Zotac GTX 260²
Conclusion
Published: 20th January 2009 | Source: Zotac | Price: £222.39 |
Nvidia's second revision 260 core and ATI's 1gb 4870 really couldn't get much closer. In some games, the frame rate difference was simply too close to call, with tenths of a frame in it. Unfortunately for ATI, the card we tested came pre-overclocked, so squeezing any extra juice out of that will be pretty fruitless. The GTX260 on the other hand had quite a lot of headroom, and the extra clocks enabled it to beat the 4870 hands down in most of the games tested. Based on the card alone, it seems Nvidia/Zotac have won this round. To better this, if you're not satisfied by the gaming results, there is also CUDA and PhysX to consider. This may be of particular interest to folders. Although we didn't have a chance to get any meaningful data comparison, a quick search on the web will show you just how powerful and fast these things are at folding, especially compared the the 4870 and other ATI cards. All in all, we are very impressed with todays results, and the card is avaliable for £222.39 from Yoyotech, making it a very tempting upgrade for avid gamers and folders alike.
The Good
+ Very fast in all our test games.
+ Responds well to overclocking
+ Matches or out-paces an overclocked 4870 in our test games
+ Far Cry 2 Included in the Box
+ Extended Warranty
The Mediocre
* Fairly hot running
The Bad
- Zilch
Overclock3D would like to thank Zotac for supplying todays review sample.
You can discuss this review, and many others in our forums.
Most Recent Comments
Nice read =)
Any particular reason for the exclusion of cost-per-frame?
Any particular reason for the exclusion of cost-per-frame?
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Originally Posted by name='meh'
Nice read =)
Any particular reason for the exclusion of cost-per-frame? |
If there are any in particular you would like to know I can rustle up a graph.
I think this is exactly where the cost per frame comes into play. The choice between a midrange and highend card based on price isn't hard anyway, but here it's starting to be tough.
Nice review btw :')
Nice review btw :')
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Originally Posted by name='monkey7'
I think this is exactly where the cost per frame comes into play. The choice between a midrange and highend card based on price isn't hard anyway, but here it's starting to be tough.
Nice review btw :') |
You've got a point there 
I found it amusing that you open the article explaining the 4870 battered the 260 so you had to overclock it, then produced a ton of graphs that showed hardly a battering at all, even at stock. 4fps in Crysis and the difference between loads, and really loads, in Grid aren't exactly a watertight case for OC'ing the 260 lol. It was nice to see the results that you could achieve with overclocking though. Headroom is always good to have.
I'm still unconvinced by the benefits of the whole Cuda/Physx stuff. Certainly unbalances the Vantage-Mark though, which I'm sure is exactly what Nvidia wanted.
I'm still unconvinced by the benefits of the whole Cuda/Physx stuff. Certainly unbalances the Vantage-Mark though, which I'm sure is exactly what Nvidia wanted.
Why is C3PO on the card and box???? 
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Originally Posted by name='Bungral'
Why is C3PO on the card and box????
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Great stuff.
That card definately has a grudge with the HIS 4870 IceQ.
That card definately has a grudge with the HIS 4870 IceQ.
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Originally Posted by name='VonBlade'
I found it amusing that you open the article explaining the 4870 battered the 260 so you had to overclock it, then produced a ton of graphs that showed hardly a battering at all, even at stock. 4fps in Crysis and the difference between loads, and really loads, in Grid aren't exactly a watertight case for OC'ing the 260 lol. It was nice to see the results that you could achieve with overclocking though. Headroom is always good to have.
I'm still unconvinced by the benefits of the whole Cuda/Physx stuff. Certainly unbalances the Vantage-Mark though, which I'm sure is exactly what Nvidia wanted. |
Even so, on a level playing field with both cards overclocked, the 260 came out on top, and thats what the article was aimed at..
At 2560x1600 with 4xAA in Crysis is painfull to watch tbh - slideshow heaven so 4fps is indeed quite alot under certain conditions lol
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Originally Posted by name='Luigi'
Considering they are both at the same price point, 4fps in crysis is quite a lot, that could be 10% of your frame rate, possibly more.
Even so, on a level playing field with both cards overclocked, the 260 came out on top, and thats what the article was aimed at.. |
I was trying to suggest that the only tests the 4870 came out on top over the standard 260 is the Crysis and Grid tests. Therefore to use battering as an adjective was a little over the top especially as the 260 won in the other tests even at stock. Once the 260 had been overclocked it totally blew the 4870 away, so that isn't strictly a level playing field, despite the fiscal equality.
By no means am I complaining, or anything of the sort. It's purely a lighthearted little something that made me smile. No defense necessary
If u think something needs asking about or debating about a review or opinion, u should feel free to bring it up.
Personally I wanna know what the fudge monitor w3bbo is using !
Personally I wanna know what the fudge monitor w3bbo is using !
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Originally Posted by name='VonBlade'
Perhaps I wasn't clear. It's a common problem I have. Either that or I've misread your reply which is equally common.
I was trying to suggest that the only tests the 4870 came out on top over the standard 260 is the Crysis and Grid tests. Therefore to use battering as an adjective was a little over the top especially as the 260 won in the other tests even at stock. Once the 260 had been overclocked it totally blew the 4870 away, so that isn't strictly a level playing field, despite the fiscal equality. By no means am I complaining, or anything of the sort. It's purely a lighthearted little something that made me smile. No defense necessary |
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
If u think something needs asking about or debating about a review or opinion, u should feel free to bring it up.
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Originally Posted by name='w3bbo'
At 2560x1600 with 4xAA in Crysis is painfull to watch tbh - slideshow heaven so 4fps is indeed quite alot under certain conditions lol
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
If u think something needs asking about or debating about a review or opinion, u should feel free to bring it up.
Personally I wanna know what the fudge monitor w3bbo is using ! |
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Originally Posted by name='Trollgaard'
Agreed. But in that case I would go down on the resolution instead of getting those 4 ekstra fps. If I was playing that is. 4fps is alot if you want to admire pixelart
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Originally Posted by name='w3bbo'
I tend to drop the AA in preference to res.
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Originally Posted by name='w3bbo'
Dell 3007 WFP-HC m8.
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Originally Posted by name='Rastalovich'
*drools*
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It is a very nice screen and certainly the pride of my setup. I guess when you get a screen of that size and quality there is little need to upgrade again so while it's expensive at first, it's more of an investment for the longterm. When you consider I do a major upgrade of high end GPU's and CPU's every 6 months or so, it actually works out rather cheap!
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Originally Posted by name='w3bbo'
It is a very nice screen and certainly the pride of my setup. I guess when you get a screen of that size and quality there is little need to upgrade again so while it's expensive at first, it's more of an investment for the longterm. When you consider I do a major upgrade of high end GPU's and CPU's every 6 months or so, it actually works out rather cheap!
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6months? takes me a year to save up for something and by then its out of date :PI find knowing when to buy and when to sell helps damage limitation. It also helps snapping up bargains (280GTX for £150 4 months ago anybody? ) using them and then selling on for a profit near the end of it's 'life'.
. It also helps snapping up bargains (280GTX for £150 4 months ago anybody? ) using them and then selling on for a profit near the end of it's 'life'.Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='w3bbo'
I find knowing when to buy and when to sell helps damage limitation
. It also helps snapping up bargains (280GTX for £150 4 months ago anybody? ) using them and then selling on for a profit near the end of it's 'life'. |
No, 2nd hand.
Annoying... I can't find it in any Norwegian stores... Just the 3008wfp which has got the new design on the foot. I like the old version better. Too square for me. But I'm seriously considering to blow off some money on the 2408wfp. I have no need for 30" at the moment.
CSS Valid
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Read on here.