Quote Originally Posted by '-silencer-',index.php?page=Thread&postID=99527#post99527
If you have good case cooling, go with the 4850/4870 - lower fan noise and the case airflow will help keep temps reasonable.
If you have a more 'closed' case, go with the GTX 280 - higher fan noise and lower card temps.
I don't see a point in buying a GTX 260 at its current price point, unless you're using a very enclosed (noise-reducing) case and need to save some cash.
My roommate just bought a GTX 280, and I was completely turned off by the sound of a vacuum cleaner inside his case. It's *much* louder than my 8800GTX, and we have the same Antec P182 case.
From "my" research this is how it goes down.

The 280 smokes both the 4870 and 260 in 95% of the tests... The 4870 occasionally beats it in certain game tests for some odd reason.

The 260 and the 4870 are pn par with eachother. The 4870 is said to be roughly 6% faster.

The gtx 260 FTW edition is overclocked to be around 10% faster. This card is HANDPICKED from the testing line. So when a card does well stock, it gets picked to be a FTW edition. Then it also gets OC'd up the A**.

So I find the 4870 to be better than the 260 stock conditions... but the 260 can be overclocked to reach a lot more. Plus it doesn't have stupid fan problems ( I dont want to make a profile, and use it everytime I want a working fan )



HOWEVER; is it possible to return either video card to newegg if I dont like it? Theres a bestbuy down the street with a 4870 for $300 that I can try if I find I dont like 260 ftw