Which to pick? 4870 512mb, 4850 512mb, 9800 GTX+512mb, 250 512mb

[darkpsycho]

Currently my 8800 GTS 512mb is dying and i'm having a hard time choosing which one to replace this card. I'd like to choose by the end of today. I'm having a hard time choosing because in some reviews and benchmarks some are about the same but I'm still not sure. I'm even just thinking of buying just another 8800 gts but i'd like better fps but I think my processor holds me back.

I need opinions badly =/. I think I can just barely fit a 9.5 inch card.

My currently build is
Mobo - MSI K9A2 Platinum
Graphics - EVGA 8800 GTS 512mb
Processor - AMD Phenom 9500 2.2gHz
Memory - 4GB OCZ Platinum
Power - 600W Enermax Noisetaker
Case - Apevia X-Cruiser Mid tower


Evga 9800 GTX+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

Evga 250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130468

Sapphire 4850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102833

Sapphire 4870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

 

[darkpsycho]

Well I don't think my parents will take very well to paying for a new processor as much as I think I need one. Not exactly sure I can get them to buy a video card and processor for me even if I say i'll pay for the processor.
But even if I were to buy a new processor I was thinking more along the lines of the Phenom 9950 black edition or the Phenom II X4 920

Nevertheless. Any other suggestions besides upgrading processor?

 

[daedalus685]

Your processor is going to choke them all. Upgrade both at the same time. X3 720 and a nice HD 4770

BTW - GTX+ and 250 are the same card

Oh come on... it is not a great cpu but it isnt going to choke the cards..... Try to be a little more definitive when you offer advice.

A 4870 is the clear winner as far as performance goes, if you play at 1920*1200 or so I'd go with that. Otherwise a 4850 will tide you over fine, though it won't be a huge upgrade over an 8800, but broken is broken i suppsoe

The cpu will limit your fps a tad, specially at lower resolutions, but it won't be catastrophic. Realistically the 4850 is not a huge leap above the 8800gts, it won't be bottlenecked any worse.

 

[darkpsycho]

I normally play games at 1260x940 windowed i believe.

 

[daedalus685]

I normally play games at 1260x940 windowed i believe.

In that case don't bother spending money on anything mroe than a 4850. Even that is not really required, but anything less expensive would be a downgrade from the 8800gts.

 

[darkpsycho]

Just curious though. I might upgrade my processor in the future. Would my power supply be able to handle the 9950 or the Phenom II X4 920 with the 4870/4850?

 

[KyleSTL]

BTW - GTX+ and 250 are the same card

Nope, the GTX+ has 512MB, all 250s have 1GB.

I agree with daedalus685 in the recommendation of the 4850. If you don't mind me asking, why are you playing at such a low res?

 

[darkpsycho]

My monitor is only 15" and its a old dell one. I haven't bought a new monitor yet otherwise I would be playing at a higher resolution.

 

[1tym]

Nope, the GTX+ has 512MB, all 250s have 1GB.

ummmm ALL 250s have 1GB?? 250s come in at both 512mb and 1GB.. the op just linked a 250 with 512mb GDDR3 on it.

cheaper 4850 here
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

 

[megamanx00]

The 4870 is the best option, especially at current prices, and is really the only card you listed that would be an upgrade from your current card. The 9800GTX/GTX+ and the GTS250 are pretty much the same as the 8800GTS 512 just with a die shrink and slightly higher clock speeds. As for the 4850 it's pretty much on the same level as the 9800GTX/GTS250.

Its true that your CPU would bottleneck a 4870 a bit, but your motherboard is a pretty good overclocker so you may want to look into overclock your CPU a bit as well. Considering you have a crossfire board (with 4 slots at that) it doesn't really make sense for you to be looking at nvidia cards. Anyway you can always upgrade your CPU latter on and add another 4870 for more performance.

 

[darkpsycho]

Ugh i'm going to get a headache between 4870 and 4850...

If I were to buy the 4870 which design would be better?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102769
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

And what is the length?

 

[xaira]

4850 1gb, incase u decide to get another cardafter the initial purchace

 

[darkpsycho]

=/ I need to know the length and thickness and width. I'm worried if it's alot bigger then my 8800 gts it may not fit in my case correctly.

 

[im_just_jokin]

i got a 9800gtx+ it cranks not a game a cant play on top gfx quality but i got a e8400 too water cooled.

 

[darkpsycho]

Apparently on Amazon its 6.5 x 3.5 x 11.5 inches.. that is wayyy to big for my case.

 

[im_just_jokin]

i had to take part of my case out for it to fit

 

[darkpsycho]

I was talking about the Radeon 4870. I can't even find the dimensions of the Radeon 4850.. Sigh i was hoping to buying it today... but I spent the whole god dam time trying to find out the dimensions for both the 4870 and the 4850 with no luck. Stupid Sapphire doesn't put their dimensions anywhere and no one seems to want to put it in reviews or just on forums. Two different kinds of 4870s i'm looking at and a 4850 Vapor-x edition..

Please someone help me out here -.- Should I pick a different manufacturer then Sapphire? =/ I've never bought an Radeon so i'm not exactly sure which is the best.

 

[inspector71]

go with the 4850 you wont see much or any difference with the 4870 and its more expensive.

 

[inspector71]

i got a 9800gtx+ it cranks not a game a cant play on top gfx quality but i got a e8400 too water cooled.

Are you bragging in the forum?????

 

[inspector71]

Ugh i'm going to get a headache between 4870 and 4850...

If I were to buy the 4870 which design would be better?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102769
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

And what is the length?

Niether get the 4850 dude trust me.

 

[photonboy]

Your CPU isn't too bad. Don't fall into the trap of having to get the latest hardware.

GET THE GAMES THAT RUN GOOD ON YOUR SYSTEM. There are lots.

I recommend getting the HD4850 personally. It's a great value.

FYI, Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 will run great on your system with an HD4850. Many other games will too. There will always be games that require the latest and greatest hardware.

 

[darkpsycho]

Alright thanks guys.. but I still need to know the size for the SAPPHIRE Vapor-x 4850. My case is the Apevia X-Cruiser.. its not very big

 

[invisik]

Get this its a lot cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161244

That case i believe is a mid-tower should fit a 4850 fine.

 

[darkpsycho]

Your CPU isn't too bad. Don't fall into the trap of having to get the latest hardware.

GET THE GAMES THAT RUN GOOD ON YOUR SYSTEM. There are lots.

I recommend getting the HD4850 personally. It's a great value.

FYI, Diablo 3 and Starcraft 2 will run great on your system with an HD4850. Many other games will too. There will always be games that require the latest and greatest hardware.

That is what I plan on getting when they come out but atm I play Fallout 3, WoW and heroes of newerth.
And I just ordered the HIS Radeon 4850 instead of the Sapphire. Thanks all for your help

 

[inspector71]

That is what I plan on getting when they come out but atm I play Fallout 3, WoW and heroes of newerth.
And I just ordered the HIS Radeon 4850 instead of the Sapphire. Thanks all for your help

great choice darkpsycho....