ATI 4870 X2 or 4980?

[aln688]

For mostly desktop use but with the occasional gaming session in Crysis (both versions), Half-Life 2, Command and Conquer and Microsoft Flight Simulator on an LCD monitor which runs at 1600x1200, which card do you think would give the best performance for the money, the 4870 X2 or 4890? I notice the 4870 X2 is now down to about $380.

I am considering the 4890 - single card, 1GHz clock speed (Sapphire), runs cooler, etc., and considering the final card will be installed in an Asus Rampage II Gene + Antec P180 Mini (translation: Micro ATX) I thought this would be a good idea. However I like the fact the 4870 X2 provides excellent frame rates, on games I have now and future games.

Just seeking an opinion on the pro's and con's. I'm not interested in SLI'ing cards, as I don't have a lot of space, not to mention a 2nd graphics card would knock out my sound card. Thanks.

 

[daedalus685]

There is little reason to get anything more than a 4870 for that resolution. The 4870x2 would be a profound wast of money. If the 4890 were cheep i suppose it would be alright.. but still more than enough for 99% of games.

 

[coozie7]

I think the HD4870X2 is a waste of your money unless you play games a lot more than 'occasionally'.
At your resolution, the HD4890 is a bit more than you need as well so if you want/need/wish to save a bit the 1Gb HD4870 or GTX260 will max out all those games for a bit less.
As always, shop around and look for 'special' deals. XFX, EVGA and BFG offer the longest warranties but you MUST register to qualify. EVGA anf BFG offer a 'step up' program-see their websites for details.
Make sure you have enough power.

 

[ausch30]

+1^

The 4890 is better than your current 4870 but not so much so that it would be worth the upgrade. You already have a very good card, I would wait to see what the next generation brings.

 

[aln688]

I fail to understand how resolution plays a part in this discussion?

Seeing as the OP currently has a 4870 there is no reason to go with another card at this moment.

No, right now I don't have anything for this system, I've yet to buy a video card.

 

[megamanx00]

I say go with a 4870 X2. The con is that it uses more power than the 4890. Well the 4890 also uses a heck of alot of power too . Also, the 4870 X2 has some CPU overhead due to it being two 4870s in crossfire, but with a sufficiently fast CPU that shouldn't be much of a concern. Generally at that resolution the 4870 X2 will alow you to turn up the FSAA and AF as well.

 

[aln688]

Oh, i was looking at your config profile.

In that case depending on how often you upgrade I would get the most powerful you can as whilst people will say other cards will handle that resolution fine, they may do for now but when newer games come out and you still want eye candy then a faster card will benefit in the long run.

Of course price performance would be better with the 4890. Your money.

Sorry, I haven't updated my configuration profile in a while.

I don't upgrade often, in fact I much prefer to buy once and keep the piece of hardware for years and years. I'm thinking of newer games as well and I'm now err'ing on the side of the 4870 X2, although judging from Newegg I don't like the comments about the cheapest 4870 X2, the Sapphire, people reporting it fails after a few months and being charged a $15 administration fee for RMA!