nVidia GTX 285 Review/Pricing/Info Thread

[zlojack]

Since this new card is about to hit tomorrow, I figure we should try to consolidate as much information as we can about it here.

From what little results I've seen so far, it appears that it is performing about the same clock for clock as a GTX 280. The clocks on this are the equivalent of an SSC 280 (648/1476/1242)

So the real benefit here is going to be lower temperature and power consumption (we hope).

I am still undecided on whether to get this or take advantage of the lower cost on the GTX 280. The power and heat numbers will make the decision for me.

This review shows that clock for clock the 285 and the 280 are the same.
Zotac GTX 285 AMP! Edition
(http://www.tbreak.com/articles/40/1/Zotac-GTX285-AMP-Edition/Page1.html)

[Ricey]

Any idea about the price differential?

[zlojack]

Any idea about the price differential?
I've heard $400-$450 MSRP floating around.

EDIT: Looks like $400ish for the time being
http://search.zipzoomfly.com/?Key=GTX+285&Category=00&x=0&y=0

[Ricey]

Or about $150 more than the GTX280 right now. That's a pretty big spread. Oh well.

[Ricey]

BFG GTX 285 zipzoomfly $410

[zlojack]

BFG GTX 285 zipzoomfly $410
But that's for an OC version, I think.

The basic model is $399

[CrazyJoe]

Zlojack, is there an advantage to a 280 / 285 configuration over a 295 ?

Price-wise, the 295 is selling for $499 on Newegg.

I havn't seen anything about the OC'ing ability of the 285 as compared to the 295.

[Fitseries3]

my 295's oc same as 280 BUT you have to keep them cool or they heat up and crash really fast.

[zlojack]

Well, the 295 is more powerful than the 285, but will probably be more dependent on SLI profiles. Most games have them nowadays and I haven't seen too many reports of the microstutter problem that plagued earlier dual-GPU cards YET. Microstutter really can only happen when you are above 60 FPS and the cards start to drop frames from the framebuffer without rendering them (I think that's the way it goes..I'll have to look it up again).

So that's one issue. Three 285s vs. 2 295s will be an epic battle. The GTX 260 Core 216 did give the GTX 280 a good run for its money and the 295 is basically two GTX 260 Core 240 55nm strapped together. So really it's two GTX 285s strapped together only with the VRAM of the 260.

The other question is, of course, the resolution. I think the 295s would probably win at anything other than 2560x1600, where the increase in VRAM on the 285 might be a factor.

That's the best understanding I have of the situation. I'm sure tomorrow we'll have a ton of benchmarks to show us the way. I'd also like to hear from Fitseries to hear a first-hand account of the microstutter issue.

[Ricey]

I'm very concerned about Fit's report of having to keep the cards cool or they crash quickly. That's just not how computers are these days. My ambient temps are ultra high because of the equipment in the case.

[Fitseries3]

i ran them at 740/15xx/1200 easily but they wont run up to 800 like my 280s did

[zlojack]

That's if you overclock them, though.

[Fitseries3]

i get 25k in vantage really easily with one card. only 3.8ghz on the i7 too.

[zlojack]

Have you played any games with quad-SLI yet, Fits?

[Fitseries3]

no. not yet.

[zlojack]

So no real indication if they act strangely in games then...

I am sorely tempted by the 295s...two of them would quadruple my current graphics power!

But something makes me leery.

[Ricey]

How does two 295s and one 285 for phsyx factor into that equation?

[Fitseries3]

get a 260 physx. they perform the same when dedicated as physx only.

[Ricey]

There is a unique 260 card that is Physx only?

[Fitseries3]

no. i was saying.. the 280 is no better than the 260 when dedicated to physx only. you can setup 3 cards that way.

2way sli + physx.

[Ricey]

Ah I see. I need a video card badly now. So, I'm itching to buy a video card tonight, or at least by the end of the week. My two 8800s are dying.

[zlojack]

Dude...a 285 for PhysX is a waste of money.

A 9800GT or 9800 GTX at the most, I would say.

I'm still waiting to see the huge benefit of PhysX in gaming.

[iandh]

I think $400 is a bit of a rip for this card when it is only somewhat faster than the GTX 260 55nm which I paid $259 for. :crack:

I could maybe understand $350 but even then...

I am considering stepping up to the 295 in a couple months, but I am very shy of dual card setups. I also only have a RX 240 as a rad (should be here within days) so I don't think I can handle the Phenom II and a 295 in the loop, but I know it should be able to handle a 260 55nm no prob.

[zlojack]

It's up on Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106792634%201067946202&name=GeForce%20GTX%20285

[Ricey]

Three SSCs baby!

[zlojack]

I'm going for the standard clocked one.

No need for an OC model when I can do that myself :D

[Ricey]

Gotta have water blocks

[zlojack]

Gotta have water blocks
Yep...that will probably take another week or so.

I know that all the usual suspects will be racing to put theirs out.

[Sniper]

Well HWC did their review.

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/13847-evga-geforce-gtx-285-1gb-ssc-edition-review.html

[zlojack]

Well, the card hasn't blown me away, that's for sure.

I think I might just go with another 260 Core 216 for SLI. Save myself a couple of hundred bucks that way...

I'll have to make the call in the next couple of weeks I guess. :D

[Fitseries3]

a teaser for you guys....

http://img.techpowerup.org/090115/Capture004034.jpg