Nvidia with a AMD cpu + mobo...

Putting the 4870 on an AMD motherboard with an AMD CPU isn't going to make it perform like a GTX280. If you want the speed of the GTX280, you have to buy one. The only issue you'll have is not being able to CF/SLI the GTX280 latter if you want to. You can't multi GPU Nvidia cards on an AMD motherboard.

As for the price drop, probably. The "new" 4890 is coming, and is expected/rumored to replace the 4870. Its supposed to cost $260 however, so I'm not sure how much the 1GB 4870 will drop in price if at all. You probably should wait a few weeks to see how the new cards that are coming will effect the prices of the current ones. (unless you have money to burn...)

The 4870 is close to the GTX260. When the 4870 came out, Nvidia released the GTX260 216 to be on top again. AMDs only card that comes close to the GTX280 is the 4870x2. That said, for most of us, the 4870/GTX260 is fine. You really only need the GTX280 and above for massive monitors.

Close. By massive I mean the big 2560x1600 monitors. 19x10 is pretty large, depending on the games you run the 4870/GTX260 is probably enough. The GTX280 will definitely handle that res better. So basically I wouldn't get anything smaller then the 4870/GTX260, get the GTX280 if you don't want to upgrade again soon or demand the highest settings. (and want/need 60FPS constant.)

.............................................. FAIL...

GOD DAMNIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the gtx280 was on sale for $290... (im from canada)

i THOUGHT 280 n 4870 had a similar performance thats why i didnt buyt it... cause the 4870 is around 240...
and a freind might get it for cheaper(his dad works for amd)


but damnit 4850x is around 400 bucks and 4870 x2 is around 600 bucks...

grrrrr

i thought 280 would have driver issue cause its gonna be on a AMD mobo and cpu...
should have bought 280 when i had the chance....

hmm currently the 280 is at 350..

so how much do u think the 4890 will be?
is there gonna be a price drop in 4870? cause if there is.. ill just get that.

i dont need constant 60fps. 30+ is fine for me.

o i see...

hmm guess i should have went with the gtx280 then.

again. my major worry is the compatiblity of a nvidia gfx on a amd mobo cpu.
my freind told me that it wont perform as well as a ati gfx card on a amd mobo.

or does that not matter at all?

It shouldn't. It plugs into the slot, thats all that matters.

Tomorrow we will see. It might hit GTX280 speeds in a few cases, but the GTX280 (and the GTX285 of course) will be faster overall. The next thing to consider is price, I expect the price of the GTX280 to be falling starting tomorrow. Time will tell, wait 24hr.

u say FAIL but then make an argument that makes no sense based on what i was saying...

the 4850 X2 is comparable to the GTX 280 in performance and price

4850 X2 1GB = $260
4850 X2 2GB = $280

GTX 280 1GB = $290

the GTX 280 might perform a little bit better but the 4850 X2 is a little cheaper

I have a phenom II 940 BE on a asus m3n72-d mobo this is a SLI mobo 750a chipset from nvidia. I use a GTX 260 core 216, which is 189.00 at the moment on the egg!! Anyways, I can run anything on my 23" monitor 1920x1080 with this 1 card. Very fast!! GTA 4 runs at 45 FPS at 1920x1080 and Crysis warhead runs at 35 FPS at 1440 x 900 all high with physics, water, game effects and texture quality on enthusiest. So thats pretty repsectable for under 200 dollars!!!