new build in doubt

[Robert]

hi all, i posted a possible build 4 months ago, but i waited for the gtx280 cards to be released and drop in price, now to my suprice i saw that Ati is really scaring nvidia. and with the new X2 comming next month is letting me doubt, becouse i was planning to make a nvidia based build.

my question is, keep waiting for a X2 or get the gtx 280.

(planned build)

GTX 280

Asus Striker II Extreme/NSE

OCZ 700w game xtreme

Thermaltake armor+

intel Q9450

2x 1GB Corsair Dominator 1333mhz

Creative X-fi Xtreme gamer

(dont know what cpu cooler atm.)

 

[mrapoc]

Personally id just go for whatever is best now. I mean, realistically whatever you get, it will be bettered within a month - almost guarenteed. Nvidia's drivers are deffo a lot better imo, but ati are starting to come back.

 

[Robert]

yes, but aboud ati, its getting really serious, and if the X2 is so much better as they claim, then il be going for that to be honest, becouse i really want to get the fastest thing arround, becouse i have waited 6 months for the new cards to come, so maybe i will wait a few weeks more, to see the nvidia drivers pump up the preformance, and to see the results of ati's X2.

the only thing that always conserns me aboud ati, is that i heard that they always had bad driver support.

 

[mrapoc]

i wudnt say bad...but annoying at times

wait till the next cards are released but no later. just go for the best then

 

[Mr. Smith]

I can relate to wanting the best but it's a pointless persuit; you'd forever be upgrading. See Exhibit A.

In Q1 2009 Jan/Feb/Mar nvidia drop the dx10.1 card, intel probably drop larrabee, ati will drop the 5870 or w/e. This just further supports my POV. As stated you best will be bested.

The X2 will perform just like 2 4870's in CF as the 3870X2 performed just like 2 3870's in CF. Yes the 4870X2 has the new PLX bridge chip but afaik it doesn't add any improved functionality. There are rumours of more efficient scaling due to some magic but this is a rumour. There is no shared memory as rumoured either.

The indicative price of the new X2 is $499. The 4870 is $300. If the new X2 is so much better then the 4870 sales would die as you get better performance for less. Suppose ATI could cut prices but that would mean $200 for a 4870 to keep the X2 where it is... All this indicates to me the performance will be equivalent/maybe 10% better than CF 4870.

Also factor in nvidia might GX2 the 280 and it goes on and on...

Wait for the X2, probably make the 280 drop a little more then grab which ever one plays the games you like best!

Driver wise, due to internal CF the X2 needs CF driver support, ATI are often slow off the bat getting this right 1st time, judging by how things were when I had my X2. In time though they sort it out.

Edit: Also http://my.ocworkbench.com/bbs/showthread.php?p=433335#post433335 and http://www.digitimes.com/mobos/a20080702PD213.html so card arrives end of Aug.

P.S Sampsa @ XS says he has tested the card and stated the results are the same as 2 4870's in CF, maybe it'll get a perf boost with new drivers?