GTX 480 and GTX 470 Reviews

[JohnZS]

Erenumerique.fr made their review with DX58SO and i7 980X

Merci

The results seem more logical in that review than some of the results I have seen.

FYI for those of you who have not seen the PCI-E Gen 2.0 bug feast your eyes on this.



Operation @ Gen 1.1 x16 degrades 3dmark Vantage Score by 800 points, and Windows 7 rating by 0.1. (for both graphics scores). It also causes hitches/pausing in STALKER series games and stutter in GTA IV.

Normal operation @ Gen 2.0 on an identical system bar the motherboard (DX38BT as opposed to P5E3) does not have these issues.

Sushi Warrior
Would those be Gen 2.0 x4, etc? if so the performance degradation is not as bad as operation in PCI-E Gen 1.1 mode. I might be wrong, but PCI-E 2.0 x 8 is roughly the equivalent of PCI-E 1.1 x16
John

[Loque]

how long till we get something like Vapor-x cooler on a 480 ?

[Sushi Warrior]

Sushi Warrior
Would those be Gen 2.0 x4, etc? if so the performance degradation is not as bad as operation in PCI-E Gen 1.1 mode. I might be wrong, but PCI-E 2.0 x 8 is roughly the equivalent of PCI-E 1.1 x16
John

Yep, they taped off some of the contact pins. So it would be the same as PCI-E 1.1 x8. Still, 3% or w/e would be a big enough difference, it changes you rounding off to 15% or rounding off to 20%.

[Donta1979]

Yes. That's what NVIDIA said. However, the real question is whether they will "fix" it in a timely manner or if there is a driver issue at all.



As I said in on our forums: For the vast majority of the time over the next few days, I won't be commenting in this thread or in the other GTX 480 threads simply because I believe these products have brought out the worst in everyone.

If you have any questions pertaining to the reviews themselves, I will answer them. However, I refuse to get involved in this childish bickering though simply because I for one am happy to finally have some competition in the DX11 marketplace. You should all be happy about exactly the same thing IMO.

Would you mind letting us know the 480 GTX's temps by manually setting the fan speed to 70, 80, 90 and 100% before you start a bench or play a game and let us know the temps before/during/after?

[GoldenTiger]

Yes. That's what NVIDIA said. However, the real question is whether they will "fix" it in a timely manner or if there is a driver issue at all.

I hope they're not just PR bs'ing... I'm hedging my bets now though and changed my 480 order to a 470 one over at Frys. It'll cost the same as I got in-pocket after fees/etc. from eBaying my 5870... if they aren't bs'ing then I'll have around the same performance or a small amount better but PhysX and nV drivers (which I prefer) for the same cost.... . $357 shipped, hopefully by the time it arrives we'll know for sure.

[Flinch]

JohnZs,

Can you point out what I should be looking at in the screenshot?


Is this inherent with Asus? or does this affect Gigabyte as well?

Thanks

[illidan]

JohnZs,

Can you point out what I should be looking at in the screenshot?

[Flinch]

Appreciate it illidan

[ElSel10]

I have a system with an Asus Rampage II Gene (1202 BIOS) and a GTX280. PCI-e 2.0 is working correctly:

[DosDuoNo]

Merci

The results seem more logical in that review than some of the results I have seen.

FYI for those of you who have not seen the PCI-E Gen 2.0 bug feast your eyes on this.

[*IMG]http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4130/pcie201stslot.jpg[/IMG]

Operation @ Gen 1.1 x16 degrades 3dmark Vantage Score by 800 points, and Windows 7 rating by 0.1. (for both graphics scores). It also causes hitches/pausing in STALKER series games and stutter in GTA IV.

Normal operation @ Gen 2.0 on an identical system bar the motherboard (DX38BT as opposed to P5E3) does not have these issues.

Sushi Warrior
Would those be Gen 2.0 x4, etc? if so the performance degradation is not as bad as operation in PCI-E Gen 1.1 mode. I might be wrong, but PCI-E 2.0 x 8 is roughly the equivalent of PCI-E 1.1 x16
John

ok heres the deal, there is no such thing as a 'PCI-E Gen 2.0 bug' only the 'dont know how to enable Pci-e Gen 2.0'

and the lack of understanding as to how the standard works

this first raised its head on the early Abit boards, even though it was enabled in bios, it still would not 'switch'

switch being the apt word here, it can be tricky if you have already had a gen 1 card in there, as it will default to gen 1.

it is quite simple in the general description of how to do it, enable in bios Gen 2 mode, then shut down computer, and unplug it, leave 20seconds and then boot from cold.

this will allow the 'Switch' to take place

the tricky part is understanding in what order some settings need to take place in the bios before this cold boot. trial and error usually sort it. here is my ASUS board with no problems in Gen 2.0 mode.

[jaredpace]

I hope they're not just PR bs'ing... I'm hedging my bets now though and changed my 480 order to a 470 one over at Frys. It'll cost the same as I got in-pocket after fees/etc. from eBaying my 5870... if they aren't bs'ing then I'll have around the same performance or a small amount better but PhysX and nV drivers (which I prefer) for the same cost.... . $357 shipped, hopefully by the time it arrives we'll know for sure.

Hey goldentiger, looking forward to hear your experiences using the GTX470 and the HD5870. Let us know what you think!

[GoldenTiger]

Hey goldentiger, looking forward to hear your experiences using the GTX470 and the HD5870. Let us know what you think!

Will do... I'm hoping for around-equal performance to the 5870 plus/minus 5%. If it can accomplish that, I'll be happy enough. I thought about it a lot, and even though I have the cash easily to go ahead and go for a 480, I think the 470 presents a far better bang-for-the-buck. If I were buying fresh I'd be more tempted by the 480. I'll definitely be doing a comparison with some of the data I saved from my 5870 with 10.2 drivers (I sold it just as the 10.3's came out, so I never used them).

I'd rather pick up some extra games or save it toward the "next" next gen cards. Seeing Battlefield BC2 go from $50 that I pre-ordered it at digitally to a $20 sale on EA's store within a couple of weeks drove the point home for me . I figure for free (and I had already used the dirt 2 coupon/advertised that in the auction), it's not such a bad thing.

I'll also be trying overclocking the card once it's here... don't know if it'll be old news by the time mine arrives (I chose ground shipping this time around, Frys ships from Ohio and I'm in the northeast), but I'll let you know . I have most of the recent games barring Batman (which I'm thinking of picking up) such as Dirt 2, BF BC2, SF4, Dragon Age, NFS Shift, Starcraft 2 Beta (got it right as I sold though but I can show if it's performing OK or not, didn't record #'s at the time just know what it was running at roughly), and whatnot.

[psyside]

repost dude ;-)
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...&postcount=315

Stock CPU...

[JeeM]

These pics have me cracking up esp the GF one I first saw it on the evga forums days ago haha. But yeah someone just posted this figured I would share it for the laugh, I am buying a 480 GTX BTW but I just find these to be too hilarious

man this is SO funny!

Thanks for sharing the links, onethreehill.

[lkiller123]

how long till we get something like Vapor-x cooler on a 480 ?

You must've meant the HydroCopper!

[jmke]

Stock CPU...

Stock GPU...

[onethreehill]

A short Q&A with Nvidia about the GF100 architecture
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,7...xplained/News/

GTX 470 Overclocked
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/32...ked/index.html

[zalbard]

GTX 470 Overclocked
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/32...ked/index.html

80MHz overclock... On the other hand, the card is boiling hot even at stock, so it explains it...

Looks like reference design GTX4x0 cards are meh... What I'm really looking forward to is to see the reviews of non-reference design cards, such as eVGA Hydro Copper for example.

[Donta1979]

80MHz overclock... On the other hand, the card is boiling hot even at stock, so it explains it...

Looks like reference design GTX4x0 cards are meh... What I'm really looking forward to is to see the reviews of non-reference design cards, such as eVGA Hydro Copper for example.

The EVGA 480 GTX FTW "comes with a Hydro copper block"
max load @FTW clocks is 45c according to one of the staff I think Jacob commented about it. So I am guessing your going to get a good amount of room to play with the card.

[JohnZS]

ok heres the deal, there is no such thing as a 'PCI-E Gen 2.0 bug' only the 'dont know how to enable Pci-e Gen 2.0'

and the lack of understanding as to how the standard works

this first raised its head on the early Abit boards, even though it was enabled in bios, it still would not 'switch'

switch being the apt word here, it can be tricky if you have already had a gen 1 card in there, as it will default to gen 1.

it is quite simple in the general description of how to do it, enable in bios Gen 2 mode, then shut down computer, and unplug it, leave 20seconds and then boot from cold.

this will allow the 'Switch' to take place

the tricky part is understanding in what order some settings need to take place in the bios before this cold boot. trial and error usually sort it. here is my ASUS board with no problems in Gen 2.0 mode.

There is such a thing as a PCI-E Gen 2.0 bug which effects Intel Dual PCI-E 2.0 motherboards such as the X38/X48 and some X58 motherboards. I have this confirmed by nVidia who forwarded an e-mail to ASUS regarding this very issue.

Not only that, but the July 2009 BIOS updates for Intel branded boards have this in their release notes.

Fixed issue where SMBIOS System Slot structures mismatch for PCIe

Express Gen2 slots

As well as

Updated support for high power PCIe adapters

Using BIOSes prior to July 2009 reproduces the PCI-E 2.0 bug/switch issue. As far as I am aware, P45, nforce based boards and AMD platform boards are not effected. The majority of X58 boards should be fixed, however not all X58 boards are fixed.



This was taken from a Biostar X58A motherboard (used on a review site).

I would like to see more reviews using the standard Intel boards unless it is confirmed that the GTX 4xx is working @ PCI-E 2.0 speed as some reviews used boards effected by this bug.

John

[onethreehill]

Palit custom-designed GTX 480 and GTX 470
http://www.donanimhaber.com/Palitin_...undu-18974.htm

[JohnZS]

Palit custom-designed GTX 480 and GTX 470
http://www.donanimhaber.com/Palitin_...undu-18974.htm

Those look like the Gainward cards
They do tend to run cooler than the reference design, noise levels are only slightly improved though and most of that improvement is at idle.
I do like the copper heat pipe design which Gainward used on the GTX 285 2GB.
This appears to be an improved version of that
John

[W1zzard]

uhm there is no pcie bug ... it's called power saving .. load your card with some 3d and it will magically unbug

[mmorpgfocus]

So AMD is not dropping their prices. THAT IS LAME.

I was thinking about picking up a 5870 for cheap and have been waiting for this launch.

Since AMD is going to be greedy why should I buy say a Vapor-X???

I can get a GTX480 for the same price and it will kick its ass at folding, and give me 10%-20% better performance in games.

It seems like now AMD is getting arrogant, not NVIDIA if they think I am going to pay 6 month old price for a 5870, when I can get GTX480 that is faster for the same price. So what if it is hotter? I am thinking about a waterblock anyway. I already have a 1000watt power supply so why should I worry about it drawing 280 watts? These are non-issues.

I am really annoyed at AMD for not dropping prices.

Guess I am going with Nvidia for it's better drivers, Physx, slightly better performance in games, #1 in folding, and awesome future proof tessleation and geometry power.

I almost feel like getting a GTX470 to save money and wait for REV.B GTX490 which will have a higher core clock, cooler operation, and 512SP all working - NOW THAT CARD IS GOING TO BE A MONSTER.

If this is anything like GTX280, it will be out in like 3 months....

Anyway I never thought I would call AMD/ATI greedy, but booooo!!!! Its been 6 months lower your prices or lose a customer!

[mmorpgfocus]

Does anyone have any experience with EVGA's Hydro series?

What kind of pump and radiator would I need to handle a loop and keep cool these threee components (all HOT lol):

GTX480 Hydro EVGA

GTX480 Hydro EVGA (2nd in SLI)

six core 980 X @ 4.2 Ghz

I am concerned that the fluid will be so hot after going through the CPU and first 480 that the second 480 will not get cooled as the fluid will be molten hot from the heat transfer of the first to products in the loop.

Should I maybe route back to a radiator twice? Or run two radiators?

This would be my first time to put my GPUs on water - ususally I have always left them on air and just run a simple loop for the CPU.

Is this worth it? Or should I wait for the next gen from ATI/NVIDIA?

Foes anyone know what 5870 2GB cards will be clocked at ????

Have they gotten to 1000Mhz??? If so it might make sense to wait for the next gen 5870, or 5880 or whatever they call it, I heard it supposed to be out first week of April.....