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Relative value of 4850 to GTX260

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Relative value of 4850 to GTX260

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boredpessimist   05-07-2009 at 05:58:20 AM

Currently I am building a new system and I am unsure of how exactly to choose between two single card solutions to pair with the rest of my hardware

is is it a better value to get:
a gtx260 for $150

or

a 4850 for $86

Since I have been out of the hardware scene for a while I was wondering if there was a clear better value presented here(if there are any other excellent single card values in the market I am open to suggestions). Additionally, among these solutions is there a big difference in how each card would probably remain viable(although I understand guessing about the future is dicey at best). I would appreciate any help and suggestions you guys would be willing to give.

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Message edited by boredpessimist on 05-07-2009 at 06:13:09 AM
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dna708   05-07-2009 at 06:23:21 AM
- 0 +

Well, if the GTX260 you're referring to is the one with 216 stream processors, then it will be a bit faster than the 4850. However there are other factors. Most GTX260's are built on, I think, a 65nm architecture which drains quite a bit more power than 4850 that is built on a 50 or 55nm architecture. Other than the probable decrease in power draw, the 4850 also will probably overclock further allowing it to even the playing field a little.

If those prices are correct, the 4850 is a better value since its performance is a bit better than the 9800gtx at stock and even faster when overclocked. And for half the price you might want to consider crossfiring two 4850's if you can. That would net you performance on par with the gtx280's/285's

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IzzyCraft   05-07-2009 at 06:39:02 AM
- 0 +

Depends on set up if you play at lower resolutions and dont amp up the aa and af past err x4 you should do fine on just about all games with 4850. But really GTX260 (216 stream processors) equlivet for ati is the 4870

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wh3resmycar   05-07-2009 at 06:40:29 AM
- 0 +

well you can play it safe with the 4850. since its already @ a very disposable price @ $86, the moment the next gen cards come up you can use the money you saved to buy 1. and it can still play games decently below 1920x1080.

none of the 2 cards above would remain viable as soon as dx11 cards come up.

Reply to wh3resmycar
gkay09   05-07-2009 at 06:48:14 AM
- 0 +

boredpessimist wrote :

Currently I am building a new system and I am unsure of how exactly to choose between two single card solutions to pair with the rest of my hardware

is is it a better value to get:
a gtx260 for $150

or

a 4850 for $86

Since I have been out of the hardware scene for a while I was wondering if there was a clear better value presented here(if there are any other excellent single card values in the market I am open to suggestions). Additionally, among these solutions is there a big difference in how each card would probably remain viable(although I understand guessing about the future is dicey at best). I would appreciate any help and suggestions you guys would be willing to give.


Well before we go ahead and suggest which graphics card to buy, could you give us info on at what resolutions do you play ???

Reply to gkay09
boredpessimist   05-07-2009 at 07:22:37 AM
- 0 +

I have not yet purchased the monitor I will probably use, however, I assume the monitor I buy will have 1680x1050 resolution.

Reply to boredpessimist
gkay09   05-07-2009 at 07:28:36 AM
- 0 +

The GTX 260 is no doubt more powerful than the 4850...

For that resolution the HD 4850 is more than suffice and would give you better value for money than the GTX 260...
But you will not be able to play all the games at the highest settings with all eye candies turned ON...
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] 2116%5D=on

But a $86 4850 is better than a $160 GTX 260 if you look at the value perspective...

Reply to gkay09
binwhui   05-07-2009 at 07:55:35 AM
- 0 +

gtx260 for higher resolution gaming.. :D

Reply to binwhui
Dahak   05-07-2009 at 07:59:55 AM
- 0 +

I think it all comes down to preference realy.Both NVIDIA and ATI have thier pros and cons.However,the 4850 is very close performance wise to the GTX260,and for about half the money.I personaly would go for the GTX,however at the price per performance value of the 4850,you really can't go wrong with the 4850.Goodluck.

Dahak

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Reply to Dahak
jsc   05-07-2009 at 05:38:55 PM
- 0 +

Price/performance ratio, 4850 wins. However, in terms of performance, 4870 vs. GTX260, it is a tossup depending on what games you play.

Reply to jsc
Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   05-07-2009 at 05:59:43 PM
- 0 +

@ boredpessimist: What motherboard will you be using? Daft question perhaps with so many going for i7 but I feel it needs to be asked.

Reply to coozie7
invisik   05-07-2009 at 06:39:10 PM
- 0 +

i would get the gtx260 because even at the med range resolution if you enable aa/af that card would have trouble keeping up, but if you don't plan to have all the eye candy 4850 would suffice.

Reply to invisik
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