Choosing the right HD4870's card !!!!

[Rotem_46]

Hi,
I decided to upgrade my 1.5 years old PC and I have some questions regarding the video card.
My current PC specs are C2D E6600 @ 3.06ghz, Mushkin DDR2 2x1GB 800mhz (OC to 1000), Asus X1950XTX 512mb, Gigabyte GA-P965-DQ6, Corsair 620W PSU, Gigabyte Aurora 5703D case and Samsung WB226 LCD Screen.
Now, I had the chance of upgrading my mobo to the new GA-X48T-DQ6 so I decided I'll upgrade my entire specs as well, I'm going to get the HD4870 but I can't decide eather get the 1GB edition or the 512MB one, or adding an extra $250 and get the X2 edition, I'm NOT going to replace my Corsair 620W PSU and some people told me I may have some problems with the new video card I want...I was wondering if you can help me here ?!!
Will my 620W Corsair PSU handle the HD4870X2 considering the fact that I'm upgrading the CPU to the Q9450/Q9550, putting a 2x2GB DDR3 RAM (can't decide which one to get as I know there are some competibility issues with the X48 chipset so any help in this matter will also be great) AND, I have 4 HDD's (200GB for Vista, 320GB for music, pictures and other data and 2x500GB for HD movies). I also purchased a new CPU cooler - Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme...
Any chance any of you guys can help me??
I must know for sure that my PSU can handle all of my hardware mentioned above as I don't want to upgrade it, and even though I'm at the Graphic & Display forum any help regarding choosing the right 2x2GB RAM will be great !!!
One more thing, I'm going to do some gaming using my LCD TV (Toshiba 46" FullHD) and I don't know if it matter so I decided mentioned it...
Thanks a lot for your help !!!!!
Rotem.

 

[aevm]

Yes, the 620HX can handle your system even with a HD 4870X2. I've even seen people using it with 8800GTX SLI, which consumes more than the HD 4870x2 (2*165W vs 270W). If you are a gamer get the 4870X2. Visiontek and Sapphire for example get very good reviews.

Your Toshiba TV can offer 1920x1080. The HD 4870x2 2GB will work better than two HD 4870 512MB cards in Crossfire at that resolution because it has twice the RAM of those cards together.

 

[Rotem_46]

Thanks for your answer, so you say I shouldn't have any problems using these specs (even with 4 HDD's and 4870X2)...thats good to know !!
BTW, Do you have any suggestions regarding the RAM ??
I thought about Corsair or OCZ...I rather buy Mushkin but I'm not sure their DDR3 RAM compatible with the X48 chipset. Im also considering a 4GB kit from G-Skill but I want to be sure it will work !!!
Thanks again for your answer.
Does any of you guys thinks differently from aevm ?

 

[hallowed_dragon]

aevm hit it spot on!

 

[goonting]

HD4870 X2 got some advantages in RAM and space... you may even upgrade later to Quad GPU... wow cards are getting better...

 

[aevm]

BTW, Do you have any suggestions regarding the RAM ??
I thought about Corsair or OCZ...I rather buy Mushkin but I'm not sure their DDR3 RAM compatible with the X48 chipset. Im also considering a 4GB kit from G-Skill but I want to be sure it will work !!!
?

Read the newegg reviews for your motherboard. There's a bunch of people there who are happy with that board and they do say which RAM they are using. It looks like OCZ works all right, for example.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128330

 

[Rotem_46]

Thanks for your help guys !!!
I did a lot of thinking and decided that I'm not a gamer...I mean, I do play games but not like crazy. I guess the 4870 512MB is more then enough for me. but, Do you think I will be able to play games on my 46" Toshiba LCD (1920x1080) using this 512MB card ?? I know playing full HD content like Blue-Ray and HD-DVD's will work like a charm but regarding games...I'm not so sure...
Thanks again for your help !!!

 

[Rotem_46]

Almost forgot...Can someone please tell me what the different between the HD4870 from Gigabyte and the HD4870 from HIS ???
The HIS has better warranty here in Israel and its a little cheaper but I want to know if there are any differents between the two...I can also get the Asus edition so if you have anything to inlight me it will be great...THANKS

 

[aevm]

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/734/8/
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/734/12/
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/734/11/

HD 4870 gets 37 fps in World in Conflict with very high quality at 1920x1200. Expect a bit more at 1920x1080, of course.
60 fps in CoD4. 45 fps in Crysis on medium.

Which brand of HD 4870 - look here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=hd+4870&x=&y=
Asus and HIS both get around 40 reviews, mostly great (5 eggs). Gigabyte doesn't have a HD 4870 at newegg yet.

I suggest you read the user reviews for Asus and HIS and then decide which one sounds best.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814121258

 

[spathotan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113

VisionTek, lifetime warranty. Has the most reviews and the award for a reason.

 

[aevm]

Yeah, but do they sell in Israel?

 

[spathotan]

Ahhh, good question. Forgot about that.

 

[megamanx00]

Well for a single 4870 I'd go with DIAMOND 4870PE5512OC Radeon HD 4870 512MB which has higher clocks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103064

but if your going for a 4870X2 go with a visiontech. Most of them have the same clocks and overclocking a 4870 doesn't seem to do much since it's already so much power right now .

 

[Rotem_46]

Well, I will check about visiontech, I think we have them here but I'm not sure regarding the price...
Thanks a lot for your help !!!

 

[Rotem_46]

No visiontech here...Anyway, Is there a real different between the HD4870 512MB and the 1GB version??
I mean, the 512mb cost $100 less then the 1GB but I'm not sure if the difference is noticable...Any thoughts?? Will I see a significant different between the two?

 

[spathotan]

Stick with the 512mb one unless you are gaming at 2400x1900 or wtf ever.

 

[zero_ini]

Don't get "powercolor" their cards don't fit in the pci slot, unless u take the back plate off and put a McDonald toy underneath it. Trust me I know.....

Buy Asus...

 

[aevm]

Stick with the 512mb one unless you are gaming at 2400x1900 or wtf ever.

1GB makes a difference at 1920x1200 (24"..28" monitors) or larger. Not so much on 22" monitors or smaller.