Making a Final Decision - Please Advise

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PC_User

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So I'm giving my 4850 to someone and need a new card. I have a 24" monitor (1920x1200).

I have a deal through which these are the prices I can get:
HD 4870x2 - $330
GTX 295 - $360
Asus GTX 285 - $262
Zotac GTX 285 - $270
GTX 280 - $240
MSI GTX 275 - $183
HD 4890 - $180
HD 4850x2 - $240

Right now, I'm on the fence between the 4890, GTX 275, and GTX 285. I've read several reviews and see that the 4890 1GB and GTX 275 trade blows. However, I have also read that the 4890 overclocks to 1GHz (core clock) and has more RAM, while the GTX 275 has a stream processor clock. I have also read that the GTX 275 uses less power but runs noticeably cooler when idle and hotter under load. AFAIK, the 4890 supports DX10.1 but the GTX 275 supports DX10. Not sure how much of a difference this makes.

I would be able to get the 4890 and GTX 275 for around the same price ($180). I'm also considering if the GTX 285 is worth the additional $80 for a price of $260.

Please provide any and all suggestions/insight/recommendations as I am looking to close the deal asap.
 
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I would go for GTX 285 OC2 or OCX through Dell deal if you're ok with waiting a little bit.

An ultra clocked GTX 285 should be more then enough for 24" (save for crysis) until next gen cards arrive around christmas time.

Otherwise theres some good deals on HD 4890 (ewiz / newegg) as well as GTX 280s. But if you really can acquire a GTX 295 for $360 then take that in a hearbeat.
 
DeadSkull said:
I would go for GTX 285 OC2 or OCX through Dell deal if you're ok with waiting a little bit.

An ultra clocked GTX 285 should be more then enough for 24" (save for crysis) until next gen cards arrive around christmas time.

Otherwise theres some good deals on HD 4890 (ewiz / newegg) as well as GTX 280s. But if you really can acquire a GTX 295 for $360 then take that in a hearbeat.
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Thanks for the suggestion but...
1. I am getting these cards through an overseas retailer and am not sure if they have the ultra clocked version. Right now all I'm seeing is the ASUS GTX 285 ($262) and Zotac GTX 285 ($270).
2. I'll get this card now and probably won't be upgrading right when the next gen comes out. I'm hoping it will last me for some time.
 
Flip a coin between the HD4890 and the GTX275, the 285 certainly isn't worth the $80 difference in price from either of those.
 
PC_User said:
Thanks for the suggestion but...
1. I am getting these cards through an overseas retailer and am not sure if they have the ultra clocked version. Right now all I'm seeing is the ASUS GTX 285 ($262) and Zotac GTX 285 ($270).
2. I'll get this card now and probably won't be upgrading right when the next gen comes out. I'm hoping it will last me for some time.
Click to expand...

I would go for GTX 295 then. What etailer is this btw?
 
PC_User said:
So I'm giving my 4850 to someone and need a new card. I have a 24" monitor (1920x1200).

I have a deal through which these are the prices I can get:
HD 4870x2 - $330
GTX 295 - $360
Asus GTX 285 - $262
Zotac GTX 285 - $270
GTX 280 - $240
MSI GTX 275 - $183
HD 4890 - $180
HD 4850x2 - $240

Right now, I'm on the fence between the 4890, GTX 275, and GTX 285. I've read several reviews and see that the 4890 1GB and GTX 275 trade blows. However, I have also read that the 4890 overclocks to 1GHz (core clock) and has more RAM, while the GTX 275 has a stream processor clock. I have also read that the GTX 275 uses less power but runs noticeably cooler when idle and hotter under load. AFAIK, the 4890 supports DX10.1 but the GTX 275 supports DX10. Not sure how much of a difference this makes.

I would be able to get the 4890 and GTX 275 for around the same price ($180). I'm also considering if the GTX 285 is worth the additional $80 for a price of $260.

Please provide any and all suggestions/insight/recommendations as I am looking to close the deal asap.
Click to expand...

For that price the 295 is an insane deal but 2 4890's for the same price would be noticeably faster. If I could get that price on the 295's I would buy 2 of them!
 
I understand that $360 for a GTX 295 is a great price but I don't think it's justified by my needs. I play at 1920x1200 and simply don't need the added performance that the GTX 295 has to offer. I also doubt I'll be able to tell the difference between 150fps and 200fps.

Flipped a coin...will probably go with the 4890 unless someone can make a strong case for the GTX275/285.
 
I would say the 4890 for that price is the best deal...and for that price I would add a second one for crossfire lol....

Speaking of that price any way for others to get it too? I am looking for a new card for my sons build, but 4890 was past my $200 budget lol...your price up there would meet it heh
 
memnoch_thedevil said:
Speaking of that price any way for others to get it too? I am looking for a new card for my sons build, but 4890 was past my $200 budget lol...your price up there would meet it heh
Click to expand...

Sorry, unfortunately it's a one-time deal I have with a retailer that's outside the country.
 
So I finally got the ASUS GTX 285 and installed it. So far so good. I ran Crysis for about 10 minutes...looks spectacular...but temps reached about 80*C+. Are these safe? As far as I know, the fan adjusts the speed automatically right? Should I consider getting a better heatsink such as the Thermalright HR-03 GTX?

Thanks.
 
80C for a GPU is fine. They are designed to run quite a bit hotter than CPU's.
 
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