NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 Final Specs & Pricing Revealed

[Slayer]

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 480 Final Specs & Pricing Revealed
HardOCP Discussion

We have received the final specs for GeForce GTX 480 and 470 which are slated for official launch on March 26th 7pm US time. Coincidentally, an official photo of the GTX 480 has been leaked in our forums here : http://forums.vr-zone.com/news-around-t ... 480-a.html

GeForce GTX 480 : 512 SP, 384-bit, 295W TDP, US$499

GeForce GTX 470 : 448 SP, 320-bit, 225W TDP, US$349

Internal benchmarks reveal that GeForce GTX 470 is some 5-10% faster than Radeon HD 5850 and similiar for GeForce GTX 480 over the Radeon HD 5870. Interestingly, the TDP of GeForce GTX 480 is almost similar to Radeon HD 5970 which is a dual GPU card. Interestingly, our sources revealed that there are indeed plans for dual Fermi cards and the TDP of the card is probably gonna be mind blowing.

Im in the market for a new computer. I'm waiting for the release of the GTX 480 before I make my final gpu decision. The GTX 480 is a power hungry card which may force me to get a 1KW PSU. Its supposed to run about 5-10% faster than a 5870 which will only get better as the drivers mature. $499 is a lot of coin to spend but I spent the same on the 8800 GTX 3 years ago. Its time to see some benchmarks.

Is it worth it?

[Nvader]

I think the price is decent for the new gen cards. I can see the prices of the GTX200's drop and after a few months on the shelves, that 400 should drop around $20-50, depending on the demand.

I would wait at least a two weeks to a month after they launch for nvidia to get the proper drivers out. After that, the bugs should be all worked out.


Thats my $.02

[Pestilence]

NVIDIA seems to be trailing in the GPU battle lately. Good to see them finaly fireing back with some good hardware. I want to see that Radeon HD 5970 blown out of the water right proper. Piss on that hulking radeon crap, I put a Radeon detector in our home to protect us from their deadly hardware.

[shadowfox]

I got a better job and have been considering a new desktop as well. I've actually been strongly considering a 5890, and until I see a real set of benchmarks nVidia has a tough chip to beat.

According to Tom's Hardware, nVidia's own testing shows the GTX480 on top as far as hardware tesselation is concerned http://www.tomshardware.com/news/nvidia-geforce-ati-radeon,9819.html but like I said, I'll need real benchmarks before I can make the decision.

On a side note, it's a big deal for me to even consider ATI at this point... the one Radeon card I owned caused constant problems and was a real piece of shit in general, but that was an X1600 Pro, several generations ago. I'm willing to let bygones be bygones if the GTX480 can't hold its ground.

[Junfan]

I love my 5870. Requires less power, cooler and faster than my 260/216 core. I would highly recommend this video card. It will only get better with decent drivers. I still have to play with INI files to make it really run.

[Slayer]

NVIDIA to get official with Fermi GPUs, will 'more than double the performance' of existing cards

It's sure taken 'em long enough, but the Wall Street Journal is reporting that NVIDIA will finally allow the long-awaited Fermi design to reveal itself to the world. We're guessing that the GeForce GTX 470 and GTX 480 that we've been hearing (and hearing) about will be the flagship GPUs to get launched, but whatever the case, the WSJ assures us that the new line will "more than double the performance of its current products." As you'd expect, the Fermi cards -- which will ship with 512 cores, three billion transistors and a whole heap of expectations -- will support 3D titles along with the latest video processing software, but they'll also be aimed at more unconventional markets like "medical research and oil-field exploration." Sounds gnarly, NVIDIA, but we're just interested in seeing our frame rates hit triple digits in Crysis 2 -- got it?

Engaget's source is WSJ. I have a hard time believing double the performance. Where are the benchmarks to back this up?

@Junfan, the new Catalyst 10.3 drivers are out. Let us know how they fair.

[Junfan]

I just upgraded yesterday and was running the 10.3a drivers. Most things have gotten a little better. I will know more with Borderlands. That is the game that blows with ATI.

[Slayer]

Here are the benchmarks.

Tom's Hardware: GeForce GTX 480 And 470: From Fermi And GF100 To Actual Cards!

Gizmodo: Nvidia's GTX 480: First Fermi Benchmarks

HardOCP: NVIDIA Fermi - GTX 470 - GTX 480 - GTX 480 SLI Review

In some areas the GTX 480 does better than the 5870. Its most apparent when AA is enabled. The GTX 480 takes less of a performance hit from AA than the 5870. They definitely suck up power and run hot. In games the 5870 and GTX 480 each exceed in their own way but at the price point of the 5870 you cant go wrong.

I dont think the barely 5-10% increase in certain games is worth the extra $100 when your also thinking of power and heat. I bet the pricing will be lower than MSRP by the time it shows up at online retailers. I think for now I will have to go with the 5870 in my next build.

EDIT...

More NVIDIA 400 Series Reviews.

The one from Guru3d.com has a few more different games benchmarked and it shows that the GTX 480 wins more times than not. It also shows that the GTX 470 does a decent job against the 5850.