A 9800GX2 on a single chip is one easy way to look at the GTX280. 240 SPs, a 512-bit memory interface, support for PhysX and GPGPU means that the GTX280 is right up there performance wise with two 9800GTs (9800GX2). Pricing of the new card is set at $649, bringing to mind the earlier days of the 8800GTX launch. With the launch of ATI’s competing cards the HD4870X2, HD4870 and 4850 coming in the next few weeks buying a new graphics card has never been more exciting as each of these cards will offer performance improvements over the current generation video cards from the respective camps.

The XFX GTX280 is the fastest single chip graphics card I’ve ever tested to date. So fast, in fact that in some situations it was twice as fast as an overclocked 9800GTX card which was the last fastest single chip card previously, especially with AA and AF turned on. In combination with two other GTX GTX280 cards, the Tri-SLI solution should outclass any two card solution out there, possibly including two “HD4870X2” cards. Once NVIDIA releases the PhysX driver in the upcoming weeks we’ll immediately see games with more Physics which is a good thing. This is the Gamers Gold card of the moment as it excels in everything across the board.