4870X2 or wait?

[NukeULater]

That is my question, should I purchase a 4870X2 or wait for the next gen cards? Currently I have a 1680x1050 monitor which I know is a bit of a waste on this card. But I only update my computer one in a while, so if I end up paying a bit more upfront I am okay with that.

My rigs specs are in my sig.

 

[Pretiacruento]

I say hold your horses... hold off until ATi releases their 5xxx series =)

 

[CruisD64]

That is my question, should I purchase a 4870X2 or wait for the next gen cards? Currently I have a 1680x1050 monitor which I know is a bit of a waste on this card. But I only update my computer one in a while, so if I end up paying a bit more upfront I am okay with that.

My rigs specs are in my sig.

Get a single 4890 1gb. You won't see a difference between that and a 4870x2 at 1680x1050. You can always crossfire the 4890 later.

 

[silent-circuit]

Get a single 4890 1gb. You won't see a difference between that and a 4870x2.

True. Draw is a lot lower too. Granted, if there's a chance you will get a new monitor any time soon, the 4870X2 (assuming used) wouldn't be much more, and it would be faster than a single 4890 at 1920x1200 or higher in most cases.

 

[NukeULater]

True. Draw is a lot lower too. Granted, if there's a chance you will get a new monitor any time soon, the 4870X2 (assuming used) wouldn't be much more, and it would be faster than a single 4890 at 1920x1200 or higher in most cases.

That is the thing, I do plan on upgrading my monitor some time soon. I'm thinking a 24 or 30 inch LCD.

 

[jerryrigged]

5xxx series? more explanation prease!

 

[silent-circuit]

That is the thing, I do plan on upgrading my monitor some time soon. I'm thinking a 24 or 30 inch LCD.

If a 24-28", pick up a used 4870X2 (people are acting like there's a fire sale with them lately) and don't look back.

If a 30", probably wait for the new cards if you can. 2560x1600 is a bitch.

5xxx series? more explanation prease!

ATI and Nvidia should have DX11 capable cards out in the next 3-6 months if rumors are to be believed.

 

[NukeULater]

Anyone else?

 

[criccio]

Most sensible ideas have all pretty much been given. Now its up to you.

 

[snowysnowcones]

Get a 4890. Even a 4890 will hold its own when you upgrade your monitor.

 

[NukeULater]

Most sensible ideas have all pretty much been given. Now its up to you.

Well thank you for the honest answers everyone. I'm still not sure what I am going to purchase. But I am leaning to the 4870X2.

 

[xxEIEIOxx]

I am very happy with my 4870x2 as of the 9.5 (or 9.6) drivers. You know you want one... The next gen will be expensive when it is new. And you will be CPU limited enough with the next gen it won't be worth it unless you upgrade everything else too. I am running 1920x1200 and it is great at this res, for 1680x1050 it really isn't worth waiting for something more powerful than this.

 

[bill_d]

i have a 30" monitor and 2 4890's they work well at 2560x1600 for most games but i will be getting 2 5870 or a 5870x2 so if you want a 30" lcd i would wait

 

[ripken204]

for 1680x1050 i think it would be stupid to get a 4870X2, a 4890 would do you plenty.
i only see the X2 cards being useful for multimonitor setups or really high resolutions.
i have a 4850X2 due to having 3 24" LCDs

 

[CruisD64]

4890 all the way. get rid of those crappy 8600's. Even with a 24" monitor it will serve you well. You have plenty of time before the next gen of cards come out.

 

[knothead34]

i would wait. sometimes the drivers for the new cards that come out can be flakey. you have plenty of time still before thinking of an upgrade.

 

[CruisD64]

i would wait. sometimes the drivers for the new cards that come out can be flakey. you have plenty of time still before thinking of an upgrade.

Isn't that backwards logic though? The fact that the next gen cards arent coming out for a while makes it more worth it to get a card now. That way you can enjoy have something top of the line longer since your other cards really aren't up to the task.

 

[AceGoober]

for 1680x1050 i think it would be stupid to get a 4870X2, a 4890 would do you plenty.
i only see the X2 cards being useful for multimonitor setups or really high resolutions.
i have a 4850X2 due to having 3 24" LCDs

True.

On the other hand, when he does upgrade his monitor he'll have the power their to support the higher resolutions.

The other benefit from getting a 4870x2 and only running at 1680 x 1050 is the fan noise is much, much lower in comparison when running a higher resolution such as 1920 x 1200.