x2 4850 or 1x 4870?

[Ral3l3it]

Ok I am in need of a new card I could get 2 4850's and CF them or get 1 4870. How much of a difference is there between the 2 setups performance wise and what is the better deal?

[perkam]

Both setups will run well. The HD 4850 in xfire should be ideal, though. (Over single card 4870 that is)

Perkam

[Big.Wayne]

Hey Ral3l3it, get yourself a cool drink and hit gOOgle, there are dozens of good reviews up with graphs and benches to help you decide!

[Solus Corvus]

The best answer partly depends on other factors, such as what motherboard you are running.

[Big.Wayne]

Hey I just wondered, whats the best price you Yankees have for a HD4850 and a HD4870 please?

Has it panned out to be $199 and $299 dollar parts or?

Kinda ties in with Ral3l3it's question but I wanted to consider it from a dollar point of view!

[Heretic]

4850s can/could be had for as low as $150 after rebate. 4870 is still about $300 everywhere.

[Big.Wayne]

$150 dollars for a brand new HD4850! :eek:

That seems to make the arguement for two of those vs a single HD4870 alot harder!

Here in the UK the prices are as follows:

Radeon HD4850= between $358.81 to $468.42

Radeon HD4870= between $245.90 to $279.07

You cannot get Crossfired HD4870's for less than $717.612 anywhere here! Some people who don't know any better have been buying this bundle!

HIS ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 Crossfire Bundle
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5917/bu001oe400ys4.jpg (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-001-OE&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=939&name=HIS%20ATI%20Radeon%20HD%204870%20512MB%20GDDR 5%20TV-Out/Dual%20DVI/HDMI%20(PCI-Express)%20-%20Crossfire%20Bundle)
$854.95

[Ral3l3it]

I am running an X48 chip set motherboard and the card will be displaying on a 37 inch Olevia TV so would I be better off with the 2 4850's for the extra memory and FPS since I am going to be running off the 37 inch?

[Solus Corvus]

The crossfire 4850s would give better FPS. Usable memory isn't doubled in crossfire, but you would still wind up with more effective GPU power.

What resolution is the TV, 1920x1080?

[Big.Wayne]

the card will be displaying on a 37 inch Olevia TV so would I be better off with the 2 4850's for the extra memory and FPS since I am going to be running off the 37 inch?It's not so much the screen size in inches but more the resolution you will be running at. If you linking in to the TV via HDMI then I'm guessing that resolution would be 1920x1080 (Full HD) . . . so if thats correct you have a good case for buying the best graphic set-up u can afford.

Hit the reviews my man, I didn't pay enough attention to the crossfired results soz!

[Ral3l3it]

resolution is 1920x1080 with an HDMI cable.

[STEvil]

You might do better to wait on 4870 1GB

[Big.Wayne]

Ah the waiting game!!!!

The 1GB GDDR5 HD4870 certainly holds appeal but what will it cost?

I'm curious to see what nVidia will do in response to the launch of the new Radeons? some are predicting a cut throat price war!

[Rickpatbrown]

Nvidia can't afford to charge much less for their cards. The huge GPU makes it too expensive to make.

I pulled the trigger on two 4850's for $330 after rebates. This includes a game as well. I should have just gone with one card. I'm sure I can play whatever I want on one card, but crossfire 4850's for $330 which blows away a 400$ card . . . I couldn't resist. I'll have to buy a new monitor though to really be able to show these puppies off. I'm using a 22" LCD at 1680x1050 currently.

[Heretic]

The 1gb 4870 will probably have a $30-$50 premium over the 512 version. In games where CF actually scales, the 4850s will easily outperform the 4870 by a nice margin. The games where CF doesn't scale is the only reason I can't universally recommend it.

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

just get 1 4870 512 or wait for 1gb. dont buy 2 4850s which has 0 upgrade ability. Once 4870s get rebates later on your second 4870 is only gonna cost you 230-250 and you will most definitely get better performance from 2x4870 than 2x4850 :up::rolleyes:

[Ral3l3it]

were can I get a 4870 seems like every one is sold out atm....

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

im calling newegg later today to discuss the RMA of my HIS 4870 (long story, not a common issue) and this discussion with them will most definitely involve a discussion of when cards will be in stock. hopefully i can get some good info for everyone

[xMrBunglex]

i talked to a Newegg customer service rep on friday and they said the 4870's would be back in stock on June 30. so start hitting the refresh button on your browser if you want one :P

[Ral3l3it]

when does newegg update there stocks?

[cabbspapp]

You could always grab one 4870 now and a second one later when they get cheaper and games get more demanding.

[Heretic]

Also try fxvideocards
http://fxvideocards.com/VisionTek-Radeon-HD-4870-512MB-GDDR5-PCI-Express-2.0-Video-Card-Retail-Box-p-16394.html ETA of 7-1 and about $10 less than newegg after shipping. Unless you need one immediately that is...

[Logos4]

Hey Ral3l3it, get yourself a cool drink and hit gOOgle, there are dozens of good reviews up with graphs and benches to help you decide!

and XS forum users' opinion is not interesting or what ? Sounds like you registered yourself :D

[zfactor]

man you ugys have me wondering if i should have waited for the 4870's instead of the pair of 4850's i ordered

[snipper_cr]

I've been hitting F5 at newegg for a little bit now. They keep coming in and out of stock. At one point, the Sapphire came in stock (noticed when kept refreshing wish list) but clicking link shows out of stock. When list all 5 4870's some list as in stock, others do not. However, after you click the link they still show out of stock (refreshing/clearing cookies etc).

edit: It looks like they finally sorted it out - The HIS one is now the one in stock and links work. By the time I decided if I want to drop the money for this (and a new system, see sig) it will run out of stock.

[Ral3l3it]

Yea I set my clock to go off every hour this morning till I saw these cards get in stock. I managed to snag a HIS one and am very happy about it.

[snipper_cr]

good job. Already they are sold out (even though an ETA of today).
I also saw the Visiontek one around for a little bit but that might have been an error on newegg.