[b]
OK - I feel like I need to jump on the ATI bandwagon... I'm sorry. But really, how much better can you get than a GTX 260 for around $300? My games are played @ 1680 resolution and I like to max them out.

Here is my setup right now --

Vist64 | EVGA 780i | Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @ 3.2 | XFX GTX260 | (2x2GB) 4GB Corsair XMS DDR2/800 | WD Caviar SE16 SATA 3GB/S | ZALMAN CNPS9700 | Antec Neo PS | ANTEC P182 Gun Metal | Samsung 22" G2G 2MS

Your honest opinions are appreciated.

Welcome aboard.

At 300$, the 260 isnt a bad buy at all. Very nice card. Should leave you happy for awhile

I think he was saying that the 4850 is better than the 260 jaydee...like my sig ? lol

Thats true, but 4870 cost same and have maybe little higher performance depending on games you play.

My honest opinion is this, take the 260 out of your box and run over it with a steamroller. Or, you could keep it and remember that with that MoBo you will have the option at anytime to add another for some SLI action.

Take pictures if you run it over, though.

if you're really that determined, i'd say ebay your gtx 260 and put a buy it now of like 290 or so, and your ebay auction will fund your 4870 purchase.

4870 is 6% faster than GTX 260. THG reviewed both of them a while back, but if I were to get either one, I'd pick the GTX 260 due to more video memory.

Like hairycat said - I also like the idea of going SLI like in a month or so... I wonder how two gtx260's perform... mmm . . .

4870 is $259 after rebate on newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814131113

Yea... but... You have to keep in mind that the drivers really aren't that well developed for the 4XXX series yet. Heck, they don't even appear on the ATI website for driver downloads. With that in mind, they will likely improve in terms of performance when they get mature drivers.

lol. i waited for ati to unleash their dragons, i mean graphics card.

Then again, drivers can improve in both camps.

Now that wasn't my first suggestion. I still like the steamroller idea.

Nvidia usually has more mature drivers at first. Maybe the 8800 was the exception. =)

You can hold out hope for driver improvements, but that doesn't necessarily equate to more performance. I have noticed that with my 3870, the performance hasn't increased really at all. The 4XXX series probably will benefit some from driver improvements, but I don't think that they will be something to write home about.

Why is Nvidia so hated?

ATI HD 4870 X2 is going to rely on drivers and CrossFire X profiles as new games are released.

Its probably not worth it to switch over to the 4870. I would just stick with the 260. Enjoy that rig man.

Best,

3Ball