Temperature
Using my non-contact thermometer and the Evga Precision overclocking tool, I recorded Idle and Load temperatures for both cards. The back of the GPU measurement on the GTX 280 is not as accurate as it was on the 8800 GTX due to the fact that the GTX 280 has plastic vents on the back of the PCB. The load temperatures for both cards are the hottest temperatures that the cards reached during all the testing I ran. It should be noted that the 8800 GTX’s fan speed was at 70% and the GTX 280’s fan was always at 55%.
Conclusion
Back in November 2006 a $600 card came out that performed better than the dual GPU card (7950 GX2) from the previous generation. Here we are in June 2008 and we have a $649 dollar card that can perform better than the dual GPU card (9800 GX2) from the last generation. Not only that, this card is currently performing double duty. It is a graphics card that can also be used to accelerate Physics processing. This card is performing another extremely important task as well, folding for the cure. When I take those things into account I am glad that I spent the money to make this upgrade. Perhaps you will be to…
Update 7-02-2008:
Sure I was glad that I spent the money a few days ago, but then rumors like this come along and spoil it for me.
n00b
The Progenitor
How do the graphs look? Do you like the colors I used and the green stone background?
Is anything unclear? Did you have to read any paragraphs twice?
The graphs are great (looks 3d), coupled with the green background made it easier to see.
Nvidia really made a great product, but because of the price (and the expected price of the ATI cards), people just went on to bash Nvidia and dismissing the technology.
(This reminds me of people complaining of Nvidia rebranding 8800s into 9000s while people overlooks Ati's actions in renaming the 2900s into 3800s [a "new" generation])
It does seem that the article was written to justify your purchase of the GTX280 (well, I would do that if I got that card too =D ).
Member
Couple of points:
I don't like the charts. I mean, the 3D bars and background, that's all very nice, but I prefer the simple, white-backed flat 2D bars that I can glance at and not get distracted by colors and such.
The review was easy to understand, although I did notice you went on a tiny bit about the games in the test. Most people already know this information, and they're here for the cards, probably because they want to play these games in the first place.
There are some grammatical things that could be done to smooth out the review, but otherwise it was worded well and ran generally smoothly. I'm impressed.
(I would say you could give me the reviews to proofread, as I'm a writer, but that would seem pretentious, I think?)
n00b
I've read several review sites and the are all fairly scientific. Of them all, [H]ardOCP is the best because I feel like I will get the same results.
And that is where your strong point lies. You did this review in your living room - not in a sterile lab. You have the feel of a normal guy comparing his old system against his new upgrade and sharing his experiences and results. There's something trustworthy about that - I feel like I could do the same thing and have the same success, even if my numbers end up being slightly different (horrors!). If I want hard stats I'll go to Tom's or Anand (or the comparison page), but what I want to read is how it works for another guy like me. That's exactly what you did. You may want to include even a few more subjective statements about what you liked and didn't like, how the game looked, etc. to emphasize the 'real' nature of your review.
You've got something here. I'd look forward to more!
But I think the site its getting better, also the graphs appear to be giving the finger to the reader... or its just me?
Member
Did i forget to brush my teeth? oh no did i show up in court without my pants on again?
relax, its good!
I think you should cram a little more into your conclusion, touch on all the data you've collected so far (all be it, you need more cards, but thats $$$), answer the question who should buy it and who shouldn't. Get in any outstanding frustrations as well as any oustanding positives! Longer conclusion would be better.
n00b
n00b
Ya I'm obviously excited about that part, becuase I overclock EVERYTHING, thats a great review, to bad you can't do 2 or 3 way SLI, but I totally understand, GTX280 = 2nd morgage, lol. Awseom man, just awsome.
Senior Member
Member
Bring on the user review section!
GPUReview Founder
Senior Member
n00b
Senior Member
But anyways , nice review .