GTX280 or 9800GX2

CStylen · Jan 17, 2009

I own both cards and cay say they are extremely similar in performance. Gaming at 1920x1200 I see no difference in any games I play (TF2, L4D, COD4, Stalker, Crysis, Farcry2).

On benches with my rig, the 280 scores around 200 more marks in Vantage, but almost 2000 fewer marks in 06.

The 280 does downclock at idle so it's cooler than the gx2 at least.

Still cant decide which one to keep myself...

spearman914 said:
A single 280 beats the 9800GX2 and it's cheaper than it so 280 wins!!

280 = $200 faster than GX2
GX2 = $250 slower than 280.

Guess the choice is obvious.

Where is there a 280 for $200? Let alone a gx2 for $250?

Cold Storm · Jan 17, 2009

Where can you get a 280 for $200??? Even going to Google says nothing lower then $298. Where as a 9800gx2, if you google it, the lowest you can find it is $215. The Buy.com deal is done and over with....

I've owned both cards. and I have to say that there really isn't a big difference in the two. I get the same frame rate in all my games between the two. I don't play Crysis, so I can't say there, but all the other games where around the same. Maybe a few fps better with the 280, but woo hoo...
The only thing that the 280 has over the 9800gx2 is better scoring in benching due to ocing...

G-wiz · Jan 17, 2009

For a single slot solution, go with the 9800GX2. You can usually find them used on the cheap nowadays.

If your motherboard supports SLI or above, get a GTX 280/285. The 280's are a way better deal right now though than the 285's. All the 285 is a die shrink which decreases power consumption plus a light overclock. Also, I haven't seen a great temperature reduction between the 65nm and 55nm die shrink from the benchmarks I have been browsing through.

{JNT}Raptor · Jan 17, 2009

spearman914 said:
A single 280 beats the 9800GX2 and it's cheaper than it so 280 wins!!

280 = $200 faster than GX2
GX2 = $250 slower than 280.

Guess the choice is obvious.

If you posted facts....then it would be. :slap:

$215 for 9800gx2 or roughly $300 for the 280gtx......If costs an Issue...then 9800GX2....with the 295gtx out now.....SLI drivers are only going to get better for us GX2 owners.

IF they were both the same price.....I'd go 280gtx.....but like I said....wait a while and watch the 280 drop even more.

Hope it helps.

erocker · Jan 17, 2009

Driver support isn't going to be around very long for the GX2. Remember, it's EOL.

CStylen · Jan 17, 2009

The gx2's for $215 and $249 are dead...Unless you go ebay, or second hand, you can't get one under $280.

I didn't think they were that low, but in that case the GX2 would be better IMO since its cheaper than a 280.

erocker said:
Driver support isn't going to be around very long for the GX2. Remember, it's EOL.

Seriously? I think since there is still support for the 8 series, that will not be a problem anytime soon. The card was just released last year...

Cold Storm · Jan 18, 2009

the Gx2 was named EOL right when it was made. They will probably slate the same to the GTX295 in a month or so.
You probably have enough driver updates for almost a year still. Don't know if it's dead on, but it will be soon..

Zax85 · Jan 18, 2009

Cold Storm said:
the Gx2 was named EOL right when it was made. They will probably slate the same to the GTX295 in a month or so.
You probably have enough driver updates for almost a year still. Don't know if it's dead on, but it will be soon..

Hmm... I can't help thinking that maybe nVidia only makes the double cards to beat ATI's top card, but i might be wrong :wtf:

eidairaman1 · Jan 18, 2009

erocker said:
Driver support isn't going to be around very long for the GX2. Remember, it's EOL.

yup NV leaves their members in the dark when they buy the fastest cards around, AMD still supports their 9500 and higher models, 9000/9200 have drivers up to a certain date, but i wouldnt be surprised if the newer hotfix work with them too.

exodusprime1337 · Jan 18, 2009

i don't have a 9800gx2 but i got 2 8800gts 512's in sli which bench a little higher at times then a 9800gx2.

http://www.overclock.net/hardware-news/307937-firing-squad-9800gx2-vs-8800gts-sli.html

i'm extremely happy with mine and they oc well 800/1950/2150 core/shader/mem, i wanted a gtx280 but my 5kbe will probably be a severe bottleneck. hell it already bottlenecks my gpu's as they are lol. but i would say prices aside, i'd get the gtx280 only because it's a single card solution that offers proven performance without sli issues and ifyou want to sli get a second one later. that'd be my suggestion there.

Cold Storm · Jan 18, 2009

Zax85 said:
Hmm... I can't help thinking that maybe nVidia only makes the double cards to beat ATI's top card, but i might be wrong

Your probably not wrong at all. I believe the cards are probably made due to the fact that ATI has a x2 card out. Something to contend with for a bit...

DaedalusHelios · Jan 18, 2009

Zax85 said:
Hmm... I can't help thinking that maybe nVidia only makes the double cards to beat ATI's top X2 card, but i might be wrong

Fixed.

3870x2 · Jan 18, 2009

erocker said:
Driver support isn't going to be around very long for the GX2. Remember, it's EOL.

True, but dont forget they will always be working on SLI, both game developers and driver developers, so it has a brighter future IMO.

Bluefox1115 · Jan 18, 2009

Newegg currently has the EVGA 9800GX2 and the MSI9800GX2, as from the last time I saw anywho. I would honestly just get 2x GTX 260's. or a single gtx 280/285

Zax85 · Jan 18, 2009

Bluefox1115 said:
Newegg currently has the EVGA 9800GX2 and the MSI9800GX2, as from the last time I saw anywho. I would honestly just get 2x GTX 260's. or a single gtx 280/285

My experience tells me that unless the GX2 is A LOT cheaper, it ain't worth it... Buy the 260 or 280/285... FarCry 2 is what convinced me :ohwell:

EDIT: Although i used to love the 9800GX2 - and i still got it (on my shelf, in the original box)

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GTX280 or 9800GX2

CStylen

New Member

Cold Storm

Battosai

G-wiz

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{JNT}Raptor

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erocker

*

CStylen

New Member

Cold Storm

Battosai

Zax85

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eidairaman1

The Exiled Airman

exodusprime1337

Cold Storm

Battosai

DaedalusHelios

3870x2

Bluefox1115

Zax85

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