Which card to get? 4850-4870

[anherox]

Hey everyone! I need a little help selecting a video card. I am stuck between getting an HD 4850 or an HD 4870.
I don't know if I should get the 1gb version or 512mb version of either card. I am currently looking at 2 different 4870s. Here are the ones I'm looking at:

HIS Hightech H487F512P Radeon HD 4870 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236


ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/1G Radeon HD 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121277


There is also a Sapphire version of the 512 for a little bit less. The monitor I am planning on buying is 1080p
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116396

I am trying to keep my entire build under $1000, and right now it comes out to $1107 with the 1gb 4870. If it is worth the extra money I am willing to pay for it, but don't want to go any higher. Would it be better to go with a less expensive monitor and a 4870 or 4850? Thank you for your time!

 

[anherox]

Thanks for the reply!
I want everything to look as good as possible for a while since I probably won't upgrade anything for about a year. If that's the case should I go with the 4870 512, or just go with a 4850? Also, what would be the better choice for that monitor?

 

[Cranky1970]

I say go for the 4870 512 or the 1 gig version. For that resolution more GFX horsepower would be the better choice.

 

[50bmg]

get what you can afford. If you can get the 4870 1G and still eat, then get it. If you plan on playing that monitor at 1900 with high settings, you may need the 1G. But 512M will work just fine at 1200 to 1600. Well, Far Cry 2 and games like it may need more.

I have had real bad experience with sapphire. They have ok cards, but the customer service is the worst i have ever experienced. I had a card go bad at 35 days in. I emailed, called, etc, for 5 weeks. They never contacted me with an RMA. Google sapphire customer service.

What are the rest of your specs?

on another note: Toms is different. How do i select my sig?

 

[evongugg]

On the top of the page click on 50bmg's profile.
Click on forum's options-> Signature
Add a signature.

 

[malveaux]

Heya,

Look at the actual differences hardware wise between the 4850 and 4870.

In other words, get the 4850. Overclock it yourself for free.

Personally, I like the 1gig versions of cards because I like to max out textures and resolution and turn on AA when possible without killing performance. I've read reviews that claim the 512 vs 1gig doesn't do much difference, but if the difference is 25 fps without and 30 with it, I'm going for that 30. I just want it to be smooth and beautiful at max everything when possible.

Cheers,

 

[Nica Guy]

+1 for 1gb 4870...

 

[Craxbax]

+1 1gb 4870 isn't a whole lot more $ but the added memory may be a significant factor in new titles. I probably wouldn't spend the added $ for a 4850 1gb however as the 1 gb memory will hamper OCing headroom which has a greater effect on the 4850's performance than added memory.

 

[Peaks]

+1 1gb 4870. Yes it is questionable whether 1gb really gives you that uch more improvement over 512mb but IMO, with games like Crysis and Farcry 2 requiring that extra boost for things like AA it is surely the case that the number of games requiring this will increase. So in the long run you are saving yourself some cash.

Craxbax - why would 1gb of memory hamper ocing headroom?

 

[anherox]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! So I take it the 1gb 4870 will be the best for that monitor's resolution? Would I notice much of a difference if I went with a cheaper monitor and a 512mb 4870 or 4850?


@ 50bmg. I'm still working out everything I want to get. It might be around December when I build though. Here's what it's looking like so far:


Motherboard- Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358

CPU- Q6600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115018


RAM- Mushkin 4gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

HDD- Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

GPU- ASUS EAH4870/HTDI/1G Radeon HD 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121277


Monitor- Viewsonic VX2233wm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116396


CD/DVD- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263


Case- Raidmax Smilodon Extreme w/ 500w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156098

OS- Vista Home Premium 64bit

I am hoping prices on some things will come down with the release of the i7 and discounts around Christmas.
I am going to get the case as a gift, and upgrade to a better PSU after I build.