4850 choices--plz help a noob.

[seasropp]

I'm looking to buy a 4850 w/ 1gb DDR3. NewEgg currently has 7 different cards that fit this bill. Of all these cards, the specs look to be identical (except length of warranty). My top two priorities would be 1) performance and 2) noise level. Can someone tell me what is the difference (aside from price) and if any are better or quieter than the others?

 

[spathotan]

You need one with an aftermarket cooler. The stock reference coolers are loud.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161245 A little pricey, but very good cooler. Id recomend this one if you planned on overclocking it.

 

[mactronix]

For your priorities the HIS card would be my recommendation also. They run noticeably cooler and quieter than other cards in my experience while they are usually clocked higher than a standard card. I have never owned a standard IQEQ card, all mine have been ICEQ TURBO editions and as such were already pretty much overclocked as far as they would go. You may get more from a standard card but remember nothing is a gimme.

Mactronix

 

[xnem3s1sx]

I would have to agree. I have sworn never again to buy a single slot cooler, the cards just get too hot, and the rest of the comp suffers for it, of course, the 8800gt gets hotter than the 4850.

 

[eklipz330]

don't get the iceq, cooling potential is pathetic compared to price[you can get a 4870/gtx 260 at that price and get a boost in performance as well]


before i give you a recommendation, any specific reason you want 1gb over 512mb? what resolution are you gaming at?

 

[seasropp]

I'll be at 1900 x 1200 for the time being. Possibly would be getting a 30" monitor in the near future, so would like the ability to go higher, if it is not cost prohibitive. If I go up to 2560x1600 would the 4850 be able to handle that? Was thinking that I'd crossfire 4850s in that scenario. Would the 1Gig not be logical in this case?

 

[aevm]

If you can afford a 30" monitor I guess you can afford a HD 4870X2 as well. It will do better than HD 4850 Crossfire, just as good as HD 4870 1GB Crossfire, and it doesn't even need an expensive x48 motherboard to work at its best. Yes, 1 GB makes a lot of sense at those resolutions.

 

[seasropp]

No--can't necessarily afford one. Have a contact at CDW that may be able to hook me up is all. I'm definitely cost conscious, hence my gravitating toward a 4850 vs. 4870 or 4870x2. Looking not to overdo it if I don't have to. Probably best to think that I will stay with my 24in. for the forseeable future. What res would 512mb make more sense?

 

[spathotan]

512mb VRAM is good for up to around 1680x1050, really depends on the game though. When you get to like 1900x1200 then you really need that 1GB and/or Crossfire/SLi.

 

[rangers]

if you go for the cheapest one and get this aftermarket cooler its cheap and its the best out there at cooling the 4850 or the 4870
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-047-AK&tool=3
no need to spend a load on a good aftermarket cooler

 

[mactronix]

don't get the iceq, cooling potential is pathetic compared to price[you can get a 4870/gtx 260 at that price and get a boost in performance as well]


before i give you a recommendation, any specific reason you want 1gb over 512mb? what resolution are you gaming at?

It exists for the same reason Factory overclocked cards do, quite a lot of people and at a guess i would say about 90% if not higher dont really fancy taking these things apart or overclocking them.

The ICEQ + ICEQ TURBO cards do every thing that is needed and you get a waranty. Cooler,Quieter and faster. Yes there comes a price point where all things dont really make sense but you have PSU issues that may come in to play when going from a 4850 to a 4870.

Mactronix