Opinions - AMD vs. NVIDIA - who really won in HD 6850 and GTX 460 battle

[TheWizard]

[static]

Yeah but: PhysX, CUDA, 3D Vision, Linux support, Tessellation.

Rollo, out. [static]

PhysX and CUDA .... unless you are a developer and unless the games specifically utilize it there is no discernable difference - in fact I would argue that it is unnecessary features that bloat the price but does nothing for the average consumer.

Tessellation .... the new AMD cards have it.... Linux support? Seriously though this is just nitpicking at best; proprietory AMD drivers are very good.

Why don't we talk about Windows drivers by NVIDIA compared to AMD then? I am sorry but AMD/ATi proved they are moving with the times as opposed to NVIDIA who still parade their ugly Nvidia Control Panel interface as if it were 2006. And yes LOOKS do matter.

[Terbinator]

Snip...

I'm sorry, my post will be lost on the newer members too the forum - we had a rampant Nvidia fan boy on here not long ago who would of defended Nvidia to the bitter end.

[TheWizard]

I'm sorry, my post will be lost on the newer members too the forum - we had a rampant Nvidia fan boy on here not long ago who would of defended Nvidia to the bitter end.

I like to be an informed consumer. I have no use for Cuda, PhysX and certainly don't want to spend more on a card that requires more power, performs same or less than another card that draws less power and is slightly cheaper.

The last time Nvidia fit the bill was quite long ago...

EDIT: sorry I now understand what you meant.

[HalloweenJack]

Let's talk about Fermi's non availability for a month after "release", or the gtx 295 and 275 which had the worst availability of any cards ever. Short memory much halloweenjack?

The difference there was truly tiny release numbers, less than 10000 each. AMD had over 200k 6850/6870 cards this week and they all sold out in a day.

yes , we all know about fermi`s paper launch , but it would appear you`ve forgotton the red text again , since the 5870 and 5850 was totally unavailable on the lauch day >>http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=20366&page=2<< , as was the X1900 , the X800XTPE , unavailable for 2 months on there respective launches

both companys are as bad as each other , jimbo .

[TheWizard]

yes , we all know about fermi`s paper launch , but it would appear you`ve forgotton the red text again , since the 5870 and 5850 was totally unavailable on the lauch day >>http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=20366&page=2<< , as was the X1900 , the X800XTPE , unavailable for 2 months on there respective launches

both companys are as bad as each other , jimbo .

The question isn't whether or not the X1900 were available or whether the 58xx were available, rather it is whether or not the 460 were availabale compared to the 68xx.

[HalloweenJack]

actually he was commenting on launch availability and stating i have a short memory - i simply reminded him that AMD did exactly the same thing with the 58XX range, in fact - with NO cards on launch day or for a time afetrwards - its the worst launch oif a new product - EVER.

[Terbinator]

Meh.

I'm happy with my GTX 460 personally, if i need the extra power I'll overclock and get around 6870 performance at a lower initial cost and with very low temps and noise.

The main thing I'm asspained about is i got my card for £175 and now they've fallen in price so much I feel like I've got egg on my face.

Money, hole, pocket comes to mind.

[TheWizard]

actually he was commenting on launch availability and stating i have a short memory - i simply reminded him that AMD did exactly the same thing with the 58XX range, in fact - with NO cards on launch day or for a time afetrwards - its the worst launch oif a new product - EVER.

He was talking about the most recent NVIDIA launch whilst you are talking about ATi launches from previous years. What I am trying to say is compare the most recent NVIDIA launch and AMD launch. I will concede the point if you find that AMD have done the same as NVIDIA this time around.

[TooNice]

[...]in fact I would argue that it is unnecessary features that bloat the price but does nothing for the average consumer[...]

The 'average consumer' doesn't need a 460GTX, 6850 or the 6870 (etc). We are not average consumers, though that doesn't make our individual 'needs' the same either. You may find those features unnecessary, but another informed buyer may consider it a fair trade off. Anything other than price and performance (and even that varies from benchmarks) is entirely subjective. Case to the point, look of the control panel matters to you, but for me, that's so far behind PhysX, DX11, and other features I hardly "need" in the first place.

And to give another example, I am quite happy to pay a £20-30 premium or trade some performance for something much quieter than what's usually provided out of the box. But for many, what they get is good enough, quieter is better but not at that price premium (and yet for others, they may be even willing to take it further than me through various mods).

My point? I don't get the bickering at all. The reviews and numbers are there, and with most of us wanting to believe that we are sufficiently intelligent to form informed decisions, there is really no need to justify our decisions to others. The one who "really won" the battle is either us, for the competition, or whoever shift the most units or make the most profit depending company priority. I admit that I am a little curious about their little battle, hence my following up the steam hardware survey, but only as an observer.

[Jimbo75]

actually he was commenting on launch availability and stating i have a short memory - i simply reminded him that AMD did exactly the same thing with the 58XX range, in fact - with NO cards on launch day or for a time afetrwards - its the worst launch oif a new product - EVER.

The 5800's were selling as soon as they hit the shelves. You're confusing low availability with very high demand.

This is in stark contrast to Fermi, which was a total paper launch and became available in short supply a month later.

[Terbinator]

The 5800's were selling as soon as they hit the shelves. You're confusing low availability with very high demand.

This is in stark contrast to Fermi, which was a total paper launch and became available in short supply a month later.

AMD's 'reason' for putting up the price after launch was because they had no cards for anyone.

[Jimbo75]

AMD's 'reason' for putting up the price after launch was because they had no cards for anyone.

Which was due to TSMC's yield issues on 40nm.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20091030PD209.html

Check the dates. It really isn't AMD's fault when their chip manufacturer's yields go into the toilet for no reason.

This issue was fixed before Fermi's launch but that still paper launched after 9 months of reveals and "coming soon" from Nvidia. HalloweenJacks's comment that Evergreen was the worst launch ever is a total joke.

[Terbinator]

Which was due to TSMC's yield issues on 40nm.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20091030PD209.html

Check the dates. It really isn't AMD's fault when their chip manufacturer's yields go into the toilet for no reason.

Well thats open for debate, not one I'm interested in mind.

[nishanthan]

I think AMD wont this time because the price is at least £10 cheaper than GTX460. On top of the AMD drivers rox compare to nvidia becasue you have to use 3rd party software to overclock the card. how stupid is that? that why AMD is the real winner this time unless nvidia drpos the price down or release a new UI for their Drivers

[Jimbo75]

Well thats open for debate, not one I'm interested in mind.

It really isn't.

TSMC's 40nm chamber mismatch issues are well documented. This was a fault at TSMC which plagued them for over a year and had nothing to do with any of their customers designs.

[HalloweenJack]

The 5800's were selling as soon as they hit the shelves. You're confusing low availability with very high demand.

This is in stark contrast to Fermi, which was a total paper launch and became available in short supply a month later.

and why did you ignore hexus own review on the 58xx launch - the one i linked to? they stated , quite clearly , that NOTHING was available on launch day and for a period afterwards;

dont ignore facts when they dont suit you - makes you look stupid.