512MB 4870 vs 1GB

[Proximon]

We were going around a few weeks ago about whether 1GB would really make any difference in performance. Some review came out that pretty clearly stated that there was little difference.

Now however, we have this Far Cry 2 comparison from Anandtech:
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3463
It's an interesting read.

Their charts show some major improvements in this one game at least. Some rather large differences in FPS.
In some tests, the difference between the 1GB and 512MB 4870 is very similar to the difference between the 512MB 4870 and the 512MB 4850.

I have flip-flopped a few times now on this. Wish I had already flipped 3 weeks ago when I bought my 512MB 4870

 

[shortstuff_mt]

This article on Anandtech also lays out the differences pretty well:

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415

I'd get the 1GB version anyday.

 

[slomo4sho]

Glad my recommendations can finally be validated due to this side by side comparison

I have been pushing the 1gb version of the 4870 for a while now and have always had backlash from many other posters saying the added ram is useless.

 

[Proximon]

Prices are coming down too.

I suppose at this price spread all three of these cards are good buys.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048%20106792627%201067940678&Description=Sapphire&name=Radeon%20HD%204870

 

[aevm]

Proximon, if it makes you feel better, your 512MB HD 4870 makes my 8800GTX cry

 

[Proximon]

Proximon, if it makes you feel better, your 512MB HD 4870 makes my 8800GTX cry

Why yes, it does. :lol:

Well, only a little. I'm just mad I ever doubted my original instinct. After 15 years I should know that more RAM is ALWAYS better.

 

[rambo117]

Prices are coming down too.

I suppose at this price spread all three of these cards are good buys.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048%20106792627%201067940678&Description=Sapphire&name=Radeon%20HD%204870

oooo, i like the Vapor-X design

not to mention the prices... hehe

 

[Proximon]

I overclocked mine to the max (820, 1200) and had the fan around 50%...

I think it might have hit 60C in Crysis.

However, I don't really like a hair dryer in my PC. I've since set it back to 780/1000 and put the fan at 30%. Temps are fine and it's quieter than my 120mm case fans.

 

[rambo117]

oh yehh welll, i have my 2 3870s at 850 and 1240. HA!
lol...
trade?

 

[Guest]

Well I don't really care

I should have gotten the 1 GB version since I play at 1920 by 1200... but I haven't had ANY performance issues with the 512 mb version... plus... my volt mod stuff will be coming soon gonna try getting this 4870 close to 1 ghz core clock

 

[lunyone]

Why yes, it does. :lol:

Well, only a little. I'm just mad I ever doubted my original instinct. After 15 years I should know that more RAM is ALWAYS better.

Well you know that isn't always the case. Remember the 7300gt's or ones like them. They were selling the DDR3 versions with 256mb of RAM and the DDR2 versions with 512mb RAM. I remember distinctly that the DDR2's sucked a$$ compared the lower RAM'd DDR3 versions. I know this isn't the same situation that your talking about, it was just an example that I wanted to point out. Moral of the story is that MORE RAM doesn't "Always" equate to better gaming experience.