GTX 460 1GB vs GTX 465 Review

[StarYoshi]

I had the numbers done, but I spent a lot of today compiling the data into a readable format. Enjoy!

http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/800329-gtx460-1gb-vs-gtx465-review.html

[Freaky_Angelus]

Excellent review indeed!

I'm however putting forward a critical view and I'd like some arguments on it, as I for one lack the current insight ;). As I know you really like Nvidia's Fermi 104 and as a big ATI fan I must admit they punch hard, but I lack the knowledge to formulate the answers myself. So I'm interested if you see future on the following ;)

Considering the late schedule on these cards and the current situation with ATI's HD 5970 still outperforming every other card, do you think that Nvidia can bridge the gap, if not exceed ATI, before the next series of GPU's will arive from ATI?

In a follow up: Is the new architecture from the Fermi 104 a basis that allows not only a real Dual GPU card from Nvidia, but also one that on stock can outperform the 5870 chipset? By this I mainly aim for the fact that the 104 is slimmed down on GPC's which should allow a 4 GPC situation in Dual GPU mode or even 8 if they create a Fermi 10X version with a return of 4 GPC's...

I'm rather surprised by the comeback of Nvidia and how for instance ATI is looking at their approach of DX11, which would make not only a very interesting development for ATI's HD 6xxx-series but also whether or not ATI has the 'time' clinging on the HD 57~9xx series and their strengths.

[[+Duracell-]]

Well, Southern Islands is going to be released by the end of the year, and supposedly it's supposed to be ~30% increase of performance from the 5000 series.

IMO, nVidia still has a bit of catching up to do. Their drivers have improved a vast amount, making their cards capable of beating ATI's equivalent at similar price points, but they still need to get past the impression the initial release made.

Although if I waited a week or two, I probably would've gotten the GTX 460 1GB instead of the HD 5850 :(

[StarYoshi]

The biggest advantage nVidia has over ATI is their drivers and developer support. The latest Catalyst drives have been a mess while Forceware just gets better and better. In terms of the single-most powerful GPU nVidia has the crown with GTX480. The most powerful graphics card is (technically) the HD5970. However, that's 2 GPUs on a single card :P

Southern Islands will address ATI's current biggest failing, tessellation and directX 11 features. The GTX400 spanks ATI in that regard currently. However, they have managed to spark competition again with their aggressive pricing and solid products :D

Expect to see a GTX475 (GF104 with the last SM unit unlocked - will be 384 processing cores) and a GTX480 revision (512 processing cores) to continue their assault. I'm not sure what they'll do after that though, they need a more timely response than they had this round. The Fermi line is becoming more and more impressive because of nVidia's dedication to driver/software support. ATI is going to have to step up their game in that regard, too, not just by offering raw performance :D

I'm impartial to brands, I've used about 15 HD5000 series cards since their release and only a handful of nVidia cards... but the GTX460 has really won my heart! :D

[Freaky_Angelus]

Well, as I see your reviews I can't say anything else then 'wow that 460 is one hell of a card', but when I look at the 470 and 480 (and in some respect also the 465 for that matter) I can't ignore the high heat and power consumption. Considering the 104 has less problems with that, there is future in that part and I think Nvidia needs to do more then just having all sm's working to solve their problems.

For as drivers from ATI vs Nvidia.. I left Nvidia because of their insanely terrible drivers and the fact I was mailing with their developers because of their faults. Considering that was around the time everybody was screaming death, destruction and rape on the Catalyst drivers I was surprised to have such competent drivers when I switched (around 8 I think btw) to the HD 2900 XT.

I've had little to no problems with the 10 series Catalyst at all, besides from the Beta's which didn't always perform, so I can't say I see that argument hold up ;)

I would like to see that a fully working Fermi 104 x2 card.. Unless that comes soon, Nvidia has more then catching up to as it would mean they run a year behind on ATI. Given ATI has had the time to look at Nvidia's solution on DX11 and the fact the single chip from ATI for tesselation is obviously less powerfull, the improvements on that area will arise.

Personally with a 5770 in house I still want a second of those (considering my resolution is 1680x1050) as that will suffice in 95% of the games for the next year or so and I doubt the 5850 is a bad buy. OC it to the level of a 5870 and the 460 can't keep up, so unless you want Heaven 2.1 benchmarks it's a very good card.

For as the 5970 is a dual card, I know, but it's still not outperformed by any other card which was my point ;) I hope to see that dual 104 card, that with mayor tweaks should come near it.