4870 vs GTX 260+ vs GTX 275

[teknotronic]

So I currently run an ATI 4870 512MB version (bought one week before the 1gb came out, damn them)

I want to get 3D gaming going and since ATI still does not have a 3D kit or support any of the third party solutions I now need to get an NVIDIA card.

Currently I am able to run just about everything at 1920x1080 with full AA and AF depending on the game (the rare occasion I need to drop it to 8x, though I think most of it is the 512mb memory limitation)

I am looking to get a card that is as good or slightly better than my current card. I don't need an upgrade I just want to be able to run everything on the same settings I have been.

So in my research I have been able to determine that my ATI card is about in between the 260 with 195 SP's and the 260+ with 216sp's.

I am wanting to stay under $250 shipped. Best deals I have found so far (that are in stock, I don't want to wait 2-4 weeks + for shipping)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/BFG+-+NVIDIA+GeForce+260+GTX+OC+MAXCORE+55+896MB+GDDR3+PCI+Express+Graphics+Card/9348725.p?skuId=9348725&id=1218089167038

for $30 more

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/PNY+-+NVIDIA+GeForce+XLR8+GTX+275+896MB+GDDR3+PCI+Express+Graphics+Card/9280039.p?skuId=9280039&productCategoryId=pcmcat182300050008&id=1218073534551

I am just a bit concerned about the PNY brand, as I haven't been able to find much info or reviews on that card.

If anyone could help sway my decision, or point me in the direction of a better solution that would be great.

I don't really want to SLI if I can avoid it, I would rather just stick with a single card.

 

[rolli59]

The 275 is at a good price the 260 is expensive. 260 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134077

 

[teknotronic]

Yea but is that a good card? The 2nd review sums up what I would think a "cheap" card would be.

 

[rolli59]

I have no experience with ECS GPU but I have had two Motherboards from them. They are one of the biggest motherboard manufacturer in the world. In regards to reviews on Newegg I always take them with a grain of salt. Running two cards in SLI is always going to increase the temperature in the case so if not enough airflow of course the cards get hotter than with one. Max temp for those GPU´s is according to nvidia 105C http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_260_us.html so it is all a interpretation of the writer of the review.

 

[teknotronic]

Fair enough. Is the 260-216 an accurate replacement for the 4870?

 

[rolli59]

It is a little bit more powerful, wins more battles than it looses to the HD4870. If the brand is an issue there are more to choose from that are cheaper than the one you linked to http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106792634&name=GeForce%20GTX%20200%20series