Zotac GeForce GTX 260 Amp² Edition 216 Shaders

[W1zzard]

Today NVIDIA released their updated GeForce GTX 260 GPUs which come with 24 extra shaders, for a total shader count of 216. Zotac has also overclocked their card beyond the GTX 280 clock speeds which results in a card that is just 1% slower than the regular GTX 280, yet costs over $130 less.

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[btarunr]

Does someone still want to buy a GTX 280? Awesome card for $299.

 

[newtekie1]

An awesome review, and one I was waiting for ever since the updated GTX260 was announced. I totally agree that the new card should have a different name, GTX260+ would be my preference, but maybe they are saving the + label for the die shrunk cards. It seems though, that the manufactures of the cards are taking control of the naming and at least making it pretty clear in their own ways that this isn't a normal GTX260.

I assume that this card can be used in SLi with a normal GTX260?

And damn, it is great to see that it does what nVidia wanted and gives them a card above the HD4870 that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to get. $300 is just an amazing price for this card, and since this is an overclocked version, I wonder if that means normal GTX260 216's will be in the $280-$290 range? That would be wonderful as it will drive the prices of the normal GTX260's down further. Still $300 for GTX280 performance is wonderful, of course once both are overclocked the GTX280 still holds the lead, but is it worth an extra $130?

It was very interesting to see that overclocking wasn't affected, usually adding more shaders lowers the final overclock as it is harder to get more shaders stable. However, it seems that all the GTX cards max out at about 715MHz. What is even more impressive is that it uses less power than a GTX260, I wonder why?

 

[btarunr]

Does this have the same DeviceID as the older GTX 260? If so, yes SLI with older 260 looks possible. GTX 280 isn't worth $420 anymore, HD 4870 X2 is a no brainer. For $560, you'd get two of these GTX 260 212SP cards (stock speed) for use in SLI. Watch them own a HD 4870 X2 while being just $10 more.

 

[Mussels]

ahh gotta love the graphs at the end, saves me wading through a million benchmark results. this card is better per $ and per watt than the original GTX260, and it almost matches a GTX280.

Seems like a card i could upgrade to at last...

 

[DaMulta]

They should of named it 270

 

[Edito]

The card is simply amazing at this price range and its interesting the way nvidia manage they resources, the shaders and the clocks cause this card has less shader processors less memory clock and runs better in various aspects i like it... i think ill buy one in xmas...

 

[johnnyfiive]

NVidia are the sneakiest bastards ever! That is an AWESOME CARD for the price! Wow... totally would get that over a 4870 HANDS DOWN.

 

[Darkrealms]

Thanks for another great review W1zzard!

I agree there goes half the sales that would have been on a GTX280, its almost a why bother.

Question, maybe this was just me (or I didn't read enough text) but why did this card do SO poorly on the Quake 4 section??

I agree a name change would have been helpful GTX265 was my vote, LoL.

So from what I've read of the comments this could be SLI'd with a current/old GTX260?
Any thoughts on if this would be bogged down by the older "poorly performing" (LoL) models?

 

[W1zzard]

i think the problems in quake 4 are because we use AA which seems to work right only on ati drivers. next complete rebench i'll test quake 4 with out AA

 

[Kwod]

i think the problems in quake 4 are because we use AA which seems to work right only on ati drivers. next complete rebench i'll test quake 4 with out AA

Ready 4 a stoopid question
Can you run a 260 with a P45 mobo?

 

[erocker]

Yes you can. Any PCI-E x16 slot will work. Now I'm off to look for a cheaper 260GTX without the +.

 

[Darkrealms]

i think the problems in quake 4 are because we use AA which seems to work right only on ati drivers. next complete rebench i'll test quake 4 with out AA

Thanks, actually thats probably a good thing. It lets people know how the cards do with everything on in the games they like. I was just curious.

Ready 4 a stoopid question
Can you run a 260 with a P45 mobo?

Yes you can. Any PCI-E x16 slot will work. Now I'm off to look for a cheaper 260GTX without the +.

I think he was harasing me for all my questions ; )

 

[EastCoasthandle]

GeForce GTX 260 AMP2! Edition
GPU 650MHz
Mem 1050MHz
216 Processor Core @ 1400MHz

VS

Geforce GTX 260
GPU 576MHz
Mem 999MHz
192 Processor Core @ 1242MHz


I'm willing to assume that if the regualr 260 was OC'd to the GeForce GTX 260 AMP2! Edition results would have been very similar. I honestly don't believe anyone with either a regular 260 or a 4870 have anything to worry about. A simple overclock should bring the regular 260 and 4870 up to snuff IMO .

 

[r9]

They should of named it 270

Go and figure out NVIDIA. They don`t change anything on the card just model name 8800gs to 9600 gso 8800gt to 9800gt and for the first time they change some thing and they want keep the name

 

[newtekie1]

Go and figure out NVIDIA. They don`t change anything on the card just model name 8800gs to 9600 gso 8800gt to 9800gt and for the first time they change some thing and they want keep the name

This isn't the first time they have done this. They did it with the 8800GTS 640MB too, then they reused the 8800GTS name again with 512MB 8800GTS which was essential an entirely different card.

I don't know about their naming scheme, it is too confusing IMO, but that is why you have to do your research before buying.

 

[Scrizz]

dam nice card!

 

[Kursah]

I just signed up to Step-Up to EVGA's version, the GTX260 Core 216...I'm in line atm, can't wait to get this process over with! I figured all I gotta pay is shipping, might as well get a more powerful product to last a little longer lol.

 

[Sasqui]

Shit! I now wish the silicon fairies would turn my 4870 into a 260+

I'm still amazed by the difference between my old 2900 and my now 4870, but...

Ultimate question - can AMD/ATI do something similar?

 

[Ekklesis]

Ultimate question - can AMD/ATI do something similar?

Not a chance...

 

[Edito]

ppl im a bit confused about the 800 Shader Processors on the 4870, and now the GTX260 got only 216 Shader Processors and its better than HD4870??? how come???? isn´t some how strange or stupid???

 

[Mussels]

ppl im a bit confused about the 800 Shader Processors on the 4870, and now the GTX260 got only 216 Shader Processors and its better than HD4870??? how come???? isn´t some how strange or stupid???

no. they're different GPU's by different companies. Its like saying a car engine at 1,500RPM is faster than an engine at 1,000RPM... you're ignoring factors such as cylinders in the engine (4 cylinder, 6 cylidner, V8 etc) and what gear its in, how much load its pulling.

Its a hell of a lot more complicated than just the one number!

 

[Edito]

Ok ok i understand but damn 800 Shader processors, feel like all the 800 Shader are doin nothing... but i agree with u...

 

[Mussels]

its marketing. they love quoting the biggest number they legally can.

 

[Bjorn_Of_Iceland]

wow.. just wow. what a great card