nVidia GTX 470 or 480?

[philnolan3d]

I'm looking to get a new video card in the near future. Specifically for 3D-Coat I could use as many GPU cores and as much RAM on it as possible. However it seems that there's a minimal spec. difference, but a huge price difference, between the 470 and 480. What do you guys think?

[Ghostdog]

thanks Phil you reminded me I forgot to do something important today.

I use an ATI4850 but have seen Octane renderer is 50% off at the moment so was thinking of getting myself a new card and trying out some GPU rendering...

Octane

Just posting the link in case it helps anyone, listening to thread for actual useful replies

[philnolan3d]

I've been looking at Octane too. I don't know though I really like the LightWave renderer. Looks like if you want Octane you'll have to switch to nVidia.

[lucpet]

I don't know about either as I could only justify getting a 9800gt mainly because I wanted Octane as well

so I got both instead of a GTX.

My theory is if you can afford it get it.

My setup is not that old, and I'm finding running all the recently updated software packages

is stressing my system, hence the new but older graphic card.

Future proof, maybe not, but delaying the inevitable while saving for the next best thing is the way to go IMHO

Luke

[Racush]

I currently run one 480GTX and it was a great improvement over my old 9800GTX+ just a warning though 3d coat still has some problems with them if you want CUDA but it still works fine with out CUDA. I have not run the 470 to really know how it stands up with a 480 but if you have the cash I would say go 480 as its well wroth the money.

[Laticis]

In short: go for the 480 if you can.

Been working with new custom built system ( 2 weeks old ).

I7960 / MSI GTX480 / 12G Ram / Win7 / GAX58UD5 MB - ( In heaven )

I have 1 problem with 3D Coat ( Cuda Crashes - Andrew is aware / awaiting a GPU for testing ) otherwise great.

( might have something to do with the new Fermi archi )

I run OCTANE Render on it no problems at all ( it has hit 92 degrees - and the only time she gets hot...

but Radiance @ Octane Render has been running them hot with no issues )

OCTANE uses CUDA

Octane is setup to use GPU's that are not in SLI...have a product on there site for

externaly housing GPU ( up to 4 of I believe )

Have had no issues with any other software. ( Vue, DS Studio, Hexagon, Carrara, ZBrush )

Would liked to have seen more RAM on the GTX480 ( 1536mb ) GTX470 ( 1280mb )

( 480 is worth the price difference - personal opionion of course )

Use the compare section from the link below:

http://www.nvidia.com/content/HelpMeChoose/fx2/HelpMeChoose.asp?lang=en-us

Still experimenting and learning...

[AbnRanger]

I don't see what the excitement is all about regarding the Octane Renderer, as it's very limited regarding what you can do with materials/shaders, and it doesn't render animations. You have to go through a ridiculous workaround to get an animation out of it. The render has to shut down and restart with each frame.

3ds Max 2011 has a new GPU/CPU hybrid renderer (QuickSilver)that has far, far fewer limitations...so, I'd be wasting my time and money with Octane. Same goes with Lightwave having FPrime that's just about as interactive without all the shader/material/animation limitations.

It may be nice for Blender folks who may not yet have a fast interactive renderer.

[Laticis]

I suppose the excitement about Octane Render would be the price. (Entry Level)

Still in beta development, hopefully this young program will have a bright future and the more we

can support developers like this the better. ( healthy future competition )

I would love to try / have access to 3D Max, Lightwave and other industry leaders but first I need to be able to afford it. ( this is of course a goal )

My latest step toward this was a PC designed to handle more than the basics.

I don't even try the demos just in case....

it's like pointless window shopping.

[geo_n]

For 60US I didnt hesitate. Its the price of a cheap rubber shoes.

Its the only affordable gpu unbiased renderer around.

[philnolan3d]

I'm not terribly excited by Octane, I'm just looking at it. But yeah, for $60 you could pick it up and then probably get cheap upgrades when it does handle animation.

Anyway back the 480, I would normally agree with the "if you can afford it buy it" thought, except that it's brand new and a lot more money than it's slightly shorter cousin, so I'd hate to see the price drop immediately after I bought it.

Also for those of you that run it, what kind of power supply do you have? I currently have a 650w Antec which is technically enough, but just barely. If I had to upgrade that it would be another expense.

[Laticis]

Hi Phil,

Your power supply should be fine though it is cutting it close. No option for SLI if required for the future.

I'm sure I read some where for 2 x GTX480 in SLI 800w PSU required. ( using Corsair 950w )

There is no such thing a future proofing but risks can be minimized.

As for how much the pricing will drop depends on the market, it was hard to get my hands on one in Australia

and I don't think they have flooded the market here yet.

I paid $ 841 AUS, a couple of weeks later found a site selling for them $ 750.00 but no stock.

Q: Does brand name make a difference to the finished product when it comes to GPU's ?

Have the GTX465 hit the market there yet ?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-465-us.html

[philnolan3d]

I was looking at these EVGA models:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130549 (470)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130552 (480)

Yes I see Newegg also has the 465 from various companies, all the same price. Newegg always seems to have the best deals I can find, I bought ll the parts in my current computer there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=nvidia+gtx+465&x=0&y=0

Of course I shouldn't get my hopes up until I actually start this new job and have some money.

[Jokermax]

i have evga 480 - its fast, has dx11 and tesselation etc. BUT - 3dcoat cuda does not run and it has some shadow filtering problems. I suggest waiting a month or so - it will get cheaper and better supported

[Racush]

I'm not terribly excited by Octane, I'm just looking at it. But yeah, for $60 you could pick it up and then probably get cheap upgrades when it does handle animation.

Anyway back the 480, I would normally agree with the "if you can afford it buy it" thought, except that it's brand new and a lot more money than it's slightly shorter cousin, so I'd hate to see the price drop immediately after I bought it.

Also for those of you that run it, what kind of power supply do you have? I currently have a 650w Antec which is technically enough, but just barely. If I had to upgrade that it would be another expense.

When I built this current system I grabbed a Antec 1000Watt power supply since at some point in time I wish to SLI this system (if lucky 3-way SLI) but you should be cool with the current setup you have now.

[Ghostdog]

Octane does have animation guys. Turntable & daylight/sun comes as spec + plugins available.

"Octane Render has built-in turntable and daylight simulation animation with true physically correct motion blur. "