Which Video Card Do I Choose?

W

Willus

New Member
Hi, I'm building my first computer and I have decided everything I'm going to put into it except for my video card. I am stuck between two, almost identical, video cards. Which One Do I Choose?

$245
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X Radeon HD 4870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire

or should I go with

$250
ASUS EAH4870 DK/HTDI/1GD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire.

My Build:
XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P4 750W ATX12V SLI Certified Power Supply

G.SKILL 3GB (3 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) RAM

ASUS P6T LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

Dynatron G555 77mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler for Socket 1366

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX
 
Last edited:
mm neither imo. for that price you can get a better card. you should look at a 4890 or a gtx 275. they're better cards than those two and the same price.
 
The Sapphire 4890 is cheaper than the 4870...LOL:)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830

It's got a $15 mail in rebate and free shipping. That's a nice price on a nice card.


****EDIT****

I was looking at your list of parts you have...have you already bought them? I would be nervous running a XCLIO power supply with that hardware line up you have.

Maybe look at these brands: Antec, Corsair, PC Power and Cooling, SilverStone, OCZ and maybe Coolermaster if you find a nice deal. These are about the only brands of power supplies I would buy.
 
Last edited:
I have not bought anything yet, I plan to do so within a few weeks. I checked out the ratings and reviews on New egg, and it looks fine. But is there one you might recommend more?
 
ScOuT said:
Just so you are aware...eVGA just released a new LGA 1366 socket motherboard for the i7. It about $30 more that the Asus board you have listed...I would give it a try...that's just me though:D

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188049

All black....that's awesome!
Click to expand...

Nice board. Budget X58. Only 2 year warranty though.

They should scale down a bit more and just put 2 PCI-E slots
and sell it for sub $200. They'd sell a heap.
 
Thanks for the advice on the power supply and the motherboard, I think I'll follow it. Is there a video card you would recommend around the $260 area?
 
Bodaggit23 said:
Nice board. Budget X58. Only 2 year warranty though.
Click to expand...

I saw the warranty...2 years...good enough for me:D If that thing lasts me 2 years I would be happy. The motherboard I have now is 2 years old and runs like a champ:cool: Still rollin with the PCI-E 1.0 and a 650i Northbridge:P

Willus said:
Thanks for the advice on the power supply and the motherboard, I think I'll follow it. Is there a video card you would recommend around the $260 area?
Click to expand...

If I was in your situation...I would buy an Nvidia based card. I like to fold so an Nvidia card would be best for me. The motherbaord supports SLI also for future upgrades. If I had $260 to spend on a card...I would get a GTX 275 right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130475

eVGA customer support and step up program is, I would say, the best in the business. I have "stepped up" twice through eVGA and it was smooth:cool: They actually contacted me about a step up from my 8800GTX because I only had 10 days left! Stepped up to a 9800GTX for $25 shipping...that's all.
 
Last edited:
Willus said:
What about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102840
Click to expand...

That's a nice card also:D

Here is some card tests show the performance of many of the top end cards.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/04/03/radeon-hd-4890-vs-geforce-gtx-275/1

The AnandTech run has them more even...the benchmark tests you find on the internet can lean toward one or the other (ATI or Nvidia) Take them with a grain of salt.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3539&p=1

In reality...the GTX 275 or the 4890 will be a wonderful card and will play games just fine. Really depends on you choice. Once again though...I would get the GTX 275 because of the customer support and step up program. Maybe in a couple months you have a little extra money and want something better than the GTX 275...call eVGA and pay the difference and then you will be walking on the 4890:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top