ZOTAC GeForce GTX 280 1GB AMP Video Card

Reviews: Hardware

Motherboards | Power Supplies | Memory | Systems | Video Cards

Author:
Editor:
Sponsor:
Published:

Max Slowik
Kurtis
Zotac
Jul. 15, 2008

Specifications

<< Previous

Home >>

Conclusion

This card is fast. It's as impressive as G80, King 8800 GTX was when it hit the shelves. And it's also controversial, probably more so. While G80 loved electricity, it's downright thrifty in hindsight. It was cooled quietly, with surprising overclocking flexibility. All that's gone with the GTX 280; all that's left is setting speed records. If it wasn't as fast as it is, people would come down hard against the 280.

It's the return of the $600--if you're lucky--video card. It will literally raise your household energy costs. It's freakishly loud, and it's just asking to make headlines setting fires. "Video Game Computer Kills Two, Destroys Apartment Complex." All that for some excellent gaming and video performance; that's just not going to make it valuable but for the power-mad few. Not like there's an alternative; getting dual HD 4870s will cost about the same and use just as much power.

That's not me calling this card stupid, it's not: this is a demonic machine, heavy and powerful. For the dudes with two, or three, and the power supply to match, enjoy your hereto impossible smooth 30" gaming bliss. And turn up the anti-aliasing in Crysis, because, yeah, you can now.

And why bother getting a stock-clocked card? Pick one like Zotac's Amp! Edition, it's not like it really costs more.

Pros

Fastest card on the market
Near-perfect video playback
AA, high-res, nothing will slow this card down

Cons

Hot, very, very hot
Setting new standards for "lots of power required" Not going to get one for less than six bills
And you can hear it through walls

<< Previous

Page 5 of 5

Home >>

Page 1: Introduction, The Card & Bundle, Specs & Setup
Page 2: DirectX 10 Titles
Page 3: DX9, OpenGL, and Synthetics
Page 4: Video, Power, and Overclocking
Page 5: Conclusion

Subscribe to Video Cards [more info]

Add Comment

2 User Comments

1 - Posted by aireiq on July 16, 2008 - 10:28 pm

> The enameled carapace is flanged and enameled...

I guess they call that truth in advertising....

2 - Posted by Blackened on July 17, 2008 - 12:39 pm

As of the publishing of this article you can find the GTX280 for roughly $470. At $600 this card is too expensive, but at the current price this card is a beast.

Add Comment

To add a comment without being a member, you may omit the password field, but you must enter your name (or nickname) along with your comment. * Denotes required fields.