4850 vs dual 3870x2 CF, bang for buck?

[stonedzen]

So i was given an HIS 3870x2 for free last year from my father in law. I recently upgraded my hardware and now my video card is bottle necking my system's performance.

I have found used 3870x2 cards for less than $80-$90 with shipping. Since I didnt have to pay for my first 3870x2, getting another for crossfire would put a total cost for my dual 3870x2 CF setup at less than $100.

However I've recently read reviews about the 4850, which are all very positive. They are now $120-$150 for a single card.

Here's my question:

With modern games, would it be worth the $80 for a dual 3870x2 setup in 16x/16x crossfire? Or should I wait a year and save money for a single, more modern card?

Its hard to find reviews on dual 3870x2 setups that arent from two years ago. The drivers for CF have improved tremendously since then, so the reviews arent really relevant anymore.


Specs:
Phenom II x4 955 BE OCed to 3.8ghz
MSI GD70-790FX with 16x/16x/8x/4x crossfire
G.Skill 2x2gb DDR3-1600mhz CL 7-8-7-24
HIS Radeon HD3870x2 1gb DDR3

 

[stonedzen]

moving from the 3870x2 to a single 4850 would be a lateral move in terms of graphic performance. If you really want to upgrade I would look at the ATI 5850 / Nvidia 280 or higher. Anything below that would not be a major improvement.

I would personally wait for the next generation of cards to come out. Nvidia will have new cards in the summer, ATI in the fall.

Okay well, the thing is I have little to no money to throw at this. This was a budget related question. Would it be worth $80 to create a dual 3870x2 setup at 16x/16x crossfire...especially since my first card cost me nothing....?

Or......would it be better to stash a little money here and there over the next year and save for a a mid quality HD58xx or high quality HD48xx series?

Either way I wont have more than $150-$200 max, no exceptions.


SO...... price to performance, would $80 be worth a 2 card 3870x2 crossfire or should a save for a while and get a single modern card? (again $150 is my realistic budget for either option)

 

[nforce4max]

I wouldn't mind getting a 3870x2 to trifire with my existing 3870 single. Fillrate wise they hold their own while power consumption is high. 196w max.

 

[stonedzen]

I've been researching all day and I think going for another 3870x2 would be worth it if I can find one under $100. Again, I consider it worth it because I got my first one for free, so it's almost like I'm simply buying the original one I never paid for and getting another one free. Also, when I got the first one, they were running $500+ retail. Though it dated technology, I think its worth it in the big picture...considering my budget.

I wont be able to buy a new card until I get a raise at my job and pay off the last upgrade I got. This will be about a year from now, so by then I will probably buy a 58xx card either way, maybe even two for crossfire.

Anyways, any other input is welcome. If I do get the 3870x2, it wont be for a month at least. Also, if anyone knows a good benchmark on dual 3870x2 crossfireX vs newer cards, I'd love to see it!

 

[stonedzen]

Best answer selected by stonedzen.