We’ve included dual-GPU cards in today’s comparison, but know that this type of comparison is only fair for people considering the more expensive products on a price-per-performance basis. Because most single-GPU graphics cards buyers would not even consider a more expensive dual-GPU solution, we’ve taken the unprecedented step of arranging today’s charts by performance-per-GPU, rather than absolute performance. Absolute performance numbers are still shown, however.

The GeForce GTX 285 edges out the GTX 280 by around 4% in World at War without anti-aliasing
(AA) or anisotropic filtering (AF), with the lead increasing slightly at higher resolutions.

With 4x AA and the game’s AF slider at its highest position, the GeForce GTX 285’s lead over the GTX 280 extends to an average of over 6%. The card posts its greatest gain at the highest test resolution. Both cards offer smooth game play in this title at all settings.
Overclocking would be nice to see what the hardware can really do; but I generally don't dabble into overclock video cards. Never seems to work out, either the card is already running hot or the slightest increase in frequency produces artifacts.
Also driver updates seem to wreak havoc with oc settings.
I just replaced a 8800 GTS 640MB card with the GTX 285. Base clocks for the GTS are 500 GPU and 800 memory. I foget the shaders, but it is over 1000. I had mine running with 0 glitches for the life of the card at 600 GPU and 1000 memory. Before the overclock the highest temperature at load was about 88C, after the overclock the highest temperature was 94C, both of which were well within manufaturer specifications of 115C. I would not be too scared of overclocking your hardware, unless your warranty is voided because of it.
I have not overclocked the GTX 285 yet, I am waiting for NiBiToR v4.9 to be released so once I overclock it, I can set it permantly to the final stable clock. I am expecting to be able to hit about 730 GPU, but it could be less.
In other words, no matter how well ATI's strategy of using two smaller, cheaper GPUs in tandem instead of one huge GPU works, you will still be able to say that Nvidia is the best.
Also, why would most people who are spending $400-$450 on video cards not want a dual-card setup. Most people I know see it as a kind of bragging right, just like water-cooling your rig.
One last thing, why is it so hard to find reviews of the 4850x2?
I for one am interested in ONLY single GPU solutions. Most of the games I play are not your quintuple platinum selling games, thus the people who make those games are not likely to be doing massive frequent updates to the game so it works on the random rare platform. They may get around to it, but with smaller budgets come longer development times.
I actually think that both companies are twiddling their thumbs about this multi-GPU issue. The question I have is if they make a GPU with 800 processing units, why is it so hard for them to develope into the GPU direct link between two GPUs? They can connect 800 processing units, but cannot connect two dies? Seriously?
OC those cards!!! I'm looking at buying a gtx 280 or a gtx 285. This article didn't tell me anything I didn't already expect. The OC'ability of these cards will determine what I buy. OC! OC! OC! Does the new 55nm tech make the GTX 285 an OC'ing beast? Any nerd worth his salt should by trying to OC those babies within 30 minutes of taking them out of the box!
Put me down as another who is only interested in the best single GPU setup. Microstuttering and less than linear gains for SLI/CF in all games are my reasons.
obviously you don't understand that every piece of hardware needs a good piece of software to unleash it's maximum energy.
i don't really understand or appreciate your way of analyzing the data you get from this bench.
so can you explain why 4870x2 wins in crysis with AA and AF at all resolutions and loses in COD5 although COD5 is little DX9 game compared to CRYSIS, isn't it strange that a GPU wins in the most demanding game and loses in some DX9 games.
Take a look at this bench of STALKER CLEAR SKY using the DX10.1 patch for ATI CARDS..
+1 I'd rather have single GPU. I'll consider multi-gpu's, but not when there's beasts out like the GTX 280/285.
And you are very right that it is easier to make drivers for single GPU systems, but if the prise is right and there is some real prosessing power in multicore system even better.
ATI with their multi GPU system did bring the prices down and they still are relative competative for their prize even now. It all depends on what games you like to play. Like i said before, competition is good and these new Nvidias are really good indeed. (Until the next innovation arrives ofcource ;-)
I think we all pretty much knew where the 285 fit in. One trip to the egg after the 285 was released would have told you roughly what to expect, as well as how great of a deal the 280 is now.
Frankly, I think that the price drop on the 280 is bigger news than the 285 release. it's still ~nearly~ the best single GPU card but now you can get it for ~$300 with MIR!
I'm curious if TH knows any more particulars regarding the next generation of cards for red and green? I'm curious, and doubtful, if AMD can pull off another successful release as significant to the community as the 4800 series was. I'm also curious where nVidia will have something brand new or if it's more or less an improved GT200 (8800 to 9800 type of thing). From what I can tell it sounds like the latter for nVidia.
As long as the gold standard for gaming keeps getting cheaper I guess I don't really care what they do! Thanks for the benchies.