9800GX2 / GTX280 / GTX285 -- Choice help...

[Israar]

Hey guys and gals!

Well well, I'm getting giddy with myself now lmao! I've been thinking for the past few weeks now and adamant I was going to get 2x XFX 9800GX2 Black Edition cards, but the thing is, I'm hearing alot and seeing more of the GTX 280's about now... So, it's got me REALLY thinking about whether I truely do want the 9800GX2 or not?

Now, here is where I need a bit of help, pro's and con's contributed if possible please -- This I'm hoping you sweet bunch of people can help with!

I'm at a crossroads of going for the XFX GTX 285, but the thing is, in my current rig, which the CPU WILL be overclocked, which card of the three will be more beneficial to gaming for me?

2x XFX 9800GX2 Black Edition
2x XFX GTX 280
2x XFX GTX 285

I'm saving up, so it won't be instantly that I'll go out and buy them, I just want help in choosing one of the three choices to go with, and reasons as to why -- I'll be using a 22" widescreen monitor at a 1920x1080 resolution (no less, as I'll probably go higher to be honest, depends on which resolution everything looks the most pristine )

So, roll on guys and gals, I'll be eagerly awaiting some lovely company!

--Lee

 

[wolf]

Hey guys and gals!

Well well, I'm getting giddy with myself now lmao! I've been thinking for the past few weeks now and adamant I was going to get 2x XFX 9800GX2 Black Edition cards, but the thing is, I'm hearing alot and seeing more of the GTX 280's about now... So, it's got me REALLY thinking about whether I truely do want the 9800GX2 or not?

Now, here is where I need a bit of help, pro's and con's contributed if possible please -- This I'm hoping you sweet bunch of people can help with!

I'm at a crossroads of going for the XFX GTX 285, but the thing is, in my current rig, which the CPU WILL be overclocked, which card of the three will be more beneficial to gaming for me?

2x XFX 9800GX2 Black Edition
2x XFX GTX 280
2x XFX GTX 285

I'm saving up, so it won't be instantly that I'll go out and buy them, I just want help in choosing one of the three choices to go with, and reasons as to why -- I'll be using a 22" widescreen monitor at a 1920x1080 resolution (no less, as I'll probably go higher to be honest, depends on which resolution everything looks the most pristine )

So, roll on guys and gals, I'll be eagerly awaiting some lovely company!

--Lee

Honestly dude, i would not dive on an older Quad GPU setup, as GTX280 SLi will give you the same if not more FPS (due to 2 gpu scaling being much better) and 2x285's will rock the house.

9800GX2 in the best of cases should give you 80-90% more than a 9800GTX, however adding a second GX2 will only increase performance a maximum of about 20-30% in average gaming scenario's. (for example 3dmark vantage loves GPU's but that's just a bench test)

its gotta be the 2X 280/285 as my suggestion, they would provide you with the best gaming experience compared to 9800GX2 SLi without a doubt in my mind.

 

[LittleLizard]

2 285 if u can afford them. also check if ur psu can with them

 

[Maelstrom]

Honestly dude, i would not dive on an older Quad GPU setup, as GTX280 SLi will give you the same if not more FPS (due to 2 gpu scaling being much better) and 2x285's will rock the house.

9800GX2 in the best of cases should give you 80-90% more than a 9800GTX, however adding a second GX2 will only increase performance a maximum of about 20-30% in average gaming scenario's. (for example 3dmark vantage loves GPU's but that's just a bench test)

its gotta be the 2X 280/285 as my suggestion, they would provide you with the best gaming experience compared to 9800GX2 SLi without a doubt in my mind.

+1
If I were you, I'd go with 2x 285s, will scale better than 2x 9800GX2s

 

[RevengE]

I say 2x 285s man.

 

[Israar]

Thanks guys, I've not got the money to buy 2x GTX 285s at present but my greed in me for making this rig at least somewhat of a monster got the better of me and made me think, since I'm saving to start off with for a pricey card, why not make the most of it and get something more high end? As this thread suggests

So I think I will go for those thanks to the input already -- @LittleLizard: I'm positive the CM M1000 will handle those two cards quite easily really, but if anyone has experience then I'd be greatful for any information

--Lee

 

[wolf]

since I'm saving to start off with for a pricey card, why not make the most of it and get something more high end? As this thread suggests

dude you could always bide you time and wait on a 2gb GTX285, get one, and later get another.

can you say CHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWP ?

 

[HolyCow02]

dude you could always bide you time and wait on a 2gb GTX285, get one, and later get another.

can you say CHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWP ?

not a bad idea IMO. but what does ^^ mean

 

[3870x2]

Well, being that you can get 2 9800GX2s for the price of a single GTX285, well, you get the point. 2 of any other is a waste of money. You want real price per performance? go for something like 2 GTX260s, or 2 4850s, (would do better than a GTX285 by a good margin)

 

[wolf]

not a bad idea IMO. but what does ^^ mean

Chop, To Chop, "To Chawp"

-To Dominate, To Win, To own - "Ownage", To Pwn - "Pwnage"

basically I infer to 2gb GTX285 SLi being utter graphical domination.

 

[Israar]

Well, being that you can get 2 9800GX2s for the price of a single GTX285, well, you get the point. 2 of any other is a waste of money. You want real price per performance? go for something like 2 GTX260s, or 2 4850s, (would do better than a GTX285 by a good margin)

I do get the point matey -- In essence doing it price per performance you are in my eyes right about that, but the thing is, as I mentioned, I'm not overly fussed about the price as I'll be saving up non-the-less, so I thought, why not save the extra and get more oomph

Although I'm sticking to nVidia cards for SLi with the motherboard I have =)

@wolf: I value your new idea lol, but for me, I think 2x 2g monstrosities like that is going waaaaaaaaaaaaay overkill lmao, and yea, I didn't really get the chawp thing you said at first but I pronounced it right and got the idea when I said it hehe! You just clarified it for me at the end!

I appreciate the time and suggestions given by you lot too, I really appreciate it -- Can't love any other community more or better than the people at TPU... Why? Because you're all beautiful and informative

--Lee

 

[_jM]

I say go with the 280 or 2 280's (the XFX Black edition) You can get those for almost the price of the newer cards, and with dual 280's you will see better performance from them rather than a 285 or 295. That's just my opinion.. good luck


EDIT: I didn't notice that your were looking into getting 2 280's or 2 285's till now.. but I think you will be better off with the dual 280's like i mentioned above.

 

[Israar]

I say go with the 280 or 2 280's (the XFX Black edition) You can get those for almost the price of the newer cards, and with dual 280's you will see better performance from them rather than a 285 or 295. That's just my opinion.. good luck


EDIT: I didn't notice that your were looking into getting 2 280's or 2 285's till now.. but I think you will be better off with the dual 280's like i mentioned above.

Hehe, the reply alone was appreciated and I don't jump on folks backs for missing out parts of a thread, I've done it before when I've skim read and even when I've been concentrating lol! :O

So you'd say 2x GTX280s would out perform 2x GTX285s? I'm a bit stumped on that as to how really, is there anyway you could clarify it? I've never really looked into the G200 cards seriously yet so I'm still looking into things myself, although I'm pretty set on getting the 2x GTX285s

--Lee

 

[wolf]

Hehe, the reply alone was appreciated and I don't jump on folks backs for missing out parts of a thread, I've done it before when I've skim read and even when I've been concentrating lol! :O

So you'd say 2x GTX280s would out perform 2x GTX285s? I'm a bit stumped on that as to how really, is there anyway you could clarify it? I've never really looked into the G200 cards seriously yet so I'm still looking into things myself, although I'm pretty set on getting the 2x GTX285s

--Lee

technically GTX285 SLi is certainly faster, as it is the same GPU core essentially, just running faster, with faster running memory too.

perhaps its that GTX280's are discontinued and they can be had slightly cheaper?

also the GTX280 supports software Voltage mods that the 285 doesnt, however the 55nm core will give you slightly better overclocking stock vs stock anyway.

really its up to you, i wouldn't consider either a bad purchase, and recently i TURNED my mates GTX280 SLi cards into GTX285's that run COOLER, just by loading up EVGA precision, setting GTX285 clock speeds and boosting his fan to 80% (inaudible over his sytem)

he is as happy as a clam.

also thanks for your comments about TPU as a whole, I do also believe we have a very strong, nye on the best, online community that exists. all the regulars are utter champions, who want no more than to help the newer guys, and share opinions.

something we do very well here

 

[spearman914]

The GTX285 is almost the same price as the GTX 280. So go quad sli.

 

[wolf]

The GTX285 is almost the same price as the GTX 280. So go quad sli.

unfortunately you cannot Quad GTX285's, you can Dual and TRi SLi them

the only quad GPU setups ever made by Nvidia are the ones that incorporate dual GPU - Single cards.

the 3 are, 7950GX2, 9800GX2, GTX295.

 

[spearman914]

unfortunately you cannot Quad GTX285's, you can Dual and TRi SLi them

the only quad GPU setups ever made by Nvidia are the ones that incorporate dual GPU - Single cards.

the 3 are, 7950GX2, 9800GX2, GTX295.

No, I meant quad sli as in 4 gpu's not four GTX 285's.

 

[wolf]

No, I meant quad sli as in 4 gpu's not four GTX 285's.

lol my bad, you said "So go quad sli."

cheers

 

[Israar]

technically GTX285 SLi is certainly faster, as it is the same GPU core essentially, just running faster, with faster running memory too.

perhaps its that GTX280's are discontinued and they can be had slightly cheaper?

also the GTX280 supports software Voltage mods that the 285 doesnt, however the 55nm core will give you slightly better overclocking stock vs stock anyway.

So technically the GTX285 is at a standoff better than the GTX280 which is what you'd expect right, but due to no software voltage mod support the GTX280 can be clocked better than the GTX285? If so, by this, overclocking and software modding, the GTX280s can out-perform the GTX285s if I'm reading you right/correctly? Hmm, I'm getting twitchy now in a good way lmao! :O

really its up to you, i wouldn't consider either a bad purchase, and recently i TURNED my mates GTX280 SLi cards into GTX285's that run COOLER, just by loading up EVGA precision, setting GTX285 clock speeds and boosting his fan to 80% (inaudible over his sytem)

I'll be running on XFX cards, as I love their stuff, and with me having an XFX motherboard to, I pretty much want to stick to their cards too -- You turned a mates GTX280 into a GTX285 for SLi while running cooler too... Damn! :O -- Now that's really making me twitch haha! I'm certainly eager to know about this, did you do it via software voltage mods and overclocking it to the GTX285 speeds? As I'm an enthusiast and I do really want to OC the CPU, Ram and GPU units in all honesty, but my knowledge in overclocking is pretty low

As for audibility, I couldn't care less if the fans run at 100%, I run my case fans (all 9x 120mm ones) at 100% lol, I love the cool air it blows my way -- Just never given two rats about about noise... I work in a factory where we have been known to have high noise, for instance machine alarms, chillers kicking in, etc, all high in dB. So with that, I can get in bed with silence in the room or an industrial fan at my side and sleep non-the-less lol!

Mind, I used to use my industrial fan at the side of me on setting 3 (max) when it was in summer when I was frazzling! Kept me nice and cool and slept like a dream

he is as happy as a clam.

I bet he is lmao!

also thanks for your comments about TPU as a whole, I do also believe we have a very strong, nye on the best, online community that exists. all the regulars are utter champions, who want no more than to help the newer guys, and share opinions.

something we do very well here

I compliment when it's due, and TPU has always been one of my favourite places to browse and talk to folk, as a lot of people here I remember from when I first joined in 2005

Then up to the present, I've aquired some more familiar names and speaking to more folk, why make enemies when you can make friends? Plus, the fact of the matter is everyone here is around to help and learn, as I gather, and everyone I've seen and posts I've read, all help even in the slightest

So a to you lot is indeed required

As for the Quad SLi thing you two are talking about, for clarification, my motherboard can only do upto Tri-SLi, and I'm only going to do 2 cards in this rig... (For now perhaps ) -- But also you mentioned 4 GPU units, I don't quite get you there, I'm guessing, the GTX280s have 2 GPUs in them? I can only second guess since I don't know nothing about Tri-SLi and above or the G260+ cards, or the quad GPU thing you mentioned so I'm out on a whim there lmao!

--Lee

 

[techjunkie]

as Wolf said the 280 supports software voltmodding meaning that you can overclock it much higher than a 285 without voiding its warrenty. This way you get more performance out of your money.

you might want to read this http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=215521

 

[wolf]

So technically the GTX285 is at a standoff better than the GTX280 which is what you'd expect right, but due to no software voltage mod support the GTX280 can be clocked better than the GTX285? If so, by this, overclocking and software modding, the GTX280s can out-perform the GTX285s if I'm reading you right/correctly? Hmm, I'm getting twitchy now in a good way lmao! :O

its all a balance, the GTX280 will run a little warmer, and oc a little less, but you can vmod it, the GTX285 runs a bit cooler, can oc more stock, but you can drip more juice in to help the overclocks.

honestly its about six of one and half a dozen of the other.

I'll be running on XFX cards, as I love their stuff, and with me having an XFX motherboard to, I pretty much want to stick to their cards too -- You turned a mates GTX280 into a GTX285 for SLi while running cooler too... Damn! :O -- Now that's really making me twitch haha! I'm certainly eager to know about this, did you do it via software voltage mods and overclocking it to the GTX285 speeds? As I'm an enthusiast and I do really want to OC the CPU, Ram and GPU units in all honesty, but my knowledge in overclocking is pretty low

no voltage mods needed, just a simple GFX card overclocking tool (EVGA precision), with it you use sliders to increase the speeds to your liking, and the fan too, hit apply at start up and literally forget about it.

As for audibility, I couldn't care less if the fans run at 100%, I run my case fans (all 9x 120mm ones) at 100% lol, I love the cool air it blows my way -- Just never given two rats about about noise... I work in a factory where we have been known to have high noise, for instance machine alarms, chillers kicking in, etc, all high in dB. So with that, I can get in bed with silence in the room or an industrial fan at my side and sleep non-the-less lol!

Mind, I used to use my industrial fan at the side of me on setting 3 (max) when it was in summer when I was frazzling! Kept me nice and cool and slept like a dream

Im all up for having more noise for cooler running gear, naturally there's a point where it gets obnoxiously loud, but even my GTX295 at 100% fan isn't at that level for me.

I compliment when it's due, and TPU has always been one of my favourite places to browse and talk to folk, as a lot of people here I remember from when I first joined in 2005

Then up to the present, I've aquired some more familiar names and speaking to more folk, why make enemies when you can make friends? Plus, the fact of the matter is everyone here is around to help and learn, as I gather, and everyone I've seen and posts I've read, all help even in the slightest

So a to you lot is indeed required

what can i say, TPU rocks

naturally there are the few bad eggs here and there, and people that join on the day jsut to rant/flame/troll, but you wont find many regulars who arent liked nye loved.

As for the Quad SLi thing you two are talking about, for clarification, my motherboard can only do upto Tri-SLi, and I'm only going to do 2 cards in this rig... (For now perhaps ) -- But also you mentioned 4 GPU units, I don't quite get you there, I'm guessing, the GTX280s have 2 GPUs in them? I can only second guess since I don't know nothing about Tri-SLi and above or the G260+ cards, or the quad GPU thing you mentioned so I'm out on a whim there lmao!

A TRi SLi mobo will do quad becuase Quad SLi can only be done across 2 physical cards, with each card sporting 2 gpu's, for example GTX295 or 900GX2.

GTX280/285/260 are all single GPU cards, but can be pair'd up or even tripled.


--Lee[/QUOTE]

 

[Israar]

its all a balance, the GTX280 will run a little warmer, and oc a little less, but you can vmod it, the GTX285 runs a bit cooler, can oc more stock, but you can drip more juice in to help the overclocks.

So from reading this, the GTX285 runs cooler and can also overclock more on stock, which should be perfect for now, eitherway I'll be watercooling both GPU's in time, but going to be running them on stock cooler to start off with

I don't really fancy messing with volt mods for now until I get more of a gist for the volt modding in general -- I'm no wuss, but I'd rather not maul with that for now if you get me

no voltage mods needed, just a simple GFX card overclocking tool (EVGA precision), with it you use sliders to increase the speeds to your liking, and the fan too, hit apply at start up and literally forget about it.

I'll get that, currently got RivaTuner on this rig at present, which is how I've set and stored my GPU fan to run 100% =) -- Although the EVGA Precision looks a damn sight less complicated

what can i say, TPU rocks

Damn right, if I could I'd toast you to it properly but can't right now! -- Sometime maybe

naturally there are the few bad eggs here and there, and people that join on the day jsut to rant/flame/troll, but you wont find many regulars who arent liked nye loved.

As with everywhere lol, just have to not stoop to their level really and give them fuel to fight more lol, if it helps give them the old heave-hoe in the knackers

@techjunkie: I'm gonna give that thread you linked a read tomorrow mate, gonna jump off to bed anytime soon lol, little pooped but good eitherway, just not much will sink in if you get me at this time hehe XD

Thanks again for the help guys, I really appreciate it, say wolf, do you know much about overclocking a Q9450 by anychance? If so could you PM me as I'd like to notch this baby upto around 3GHz and see how things go for a while -- That's if you don't mind at all fella

--Lee

 

[..'Ant'..]

2 x GTX 285's will make you happy for sure. For me one is enough but two would be overkill really.

 

[LittleLizard]

remember to buy them from evga, so u can use the volt mod software

 

[Frizz]

I say 2 280's and another one asap. I read somewhere that 285 sli just cost way too much and kills price performance ratio but of course this is referring to online synthetic benchmarks they say 280 sli is the way to go for price performance, but if the price is right or no problem then yeah I definitely would go for the 285's

EDIT: This is a recent article on multi-GPU http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3518 the gtx 280 3-way pwns everything despite it coming right behind the 285 sli only by a few fps yet costing a few hundred less.