New Video Card advice

D

DarkDonut

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Messages
302
I searched around a bit and couldn't really find a specific answer for my specific question concerning a new video card purchase so here goes.

I'm looking to get a new card that will play WoW, Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3 down the road, at maxed settings with all the AA/AF I want at 1680x1050 resolution. Also, I'd prefer a card I could also double down the road for better performance at 1900x1200 as I may end up getting a better monitor sometime next year.

I was looking at the 4850x2 reviews but it was mentioned that it wouldn't be as good a value if I'm only gaming at 1680x1050. Anyone have suggestions? Should i go with a 4870 single card? What nV cards are good right now? I haven't used nvidia since the GeForce 4600.

My new comp is most likely going to be quadcore, 4gb ram.
 
I would say 4870 or a GTX260 (216SP) if you go sli i would say get the GTX260 and then you sli later on. or if you plan on doing Crossfire later go the 4870 card. but thats just me. i had a 9800GTX oc/ed to 800/2000/2400 and it ran out my games maxxed out on 1680x1050. if you go sli get GTX260 if you go CF get the 4870. both cards would work for your rez of 1680x1050
 
If you are interested in HD 4870, get the 1GB edition. HD 4850 X2 is just $319 shipped without any rebate so if you have the money, I don't see why not just get the card. Btw there is no reason not to go for 8GB if it is DDR2. I would get a HD 4870 1GB or GTX 260 core 216 with 8GB RAM if you don't have the money instead of spending it all on the HD 4850 X2.
 
DarkDonut said:
I searched around a bit and couldn't really find a specific answer for my specific question concerning a new video card purchase so here goes.

I'm looking to get a new card that will play WoW, Starcraft 2, and Diablo 3 down the road, at maxed settings with all the AA/AF I want at 1680x1050 resolution. Also, I'd prefer a card I could also double down the road for better performance at 1900x1200 as I may end up getting a better monitor sometime next year.

I was looking at the 4850x2 reviews but it was mentioned that it wouldn't be as good a value if I'm only gaming at 1680x1050. Anyone have suggestions? Should i go with a 4870 single card? What nV cards are good right now? I haven't used nvidia since the GeForce 4600.

My new comp is most likely going to be quadcore, 4gb ram.
Click to expand...

Using one of those cards in the system in your sig or something else? A single card would be fine for 1680x1050, IMO I'd go for the 4870, they are going for cheap now. But also keep in mind, those games are a year away, a lot of new things will come out between now and then.

Now if you are really running a P4, a video card upgrade should be the last thing you're thinking about.
 
I just bought a pair of 4830's, waiting for the crossfire bridge to arrive..
on sale at newegg for


$129.99
Your Price: $99.99
With Promo Code
EMCBCBKDB
$89.99 After $10.00 Mail-In Rebate
 
I did mention I'm building a new quadcore system soon, when i get tax return :D so yes this will be in a new system

I am kinda weary about going back to nvidia, especially with all the driver problems i heard about with vista. I'll look up some single 4870 card reviews and see how it looks.
 
DarkDonut said:
I did mention I'm building a new quadcore system soon, when i get tax return :D so yes this will be in a new system

I am kinda weary about going back to nvidia, especially with all the driver problems i heard about with vista. I'll look up some single 4870 card reviews and see how it looks.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I'm the opposite, I always have problems with ATI drivers and that somewhat drove my decision to buy my GTX260.
 
Well, i have some input for yah... I just ordered a 4850x2 2gb off amazon today for $319.00 (They just upped the price to $329). I'd recommend the 4850x2 at your resolution because at this price point it is the best bang for your buck... Here's a review that uses both Nvidia's new drivers as well as AMD's new drivers; take a look. Also, take note that the 4850x2 tested is the 1gb version not the 2gb version.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sapphire_radeon_4850_x2_review/page4.asp

In this review it shows that with this new driver the performance of the 4850x2 is better then that of the gtx 280 most of the time... That being said your paying what <=$80 more than either a gtx 260 core 216/4870 1gb for a card that performs better then a gtx280.... Seems to be rather a no brainer to me. Oh and the link to the Amazon sale is below (free shipping too).

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rade...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229663927&sr=1-5
 
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Sherloc said:
Well, i have some input for yah... I just ordered a 4850x2 2gb off amazon today for $319.00 (They just upped the price to $329). I'd recommend the 4850x2 at your resolution because at this price point it is the best bang for your buck... Here's a review that uses both Nvidia's new drivers as well as AMD's new drivers; take a look. Also, take note that the 4850x2 tested is the 1gb version not the 2gb version.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sapphire_radeon_4850_x2_review/page4.asp

In this review it shows that with this new driver the performance of the 4850x2 is better then that of the gtx 280 most of the time... That being said your paying what <=$80 more than either a gtx 260 core 216/4870 1gb for a card that performs better then a gtx280.... Seems to be rather a no brainer to me. Oh and the link to the Amazon sale is below (free shipping too).

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Rade...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229663927&sr=1-5
Click to expand...
damn thats a great deal, too bad i live in canada =(
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Go with the GTX 260 216sp. Don't go with sli or crossfire because at that resolution it is useless and crossfire and sli both have microstuttering and if a game doesn't support crossfire or sli than you only will be able to utilize one of the graphics cards.
 
Well, from what i've read AMD has put a lot of effort into perfecting crossfire due to the fact that their new strategy is mostly going to be dual chips per card on the upper range.
 
so the 4850x2 2gb is looking pretty good for gaming

how about HD movie playback?

I watch a lot of mkv and other highres movie formats on my HDTV that I also use as my extended desktop. Will the 4850x2 be a good choice for that as well? I'd assume it will do good since my x800 pro can do it and its practically ancient at this point.
 
DarkDonut said:
so the 4850x2 2gb is looking pretty good for gaming

how about HD movie playback?

I watch a lot of mkv and other highres movie formats on my HDTV that I also use as my extended desktop. Will the 4850x2 be a good choice for that as well? I'd assume it will do good since my x800 pro can do it and its practically ancient at this point.
Click to expand...

It could handle that easily.
 
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