NVIDIA is launching today their newest version of GeForce GTX 260 with 216 processors instead of 192 to better compete with the Radeon HD 4870. In fact NVIDIA is pitching to websites that this new GeForce GTX 260 is faster than the Radeon HD 4870 for the top latest games released recently. This refresh as we can somehow call it, comes right in time for the shopping period and brings back great performance to the NVIDIA camp to gain the hearts the gamers. And of course NVIDIA wants to show that with the newest games that are just released in combination with their new GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 graphics card which will bump the gaming experience and performance. - Hardware Secrets

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Cool Style Review

In our Radeon HD 4870 article we saw that the original GeForce GTX 260 and this ATI video card had the same performance level on most scenarios, with an advantage for the Radeon HD 4870 in the games. What NVIDIA wants now is to move this advantage to the new GeForce GTX 260. This new GeForce GTX 260 is identical to its older brother, with the only difference being the number of internal processors. Both run at the same clock rates. That is why we are not posting any pictures, as both cards are physically identical. The only difference is really the GPU that has extra stream processors enabled but that it really.

The Radeon HD 4870 had the advantage compared to the old GeForce GTX 260, but now the newest GeForce GTX 260 with 216 cores is the one that has the advantage. The Radeon HD 4870 was faster than the GeForce GTX 260 with 216 processors at only one single game, being Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Then comes pricing. Both cards can be found on the same price range, but some Radeon HD 4870's can be found a little bit lower at $230, but probably it is just a matter of time for the prices of this new release to drop a little bit as well. And that will surely come a bit after they have been on the market and more known.

Unless you can find a Radeon HD 4870 being sold today below $230 the new GeForce GTX 260 with 216 cores is certainly our recommendation if you have between $250 and $290 to spend on a video card. Of course if you are looking for a more affordable price range there are several other options on the market that will give you a better cost benefit ratio, like the Radeon HD 4850 and the Radeon HD 4830, depending on your budget. In summary, it is clear to us that NVIDIA successfully fixed the GeForce GTX 260 to correctly compete with the Radeon HD 4870, and that is proven with playing some of the latest game titles.

The only question now is how they and their partners will promote this newest product, since it has the exact same name of an older and slower product. And we simply hate when manufacturers release different products using the same name. It wouldn't be easy to consumers if they released this product as GeForce GTX 265 or something like that?