View Full Version : Anyone considering a GTX400 card?
So, tonight as I was reading a review of the GTX480 (http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/nvidia_gtx480/), I started playing around with the idea of upgrading to a GTX470 or 480 in a month or three (when I can afford it, and coincidentally when they'll actually be available again)..but then I started thinking, and realized that I don't really have any reason too. Sacrilege, I know, but hear me out.
Ever since I bought my GTX260 (196 core) back in 2008, I have run all my games at max settings. First on my 22" panel at 1680x1050, now on my 23" panel at 2048x1152. I still play everything (even new stuff) at max settings, I still get over 30FPS on everything, and I have yet to even start playing around with overclocking it.
I know the GTX480 is incredibly more powerful than my GTX260, but I cannot for the life of me find a good reason to upgrade!
Any thoughts? Am I delusional and am I just trying to convince myself to not spend more money or is anyone else having this same dilemma?
BuzzKillington
04-06-2010, 01:41 AM
Why upgrade if you don't need to yet? If your 260 has lasted you this many years why not wait until you come across that game your 260 can't handle. That probably wont be for a while and by then the 480 will be cheaper and you'll hopefully be able to keep it for a couple years after that until another crazy resource hog game comes out.
The ONLY reason I can see upgrading now is if you're into frapsing your sessions and your 260 can't handle recording on top of game play at that resolution.
Like Buzz said keep the card until you feel your card is not preforming to your standards. Meanwhile I would keep your eyes open for any deal on the ATI 5850. Deals come every now and then on the card (Got an OEM card for $230 after bing cashback last week) and it offers similar performance to the nvidia 470 without the cost.
artoodeeto
04-06-2010, 12:48 PM
I heartily agree. I ran SLI 7950GT's for years, right up til I got midway through Far Cry 2. They couldn't handle even the first half of the game all that well, and midway through it got so crazy that the cards couldn't handle it at all. So I upgraded to a GTX285, which has performed beautifully for about a year. I don't plan on changing it til, as Buzz said, I come across that one (or two) game(s) that the card can't handle. Those 7950's are now in my girlfriend's computer, and since she's not into the heavily 3D-intensive games, they should last a long while.
The best advice I can give you, that took me years to learn, is don't upgrade just because it's new and shiny :). It's fun if you have the money, but if you wait to upgrade until you actually really do need the part, in the long run you'll spend a whole lot less money and have pretty much the same user experience. Minus the bragging rights of course LOL :D
TheMainMan
04-06-2010, 01:10 PM
From what I've seen reading various reviews if you're not Folding or similar, running three giant monitors, or using CUDA coded graphics design programs you probably don't need a 400 series card except for bragging rights. When the games catch up to the hardware and the drivers mature (I know Nvidia says they're ready but they'll find bugs and such) then it might be worthwhile. Personally, I'm glad they came out so that by the time I'm looking to upgrade there should be a whole bunch of nice 200 series cards available used.
Yeah, that was my general consensus. While it would be fun to have the latest awesome, I can't really justify it. :( Part of the thought process was also to upgrade while I could still sell my 260 for a decent amount, but we'll see about that... IDK, like I said, I wouldn't be able to do anythin for another month or three anyways, so I'll reconsider my situation then. :P
blueonblack
04-07-2010, 02:35 AM
No you should definitely not upgrade just yet. You need a good water-cooling system instead. :D
msmrx57
04-07-2010, 12:15 PM
If you wait until you need to upgrade there might be something even better available. Just something to keep in mind.
No you should definitely not upgrade just yet. You need a good water-cooling system instead. :D
Awww, is mine not good enough? :(
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/zeus_68.jpg
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/zeus_69.jpg
blueonblack
04-07-2010, 06:24 PM
Ok, so maybe you need *another* water cooling setup. :think:
artoodeeto
04-07-2010, 07:34 PM
well hey, Boddaker had 3 loops in Neptune's Trident. So c'mon X88X, what are you waiting for? Buy BoB's setup. :P
So c'mon X88X, what are you waiting for? Buy BoB's setup. :P
A paycheck...that hasn't already been spent... A pesky and illusive beast, that. :P
blueonblack
04-07-2010, 11:15 PM
A paycheck...that hasn't already been spent... A pesky and illusive beast, that. :P
Indeed, a veritable financial Bandersnatch.
crenn
04-09-2010, 10:34 PM
I'm looking at moving from a 9800GTX+ to a GTX460 or something a little lower. I just need to get the funds first.
Twigsoffury
04-10-2010, 02:32 AM
Awww, is mine not good enough? :(
http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq3/x13931x/zeus_68.jpg
Hey man someone stole the rest of your mainboard.
diluzio91
04-10-2010, 04:25 AM
Thats what mine looks like! (looked like... lol) if theres ever a flood in his house his computer will be fine!
Hahaha, yeah, I bought that MBB for mightyMite, which...well, let's just say there was a lot less space in that case...
Oneslowz28
04-11-2010, 07:54 AM
What are you using for hose clamps? I dont see any but then again I am still a uber noob in the WC arena.
Twigsoffury
04-11-2010, 01:32 PM
Hahaha, yeah, I bought that MBB for mightyMite, which...well, let's just say there was a lot less space in that case...
some sick looking radiators in there.
Hah my buddy found these industrial squirrel cage blowers that screw right into 120mm square holes. lol 546cfm is what the sticker says on the side...115v
maybe one bolted to a 480 cooler will keep it cold hahaha.
http://i40.tinypic.com/rw6q81.jpg
Used for combustion intake in glass decontamination chambers when they are about to lay the Lo-E on the panes.
no ****ting you. the sound they make is scary
What are you using for hose clamps? I dont see any but then again I am still a uber noob in the WC arena.
I'm actually not using any (except on the pump). All my fittings are Danger Den's fat boy (http://www.dangerden.com/store/fb-fat-boy-g-1-4-fittings.html) fittings, which are designed to be used without clamps. If you look at the product shot, you can see that the barbs extend almost the full length of the hose contact area, and I can personally attest that it is a pain to get the hose off of these. I haven't had any problem with leaking, but just to be on the safe side I make sure to not have any tight corners right off a fitting.
some sick looking radiators in there.
Hah my buddy found these industrial squirrel cage blowers that screw right into 120mm square holes. lol 546cfm is what the sticker says on the side...115v
maybe one bolted to a 480 cooler will keep it cold hahaha.
http://i40.tinypic.com/rw6q81.jpg
Used for combustion intake in glass decontamination chambers when they are about to lay the Lo-E on the panes.
no ****ting you. the sound they make is scary
While 1,638 CFM moving through my case does sound very appealing, I would guess that those can't make anything less than about 60 dBA each...that would be waaay too much noise, thanks. :P
Twigsoffury
04-12-2010, 12:48 PM
I'm actually not using any (except on the pump). All my fittings are Danger Den's fat boy (http://www.dangerden.com/store/fb-fat-boy-g-1-4-fittings.html) fittings, which are designed to be used without clamps. If you look at the product shot, you can see that the barbs extend almost the full length of the hose contact area, and I can personally attest that it is a pain to get the hose off of these. I haven't had any problem with leaking, but just to be on the safe side I make sure to not have any tight corners right off a fitting.
While 1,638 CFM moving through my case does sound very appealing, I would guess that those can't make anything less than about 60 dBA each...that would be waaay too much noise, thanks. :P
hahah man i think its past 60db
If you started a lawn mower, i'm sure you'd still hear those over the lawnmower.
Just bolt one right to the GTX480 heatsink and i bet it'll stay cool.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.1 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.