What GPU?
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- detritus
If you were making a new computer today, what graphics card would you go for?
I'm thinking an ATI 4870x2, as it appears to be the 'best' balance of money and capability. But I'm wondering whether there a) there are better options b) I'm over-egging it - I mean, it's not like I really play games any more (roll on, winter).
Any thoughts?
(I know! An incredibly interesting thread, isn't it?)
- dyspl0
I'd say it all depends what kind of work your are doing.
- detritus0
Ok, let's just keep it about The Games - I only do modelling work on computer, no fancy schmanccy rendering.
- detritus0
I've always gone with ATI cards, but was hoping to make a switch to an NVidia - but I get a bit lost trying to work out what is the 'best' top-middle-tier card - the 295 seems expensive, and I've no idea where the 285 and 275 sits against ATI cards... never mind invoking the whole multi-card set up... it's all a bit of a headfuck, if I'm honest.
I *think* two 4870s in one card is the best option... but I would quite like an NVIdia...
- dyspl0
You should also check on gamers forum the usual troubleshots with the differents cards on the game you like, and recent ones you plan to play.
Speaking from experience : Bought an xps laptop 2 years ago cost me about 3000euros. I bought a game I wanted to play with my brand new toy..... 2days later, and a 8pages tutorials on the reg.edit etc... I still had some horrible graphic bugs while playing. frustrating to say the least.
- uan0
some sli or crossfire ones
- uan0
maybe this helps
http://www.driverheaven.net/revi…- they recommend the
XFX GTX 275 XXX
(whatever this means in gpu language)uan
- they recommend the
- detritus0
Ok, so I think I was over-egging it.
Whilst it's not as powerful, the GTX285 series of cards represent the current best in SINGLE GPU cards. The GTX 295 appears to be, like the 4870x2, two cards on one connection. It's also stupidly expensive.
One, often unmentioned, advantage with current nVidia cards is the ability to throw PhysX and CUDA-compliant code at the main processing cores. Now, I'm not going to pretend this is much use to me right now - but it'll be interesting to see if the likes of Processing or After Effects begin using this feature - I'd certainly like the option of getting the GPU to do more useful things than wait around all week for me to play a game.
Also, whilst the 4870x2 is undoubtedly the more powerful card, it also hoovers up a lot more electricity and makes a lot more noise (particularly during so-called idle periods, ie. most of the time, when I'm not throwing lots of vectors at it). Electrical costs alone mount up to a few tens of pounds difference over each year. OK, so a high-end GPU is an excess consumer product anyway, but at least the GTX285 is a *little* greener than other options.
I'll admit this isn't the most exciting of threads, but I thought I'd update with my latest thought on the matter (thanks uan, for the pull the other way!).
A mid-high end single GPU nVidia card it is. If and when I feel I've out-grown (in a technical, not maturative sense) a single GTX285 card, I can add another one in a year's time, when they cost £50.
- Sorry, more accurately - the GTX 295 is two GPUs on one card - it's a little more subtly done than the 4870x2.detritus
- Horp0
erm...
- I think you can safely assume this thread wasn't aimed at you.detritus
- LOLJnr_Madison
- Horp0
To be honest Detritus, I would go with an upper gijoe console making a good GUI index of 1500, which will surely get a good foodcourt screw rate with out any wow or flutter with a slewy frame rate.. but then you'll probably just think I'm an idiot for saying so.
- d_rek0
Just buy the most expensive one.
- superunknown0
Hook me up a new revolution
Cos this one is a lie
We sat around laughing
And watch the last one die