Which GFX card.

[kirstar]

I am looking at replacing my aging system and I am planing to go for an Phenom II x4 black 955 + the Gigabyte GA-MA790FXT-UD5P

Now my question is, do I go for an HD 4870 or a GTX 260 ?

Also the last time I purchased a new gfx card was a ti4200 64mb rather than the 128mb version. Is there the same sillyness now ? buy the lower end card with less memory and get a better card ?

 

[Fenris]

Well they are both nearly exactly the same, both beat the other in differant games.

My advice would be to read some reviews and see how they perform in the games you play or are most likely to play and then buy the cheapest of that card. Both can be had for around £100, though the 260 is aa bit more expensive it's only by about £10. Both great cards, you will not be dissapointed whatever you decide on.

What res is your display by the way?

Memory isn't a problem, only ATI really does 512 and 1Gb versions any Nvid don't tend to have differant memory cards, basicaly more memory = better performance at higher resolutions, however I would say never eevn bother with a 512 card any more, just get the 1GB incase you ever want to upgrade the monitor.

 

[kirstar]

Because of budget limitations I will need to keep my existng 19" CRT's (high end for their time though). Ky kids and sticky fingers do not work well with TFT's
Max res would be 1600x1200

 

[Fenris]

Because of budget limitations I will need to keep my existng 19" CRT's (high end for their time though). Ky kids and sticky fingers do not work well with TFT's
Max res would be 1600x1200

Thats fine, as I said then get which ever you think is the most appropriate.

If you game get which ever plays best in those games and if you don't game get the cheapest one.

Basicaly one of these I would say:

Palit GeForce GTX 260

HIS ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB

 

[SfnX]

4870 full stop, from all the benchmarks for each card the 4870 just edges ahead!

 

[Fenris]

4870 full stop, from all the benchmarks for each card the 4870 just edges ahead!

Thats a bit sensationalist don't you think?

It's also wrong.

 

[nheather]

I have just bought a PowerColor 4890 when it was £121.

This now has a none reference cooler that is pretty quite and seems to keep the temps low.

For the extra £17 I would have recommended that over the 4870.

Unfortunately, the 'this week only' deal is over so it is back upto £127 but I would still consider that.

Or by a second hand 4890 for around £100 - plenty are beginning to pop up.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[AMG]

at lower res last time I looked the GTX260 was actruly ahead of the HD4870 than at HD and beyond than its the HD4870 but the gap is like 1% so close enough I would say neck and neck imo

this was months ago btw

 

[bledd]

get the 260

 

[Ritsugamesh]

They are pretty much level pegging, in honesty; go with whichever provides you with the best value. The 4890's are coming pretty low price wise and will outperform both the 260 and 4870, so give that a look.

Either way, you won't be disappointed with either card, though the 1gb of mem for your gpu sounds like a good idea.

 

[kylew]

4870 is better value, they're both about even, so you'd be best with a 4870.

 

[kirstar]

Thanks guys

 

[bledd]

imo, the nvidia cards have the edge in the games that really push both cards..

ie Crysis, GTA4


Crysis/GTA4 can be unplayable in some situations on ATI.


games where ati 'win', nvidia do very well in anyway, ie L4D/TF2 etc



This is why I chose a 260

 

[kirstar]

Well I have decided on the HD4890

 

[Fenris]

Well I have decided on the HD4890

Nice.


However, wait until October and pick a 4890 off of the MM, will be cheap as chips with people replacing them for 5870's.

Hell you may even end up with mine.

 

[kirstar]

Could I pick up a 2nd in October and crossfire them or would they need to match exactly ?

I pciked up min HD4890 for £123 NIB from a friend.

 

[Fenris]

Could I pick up a 2nd in October and crossfire them or would they need to match exactly ?

I pciked up min HD4890 for £123 NIB from a friend.

Oh, well then doesn't matter, probably won't go lower than 100 anyway.

Yes you can pick one up for CF, they don't need to match at call, most people usualy get the same cards due to clock reasons, so just look for something that is mostly the same.

 

[fizzle-187]

Get a 4890. Beats them both.

 

[Fenris]

Get a 4890. Beats them both.

He already did.