EVGA GTX460 SLI Review
Conclusion
Published: 16th September 2010 | Source: EVGA | Price: £135.11 |
Conclusion
Let's cut right to the chase here, because the conclusion is obvious and I know you can't wait to watch the video.
A bottom end GeForce GTX480 will set you back around £360 these days, which is much better than it was when it first launched but still a chunk of change.
One of these EVGA GTX460s will set you back £135, and therefore £270 for the pair. £90 cheaper for something that performs significantly better, is much cooler and, thanks to being cooler, even two of them are quieter than a single GTX480.
As far as 'no-brainer's go, this is almost the definitive example. Who wouldn't want something that out-performs a GTX480 that is cheap enough to leave you enough money to buy a 40GB SSD??
So what are the downsides?
Well at very high resolutions and image quality settings the cut-down nature of the underlying architecture can limit the frame-rate so if you're after absolute performance then you might need to look elsewhere.
But for most people this is plenty powerful enough, and plenty cheap enough, to very much be the weapon of choice and the only nVidia setup we'd happily recommend.
Pros
- Huge performance
- Great overclocking potential
- Value for money
Mediocre
- Limited at extreme IQ settings
Bad
- Zilch
Thanks to EVGA for supplying the GTX460s for todays review. Discuss in our forums.
Most Recent Comments
EVGA? *swoons* don't tell me they finally let OC3D give their products some love?
*reads* cheers fellas !
Ahh, brilliant as always
I actually rather like the look of those cards too (eats some humble pie) as the stickers on them are quite tasteful and not overdone and gaudy.
Will stick with my 5770s (and hopefully soon AMD's 9800GTX for Physx) but if these had come sooner (7 months sooner) I would have had no qualms about grabbing a pair (ooer).
Thanks again for the reviews lads, Stepster will be very pleased. He can gloat even more on MSN now
*reads* cheers fellas !
Ahh, brilliant as always
I actually rather like the look of those cards too (eats some humble pie) as the stickers on them are quite tasteful and not overdone and gaudy.
Will stick with my 5770s (and hopefully soon AMD's 9800GTX for Physx) but if these had come sooner (7 months sooner) I would have had no qualms about grabbing a pair (ooer).
Thanks again for the reviews lads, Stepster will be very pleased. He can gloat even more on MSN now
o_0 after seeing this I really wanna know how a pair of 470s would fare.
Holy crap they get double my vantage score. Cant wait to see what my games run like with my new hardware.
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2...0033ghz.th.jpg
I have a pair of 470's on the way I would like to upload my 3D Mark 06 and VAntage scores when I get my new hardware.
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2...0033ghz.th.jpg
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Originally Posted by snoopy747
o_0 after seeing this I really wanna know how a pair of 470s would fare. |
I would like to upload my 3D Mark 06 and VAntage scores when I get my new hardware.Steve. They may well get double your vantage scores but tbh mate you'd see very little difference in games. I had a 280 and it was smooth as silk in gaming. I never played a game that I couldn't max and even worry it. Just a shame it was so bloody hot 
Very interested in seeing the results for a pair of 470s though !
Very interested in seeing the results for a pair of 470s though !
I agree my GTX280 is fair warm. Even with the improved cooling I done to my case which no longer holds heat and the 140MM fan blowing on my GTX280 it is 80C with 100% fan.
The 470's will be even hotter though and a lot louder lol.I will need to get sound dampening foam for my case to absorb some of that fan noise until I can afford better coolers for the GPU's. The reason for my upgrade is newer games are starting to push my GTX280 now and the motherboard , CPU and ram upgrade is for the video conversions etc.
The 470's will be even hotter though and a lot louder lol.I will need to get sound dampening foam for my case to absorb some of that fan noise until I can afford better coolers for the GPU's. The reason for my upgrade is newer games are starting to push my GTX280 now and the motherboard , CPU and ram upgrade is for the video conversions etc.
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
Very interested in seeing the results for a pair of 470s though ! |
480 = nuclear hot & fudging loud
470 = nuclear hot & fudging loud
460 = cool calm and collected.....
cool video
I've been looking at the GTX 460 but am holding out for now as there aren't really any games I've got into that require that sort of power (I mostly play cs:s on my 8800gts)
I know a guy who just got a 5850 who has been telling me it owns the GTX460
I have been looking around for waterblocks for the 460 and looking at the stock coolers the RAM doesn't seem to be actively cooled so would guess you could get away with a non fullcover block and some heatsinks on the RAM?
I've been looking at the GTX 460 but am holding out for now as there aren't really any games I've got into that require that sort of power (I mostly play cs:s on my 8800gts)
I know a guy who just got a 5850 who has been telling me it owns the GTX460
I have been looking around for waterblocks for the 460 and looking at the stock coolers the RAM doesn't seem to be actively cooled so would guess you could get away with a non fullcover block and some heatsinks on the RAM?
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Originally Posted by equk
cool video I've been looking at the GTX 460 but am holding out for now as there aren't really any games I've got into that require that sort of power (I mostly play cs:s on my 8800gts) I know a guy who just got a 5850 who has been telling me it owns the GTX460 I have been looking around for waterblocks for the 460 and looking at the stock coolers the RAM doesn't seem to be actively cooled so would guess you could get away with a non fullcover block and some heatsinks on the RAM? |
Overclock the 460 and is will walk all over the 5850.
Unless you have 5870 money the 460 is the card to have tbh.
SLI IS KING and everybody who thinks different can go to hell and rot there.
wooo this is nice really shows how awsome they are! and the temps seemed a little high how fast was the fan running to let it get that hot my top 2 hit about 60 and bottom about 50 while folding and even cooler when gamin, were u not able to push the overclocks more? as i can get 850 core on 1.050v
I've already replied to the video on the tube, but I'll reply again and thank all of you for the comparison. ****against the rules****
Either way, I'm psyched to try these in SLI. I'm interested to see what 2 - 1GB cards will score.
Either way, I'm psyched to try these in SLI. I'm interested to see what 2 - 1GB cards will score.
Darn it now i want to get a second Palit 1024Mb to see what they do in SLI 
Got one of those EVGA's 768Mb as well........hmmmm.
As always nice review!
Got one of those EVGA's 768Mb as well........hmmmm.
As always nice review!
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Then you have both completely missed the point of this review tbh. 480 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 470 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 460 = cool calm and collected..... |
If you let the drivers manage the card it sticks the fan speed to about 40%. Definitely not audible. Temps will hit as high as 93C though.
I'm using a Gigabyte reference card btw.
Enjoyed the review btw. Those 460's make me want to go sli just to mess with it.
hmmm i want another now lol,tis some power there.2 of them folding would be abit naughty aswell
hmmm i want another now lol,tis some power there.2 of them folding would be abit naughty aswell
oops sorry for doubles posting]
oops sorry for doubles posting]
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Then you have both completely missed the point of this review tbh. 480 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 470 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 460 = cool calm and collected..... |
But how does a pair of 460's work at 2560x1600 compared to a 480?
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Originally Posted by Gascogne
But how does a pair of 460's work at 2560x1600 compared to a 480? |
Well at very high resolutions and image quality settings the cut-down nature of the underlying architecture can limit the frame-rate so if you're after absolute performance then you might need to look elsewhere.
Most likely not so good.
Cant wait for my second gtx 460 to arrive now
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Then you have both completely missed the point of this review tbh. 480 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 470 = nuclear hot & fudging loud 460 = cool calm and collected..... |
Quiet performance is great, but hot smoking blistering is fun (so long as *I* dont have to live with it)
That's why I sold one of the 3870x2 today haha. Other one's sold too to a mate, and Thuban here we come (when I get the Noctua).
Thanks for the awesome review soon as I had finished reading it I knew what GPU setup I needed for my new rig
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Originally Posted by frosty125
Thanks for the awesome review soon as I had finished reading it I knew what GPU setup I needed for my new rig |
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
With the GTX460 being the sensible choice of the Fermi range, we had to take a look at the performance of a pair, courtesy of EVGA. Continue Reading |
cant wait till i get my hands on a pair of them
im really surprised by how well these do in sli
indeed
it is shame they are limited to 2 way SLI tbh
it is shame they are limited to 2 way SLI tbh
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Originally Posted by Mr. Strawberry
indeed it is shame they are limited to 2 way SLI tbh |
you could
if i had a bigger PSU then i would get one for phys-x heck if it was big enough i would get a third GTX460 for phys-x
if i had a bigger PSU then i would get one for phys-x heck if it was big enough i would get a third GTX460 for phys-x
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Originally Posted by Mr. Strawberry
you could if i had a bigger PSU then i would get one for phys-x heck if it was big enough i would get a third GTX460 for phys-x |
on a 850w PSU?
hmm wonder if my 750w PSU could handle a 450 as well then :/
that would be bad ass lol
hmm wonder if my 750w PSU could handle a 450 as well then :/
that would be bad ass
lolyeah doesnt even break a sweat mate the psu is stone cold, yeah it might be possible what kinda amps does he new corsairs have?
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Originally Posted by thestepster
yeah doesnt even break a sweat mate the psu is stone cold, yeah it might be possible what kinda amps does he new corsairs have? |
25A, 25A, 62A, 0.5A , 3A
u might be fine running 3 i have 70a on a single rail
hmmm so could i have my 460 hawks in sli and a 450 for physx thatd be pretty good
sweet next pay cheque i will get at GTS450 
lol
loljust pay that tiny bit extra and get a reference 460 dont waste ur cash on the 450 its even more pointless than the 465
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Originally Posted by thestepster
just pay that tiny bit extra and get a reference 460 dont waste ur cash on the 450 its even more pointless than the 465 |
^^ true a 786mb gtx 460 only cost £10 more then a gts 450
just remember and fold on them mate 
i really do think though
if you could get a single slot 450 then it would be the idle phys-x card
if you could get a single slot 450 then it would be the idle phys-x card
wont see that happening for a while dude, if ever
yeah i know it wont happen for a while if it does but it is still a valid point seeing as it can run on little power
its just a pointless card mate and its priced £10 less than a 460 but is miles and miles off in performance and as soon as uve bought it will be worth nowt, ppl in the know wont be buying this card at all
yeah suppose when you put it that way
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Originally Posted by Mr. Strawberry
indeed it is shame they are limited to 2 way SLI tbh |
As Stepy said, if you want a third one by all means get one, but use it for the right reasons (folding or Physx)
It'll look the same as triple SLI but it'll actually work and so something contsructive.
You need to remember that when game coders make games they usually do them for the masses. Dual core support, half decent GPU. They don't take into account fanatics who turn their PCs into nuclear power plants. There's no reason wasting time and money on those people as they are a massive minority
never said i wanted 3 way sli just said it was a shame they were limited
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Originally Posted by thestepster
its just a pointless card mate and its priced £10 less than a 460 but is miles and miles off in performance and as soon as uve bought it will be worth nowt, ppl in the know wont be buying this card at all |
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/1GB-Palit-GTS-450-40nm-3608MHz-GDDR5-GPU-783MHz-Shader-1566MHz-192-Cores-DL-DVI-I-D-Sub-HDMI
You need to remember that happy hour is done. Cheapest 460 I can find now is £125. That's pretty much bang on £30 more, and the 450 will highly likely be just as good for Physx..
I will buy into the aesthetic argument though. Adding an odd one out will pretty much wreck the look
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Originally Posted by Mr. Strawberry
never said i wanted 3 way sli just said it was a shame they were limited |
See also the 5770. Great as Crossfire, total waste of money in trifire/quadfire.
Price to performance? yes, 460 SLI is in a league of its own. Triple SLI? worse than two, much more expensive.
yep tis deffo just a physx card
http://www.dabs.com/products/best-value-palit-geforce-gts-450-783mhz-1gb-pci-e-hdmi-74ZL.html
At that price I am actually tempted myself ! £89.99 del.
I have the 8800 Ultra, but it's so big and so hot I don't know if I trust it in a 5770 sandwich. What I would like ideally is a single slot 450 if they come up with one.
At that price I am actually tempted myself ! £89.99 del.
I have the 8800 Ultra, but it's so big and so hot I don't know if I trust it in a 5770 sandwich. What I would like ideally is a single slot 450 if they come up with one.
no palit suck fella
imo the red PCB makes it look cheap :/
not just the red pcb it reachs 75c load at stock
that is bad
Hah think about it. What would I be putting it in with? oh yeah ! Radeons. Red = good.
Also it won't go under load. My 8800 Ultra idles at 62c. With Physx pounding out it reached.. Wait for it.... 62c.
The core itself is not used at all during Physx calc and it's for no other purpose..
However, trying hard not to drag this OT I am going to pipe for a GTS 240. No point paying double (literally) for a 450 as I am not using any of the functions, plus I want single slot. I want to leave my radeons breathing room as I want it better than now, basically.
Also it won't go under load. My 8800 Ultra idles at 62c. With Physx pounding out it reached.. Wait for it.... 62c.
The core itself is not used at all during Physx calc and it's for no other purpose..
However, trying hard not to drag this OT I am going to pipe for a GTS 240. No point paying double (literally) for a 450 as I am not using any of the functions, plus I want single slot. I want to leave my radeons breathing room as I want it better than now, basically.
Is better to use EVGA for SLI set up or MSI Cyclone?
I bought EVGA's cards, but now I can buy MSI ones much cheaper, so is it worth it to swap them?
For me it looks like EVGA pulling hot air outside of the case, MSI don't - what to do.I like cool and quiet, but Quiet is more important for me.
I bought EVGA's cards, but now I can buy MSI ones much cheaper, so is it worth it to swap them?
For me it looks like EVGA pulling hot air outside of the case, MSI don't - what to do.I like cool and quiet, but Quiet is more important for me.
stick with the reference ones
Don't know man those MSIs seem to have the ability to exhaust air a lot more freely than a reference card.
Stepy had one, wait for him to come on and he can tell you how the temps are.
Stepy had one, wait for him to come on and he can tell you how the temps are.
with those though as it lacks a shroud on the cooler the fan will have to work harder to get the air out the back unless you have good airflow
but just wait till stepy comes online
but just wait till stepy comes online
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Originally Posted by AMDFTW
no palit suck fella |
i have 2x Palit GTX460 one is 768Mb one is 1024Mb.. they are very good ..
and i will get another one, ones i have the cash for it....
the cyclones arent cooler than a reference thats for sure prob a bit hotter but what they go for is silence they are much quieter than a reference design in that respect
Is it possible to plug Monitor to the second card in SLI (bottom one)? or it has to be first one?
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