4870 1GB or 4850 X2 2GB?

NightOps

NightOps

[H]ard|Gawd
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Aug 13, 2004
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Ok, I'm sure it's been asked... just figured I'd check:

Choice 1: SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

-- OR --

Choice 2: SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

-- OR --

Choice 3: SAPPHIRE 100260SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102813

There's a $90 difference...and a slim chance I'll actually run CrossFire. I've got a Dell 2408WFP that I'll be running on, @ 1920x1200 res. I'm currently using a Sapphire 4850 512MB card that it's doing great (IMO).

Also - If I get the 4850 X2 1GB version, can I run CrossFire 3-way with my existing 4850 512MB in a P5Q Pro? If so, would it be better to save the $30, get the 1GB 4850 X2, and have basically 3x 4850 512MB running than a single 4850 X2 2GB?

As additional background, I typically play CS:S, CoD W@W, and Crysis.
 
from different review i read, seem the 4850x2 has the best price/performance so get that. a single 4870 is not a significant upgrade.
 
s002wjh said:
from different review i read, seem the 4850x2 has the best price/performance so get that. a single 4870 is not a significant upgrade.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking. If the HD 4850 is serving him well about the only upgrade that makes sense would be the HD 4850 X2. There's not doubt the HD 4870 1GB would be better than what he has, but would it be worth the purchase price (for the smaller performance gain)?
 
x2


and unless you need it real quick, it usually goes down to about 240.00 with MIR every now and then.


4870 would be an upgrade, but not enough to justify 200.00 (IMO) but the performance of the x2 would be worth the 280.00


Have you considered just slapping in another 4850 ? what is your budget
 
4850 X2 is the better performer

expect to deal with possible driver issues if you pick up the 4850 X2 though
 
Udgnim said:
4850 X2 is the better performer

expect to deal with possible driver issues if you pick up the 4850 X2 though
Click to expand...

Haven't ran into any driver issues here, but w/ that resolution I would suggest the x2, the 2gb ram help w/ higher dpi and resolution
 
Another vote for the X2. If you can catch it via rebate on Amazon or Newegg when they rebates are running you can get an even better deal. Seen it as low as $280 on Newegg and as low as $250 on Amazon.
 
4870 1GB
Crysis does not scale well/at all with multi-GPUs (including 4850x2)
so if you want it because you want to play Crysis (or Warhead) at good quality, you would get a single 4850 performance.
That took my money away from x2, because any of these cards will handle most other games easily and the only game I really need the power is Crysis.
so --> 4870 1GB.
 
NightOps said:
Ok, I'm sure it's been asked... just figured I'd check:

Choice 1: SAPPHIRE 100270SR Radeon HD 4850 X2 2GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102809

-- OR --

Choice 2: SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

There's a $90 difference...and a slim chance I'll actually run CrossFire. I've got a Dell 2408WFP that I'll be running on, @ 1920x1200 res. I'm currently using a Sapphire 4850 512MB card that it's doing great (IMO).
Click to expand...

Wait until April 6th for the new ATI cards.

Then make your choice as to which ATI card to get
 
One word of caution. Be sure you have the space in your case if you get the 4850 X2 since it is actually longer than the 4870 X2.
 
Thanks for all the help guys. So far I'm leaning towards the 4850 X2. I'll add this to the top of my post as well - If I get the 4850 X2 1GB version, can I run CrossFire 3-way with my existing 4850 512MB in a P5Q Pro?
 
Get the 2GB version, not the 1GB. P5Q has 8X + 8X slot, I doubt that it would enough for 2 GPU in one slot.
 
4870 1GB
Crysis does not scale well/at all with multi-GPUs (including 4850x2)
so if you want it because you want to play Crysis (or Warhead) at good quality, you would get a single 4850 performance.
That took my money away from x2, because any of these cards will handle most other games easily and the only game I really need the power is Crysis.
so --> 4870 1GB.
Click to expand...


"does not scale well" just means that it doesn't SCALE WELL, meaning you will not get twice the performance or a major increase in a multiGPU config. You are trying to tell us that it would actually run WORSE ? I mean, to say it runs at single 4850 performance is crazy. (maybe it fits well with your nick :) )

here is anandtech's results on Crysis

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3517&p=8
 
If I get the 4850 X2 1GB version
Click to expand...


DO NOT GET THE 1GB VERSION.... for just a little more you can get the 2GB. you can still xfire it if you want.


but i think alg7 is right, the P5Q Pro will bump down to 8x on that 2nd PCI slot.
 
Um...I don't think you can CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 1GB...so why would I be able to CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 X2 2GB? Technically, the 4850 X2 2GB is simply 2x 4850 1GB's stuck together... Unless something changed with CF, I'm pretty certain you have to use video cards with same GPU and same framebuffer/RAM amounts.... right?
 
4850 X2 2GB. HOCP's review of the 1GB version is self-defeating, as the 4850 X2 doesn't really demonstrate its power until you enable AA and AF at 1920x1080 and higher. AA and AF need video memory, especially at those high resolutions.

The 4850 X2 with 2GB is nearly equal with the 4870 X2, consistently coming within 10fps on most benchmarks.
 
NightOps said:
Um...I don't think you can CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 1GB...so why would I be able to CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 X2 2GB? Technically, the 4850 X2 2GB is simply 2x 4850 1GB's stuck together... Unless something changed with CF, I'm pretty certain you have to use video cards with same GPU and same framebuffer/RAM amounts.... right?
Click to expand...



hmm, perhaps I am ignorant on that. I always thought it was only required to be of the same series.
 
NightOps said:
Um...I don't think you can CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 1GB...so why would I be able to CF a 4850 512MB and a 4850 X2 2GB? Technically, the 4850 X2 2GB is simply 2x 4850 1GB's stuck together... Unless something changed with CF, I'm pretty certain you have to use video cards with same GPU and same framebuffer/RAM amounts.... right?
Click to expand...

You can crossfire 1GB with 512MB but only 512MB will be used on the 1GB card.
 
yes like others said DO NOT GET THE 4850X2 1GB version, i heard the 1gb doesn't improve too much, so get the 2gb version
 
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