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[Solved] GPU decisions

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] GPU decisions

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Best answer from Transmaniacon.

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brockh   09-18-2009 at 07:11:45 PM

Hey guys, I'm in the middle of a build and I'm trying to decide on which GPU would best suit me. I've got a few options within $20 or so of each other and I'm finding it hard to make a decision. My current build looks like (without the combo deal I'm trying to decide on):

Case: Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

Hard drive: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

Power supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ... - Retail

(Combo) Processor: AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX - Retail
(Combo) Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Keyboard/mouse: Microsoft QQA-00001S Black USB Digital Media Keyboard 3000 and Mouse Kit - OEM

Monitor: Acer X213Hbid 21.5" 5ms HDMI Widescreen Full HD 1080P LCD Monitor - Retail

So I'm trying to stay on a decent budget here, but I also don't want to skimp on anything because I don't want to touch it for a long while. Here are the memory/GPU combos I'm trying to decide on (all with G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail):

(Combo) Video card: SAPPHIRE 279L Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

(Combo) Video card: SAPPHIRE 100279-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

(Combo) Video card: SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100269VXLE Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

So, exactly what I'm asking is, as I want to play at that monitors max resolution (1920x1080/1080p), which card do I need? Is the processor going to bog the bigger 4890 down, or do I not even need that much power? Can that power supply handle it as well? Or should I just stick with the $85 4850? Please take careful note of the prices. The rest of my build is also up for scrutiny if you can save me any money. :)

Thank you!

[NOTE] I just wanted to say I'm aware of the new line of GPUs ATi will be releasing soon. A lot of the instant/mail-in rebate stuff expires around September 21st, which will negate the $10-30 dollars I might save, and I'm getting ancy, so unless it's gonna save me $50+ I don't see the point in waiting.


Message edited by brockh on 09-18-2009 at 07:28:26 PM
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Best answer from Transmaniacon
Well the HD4870 is a solid contender, but as with most computer hardware, you can spend a little more and get the HD4890, which will last longer, and save money in the long run. For that resolution, I wouldn't consider anything less than a HD4870, but if I were you I would spend a little bit more now and get the HD4890. It will be perfect at that resolution, and will give you great performance. The CPU will not bottleneck that GPU, and that specific CPU is very easily OCed, giving you even better performance.
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Bronze Home Brew badge Transmaniacon   09-18-2009 at 07:21:02 PM
Best answer

Well the HD4870 is a solid contender, but as with most computer hardware, you can spend a little more and get the HD4890, which will last longer, and save money in the long run. For that resolution, I wouldn't consider anything less than a HD4870, but if I were you I would spend a little bit more now and get the HD4890. It will be perfect at that resolution, and will give you great performance. The CPU will not bottleneck that GPU, and that specific CPU is very easily OCed, giving you even better performance.

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Bronze Home Brew badge dndhatcher   09-18-2009 at 07:25:02 PM

The reason the rebates/deals end on sept 21 is the first of the 5800 ships on the 22nd so they will re-price everything then. There is no guarantee that the deals will be better when the new cards come out, you have to decide what you think will happen.

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brockh   09-18-2009 at 07:26:14 PM

I was thinking the 4890 was the best deal. I realized I linked the individual cards instead of the combo deals in the original post, which may not have put into perspective the real price differences; It's only $15 more after the mail-in rebate for that much more performance! As far as the 4870 goes, does the 512MB to 1GB matter much? I remember memory usually being a larger player the higher resolution?

Thanks for your input.

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Bronze Home Brew badge Transmaniacon   09-18-2009 at 07:33:31 PM

^ Well only for higher resolutions, though you will not be able to max AA even at the mid-range resolutions.

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brockh   09-18-2009 at 07:33:48 PM

dndhatcher wrote :

With only 512 you will have to turn AA/AF off.



Oh okay. I'll probably stick with one of the 1GB versions then.

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Bronze Home Brew badge dndhatcher   09-18-2009 at 07:54:48 PM

Transmaniacon wrote :

^ Well only for higher resolutions, though you will not be able to max AA even at the mid-range resolutions.


On my 9800 GTX+(512) and 1680x1050 monitor turning AA off on every contemporary game makes a noticeable difference. The 4870 is a bit stronger so it may not have quite as much problem, but AA is a memory hog.

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brockh   09-18-2009 at 09:29:57 PM

Alright I went ahead and bought everything with the 4890. Thanks guys.

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