Which video card??

[xxmeltingsunxx]

Hello everybody, i just sold my paintball gun and wanted to buy myself a birthday present a little early. I need a new video card and i've found a few deals on newegg, but i just can't decide.

I want it to be able to play crysis on medium at least, and with AA. i've got about $130.

First one i found is a 9800 GTX+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130420

I've heard good and bad things about this card. Good being it can play almost any game on high, and bad being it draws A LOT of power

Next up is Radeon HD 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

The only thing i've heard about these is that it's almost as good as a 4870, and a lot less power draw than the 9800 GTX+.

Any input would be great, and if you can find a better deal/ card in that price range, then please post it.

Thanks.

 

[wh3resmycar]

depends on the games that you're planning to play.

 

[werxen]

well that is a tough choice especially with the cards you have chosen from. i also bought the sapphire 4850 but i could not overclock it without getting a zalman aftermarket GPU heatsink. its a great card, but if you plan on overclocking you might need to spend more money. the 9800gtx however looks like it comes with a sweet heatsink. i would usually say 4850, but between those i would go 9800gtx.

 

[EXT64]

I think that both are excellent cards. The 9800GTX+ doesn't really draw that much power. If you prefer that card, I wouldn't buy the other over power. And unfortunately, driver support for both vary. I'm not sure who leads in Crysis right now (might want to try googling Crysis benchmarks or the newest driver version (9.2 for ATI)).

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

depends on the games that you're planning to play.

Crysis, Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, Far Cry 2, Unreal Tournament 3 mostly...

well that is a tough choice especially with the cards you have chosen from. i also bought the sapphire 4850 but i could not overclock it without getting a zalman aftermarket GPU heatsink. its a great card, but if you plan on overclocking you might need to spend more money. the 9800gtx however looks like it comes with a sweet heatsink. i would usually say 4850, but between those i would go 9800gtx.

i don't plan on overclocking if i can run my games without doing so.

I think that both are excellent cards. The 9800GTX+ doesn't really draw that much power. If you prefer that card, I wouldn't buy the other over power. And unfortunately, driver support for both vary. I'm not sure who leads in Crysis right now (might want to try googling Crysis benchmarks or the newest driver version (9.2 for ATI)).

I've heard the 9800 draws 20+amps and the PSU im getting for my bday has 20a on 12v1 and 17a on 12v2.

And i normally prefer Nvidia, but right now i would much rather have great performance than brand names.

 

[meodowla]

Go for 9800GTX+. It'll right for you.

 

[werxen]

if memory serves me correct the 4850 comes ahead in many cases. however, seeing as how the 9800gtx is a 'superclocked' edition and you do not plan to overclock the 4850 - i would still go 9800gtx. 4850 would spank it overclocked tho.

 

[meodowla]

9800GTX+ is not much an Oveclocked edition of 9800GTX. Its die size is small. So it draws less energy and dissipates less heat compared to 9800GTX. Also its little more clocked. It can be Overclocked again for much higher performance. Get a 9800GTX+ with good cooling system, if you like to drain more power.

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/xfx_9800gtx_/15.htm

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

What do you mean "drain more power"? would my PSU not be sufficient? or would it just raise the electric bill a little bit? i'm a little unclear with what you're getting at.

Also, would having a PCIE 1.0 inhibit performance? i plan on getting a PCIE 2.0 mobo before christmas, but right now i just wanna get the games running more than 25-30 fps.

Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for all your help

EDIT: also, when it says "Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 24 Amp", does that mean across both rails or just 1? cause if it's just one rail then my psu is 4 amps short...[12v1 @ 20a, 12v2@ 17a]

 

[meodowla]

What do you mean "drain more power"? would my PSU not be sufficient? or would it just raise the electric bill a little bit? i'm a little unclear with what you're getting at.

I mean the OverClockers way... by Overclocking, more power could be delivered.. than from one which is not Overclocked...
O.k Overclocking drains power, as it utilises more energy(wattage). And heats up the card.

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

Got it. Thanks for clearing that up.

So i'm going with the 9800 then.

Thanks a bunch for all your guys' help and advice this sure is a wonderful forum.

 

[meodowla]

You mean 9800GTX+ or 9800?

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

9800GTX+. but I'm going for one, also from EVGA, that's just a little less overclocked, but also has HDMI via adapter.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130376

 

[meodowla]

Good Choice

 

[aznguy0028]

okay, hold on for about a week or so. the 4870/50 are dropping in prices so i would really consider

4870 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9800gtx

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=14433

4870 (512mb) will be 149$
4850 129$

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

well, thats very good news....i guess i will wait a week or 2 and see what happens, thanks for the heads up aznguy!

IF the price drops do happen i will most likely go with a 4870.

 

[wonderingwhatis]

okay, hold on for about a week or so. the 4870/50 are dropping in prices so i would really consider

4870 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 9800gtx

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=14433

4870 (512mb) will be 149$
4850 129$

Yep this is what I would do. But if you must buy TODAY the powercolor 4870 is only $169 ($155 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131140


If not then I would wait visiontek, asus or HIS card to drop in the next couple of weeks

 

[meodowla]

What about the price of GTX260(216 core)? Have you checked it?

 

[xxmeltingsunxx]

Yes, it definitely crossed my mind, but it's a bit out of my price range. If the prices on that drop, which i think is unlikely, then i'll go with it, but right now the cheapest i could find after rebates was like $170.

 

[PoPoH]

Hi,

I think it really depends on what monitor will u be using the system.

Nowdays I'm able to play (not at an excellent rate 25 - 30 fps) with my HD3870Gddr4 on a 24 inch at 1920*1200 with everything max detail with no AA & AF.

4870 and 9800gtx+ are excelent cards for that prize, and are dropping by moments. Have u considered GTS250? I've read on today's comparison as a good option with 1Gb Gddr3...

Good luck mate!

 

[meodowla]

Have u considered GTS250? I've read on today's comparison as a good option with 1Gb Gddr3...

Good luck mate!

GTS250 is same as the 9800GTX+. nVidia renamed it as as though it is the predecessor of GTX260.