What Card to Buy? [Archive] - techPowerUp! Forums

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 04:20 PM

HTC

06-16-2008, 04:36 PM

Hey, I'm in a bit of a pickle. I need a card within the next 2 weeks, and I'm considering waiting for the HD4870. The question is, is it possible to get one on the 23?...if so I'm staying up till NCIX releases them for sale, then buying it with overnight shipping:laugh:. But, the main question is, should I:

A: Buy 2 3870's for some Crossy action:p
B: Try my hardest to pick up a HD3870X2
C: Wait for the HD4870 to launch sometime Monday mourning

Keep in mind that I game at 1280x1024, and when I upgrade my monitor...I'll be throwing a new videocard in anyway.

Whatever you end up choosing, wait for the 4870 to arrive so that the prices of the other cards drop: they're supposed to, no?

In theory, the 4870 should be your best bet plus you wouldn't need to upgrade it when you upgrade your monitor: instead, just buy another 4870.

On the other hand, if you want to throw away some cash, you could buy a 3870x2 (after 4870 is released) and when you upgrade your monitor, you can upgrade your card as well.

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 04:42 PM

HTC

06-16-2008, 04:43 PM

ATM I'm really thinkin 2 3870's, cause I need two cards for this fall. So now I'm thinking, buy 2 3870's(One for my brother, one for HTPC....yes, it will be doing some gaming)...then in the fall, buy a mature 4870X2, price will be better, and drivers will be nice....How bout that?

That card wasn't in your poll options :twitch:

EDIT

Also, you didn't mention you needed cards for 2 computers ...:twitch:

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 04:50 PM

That card wasn't in your poll options :twitch:

EDIT

Also, you didn't mention you needed cards for 2 computers ...:twitch:

Yea, sorry:o...I just got thinkin.

See, me+dad are building a HTPC later this year, and brother has a little 2400Pro...So, I'm thinking this is the way to go.

HTC

06-16-2008, 04:53 PM

Yea, sorry:o...I just got thinkin.

See, me+dad are building a HTPC later this year, and brother has a little 2400Pro...So, I'm thinking this is the way to go.

If you can afford it, go with 2 * 4870.

Later on, if you need to upgrade your card, upgrade the one in the HTPC and get the 4870 in the other rig for some CF action: sounds like a plan to me, wouldn't you agree?

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 04:56 PM

If you can afford it, go with 2 * 4870.

Later on, if you need to upgrade your card, upgrade the one in the HTPC and get the 4870 in the other rig for some CF action: sounds like a plan to me, wouldn't you agree?

Don't even really have enough for 1 4870:o, no chance of 2:(

And, I would have to upgrade my PSU...which is more money I don't have

HTC

06-16-2008, 05:00 PM

Don't even really have enough for 1 4870:o, no chance of 2:(

And, I would have to upgrade my PSU...which is more money I don't have

I thought you would have, @ least for one because of this:

Keep in mind that I game at 1280x1024, and when I upgrade my monitor...I'll be throwing a new videocard in anyway.

This being the case, get 2 * 3870.

JrRacinFan

06-16-2008, 05:11 PM

No offense Urb, I've learned the hard way. No matter what you get they are all going to be proc bottlenecked anyways. Wait for HD4k tho, Then decide.

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 05:24 PM

@HTC: Yea, but I mean't later this year...like, end of Summer/Fall, don't have a job yet:o

@Jr: Yarr, buying next Monday:p

yogurt_21

06-16-2008, 09:42 PM

I say wait for the 4870 to launch and then buy whats got the best price/performance ratio. as when new cards come out, the old ones get cheaper.

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 09:50 PM

I say wait for the 4870 to launch and then buy whats got the best price/performance ratio. as when new cards come out, the old ones get cheaper.

I'll be buying used:p...So it's either nflesher's 3870's or posibly a 4870

dark2099

06-16-2008, 09:52 PM

I would say go with nfleshers's 3870's since getting a used 4870 will probably be hard to do, especially for a price that is as good as nflesher's.

Urbklr

06-16-2008, 10:24 PM

No, I meant I'm going used with the 3870's....If 4870's are way worth the money, I'll try and get one, within seconds of coming on sale:)

Haz197

06-17-2008, 04:46 PM

Urbklr

06-17-2008, 07:57 PM

hmmm ... I though all the reds were scousers ??

You've not even mentioned G92 ?? Its faster than RV670 and by the looks of things isn't that far behind RV770.

I get just over 16k in 06 @ 3.6/1000 with my g92GTS @ 800/2000/2200 but the RV770 only gets like 15k .... at least I think thats what I read :)

Why not get a cheap 8800gts, £75 or so, volt mod it (can be done without soldering, mine is) and blast every single GPU out there .... apart from the gt200s of course :P

Will run everything this year and probably next year as well !!

Edit : nvm, didn't realise you were from the land of T&P .... Its not even a real country anyway :P

Lawl, no Nvidia's please. I prefer ATi, better IQ, better drivers, similar performance(soon to be more;)), and great dual/tri/quad gpu support.

Yep, Canadian's love their ATi:)...Could care less about AMD, I<3them, but they gotta get their heads out of their a**'s:shadedshu

JrRacinFan

06-17-2008, 08:18 PM

Oh don't worry Urb, I reported his trolling acts. I do have to say you are making a wise decision though. :)

Urbklr

06-17-2008, 08:27 PM

Oh don't worry Urb, I reported his trolling acts. I do have to say you are making a wise decision though. :)

Haha, thanks:)

I must say, I'm on the wall with card thou. Comes down to the first 4870 bench...If it wrecks, It'll be mine first minute it is out:p. If not, I'll go dual 3870's:D

JrRacinFan

06-17-2008, 08:28 PM

Im tellin you tho man, single HD3870. They are "WOWOMG".

Urbklr

06-17-2008, 08:30 PM

Im tellin you tho man, single HD3870. They are "WOWOMG".

Meh, I'm comin from a HD2900XT, which is mostly faster:p

oli_ramsay

06-17-2008, 08:40 PM

why not xfire 2 4870s when they arrive?

p_o_s_pc

06-17-2008, 08:43 PM

what happened to the card you had before? Why not get 2 4850

Urbklr

06-17-2008, 08:49 PM

what happened to the card you had before? Why not get 2 4850

I'm not made of money guys:p
2x3870's= About 300
4870= About 350+tax+shipping=425
2x4850's= About 400+

I sold my 2900XT, in preparation of the HD4xxx series....or if they weren't steller, 2x3870's:p

@Oli, 1: Can't afford
2: They require 4xPCI-e plugs...would need new PSU:o

p_o_s_pc

06-17-2008, 09:00 PM

get 2 4850s then if you can it will be faster then 2 3870s

WTF am i doing here when i should be putting the OCZ ram in my rig...

PVTCaboose1337

06-17-2008, 09:09 PM

I do wait, and if you cannot afford a 4870, then get a 4850.

Haz197

06-18-2008, 10:40 AM

Lawl, no Nvidia's please. I prefer ATi, better IQ, better drivers, similar performance(soon to be more;)), and great dual/tri/quad gpu support.

Yep, Canadian's love their ATi:)...Could care less about AMD, I<3them, but they gotta get their heads out of their a**'s:shadedshu

I must admit I'm mighty tempted to get the r700 myself, always been a red, ever since my 9700pro :) .... Agreed bout AMD !!

Haz197

06-18-2008, 10:47 AM

Oh don't worry Urb, I reported his trolling acts. I do have to say you are making a wise decision though. :)

give ur head a wobble dude, lol !

How is offering an alternative trolling? You trying to say that I'm full of shit?

My overclock on a £150 card with £5 worth of maplin junk and a multimeter:

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/9016/34466227gj1.th.jpg (http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=34466227gj1.jpg)

http://service.futuremark.com/compare?3dm06=6488896

He might not have been aware of the price-performance ratio of the older G92 cards ?? ...... which is very good atm, especially with a quick and easy solderless volt mod.

I'd say ur comment is trolling m8, just posting for a bit of attention without any real substance, attempting, and suceeding, to antagonise ....... :P

Urbklr

06-18-2008, 12:58 PM

He might not have been aware of the price-performance ratio of the older G92 cards ?? ...... which is very good atm, especially with a quick and easy solderless volt mod.

I'm well aware of the price-performance ratio, I'm just not using Nvidia, that simple.

Haz197

06-18-2008, 02:59 PM

I'm well aware of the price-performance ratio, I'm just not using Nvidia, that simple.

m8 ..... rof........I was making some what of a rhetorical statement, you know ??? ..... wasn't saying you were or were not aware, just that the fact that your awareness of the price/performance ratio of volt modded g92 cards had not been mentioned in the thread .....

and.......

as this is a forum .........

I was under the impression all advice and opinions were welcome?

and deffo don't like being flamed (not by you) for offering you advice that you DIDN'T say NOT to give at the beginning ..... lmao.

:rockout:

Urbklr

06-18-2008, 03:30 PM

m8 ..... rof........I was making some what of a rhetorical statement, you know ??? ..... wasn't saying you were or were not aware, just that the fact that your awareness of the price/performance ratio of volt modded g92 cards had not been mentioned in the thread .....

and.......

as this is a forum .........

I was under the impression all advice and opinions were welcome?

and deffo don't like being flamed (not by you) for offering you advice that you DIDN'T say NOT to give at the beginning ..... lmao.

:rockout:

I clearly gave the choice's in post #1, PLUS...This is in the AMD/ATi section. I was not flaming you in any way, just making it clear that I knew the price/performance ratio. Like many people, I am not interested in Nvidia whatsoever. I stated that earlier, and yet you come back and try to "prove" your G92 again. Please post useful comments, since this is a forum:)

JrRacinFan

06-18-2008, 03:32 PM

@Haz

I know Urb, if he is pretty close to deciding something, he will do it. Plain and simple. You coming in his thread throwing it off topic for him wondering if he should purchase an ATi card, with your G92 suggestions IN BASICS is called trolling.

I understand your point, and I am not being a jerk towards you. And if you beleive for one moment I am truly posting this to be a jerk, you are completely wrong man.

PS: Neither myself or Urb are fanboi's. Please remember that.And if I had offended you I am sorry.

@Urb

After thinking about it, Single HD4870 or bust. Do you know why I say that? You can add a second HD4870 later on. With the dual 3870's, you can't, just my theory and trying to help.

Haz197

06-18-2008, 03:36 PM

I clearly gave the choice's in post #1, PLUS...This is in the AMD/ATi section. I was not flaming you in any way, just making it clear that I knew the price/performance ratio. Like many people, I am not interested in Nvidia whatsoever. I stated that earlier, and yet you come back and try to "prove" your G92 again. Please post useful comments, since this is a forum:)

plz..... I'm gonna get upset if you keep calling me a nvidia fanboi :)

My point, obviously escaping you, is that this thread will not just influence your decision, but the decision of many others no doubt, and my little tit bit (no pun intended :P) might prove of use to some ???

but nvm, I got stats to analyse, back to work :(

@JR ... no probs dude, was just offering some diversity :)

Urbklr

06-18-2008, 03:39 PM

After thinking about it, Single HD4870 or bust. Do you know why I say that? You can add a second HD4870 later on. With the dual 3870's, you can't, just my theory and trying to help.

Yea, I'm thinkin now...4870, if they come on Monday. If they don't, then I may get a 4850(if they perform well) with an aftermarket cooler...vmod's and oc'ing anyone?:p But, Keep in mind I would really like to have two leftover cards, for the HTPC and my Bro's. I'll be getting a 48xx within the first second there on sale at NCIX if they are plenty fast(which the 4850 is lookin real promising). If there not, then I'll be getting the 2 3870's.

Urbklr

06-18-2008, 03:40 PM

plz..... I'm gonna get upset if you keep calling me a nvidia fanboi :)

My point, obviously escaping you, is that this thread will not just influence your decision, but the decision of many others no doubt, and my little tit bit (no pun intended :P) might prove of use to some ???

but nvm, I got stats to analyse, back to work :(

@JR ... no probs dude, was just offering some diversity :)

Where did I call you a fanboy?....Like I said, this is the AMD section, people looking for either company's card, can steer themselves to the "Graphics Cards" section.

Haz197

06-18-2008, 03:53 PM

Where did I call you a fanboy?....Like I said, this is the AMD section, people looking for either company's card, can steer themselves to the "Graphics Cards" section.

lighten up dude, lol, didn't you see the :)

It's not like I was saying ...'buy a G92 or I'll kill all your goats, burn your barn to the ground and sell your women into slavery' :P

I'm gonna go trawl some threads in the Intel section and kik ass on everyone who has mentioned AMD, hehehehehehe.

Urbklr

06-18-2008, 03:55 PM

SOOO, moving on. Any other helpful advice?

Urbklr

06-19-2008, 08:49 PM

@Haz, its official

R770-->:nutkick:<--Your G92

R770 is looking VERY promising.....I'm defiantly picking up a 4850, or if I can get the money, a 4870:D

Haz197

06-23-2008, 04:04 PM

@Haz, its official

R770-->:nutkick:<--Your G92

R770 is looking VERY promising.....I'm defiantly picking up a 4850, or if I can get the money, a 4870:D

errrrr .......... are you for real m8? lmao !!!!

Was there ever any doubt that rv770xt + GDDR5 wouldn't beat g92? I think not ...... it's more expensive, tool, so as a rule it should be faster ??

I guess the finer points of marketing are lost on you so let me explain ......

If something is more expensive in a highly competetive market, it is, 99% of the time, because it commands a higher perceived value to the consumer, in this case more fps ......... (3 years of uni to learn that, hehehehe)

4850 will be an interesting one tho, it should be about the same as a g92 + volt mod kit, £150 or so.

Be nice to see what you get vs mine @ 935 / 2125 / 2200.

You'll ave to be quick tho m8, my g92 is going up 4 sale as soon as Microdirect get some 4870 1gb gddr5s in stock :P ........ should go nicely with my new Raid 0 set up, and new 2 x 2gb flex pc9200 @ 1.2ghz :)

Only thing left to do is to pursuade my bird that I really really really do need a new grafix card ......... shouldn't be hard, women don't understand these things like we do .................

C'mon you REDs !!!! LIVERPOOL .... LIVERPOOL ..... LIVERPOOL !!!!

Urbklr

06-23-2008, 04:33 PM

The 4850 beats everything Nvidia has to offer, short of the GTX260/280 or GX2, at $199....and handles AA like nothing:)

Haz197

06-23-2008, 04:58 PM

The 4850 beats everything Nvidia has to offer, short of the GTX260/280 or GX2, at $199....and handles AA like nothing:)

yes, its very very good, but it doesn't beat everything apart from gt200s ........

9800gtx beats it, 9800gtx v2, 9800gx2 ......... and lets not forget .... 9800gtx Haz super minta, limited stoner bwai edition @ 935, all beat it without AA in most titles tested.

Where the 4850 really shines is its AA performance, but 800sp ?? I sure hope it kiks ass with AA !!!

Oh and ...... 75c idle ? won't need to go in the kitchen to make a pot of tea :)

9800gtx vs hd4870 will be like 9700pro vs 4600ti .... ATI all the way baby !!

Urbklr

06-23-2008, 05:46 PM

yes, its very very good, but it doesn't beat everything apart from gt200s ........

9800gtx beats it, 9800gtx v2, 9800gx2 ......... and lets not forget .... 9800gtx Haz super minta, limited stoner bwai edition @ 935, all beat it without AA in most titles tested.

Where the 4850 really shines is its AA performance, but 800sp ?? I sure hope it kiks ass with AA !!!

Oh and ...... 75c idle ? won't need to go in the kitchen to make a pot of tea :)

9800gtx vs hd4870 will be like 9700pro vs 4600ti .... ATI all the way baby !!

Lawl:p

Have you checked out the 4850 reviews?...If not, you'll be surprised...and be left to wonder "How much is the 4870 gonna kick @$$?"

Edit: 9800GTX does not beat it, an overclocked one will, but comparing an overclocked card to a stock one is not a fair comparison.

Haz197

06-24-2008, 02:13 PM

Lawl:p

Have you checked out the 4850 reviews?...If not, you'll be surprised...and be left to wonder "How much is the 4870 gonna kick @$$?"

Edit: 9800GTX does not beat it, an overclocked one will, but comparing an overclocked card to a stock one is not a fair comparison.

Agreed, 4870 will rule all !!

And, yes, ur right, not a fair comparison, we should really be comparing RV670 to G92 ..... RV770 is a whole new kinda animal and should be up against gtx 260 as they are both multi GPU dies of the 'budget ??' variety :)

"And the car bomb,... click,..... ticks with the same sound......." :rockout:

Urbklr

06-24-2008, 02:17 PM

Agreed, 4870 will rule all !!

And, yes, ur right, not a fair comparison, we should really be comparing RV670 to G92 ..... RV770 is a whole new kinda animal and should be up against gtx 260 as they are both multi GPU dies of the 'budget ??' variety :)

"And the car bomb,... click,..... ticks with the same sound......." :rockout:

The GTX260 and 280 are both single GPU cards. The 4870X2 is gonna own the GTX280, plain and simple:p

Haz197

06-24-2008, 02:25 PM

The GTX260 and 280 are both single GPU cards. The 4870X2 is gonna own the GTX280, plain and simple:p

nope .... They're both multi core dies, like a core 2 duo or quad,.. I'm sure I read somewhere that the 4870 is 4 x cores on a single die and GT200 is just 2x G92s slapped 2geva on a single die..

Obvoiusly all GPUs are 'multi core' in the literal sense, 800sp = 800 seperate little parallel cores all working together, but these new cards are true multi core dies, Ati has been threatening to go this way for ages, just glad its finally here, roll on HD6870, 32 cores on 32nm fab'd die :P

Urbklr

06-24-2008, 02:38 PM

nope .... They're both multi core dies, like a core 2 duo or quad,.. I'm sure I read somewhere that the 4870 is 4 x cores on a single die and GT200 is just 2x G92s slapped 2geva on a single die..

Obvoiusly all GPUs are 'multi core' in the literal sense, 800sp = 800 seperate little parallel cores all working together, but these new cards are true multi core dies, Ati has been threatening to go this way for ages, just glad its finally here, roll on HD6870, 32 cores on 32nm fab'd die :P

No, there not dual-core GPU's. GT200 is a whole new core, like 7900GTX-->8800GTX. The 4870 is a single GPU, just like the 4850 and 38xx line.

Haz197

06-24-2008, 02:50 PM

No, there not dual-core GPU's. GT200 is a whole new core, like 7900GTX-->8800GTX. The 4870 is a single GPU, just like the 4850 and 38xx line.

I think you're confusing multi die solutions with multi core dies m8,.....

The 7950gx2 and 9800gx2 and hd3870x2 and x1950pro dual had 2 GPUs with one processing core on each,.....

The GT200 core is 2 x G92s in a single package, the GTX280 gx2 will be 4 x G92 cores in 2 x packages.... all based on G80 btw, no new architecture this gen :(

The HD4870 is rumoured to be a quad core, some even speculate it might have as many as 8 cores per die, which would be nice.... based on r600, no new architecture here either :(

You should read up on multi core GPUs, there is lots of info on google about these two card generations.

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4327&Itemid=1

Urbklr

06-24-2008, 02:59 PM

No, I didn't get them mixed up. The GT200 is NOT 2xG92, just look at the specs, it is a new architecture. The R770 is the same. But, I could be wrong, give me a source for this info if you can.

Haz197

06-24-2008, 03:14 PM

No, I didn't get them mixed up. The GT200 is NOT 2xG92, just look at the specs, it is a new architecture. The R770 is the same. But, I could be wrong, give me a source for this info if you can.

check fud link in last post (not that I trust fud but it was top of the list in google and its old verified news)

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,7578.html

http://forums.slizone.com/index.php?showtopic=21404

http://news.softpedia.com/news/ATI-039-s-R700-to-support-DirectX-10-1-55321.shtml

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/ati-r700-details-leak-out-going-multicore-55nm-33380/

try those for now, but there are lots more, just use google

Urbklr

06-24-2008, 03:20 PM

check fud link in last post (not that I trust fud but it was top of the list in google and its old verified news)

http://www.nordichardware.com/news,7578.html

http://forums.slizone.com/index.php?showtopic=21404

http://news.softpedia.com/news/ATI-039-s-R700-to-support-DirectX-10-1-55321.shtml

http://www.madshrimps.be/vbulletin/f22/ati-r700-details-leak-out-going-multicore-55nm-33380/

try those for now, but there are lots more, just use google

Your sources are all dated, and were rumors. Now that the cards are out, we know that info is not true. A lot of the info in those links is plain out wrong anyway.

v-zero

06-24-2008, 03:29 PM

The GTX 280 and 4870/4850 cores are not multi-die... They are both single-die redesigns of the G80 and r600 respectively.

Haz197

06-24-2008, 03:36 PM

@ v-zero: Yes, single die, multi core

@ urb: They are multi core, RV770xt is a quad core gpu and gt200 is a dual core gpu

end of, I have work to do.

JrRacinFan

06-24-2008, 03:44 PM

@ v-zero: Yes, single die, multi core

@ urb: They are multi core, RV770xt is a quad core gpu and gt200 is a dual core gpu

end of, I have work to do.

The find us reputable source of specs. Maybe we can ask W1zz to chime in.

Urbklr

06-24-2008, 03:52 PM

@ v-zero: Yes, single die, multi core

@ urb: They are multi core, RV770xt is a quad core gpu and gt200 is a dual core gpu

end of, I have work to do.

Sorry, but your wrong, they are not multi-core. End of story.

Haz197

06-24-2008, 04:01 PM

@ jr : agreed, lol..... c'mon w1zz, this one's not gonna settle itself :)

..... aside from the obvious massive parallel nature of a modern gpu, are gt200 and r700 multi core?

Joe Public

06-27-2008, 11:47 AM

I'm definitely getting the HD4870, I have a 8800GTS right now, but ATI has the hands down best price/performance ratio this time with the 48x0 series. However, I'm debating whether or not to wait for a 1GB version. Sure, the 512MB works great with every game out now. But I like to keep my cards for a while and texture amounts/complexity won't go down in the future.

Urbklr

06-27-2008, 08:29 PM