Sporting almost the same configuration as the reference design we previewed last month, BFG’s GeForce GTX 280 delivers amazing performance with the second-generation DirectX 10 chipset from Nvidia. It soundly spanks ATI’s new 4870, as well as all but the dual-GPU graphics solutions from the previous generation—and even against those, the GTX 280 wins all but a few benchmarks. The real question we’re asking is, Do we need this much power?
Luckily for Nvidia, the answer is yes. The company’s GT200 GPU, which forms the heart of the GeForce GTX 280 and 260 boards, is a great performer, despite its massive footprint and huge energy requirements. BFG overclocked the GPU core ever so slightly—it runs at 615MHz—while the GDDR3 memory ticks along at a stock 1107MHz. The GTX 280 features 240 stream processors running at 1350MHz—a touch more than double the GPU’s core speed.
It’s not surprising that the GTX 280 fares so well against older Nvidia cards; far more interesting is its performance compared with the new Radeon HD 4870, which streets for about half the GTX 280’s $660 list price. The good news for Nvidia is that the 280 is faster across all our benchmarks than a single 4870 board. However, the ATI card delivers as much as 80 percent of the performance of the single GTX board at a much lower price. Still, despite ATI’s accomplishment, the GeForce GTX 280 is the fastest single videocard you can buy today.
The GTX 280 features all the great video-processing capabilities of the 9000-series Nvidia boards—it accelerates the decode of H.264, MPEG-4, and MPEG-2 videos and supports HDCP and dual-link DVI.
Before you rush out and purchase a GTX 280 board, make sure your system supports its power requirements. This is the first single-GPU board we’ve tested that requires both a 6-pin and 8-pin PCI Express power connector, and you need to make sure your power supply is up to snuff. We recommend a 650W PSU to run a single card—potential SLIers will need at least a 1000W supply, but you should check Nvidia's PSU compatibility list before you buy.
Faster than previous-gen SLI in some tests. Runs Crysis in very high mode. Fastest single-GPU solution.
Hot, loud, power-hungry design may force a PSU upgrade. Rumors that a replacement is around the corner abound.
| BFG GeForce GTX 280 | Radeon 4870 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crysis | 15.9 fps | 9.3 fps |
| 3DMark 2006 Game 1 | 46 fps | 34 fps |
| 3DMark 2006 Game 2 | 45.5 fps | 36.7 fps |
| Vantage Game 1 | 15.5 fps | 10.7 fps |
| Vantage Game 2 | 26 fps | 54 fps |
| Company of Heroes | 83 fps | 130 fps |
| World in Conflict | 32 fps | 28 fps |
gatorXXX
January 17, 2009 at 5:53pm
LOL, funny. Somehow maximum PC upholds the whole first amendment by allowing freedom of speech and opinions. I didn't use any ACTUAL bad language...it was censored by changing the letters....plus, you would never see me on your corvette forum as I am not a chevy fan! Plus I don't call other people names like you! Go stick that up your tail pipe!
mikeart03a
August 07, 2008 at 4:42pm
Well, there's an interesting debate going on now Efficiency vs. Performance vs. Price. Here's my take.
-If you're a person who doesn't have a lot of money or doesn't need extreme performance, go with ATi.
-If you're a speed freak, hevy duty power user, game junkie with a large budget, nVidia is your game.
-Hardware junkies who want bragging rights, nVidia again.
-HTPC users, quiet PC types or low energy consumption folks, ATi is your best bet (runs cooler and quieter).- mike_art03a
IT Technician
Gov't of Canada
Squiggy
August 07, 2008 at 2:39am
I don't think you can truly compare the 280 and the X2, for this reason - I have a DS3 motherboard which has exactly one pcie slot. So I need to know "what's the most kick-assedness" I can stuff into one slot. SLI'd 280's may be awesome, but that doesn't help me at all.
Pound for pound Sugar Ray may have been the greatest boxer ever, but Butterbean could have kicked his ass. In some cases size does matter.
Scapegoat
August 21, 2008 at 9:48am
well dude, the x2 goes into one pcie slot. and it outperforms the 280, as you can see on the benchmarks. So if your motherboard can harness it, I don't see why not.
GreenTurtle
August 06, 2008 at 7:10pm
I'm pretty sure that when I upgrade it'll be to a pair of 4870x2 in crossfireX and dropping My overclocked 8600/GT/SE the first chance I can; given the price of the products to choose from. I have to admit though; My current Nvidia card has overclocked well and stable; However,like the previous posters have stated, I go where the price/performance meets. Right now; Thats not Nvidia.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Ur7MByh
August 06, 2008 at 9:13am
I just don't get the last post on here...First of all The price that's quoted was probably the price when they reviewed the card before the price cuts nVidia had to make...
secondly, they DID mathc ONE GTX280 to ONE ATI 4870 for those test results...
I have used ATI products and nVidia products interchangably...who ever has the best card for what I need I go with them...right now nVidia is just trying to pound their way through the innevitable realization that ATI is catching up and they have nothing to put in ATI's way at the same price point or efficency...This seems like a stop gap solution that they are trying to hype up far too much...
I am currently running an ATI 4850 and the thing runs cool and quiet while my friend built a rig and has one of these cards in it and it is true, the thing runs hot and loud...
all im saying is read the article properly first and then post a comment instead of trying to bash someone about their opinion and then fall flat on your face when you're wrong.
ghot
August 06, 2008 at 6:00am
where u buy GTX 280's ....really on the street? Newegg has them for 450 nowaday and at least EVGA is offering 125 cash back for the early adopters that payed 600 for the cards....
I 2nd the motion that if ur gonna bench GPU's then play fair...number of cards dont count...number of GPU's is what matters...put TWO GTX 280's against the 4870 X2 not one....thats plain lame
...and unless you are trully trying to Nvidia bash ...quit sayin they run hot....with only 5x 80mm case fans and the vid card fan at 90% I cant GET the GTX280 above 45-46C
gatorXXX
August 05, 2008 at 6:21pm
Cause Nvidia is a money grubbin' whore that doesn't care what you think. They think thier shiot don't stink and can charge what ever they want cause Nvidiots like you that keep it that way!
Don't like it?? Piss Off!!
Keith E. Whisman
August 05, 2008 at 6:00pm
I don't understand the other posters here but I'm a MaximumPC HighTech enthusiast. I don't care if it's the size of an Abrams Tank if it's the fastest most powerful then at any price it's worth it. The GTX280 just plain kicks ass and so does the ATI 4870X2.
Since the 4870X2 is two GPU's in a single slot then I would have to match it up against two GTX280 cards in SLI and see who wins that fight. It would be two GPUs versus two GPUs it's a fair fight.
As for the question of do we really need that much power? it's a stupid question. Really a stupid question. Everyone that loves PC gaming will want the GTX280 in SLI and when even faster and more powerfull cards are released I'll be begging for those.
I just bought two 8800GTS video cards nine months ago and they are running in SLI. I'll upgrade with the next generation past the GTX2xx series cards. But that's only because I'm so poor.
So YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES we need this power and even lots more.
notailmouse2
August 05, 2008 at 3:49pm
I would loveto love this card but its a step in the wrong direction. ATI has shown its determination to domore with less. nvidia has no concern with efficiancy and has again shown that they need a HUGE, HOT,and POWER Hungry card too compete with ati. what really make me laugh is that originaly the 280 was a $700 card. i refuse to go nvidia because of this mentality. and seriousy ati isnt a bad choice anymore the days of poor driver support are over. and the harware is up to snuff too nobody ever remembers nvidias failures. hello the gerfore 5 series, not to be confused with the geforce 5 fx series and im sur nvidia has released a few bad drivers.
dont be mislead though, this is the current king of the hill. but hey consider ati you wont be dissapointed either way
StormEffect
August 05, 2008 at 3:20pm
I really want to love this card. It is at the top of the heap, after all. Future driver revisions might even open up some seriously awesome PhysX action and even some cool encoding functionality.
But for some reason I can't let go of my AMD 4870 fanboyism. It is just so much more bang for your buck, and with a little bit of TLC (reapplying thermal paste) you can quiet it WAY down while bringing temps down 10-20 Celsius at the same time.
If anyone asks me what the most powerful GPU is on the market right now, I still tell them it is a GTX280. But I still recommend the 4870 ahead of it.
*feels shame*
That said, I can't wait for the GTX280 vs 4870X2 shootout.
gatorXXX
August 05, 2008 at 2:54pm
Yadda yadda yadda, snork, bleeeeep, yadda.....same ole shiot.
Don't like it? Piss Off!!
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