should i use my step-up

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leetskeet

Limp Gawd
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Sep 23, 2007
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i have 13 days left on my step-up and am pretty sure i'm going to go with a 285 SC since its the same price as the vanilla. is the $100 worth the performance upgrade? can anyone that has used both give me their perspective?
 
If nothing else you'll be more future-proof I guess. If you got the extra 100 bucks, gopher it.
 
I was at the same stage as you but I said screw it. Is $100 and 5 extra fps in crysis really going to shatter the earth and change my life? I have better things to spend my money on. Though I'm not one to upgrade, I just build new pcs every 4 years about. Right now, and in the future (from what I can see), I'm not going to need any more GPU. Do you really need the extra performance or do you just have that itch? If its the itch, just ignore it. Also, if you have $100 that you absolutely cannot think of a better way to spend, then 100% go for it.
 
i know its a novelty purchase so i'm looking for a reaction other than my girlfriends shouting about why video cards are stupid.
 
Nosenuggets45 said:
I was at the same stage as you but I said screw it. Is $100 and 5 extra fps in crysis really going to shatter the earth and change my life? I have better things to spend my money on. Though I'm not one to upgrade, I just build new pcs every 4 years about. Right now, and in the future (from what I can see), I'm not going to need any more GPU. Do you really need the extra performance or do you just have that itch? If its the itch, just ignore it. Also, if you have $100 that you absolutely cannot think of a better way to spend, then 100% go for it.
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5fps wouldn't be enough to justify $100 for me...
but it's your money.:p
 
I'm in this same boat. The upgrade to the gtx 260 is more then just 5 more fps in Crysis. I am upgrading my monitor from my 19" samsung to a 26", so seeing as I will now be playing in 1920 a lot more, doesn't this step up make sense, also considering future releases?
 
I just stepped up from a GTX 260 SSC to a GTX 285. I wanted the 285 SC but you can't step up to it, only to a regular 285.
 
Cschill1290 said:
5fps wouldn't be enough to justify $100 for me...
but it's your money.:p
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I lied, its about 8, shhhhh. In all seriousness though, crysis and stalker are the only games that need more gpu and a 285 is not gonna give you $100 worth of performance increase IMHO.
 
Well, in that case, just don't play stalker or crysis and pretend you did the step up? Just a thought.:D
 
did anybody see my post? Is higher resolution gaming perhaps a reason to go for the GTX285? I only have 4 days left!
 
The GTX260, which does sputter occasionally at 1440x900 on farcry 2, and (obviously) Crysis, but also FSX, NFS undercover (with all graphics settings maxed) leading me to believe it may not be able to handle 1920 when I get my new monitor? I am also trying to take future releases into consideration (hoping to game at max settings + 1920 for as long as I can manage ;) )
 
For that new resolution, if you have the cash to spare, I say go for it. A 260 is adequate for that resolution, but if your not 100% happy at 1440x900 then you will not be happy at 1920 with a 260.
 
Just while we're on the topic of res, how much worse does 1440x900 look on a 26"? You think I'll really give a damn if I can't play at 1920? The clarity is great on a 19, and if it remains decently so on my bigger monitor, I see no reason for upgrade.
 
djfsolo said:
Just while we're on the topic of res, how much worse does 1440x900 look on a 26"? You think I'll really give a damn if I can't play at 1920? The clarity is great on a 19, and if it remains decently so on my bigger monitor, I see no reason for upgrade.
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It'll look like shite.
 
Anything but native resolution looks horrible on an LCD. Anyone that tells you different needs their eyes checked or sits on the other side of the room from their display.

Do the Step Up -- if you think the 260 is working hard at 1440x900 you have no idea how much pain will come at 1920x1200.

1296000 pixels to 2304000 pixels. 1008000 more. Almost 80% more. Pain.

EDIT: My original math was off. The difference is even more substantial.
 
Keep in mind you also have to pay to ship the cards both ways. Then you will be without a video card for a while. The Ati cards will be droping in price like crazy soon and Im sure that will push Nvidia to do the same, probably by the time that you get the card that you paid for. Just hold on to that and upgrade when you will see some real gains for your money.
 
BababooeyHTJ said:
Keep in mind you also have to pay to ship the cards both ways. Then you will be without a video card for a while. The Ati cards will be droping in price like crazy soon and Im sure that will push Nvidia to do the same, probably by the time that you get the card that you paid for. Just hold on to that and upgrade when you will see some real gains for your money.
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What makes you believe that prices are about to drop big? I've not heard this anywhere, nor do I have any reason to believe it.
 
I can't wait that much longer as I am trying to take advantage of my step up program, which only has 4 days remaining.
 
Put it this way. Can the GTX260 handle 1920x1200 on your setups adequately? For me "adequate" ensues at least 40fps. I don't need 100fps like some people.
 
Yes. Unless you're planing on maxing out on Crysis of course :p. Btw, 1440x900 on a 1920x1200 looks horrible! I know, because that's the only res I could play crysis in with med settings :(. Hoping my incoming 4870 will change that :D.
 
Zepher said:
I just stepped up from a GTX 260 SSC to a GTX 285. I wanted the 285 SC but you can't step up to it, only to a regular 285.
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My stepup runs out in 15 days and thinking of doing the same. You think it was worth it? My cost will be ~ 120 after shipping.
 
djfsolo said:
Put it this way. Can the GTX260 handle 1920x1200 on your setups adequately? For me "adequate" ensues at least 40fps. I don't need 100fps like some people.
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i would say i get over 40fps on all my games except the first fear which runs like complete shit for some reason. i'm thinking i'm might just skip the step-up this time around. i dont run into performance issues, my card runs cool and quiet, and the money could be better spent on beer.
 
tissimo said:
My stepup runs out in 15 days and thinking of doing the same. You think it was worth it? My cost will be ~ 120 after shipping.
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I just sent my 260 out yesterday so the 285 should be here next week.
I'll let you know if it was worth it or not.
My 260 was flaky, probably bad or over heating vram, so instead of RMA'ing it, I just stepped it up.

I recommend purchasing the Premium eVGA Advanced RMA for $14.99 for your card as well.
If you have to RMA your card, might as well pay the $14.99, have no real downtime (unless the card is dead) and not have to wait for your card to get to eVGA before they send you another one.
the shipping cost on my 260 to eVGA was $13.80 insured.

Had I not forgotten to purchase the Premium EAR, I probably wouldn't have stepped up.
 
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