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Which one do you think is better and why

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Which one do you think is better and why

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htfdwlfpack   08-01-2009 at 06:39:51 PM

I currently have a Nvidia 8600GTS(don't laugh :) and im looking to upgrade. Ive got some good advice from people but wanted to see what everyone here thought of these two cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150359

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150394

The second one is my first choice because of the price. Id like to stay in that range or top out at 200 dollars, would like to avoid that if possible.

I only see two differences in the cards, the memory clock and the core clock. Now i don't pretend to know what either of these do, Ive done a little research on them but that's about it.

What are the pros and cons of each card, im sure theres not many but lets see what you guys have to say.


I use my PC mostly for gaming, and intenet seraching and some college course work, so basically this card will be for games.
Im more of an RPG player,currently my game of choice is Lord of the Rings Online. Ill also be looking to get DragonAge ,diablo3(if it ever comes out) and SW:TOR,when it comes out. Im not an intense gamer but i like to be able to play games at high settings and stuff like that, which i currently can not do with the card i have. Ok enough rambling i hope to return to find some answers to my questions

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jitpublisher   08-01-2009 at 07:07:10 PM
- 0 +

The 4870 is indeed a great card for the price, you could not really go wrong. However, having said that....
We need to know the rest of your basic hardware to give you informed, intelligent advice my friend. CPU, memory, motherboard, monitor and resolution you game at please.

Message quoted 1 times
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xc0mmiex   08-01-2009 at 07:14:56 PM
- 0 +

yes, it would be nice to see your other components, saying that it does not seem that you are really playing very demanding games

------------------------------ http://www.speedtest.net/result/511560750.png
E6600 @ 3.6, 2 X HD4850(680/1150), OCZ 4Gigz
 Reply to xc0mmiex
htfdwlfpack   08-01-2009 at 07:35:20 PM
- 0 +

jitpublisher wrote :

The 4870 is indeed a great card for the price, you could not really go wrong. However, having said that....
We need to know the rest of your basic hardware to give you informed, intelligent advice my friend. CPU, memory, motherboard, monitor and resolution you game at please.


Lets see if i can gt it all correct :)

Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs)
Mem: for the life of me cant remember exactly how much but i know its 4+(using a 32bit system right now though)
Motherboard:Abit fatality fp-in9 sli board

as for the monitor and resolution question im a bit confused so ill post what i know and if you need more clearifications or different information let me know
monitor Samsung SyncMaster 2433BW Widescreen Monitor, using 1920X1200. Something tells me this might not be what your looking for but ill check back soon if i got it wrong :)

Thanks so fr for the quick replys from you two i appreciate it

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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   08-01-2009 at 07:46:19 PM
- 0 +

At that resolution (which was the info we needed BTW) get the HD4890 but bear in mind it needs a good quality powersupply with 1X6 pin and 1X8 pin PCI-E power connectors. I would not advise using power adaptors on a card with such a high power draw, it could overload the power lines.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
htfdwlfpack   08-01-2009 at 07:50:18 PM
- 0 +

coozie7 wrote :

At that resolution (which was the info we needed BTW) get the HD4890 but bear in mind it needs a good quality powersupply with 1X6 pin and 1X8 pin PCI-E power connectors. I would not advise using power adaptors on a card with such a high power draw, it could overload the power lines.




PHEW i got it right lol.

Thanks this is also the PS i have in my PC. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/776 (took the first link google gave me seems to have the information that is needed :)

Not sure what you ment about the power connectors as ive got to be honest never heard of them before. Perhaps i have an just never paid attention


Message edited by htfdwlfpack on 08-01-2009 at 07:52:16 PM
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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   08-01-2009 at 08:02:05 PM
- 0 +

No problems, looks like all the boxes are ticked, you are good to go with either card.
If your case is fairly large and well ventilated and in the spirit of healthy competition:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127429

The cards are of equal standing: One is better at game X the other at game Y.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
htfdwlfpack   08-01-2009 at 08:20:42 PM
- 0 +

Thank you coozie7 youve been most helpful.

now if i could just find a good promo code for newegg.com that would be the icing on the cake

Reply to htfdwlfpack
Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   08-01-2009 at 08:26:50 PM
- 0 +

Check this, it's a few dollars less, but free shipping as well.
The warranty is not as good, though:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102830

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
jitpublisher   08-01-2009 at 08:51:28 PM
- 0 +

Tough choice, the 4890 or the 275. Really comes down to your preference here, nVidia or ATI. But at the res you posted, I would get one of these 2 cards that coozie posted.
Don't know how you feel about overclocking, but if you bump that Q6700 up a notch or to around 3ghz, and get one of these GPU's, you are going to be ready for some serious gaming! The cards alone though are going to be a night and day improvement over what you had.

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CWillis767   08-02-2009 at 03:28:40 AM
- 0 +

You went with Nvidia the first time why not do it again. Plus Intel and Nvidia have a good history together with their components and also the companies work together often on new products. Usually that ends in better optimization.

Reply to CWillis767
soldier37   08-02-2009 at 05:36:52 AM
- 0 +

I would wait, DX11 cards are coming in September wait and see whats coming then...

------------------------------ Phen 2 955 @ 4 GHZ MSI 790FX AM3 Gskill 8Gb DDR3 1333 ATI 5870 1 Gb 2 x Velociraptors 600Gb Gateway 24" 1920 x 1200 DVI 32 GB Iphone 3GS and Blu Ray...life is good!
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