First Look: Nvidia GeForce GTX 295 1,792MB

Slightly off-topic here, but does anyone else ever wish they could get their hands on nVidia reference cards instead of branded retail cards?

It's so much nicer to see the cards with nVidia's clean, sleek, understated shrouds and HSFs, instead of the absolutely pathetic-looking crap the board partners stick on their cards, with their glowing cyborg samurai, improportionate amazons, rabid dogs, abstract faces/hands/bodyparts and hideous, glaring branding and logos..

It doesn't matter so much for those of us who rip the stock HSF off and replace it with a waterblock or a 3rd-party cooler, of course, but do the companies really think that their ridiculous artwork and ugly branding lends that much appeal to their products?

Originally Posted by Zurechial
but do the companies really think that their ridiculous artwork and ugly branding lends that much appeal to their products?

They must otherwise they wouldn't do it. Personally I don't care what sticker is on my card or the extra crap it comes with. I generally buy for brand reputation, warranty and if I am picky PCB colour lol. I think they would do far better having different coloured PCBs than crappy stickers.

well considering its pretty much equal with the GTX 280 in SLI for the most part i'd say its a good investment. Especially if it goes to 300's. Then maybe GTX 280 will be in the 250's and GTX 260 in the late 100's? hopefully lol, - new bang for buck king if it does?

This is overkill, the hardware has moved way past any software thata ctually needs it.

To be honest, I looked at the GTX 295 and thought it was a prototype.
It doesn't really look ready for sale does it?
Not after the last series of (at least I thought so) nice looking glossy enclosed cards.

Also, IMO this card will not steal ATi's current crown.

Originally Posted by Lepermessiah
This is overkill, the hardware has moved way past any software that actually needs it.

Are you kidding? You still can't play Crysis on absolute top settings without at least 2 GPU's, I'd say 4 would be better. Then, MAYBE, you could max out Crysis and Crysis Warhead.

i have allways prefered single power full GPUs never seem to have much luck with SLI (that past problem seems down to the motherboard now as my old 980GX2 i just put back in for an test seems to work flawless but i have only tested one game thought heh)

as folding i own alot of 9800GX2's (heating not an problem in my house now) don't need the heating on at all (more aircon at some points untill i got ducting done)

only resone i not buy the 4870 X2 is you cant turn off CF thats one + to Nvidia as you can if SLI for some resone gives lower perfomace or crash the game when on going to be building an 4870 dual setup for some one soon only seems to be one game that has the problem with CF (COD 5) and i think that is with i7 X58 mobos

I would like to have a go on Call Of Duty:World at War on that test setup + GTX295 for sheezy

My god, as usual, now I really really really don't have an idea what to buy -.-

Originally Posted by leexgx
i have allways prefered single power full GPUs never seem to have much luck with SLI (that past problem seems down to the motherboard now as my old 980GX2 i just put back in for an test seems to work flawless but i have only tested one game thought heh)

as folding i own alot of 9800GX2's (heating not an problem in my house now) don't need the heating on at all (more aircon at some points untill i got ducting done)

only resone i not buy the 4870 X2 is you cant turn off CF thats one + to Nvidia as you can if SLI for some resone gives lower perfomace or crash the game when on going to be building an 4870 dual setup for some one soon only seems to be one game that has the problem with CF (COD 5) and i think that is with i7 X58 mobos

I am fairly sure you can disable one core on the 4870X2. It might not be pretty, but you can do it. In fact, can it not be done from CCC?

Anyway, I am just going to echo what everyone else has said; not impressed. It has taken nVidia almost half a year to release a card that barely beats the X2 two fiths of the time, loses two fifths of the time, and floors it one fifth of the time. And the whole thing is a "superglu SLI" job as with the GX2 (great term whoever thought that one up). Sure, if it is cheaper than the X2 then it is no doubt a great card, but I was expecting a bit more from the kings from the last few years. Clearly the 8 Series made them lazy. I think it has hit them that they can't just rename cards and sell everyone old stuff anymore; ATI is back and taking numbers.

yeah I'd save my money.. this is the same tactics nvidia pulled all last year- just waiting for ati's next card and gonna go that route with the i7