4850 1GB/512MB or 4870? Upgrade for Left 4 Dead

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leward

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Sep 1, 2008
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My system is 2 years old (with minor upgrades), specs:

C2D E6600 2.4GHz
ATI X1900 GT
4GB DDR2-800
Gigabyte GA-P965-DQ6
2x 250GB in RAID0
700w PSU
Vista Business 64-bit

I am getting Left 4 Dead and I likely need to upgrade the GPU to get a descent experience. I normally play games on my PS3 but I wanted this game and I prefer to play shooters on the PC.

I am strictly looking for ATI cards, and I am looking at the 4850 512MB or 1GB or the 4870 512MB. All these cards are priced pretty good now with rebates and such. I don't want to overspend, budget is a concern.

What I really wanted to know is whether the extra memory of the 1GB on the 4850 is beneficial in Left 4 Dead as that card and the 4870 512MB are the same price right now on Newegg. The other kicker is that I use a 17" lcd so the resolution is only 1280x1024. I may consider upgrading the monitor, as I've used this monitor since May 2002 (back when it cost me $600 no less) and I would like to upgrade to a larger screen, but no guarantees this will happen.

I am not upgrading the PC, even though I realize that it has aged. I can't justify the cost of upgrading right now, I really need to wait until after I graduate college and have a permanent job ;).

I appreciate any advice...
 
If I was you for that rez I would go for a 4850 512. Only go for a 4870 if you'll be upgrading your monitor with in a year or so.

Here is a review of performance for modern video cards: http://www.amdzone.com/index.php/reviews/62/10776-left-4-dead

Anyway overclock that CPU. You'll see a nice boost at that resolution.

On top of that. L4D engine is made for play ability on many systems. I max the game out on my 8800 GTS 512 @ 16x10 with 16xQ which is easily playable. A 4850 should have no issue doing it. 1GB would be a waste imo.
 
+1 on OC'ing that e6600, lots of potential!

+2 or 3? on the 4850 512mb, preferably one of the non-referance HSF design.
 
Thanks guys!

I went ahead and got the 4850 512mb and I will see about overclocking the system a little bit. I had 4GB by way of 4x 1GB sticks, but I also bought 2x 2GB so I can overclock easier, since I know that having all the slots full isn't the best idea.
 
I have a 4850/512MB and run L4D at 1920x1200 with quite high settings and still get good frame rates.
 
stevedave said:
4850 is the best buy, but if you want to save some cash a 3850 could be had for 50 bucks after rebate and it should be able max out or come close to maxing out the game at that low res.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103051
Click to expand...

A 3850 would be a bit on the weak side for 1680x1050 if he wants AA (and who doesn't?) or wants to play anything other than Left 4 Dead.

@Op: While I'm all for justifying upgrades, your X1900 could most likely have played Left 4 Dead at near maxed settings (or at least very near maxed), even at 1680x1050, just not with AA. Regardless, I'm sure you'll love the 4850, its a beast :)
 
kllrnohj said:
A 3850 would be a bit on the weak side for 1680x1050 if he wants AA (and who doesn't?) or wants to play anything other than Left 4 Dead.

@Op: While I'm all for justifying upgrades, your X1900 could most likely have played Left 4 Dead at near maxed settings (or at least very near maxed), even at 1680x1050, just not with AA. Regardless, I'm sure you'll love the 4850, its a beast :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, but for $140 after rebate and I also get Rainbow Six Vegas 2 for free, might as well get it while I can.
 
I have a very similiar system and L4D plays well. My E6600 clocked at 3.6, ATI 4850, 1680x1050, almost everything maxed.
 
I had an E6600 OCed to 3.4 with 2x4850 CF and it ran L4D 2560x1600 with 2x AA, 4x AF, 40 minimum frames ;) Source engine is more CPU heavy than GPU heavy IMO
 
I have no probelms maxing out L4D with AA on my 4850 running at 1920x1200. The card is performing quite well at this resolution. I thought I'd have to upgrade right away when I got my 24" but it's more than good enough for me to hold out for a next gen card.

At 1280x1024, the only games that you won't be able to max out would be Crysis and Stalker: Clear Sky
 
4850 512MB. You really don't need much for Left for Dead. My friend's 6800 ran it at 1280x1024...but I don't know what the settings were. The 4850 is miles better so you'll be fine.
 
RamonGTP said:
At 1280x1024, the only games that you won't be able to max out would be Crysis and Stalker: Clear Sky
Click to expand...

Actually, I am able to play Crysis using the custom Ultra High DX10 config at 1280x1024 just fine - looks better than Very High and is quite playable. I suspect Stalker: CS won't be any more demanding, but I have yet to try it. Been too busy playing Left 4 Dead, lol :)
 
I dont know what the custom ultra high consists of, but I know setting everything to ultra high when I had my 19" resulted in frame rates in the teens. Not playable for me.
 
With my build (in sig) I am running L4D completely maxed out, 4x AA, at 1920x1200 without a problem. Never slows down.

If you can't do Xfire 4850 512MB, (1) 4850 1GB will do great.
 
I use a 4850 on a 1280*1024 17" monitor as well. It takes a lot to get it to drop from 75fps w/ v sync. Only drop comes from the crash in Dead Air.
 
Biskquik said:
I use a 4850 on a 1280*1024 17" monitor as well. It takes a lot to get it to drop from 75fps w/ v sync. Only drop comes from the crash in Dead Air.
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when you turn vsync on, did u experience input lag?

I have a weird input delay when I have vsync on :S

I have a 4870CF
 
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