season. I just wanted to know, if all other things are kept the same, which one will give me better performance, GTX 280 SLI or 4870X2 . I plan to game at 1900X1200 resolution and with all eye candy on. I will mostly play games like crysis, age of conan, farcry2 etc.

Thanks

 

[rangers]

sorry to say, but the GTX 280 SLI will give you better performance

 

[rambo117]

+1^

GTX 280 sli wins...


unless you plan on adding a second 4870x2 in the future.. then that would beat GTX280 tri sli

whats your mobo, CPU, memory, PSU, ect.
that would help

 

[roofus]

i honestly wouldnt go 4870x2 unless i went liquid cooling. those are sweet cards but i would want to be able to throw some water blocks on them to protect my investment. they really kick out some heat.

 

[rangers]

i would like to add that, i don't like getting riped off by any company, and i feel nvidia has pushed its customers around far to often, that's why I personally would go for the 4870x2. nvidia have needed a good kick in the balls for a long time.
but i don't expect every one to feel the same as me, and if you don't just go for the fastest

 

[rambo117]

well yehh, its two GPUs on one PCB versus just one on each PCB.

liquad cooling would be a wise idea though...
how long of a life would you say a 4870x2 would have? like 3-4 years perhaps?
assuming no overclocking is done

 

[roofus]

pushed them around...i guess i dont follow you there but the 4870x2 is the fastest single card solution (in most things).

 

[rangers]

overcharging, chips that over heat, not taking responsibility for said defects, thats what i mean by pushed around

 

[L1qu1d]

I would say the 4870 X2 would be enough for you at that resolutions (though I wouldn't place my bets on Crysis, at least for it to be smooth). But if you want raw power the 280 GTX sli is your best bet.

280 GTX sli > 4870 X2 > 280 GTX

Alone the 4870 X2 is up to 30% faster than the 280 GTX but is around 200$ (depending where your from) more than 1 280 GTX. If you have an sli board, the 280 GTX should be ur card.

For me its very re assuring that if sli/Crossfire isn't support I have a 280 GTX single GPU under the hood. I would say that the 30% difference for dual vs single is very impressive for the 280 GTX.

But this all comes down to either money or performance, sometimes both

4870 X2 in general would be my number 1 pic for price/performance
2nd choice would b the 280 GTX since it still has enough power under the hood for that resolution (not quite as much as the 4870 X2, though you might not think its worth it)

Last would be the 280 GTX sli (no need to jump in so quick unless your an enthusiast.

Though if you have an SLI motherboard, I'll say it again the 280 GTX plays more in ur favor. I just can't say no to the 4870 X2 just wicked over all card.

 

[julius_caesar_01]

thank you all for your replies. how long do you guys think gtx 280 sli will last ?? and also, should i wait for gtx 260 X2 card which is coming out in jan. will it beat 4870X2 ? also, if what if i put two 4870X2 cards in quad Xfire, will it be better than everything else ??

 

[rambo117]

it all depends on the chipset your mobo is. if you have a board with SLI capable-ness your going to want the GTX280.
if not, then the 4870x2 would be much more attractive

 

[werxen]

I would get the 4870x2 and buy 2 of them... isn't that the same price as buying GTX 280 sli?

 

[malveaux]

Heya,

I'd rather get two GTX260's and SLI, for $184 each from NewEgg.



Very best,

 

[njalterio]

I would go 4870X2 simply to avoid having to use the nvidia motherboards.....I am not sure if the new nehalem motherboards officially support SLI though. Can anyone clarify this?

And yes, 4870X2 CF is the best solution out there.
For some reason GTX 280 SLI will beat out one 4870X2 but 4870X2 CF will beat three way GTX 280 SLI

 

[L1qu1d]

I would go 4870X2 simply to avoid having to use the nvidia motherboards.....I am not sure if the new nehalem motherboards officially support SLI though. Can anyone clarify this?

And yes, 4870X2 CF is the best solution out there.
For some reason GTX 280 SLI will beat out one 4870X2 but 4870X2 CF will beat three way GTX 280 SLI

Actually thats completely not true!

Read reviews. the

280 GTX tri > 4870 X2 quad > 280 GTX sli > 4870 X2 > 280 GTX > 4870

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i7-multigpu-sli-crossfire-game-performance-review/1

They exchange blows, but the 280 GTX tri comes out on top by winning most games.

And no 2 280 GTXs is more than 1 4870 X2, and 2 4870 X2s are more than 2 280 GTXs in price.

 

[bornking]

start with one gtx 280 and when you see that the second is not necessary you will be happiest.

 

[anarchy4sale]

I think the Price for performance I would go with the 4870x2, but if your just looking which is more powerful, the 280 SLI wins.

 

[gamerk316]

pushed them around...i guess i dont follow you there but the 4870x2 is the fastest single card solution (in most things).

Didn't we say that about the 8800 Ultra's?? Those sure lasted a long time

 

[cyber_jockey]

Gtx 260 x2 coming out in jan :O ? Anyone got a link?

 

[njalterio]

Actually thats completely not true!

Read reviews. the

280 GTX tri > 4870 X2 quad > 280 GTX sli > 4870 X2 > 280 GTX > 4870

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i7-multigpu-sli-crossfire-game-performance-review/1

They exchange blows, but the 280 GTX tri comes out on top by winning most games.

And no 2 280 GTXs is more than 1 4870 X2, and 2 4870 X2s are more than 2 280 GTXs in price.

According to the link you posted, I think I was closer to the truth than "completely not true!"

The 4870X2 CF and three way GTX 280 SLI trade places depending on what game is used. Regardless of who is on top, both score over 60 FPS in the games tested (except Crysis) at max resolution.

Considering 4870X2 CF is less expensive than the three GTX 280s, they trade the 1st place spot depending on the game, the performance difference is already negligible, the 4870X2 CF will use less electricity and produce less heat I stand by my statement that getting the 4870X2 CF makes more sense than getting three GTX 280s.

 

[L1qu1d]

its been proven in almost every test conducted that 280 GTX tri is the superior most of the time, but it comes at a cost and it also drains more power.

For most its not worth the extra cash. Don't forget that quad and crossfire setups have min frame rate problems


Plus don't forget that quad is harder to do drivers for than tri

9800 GX2 quad did horribly from what the review said, kinda shocked by that.

But your right for the money its not really worth it, but for an enthusiast it would be a better choice

The less the GPUs the less the problems