9800GX2 or HD4870

Stildawn

Stildawn

New Member
Hi, im gonna get a new card for my "new" rig (in sig).

Im looking at these two

GeForce 9800 GX2, 1GB PCI-Express $656.04

or

ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB graphics card $415.11

These are NZ dollars so yeah.

Is it worth the extra to get the Geforce? I hearing the 4870 is basically the same? Basically Im looking at running crysis on high/very high settings and I looked for requirements for that and all i need is a new card, they sugested a 9800gx2, but is yeah.
 
the 4870 is the better card, as far as i know, and with just a single card, you don't have to worry about microstuttering
 
4870, cheaper, and at minimum an equivalent card.
i hear it runs cooler and has less power draw also.
 
4870 does not run cooler =] many people have problems with the heat control, which I found out after reading different reviews of it. But yes, if you have good cooling get the 4870, its cheaper, better, but hotter O_O
 
Is heat a problem? What will this effect? Surely if its built like that its suppose to be able to run at those temperatures?
 
Stildawn said:
Is heat a problem? What will this effect? Surely if its built like that its suppose to be able to run at those temperatures?
Click to expand...

Yes heat can be a huge problem. Some people have had trouble with the 4870 because its idle temps can get up to about 90*C but with the catalyst control you can turn up the fan and get it down to 70*C or something. You just need to consider case ventilation, without good ventilation your system is going to heat up quick. I still would recommend the 4870 because it's a single card but outperforms the 9800gx2.
 
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Remember, he lives in NZ. Sometimes prices overseas are a bit off... I know, here in Australia prices on components sometimes are just plain crazy when compared to US prices - I think we're just a little behind or something ;). At those prices, the 4870 is definitely a better choice.
 
Every review about the 4870 says it runs hot. Google it and that's all you see is heat problems with this card. If you have a decent case with good airflow it should not that big of a problem. Eathen3 is correct....some reviews are saying people have to max the fan just to keep temps at 70c idle! Max load they are running in the mid 90s! Playing on "very High" with the 4870....better get some high CFM fans or think about after market cooling.

How well does each card even play Cysis on "very High"?

Playing it on "high" will not be a problem....my Evga 9800 GTX does that just fine:)

Case : XION II w/12” green cold cathode
Motherboard : Asus P5N-E 650i @ 1532 FSB
CPU : Intel Q9300 @ 2.875 GHz
CPU Cooler : Cooler Master Hyper TX2
RAM : Corsair XMS2 Pro/pc6400/ 4x1GB/ @800 MHz
Graphics : Evga 9800 GTX @ 760 MHz
PSU : Antec Neo Power 650w / modular cables
 
AFAIK most heat problems with the new 48x0 Radeons are caused by the automatic fan control sucking strawberry-flavored Chupa Chups. Manually cranking up the fan usually solves this; the drivers still need some time to mature.
 
stildawn, those prices are very expensive. im building a comp sometime over the next few weeks and was looking at the 9800GX2. the x2 does perform better that the 4870, but for the money it isnt worth it, especially at those prices. here in melbourne the GX2 is going for $465 (price dropped from $495 2 days ago). the 4870 is about ~$330. now im going for the 4870X2 :D
the prices should drop there soon, no promises tho... the aussie dollar is dropping which might make stuff more expensive here
 
Ok so go for the 4870, and crank the fan with drivers. I have a crappy case lol but I can always rip the side pannel off, I usually have it off anyway.

And if you consider the exchange rate for $415 NZ its only $292 US for the 4870 : )
 
the 4870 has no heat problems so to speak, its all in the drivers, it seems to me, that they get stuck around 21%
 
4870 was better as in performance vs value. but now 9800gx2 have droped the price down to same price as the 4870.

so why not get a better speed/performance since they are same price? 9800gx2.

oh you from nz.... 9800gx2 might have different price there. but anyway 9800gx2 is a faSTER card.
 
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Something else to consider: The 9800GX2 will soon be discontinued - bye bye driver support. Between the two, I'd go with the 4870.

EDIT: You should look around overclock.net or some of the other message boards. I'll bet you can get a used, in-good condition 4870 way cheaper in the states, even with the cost of shipping. That price is insane for a brand new 4870.
 
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Does the fan not go fast cause of the drivers? Does this mean that I have to somehow make them go faster manually? How do you do that? Also what PSU would this need, my current rig I think has a stock 450w.
 
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