GPU on Gaming Rig Question
 

Opinions please :D

My gamer currently has tri sli 285 hydro coppers. Back in the day that tri sli got you boints, these cards were consistently among the highest perfodrmers (on water and w/o vold mots). They easily clocked over 800 w/ no probs.

Unfortunatley, they are of course DX10 cards, and, it will only be a matter of time before DX11 takes over completely, so, I'm at a crossroads.

One of the 285s I plan on keeping to volt mod and freeze, the other 2 I'm thinking I should sell. Problem is, do I replace them with 2 GTX 480's or with 1 ATI 5970 cross fired to an ATI 5870 ??

I'd prefer to keep playing with freezing the 480's, so my inclination is to put te ATI cards into my gamer. I just hate the damned ATI drivers which in my mind is a good reason to sell them.

Input please :D

sell two 285

sell the ATI's off once milked for every boint

freeze the best 285 then sell that

Milk the 480's for every boint possible and retire them to the gamer

prepare for the 6K series and or a possiblr 485 type nV release

Don't bother with the 5970's unless they're going on water and then make sure you don't have a block that shorts like so many people have. If on air, its screwed up to find a balance between fan control on that kinda cross-fire. Gaming on a 5970 hasnt impressed me much even at 850/1250.

I'm not an Nvidia Fan-boy but I am happy Nvidia's drivers aren't usually as messed up as ATI's. Let the tools, who think that hacking drivers builds character, game on those crossfire mis-fires.

Yeah, figured I'd put both AIT cards on water if I went that way, but my thoughts of ATI seem to be pretty similar to yours :P

So far, dx11 cards really haven't impressed me at all.... If it were me in your situation, I would continue to run the 285's until something better comes out. Going from dx10.1 to 11 isn't as big of a jump as dx9-10, or at least to me. Ati cards have borked drivers afa xfire is concerned, and nV cards in your case will set your house on fire.. :laughing:

With the newer games out lacking imo, might as well stick to dx10.1 and continue ripping up COD mods. the 6k series and 2nd gen fermi gpu's hopefully change my mind. :thumbsup:

Fermi. Wait for the 485 though.

I have been looking at upgrading my 4890 because it is just too loud and hot.
I have not seen a viable upgrade for it yet that does not cost over $300.

If the 480s are cooler running now then I would also suggest them for the gamer.

TBH I would keep your 285s for now and wait till 6000/500 series comes out. There are only 5 games out right now with DX11, and another 6-10 due out this/next year. Of course civilization V is coming out next month with DX11... that might have me down grading to a DX11 setup soon :)

I have a 480 incoming .... once I milk out of it what I can it will be going onto the gamer and the 5850 will be sold off ....

Prolly just stock cooler though ..... hate buying blocks for these things since they never work on the next gen .....

Looking for a great card for Crysis 2 to max out eye candy ...Hoping the 480 is it ...

Crysis 2 has been delayed until next year. :(

...because that's always a good sign. :laughing: