Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > ATI 4850 vs 8800 Ultra
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DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 06:17:14 PM

I'd like to hear some arguments as to which of these cards are better. Currently, the 8800 Ultra is priced at only $199 at Tiger which is much, much lower than it used to be. The 4850 is only slightly cheaper at around $185. The 8800 Ultra does not support PCIE 2.0, but does that really matter? It seems to outperform the 4850 in just about every benchmark I've seen. I also hear that nVidia cards have better drivers and are supported better under Linux.

I was gearing towards the 8800 Ultra, but in the builds forum I don't see anyone picking this. Everyone seems to like the 4850. Can someone give me some real good reasons to choose the 4850 over the 8800 Ultra so that I can feel confident in making that decision?

All input is appreciated, thanks!

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dagger   10-05-2008 at 06:28:23 PM
- 0 +

There are very few benchmarks that include both 8800ultra and 4850. Although the slower 8800gtx perform about the same as 4850, so Ultra should do a bit better.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 50/26.html

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 06:36:05 PM
- 0 +

Here's the graphics charts I was looking at that includes the 8800 Ultra and 4850:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] ks,30.html

I'd like to hear some arguments supporting the 4850 and why one would choose it over a 8800.

Reply to DigitalD
fluxcage   10-05-2008 at 06:36:44 PM
- 3 +

Maybe the fact that there's no reason to pay $185 for a 4850 has something to do with it. There have always been 4850's around for $150, if you look. You can get one for $140 (after $20 rebate) from Newegg right now.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to fluxcage
krazyk12   10-05-2008 at 06:37:44 PM
- 0 +

not many are picking it because they want the latest and greatest. and they figure even tho tagged at 199, the newer cheaper cards are better.

some other options you could look at, if u can find them, 8800gts (g92) or a 9800gtx/gtx+

all those cards are pretty close in performance, and last i check all around the $200 mark.

and yes, nvidia has way better linux support.

Reply to krazyk12
eklipz330   10-05-2008 at 06:40:49 PM
- 0 +

yeah the ultra should be a little better... but 4850 is still young, driver updates can yet still make it shine, so your call really

Reply to eklipz330
DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 06:49:49 PM
- 0 +

fluxcage wrote :

Maybe the fact that there's no reason to pay $185 for a 4850 has something to do with it. There have always been 4850's around for $150, if you look. You can get one for $140 (after $20 rebate) from Newegg right now.



Hmm... you're right! I think I'm starting to lean towards the 4850 now.

4850 Pros:
------
Lower power consumption
$50 cheaper!

Cons
------
256 less MB
Slightly lower in benchmarks
May have issues in Linux

Message quoted 2 times
Reply to DigitalD
dagger   10-05-2008 at 07:01:03 PM
- 0 +

DigitalD wrote :

Hmm... you're right! I think I'm starting to lean towards the 4850 now.

4850 Pros:
------
Lower power consumption
$50 cheaper!

Cons
------
256 less MB
Slightly lower in benchmarks
May have issues in Linux



There is also potential performance improvements with driver updates. 4850 is new, and there is more room for improvement. While the Ultra will stay the same.

However, if I were you I'd still go the Nvidia route, even though 4850 offers significantly better value than 8800ultra. Linux driver support can be a huge issue, overshadowing everything else. It may save you a lot of headaches later on.

Instead of 8800ultra for $200, consider g92 8800gts/9800gtx/9800gtx+.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=13
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=14
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=15
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=16
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=17
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=18
http://www.anandtech.com/video/sho [...] =3341&p=19

If you're willing to stretch the budget another $80, there's 9800gx2, for a huge performance increase.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130338

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
rangers   10-05-2008 at 07:11:27 PM
- -2 +

DigitalD wrote :


May have issues in Linux




ill think you'll find linux support for ATI right now is better than nvidia

Reply to rangers
DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 07:21:30 PM
- 0 +

I just found this card -- a GTX 260 -- which, after the mail in rebate, would be the same price as the 8800 Ultra ($200).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127361

This card seems to crush the 9800 GX2 in a AA/AF Crysis test getting about 4x the FPS:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 1,757.html

Though, interestingly enough, the 9800 GX2 is at the top of the charts on Crysis when AA/AF is turned off.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 1,751.html

A GTX 260 for $200 sounds almost too good to be true. Now I'm really confused as to which to get... *sighs*

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to DigitalD
rangers   10-05-2008 at 07:23:36 PM
- -2 +

nvidia convention, im looking for the nvidia convention...
you up the back am I in the right place

Reply to rangers
dagger   10-05-2008 at 07:27:24 PM
- 0 +

DigitalD wrote :

I just found this card -- a GTX 260 -- which, after the mail in rebate, would be the same price as the 8800 Ultra ($200).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127361

This card seems to crush the 9800 GX2 in a AA/AF Crysis test getting about 4x the FPS:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 1,757.html

Though, interestingly enough, the 9800 GX2 is at the top of the charts on Crysis when AA/AF is turned off.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 1,751.html

A GTX 260 for $200 sounds almost too good to be true. Now I'm really confused as to which to get... *sighs*



It is too good to be true. Tomshardware charts are not to be depended upon. Outdated drivers, cpu bottlenecking, inconsistent results. According to them, single 8800gts outperforms gtx280 sli.
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 4,759.html

Gtx260 cannot catch up to 9800gx2 with AA, not by a long shot. It performs below 4870 in nearly every case.

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 07:33:30 PM
- 0 +

Unfortunately the 9800 GX2 is just too expensive. So right now it's a toss up between the 8800 Ultra, 4850, and this $200 GTX 260 I just found.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to DigitalD
dagger   10-05-2008 at 07:35:03 PM
- 0 +

DigitalD wrote :

Unfortunately the 9800 GX2 is just too expensive. So right now it's a toss up between the 8800 Ultra, 4850, and this $200 GTX 260 I just found.



gtx260 is certainly a better performer than 8800ultra or 4850.

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
ackomacko   10-05-2008 at 09:11:33 PM
- 0 +


8800ultra=hd4850,just get the cheaper one.If you can find gtx260 for 200$
then get it because it's much better than 8800ultra, hd 4850 or 9800gtx+

Reply to ackomacko
DigitalD   10-05-2008 at 09:45:46 PM
- 0 +

Thanks everyone! I'm getting the GTX 260.

Reply to DigitalD
osiris2k8   10-05-2008 at 09:56:20 PM
- 0 +

dude get the 4870 or the palit factory overclocked version of the 4870 defnitely the best card for that price range

Reply to osiris2k8
jaydeejohn   10-05-2008 at 11:31:40 PM
- 0 +

The Ultra isnt the equal to the 4850, its ok, but not even equal. The 4850 is cheaper in price, uses much less power does AA much better has MUCH better features will only get better with driver improvements whereas the ultra is old and wont see any, and is end is lifed. The video ram isnt applied as well on nVidia cards vs the new ATI cards, meaning even with more, many times you see less performance with nVidia.


Message edited by jaydeejohn on 10-05-2008 at 11:36:04 PM
------------------------------ I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
 Reply to jaydeejohn
cyber_jockey   10-06-2008 at 06:48:56 AM
- 0 +

The 4850 isn't as good as the ol ultra right now but turn up the AA and see whos the boss.

Reply to cyber_jockey
jaydeejohn   10-06-2008 at 12:23:30 PM
- 0 +

So an Ultra is > than a 9800gtx+?

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ I went drifting, thru the capitols of tin, where men cant walk and cant freely talk, and sons turn their fathers in
 Reply to jaydeejohn
dagger   10-06-2008 at 03:28:32 PM
- 0 +

jaydeejohn wrote :

So an Ultra is > than a 9800gtx+?



No, they're the same, with 9800gtx+ slightly above 4850.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews [...] 50/26.html

------------------------------ Q6600@3.6ghz, GA-EX38-DS4 motherboard, 8gb 800mhz ddr2 4-3-3-12, 8800GTS(g92)@780mhz, 1TB + 1.5TB hdds, 850watt psu
 Reply to dagger
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