Best Video card for Maximus II Formula?

[night7]

As the title states ... Currently running an EVGA 9800GTX+ 512mb but am building a new system for my brother. I am considering putting the 9800gtx+ in the new build and purchasing something more suited to my mobo.

The graphics card was the one item i didn't research heavily when I was building my system. Uses are mostly gaming and some video editing. I would like to eventually go sli/cf in the future as games get more intense.

Thanks for all your help and input.

 

[night7]

Forgot to include my system specs.

Vista Ultimate 64bit
Antec 900
Antec 850w PSU
Maximum 2 Formula
Q9550
Crucial memory 8gb
EVGA 9800gtx+
Seagate HD 500gig

Coming soon:
Asus Silent Knight CPU cooler
OCZ freeze

 

[Akebono 98]

Sapphire 4870 1GB Toxic Edition if you want a single GPU with the ability to Crossfire later, or the Sapphire 4870x2 if you want to go all out now and not have to upgrade later. Your PSU is sufficient for both of my suggestions.

 

[night7]

I have been doing research, per Asus' website that the maximus 2 formula is a crossfire ready board. Does that mean I should definitely go ati or will sli work just as good?
I have heard and read some questionable things about the ATI cards. DOA's, artifacting, blue screens, crappy drivers, etc. Therefor I have always been an NVIDIA girl. I am curious though ...

Here are the cards I have got on the list:
ATI:
ASUS EAH4870 MATRIX/HTDI/512MD5/A Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire

ASUS EAH4850 MATRIX/HTDI/512M/A Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video

HIS Hightech H485QT512P Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported (for the new system)

NVIDIA:
EVGA 512-P3-N879-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - (if i go sli)

I was either going to get another GTX+ for this eventually and then get the HIS 4850 for the new system.
OR
Getting the Asus 4870 for mine and putting my current GTX+ in the new build. Also the new build only has one PCI-Ex16 slot. But it doesn't need to be any kind of gaming beast. After all, I still have to have the upper hand on the brother.

So far, the new build consists of an ECS G33T-M2 mobo, 8 gig crucial memory, ... that's it. Still looking at cpu's, video cards and hdrives.

 

[meodowla]

It would be better to go with ATi.

Go for Sapphire Atomic HD4870X2.

 

[night7]

The atomic looks like a nice piece of work ... too bad it retails for just under 800 bucks. I have limited funds right now, and still have to get a cpu, hard drive and cooling equipment.

Will a pair of 4850's be enough? These are what i'm interested in ...

ASUS Radeon HD 4850 EAH4850 MATRIX/HTDI/512M/A

 

[night7]

The 4850's are roughly $155(after rebate) and the 4870's are at $214(after rebate) ... I like the design on the 4850's better as it vents out the back of my case. The 4870 recirculates case air.

Yes this is all in an Antec 900 but it's the principle behind it all.

 

[meodowla]

It look Cool.. Is it 4850 or 4850X2?

 

[rescawen]

4870x2 or wait for 5870 like me

 

[night7]

It look Cool.. Is it 4850 or 4850X2?

Just a single ... i would probably get two. One right away but a second shortly after.

 

[Akebono 98]

You've got really good taste.

However, the Maximus II Formula does NOT support SLI, so if you want to run 2 video cards, they must be ATI (unfortunately). If you want to keep it to 1 card, you could always look at the GTX 295...

And to give you an idea (for one-upping your brother more than anything else), the 4850 is equivalent to the 9800GTX+, so you would need at least the 4870 (equivalent to the GTX 260 Core 216) to meet your objective...

ATI is supposed to be releasing its next video card in April, if you can wait. The 4890, I believe, not a 5870.

That 9800GTX+ is a great card, especially when SLI'd. You might be charitable and build your brother a rig that would support that feature in the future (of course by then, you will have 2 4870s in Crossfire, so you're not worried).

Asus video cards are great, but with their fancy fans, be sure to double-check the widths of the cards. When you Crossfire, if your mobo doesn't leave a gap between the video cards, then they may not fit. Both of your Matrix cards are OK in this regard, but the Asus 4870x2 with the 3 fans has this problem. The Maximus II Formula also leaves room between the Crossfired video cards, so you're OK.

+1 on dual slot cooling with rear exhaust. Look into the XFX 4870 and 4850 cards, which have the more traditional rear exhaust design.

I recommended Sapphire up front because they are usually great value (although the 4850 doesn't have rear exhaust cooling).

Good luck!


P.S. The Xigmatek HDT-S1283 heatsink is the one you want.

 

[night7]

decided on going water cooled. Will probably get a 4870 (maybe x2) and water cool that along with the cpu.

 

[rescawen]

Its gonna be hard work

 

[L1qu1d]

don't go from a 9800 GTX+ to a 4850, thers no point it comes out slightly below the 9800 GTX+ (though they exchange blows in some). If you currently have a 9800 GTX+, for you to feel any type of difference I would go with 4870 X2 or 285 GTX or even the 295 GTX(though very exp). Though you have a crossfire board, so I would say that either 295 GTX or 4870 X2 would be ur better choice. Though the 4870 1 gig is something to consider, it doesn't quite out weigh its oponent the 260 GTX (Again exchanging blows with the 260 GTX coming out on top in most), but it just wouldn't be that much of an upgrade to justify the cost.

Unless you don't care about p/p, then 4870 1 gig would do you wonders if your going to CrossX down the road. or tri X w.e.

Personally I prefer 1 Strong GPU, then 2 weaker ones so I went with the 285 GTX. Since ATI doesn't quite offer a single GPU in that level, I would strongly recommend a 4870 X2 (amazing price) for the maximus .

What resolution do you play at? And if its not urgent I would also try waiting for the new ATI revisions that should bring price drops to the table.

 

[Akebono 98]

+1 on the watercooled 4870x2