Ok, before I upgrade....

[[Jett]-Dsru]

So, I am going to upgrade to the new HD4870's from Ati. Been doing some online reading and reviews and with the Coolit system set for release shortly for the 4870's, I am getting ready. Coolit bagged the coolers for the 3870 x2's because of issues, but in reviews, the coolers for the 4870 rock.

Ati coolers:
http://www.coolitsystems.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=189

Nvidia coolers:
http://www.coolitsystems.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=126

Now, tell me why I should buy Nvidia. I know we have Nvidia users here with lots of opinions and I really want to hear them. If I go Ati I wont have to buy a new M/B but money is not the issue. And if I had to buy a new M/B for Nvidia I would probably go with this: (unless a better choice?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131274

But I dont have a clue on cards from Nvidia, teach me.

[[Jett]-OMEGA]

Simple interface
No shovelware in their driver packages.

In all seriousness, it's a ford or chevy argument. Take what you enjoy the most and what will last the longest in terms of PC hardware (3 years max).

[[Jett-CC]-Krish the Fish]

If you were gonna go the NVIDIA route, I would probably say you would want to get a pair of these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130368

i have dabbled around in some video card companies, and eVGA has always given me the best support, and their Step-Up program is great.

if you are serious about getting MAX performance, go for 3 of those babies and that mobo you picked.... it'll be outrageously hot hot hot, but it'll be super quick. you could probably run Crysis on Max (outrageous!)


And I've always been an NVIDIA guy, so I'm probably not the person to pick to ask for which one's better, but I mean, the drivers are updated periodically unlike some other parts that I have :-\

[[Jett]-Dsru]

-Krish the Fish;5089'] you could probably run Crysis on Max (outrageous!)
\

I already run Crysis on DX10 with everything SUPER HIGH homie!

[[Jett-CC]-Krish the Fish]

-Dsru;5090']I already run Crysis on DX10 with everything SUPER HIGH homie!

:eek: i'm in awe.

here are the numbers for 3DMark Vantage on 2 Card SLI for the GTX 280s and a single GTX 280:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/7


here're the numbers on Trip SLI, Dual SLI, and single card GTX 280s for COD4 and GRAW 2:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/11

and our present favorite benchmark game, Crysis, as well as 3DMark Vantage (they hit 21308 for the system and 23k for the GPUS!)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/13

and for reference, numbers on the HD4850 and HD4870:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-4850-and--4870-crossfirex-performance/5



good luck!

[[Jett]-Willow]

It's your money do as you want? Check out GAMING BENCHMARKS! Benchmarking Apps are just good for the E-Peen bragging, where it counts is Gaming, and how the card scales across resolutions. The 280 is a faster card, however the 4870 has it beat by far in Price vs. Performance. Soooooooo there ya go.

[[Jett]-Dsru]

-Krish the Fish;5098']:eek: i'm in awe.

here are the numbers for 3DMark Vantage on 2 Card SLI for the GTX 280s and a single GTX 280:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/7

I am about 750 off with current setup in CrossfireX

14103
http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dmv=248889

[[Jett]-rush2049]

Well that last benchmark isn't exactly fair comparring the 280 to crossfire setups...

I've also hear you can do 4-way sli, that wouldn't work with that mobo you have picked out, which I gatta say looks really nice.


Here is the difference between ati/nvidia, these have been long standing and probably won't change....

ati has some notoriously bad driver, occaisonaly, and occaisonally not
nvidia has amazing drivers and even better release notes for each....
nvidia has full opengl support, ati half-bakes it, this translates to some games down the road that are multiplatform are going to be built in opengl
ati has red pcb
nvidia has green, green is better, it is the color of money, lol...... (subject to change)


there might be a few I am missing, but the big point I always use as an only nvidia is the opengl support. This not only includes future games and current that use it, but any developing software that utilizes graphics, they all run in opengl.


(the above user cannot be held responsible for any flames, anger, or pissing matches caused)