One for the fanboys...

[GazzaScotland]

This one could turn out to be quite fun aswell as helpful.

Thinking between the HD5870 and the GTX 480. I've been out of the loop for too long to know who's what and where. Is the GTX worth the extra cash? As, well the 5970 is a bit out of my price range at the moment.

 

[PaulH]

Yes, the GTX480 is the best single GPU card out there, much better than the 5870 - But does run hotter and the fan is louder, but if your a gamer, that doesnt matter, it really is a beast of a card

Save and get the 5970 though

 

[Gorman]

At the moment, PaulH is right about the 480.

I would be tempted to wait for the top end refresh thats due.

 

[GazzaScotland]

Yeah, the noise wouldn't be an issue. I could be tempted to go for something cheaper, and wait till I've got the extra cash further down the line for a step up. As the 5970 is some piece of kit. Since it is still a few months till I head back to Uni (Games Development degree).

 

[Gorman]

5970 is some piece of kit.

Dual gpu card though, latest in a long line of hrmm.

7950GX2
9800GX2
GTX295
3850 X2
3870 X2
4870 X2

Perhaps its just me, not a huge fan of dual gpu cards.

 

[GazzaScotland]

Thats a good point, would it be better to go the Crossfire/SLI route?

 

[Gorman]

Crossfire / SLI if your going to use top end cards. Gets expensive though!

The best and most reliable solution at the minute is a single card, 5870 or 480. Will dominate any game out at the minute. Personally i would wait for the refresh and to see what is next on the top end from Nvidia and Ati.

 

[GazzaScotland]

Once again, cheers for the advice!

 

[PaulH]

In all honesty ATis main problem has been drivers with the "x2" cards and we saw massive failure rates on them, a thorn in our side so to speak, however the 5970 is fantastic in return rates, we have had hardly any, however they are very expensive, i would just go for a single card at the minute, ifyour doing a gaming degree, id be tempted with the nvidia route, Physx is immense

 

[GazzaScotland]

A quick follow on question, for both the 5870 and the 480. Do you guys deal with a specific brand for the GPU's, or is it just a case whats available? Ta!

 

[Gorman]

On launch its usually whats availiable! Then once stock becomes easier to get its whoever puts a good card out closest to reference at a good price!

 

[GazzaScotland]

Ah thats good to know!