GTX 460 786MB SLI VS HD 5870 1GB

[bleach]

I am looking at two used GPU's, options. 460 SLI for $320 or 5870 for $300. Which should I get?

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: It's used so ASAP.

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Crysis Warhead, home theater/watching movies. (Just getting back into gaming, more games to follow.)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: 8800 GT SC 512MB SLI, Ultra LSP 650 (+12V 1: 38 A) I WILL get a new PSU.(Don't like this one all that much. only had it for 6 days.)

I will be looking for a new PSU with a +12 1: 48+ A.

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: ASUS M4N82-Deluxe SLI MOBO, AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+, DDR2 4x2GB 8GB 5-4-4-12 800, 80GB/1TB HDD's,

Getting a 955 BE or a 1090T BE.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: N/A

PARTS PREFERENCES: Nvidia, so I could use my SLI MOBO BUT ATI is just fine.(My next MOBO may be a CFX.)

OVERCLOCKING: Not on the 64 X2 CPU, but the new one YES. SLI :depends on GPU

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Truly MAXING out Crysis Warhead.

 

[wh3resmycar]

get the 460. and yup, you'll need to have that psu replaced, look at a corsair tx650. mind you there's a scarcity of sli enabled am3 boards.

 

[55Range]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/181?vs=162
Chart above for 1 gb gtx 460, expect a bit less for the 768 mb.. Still GTX 460 sli- the better choice compared to a single 5870.

 

[bleach]

Thank you, both of you. 460 it is. I am going to check this PSU out.(review wise.) XFX P1-650X-CAH9 650W XXX Edition. (It's $100 so it in my budget, after the GPU's and CPU my fund are a bit low.)

 

[wh3resmycar]

remember to oc those 460s a bit. 800mhz core is easily achievable.

 

[geekapproved]

Those prices are for USED???

You can get NEW Asus Direct CU GTX460 for the same price ($159 x 2 = $320) and after rebate they are only $139. ($139 x 2 = $280)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

 

[Ahelpinghand]

If your going to SLI gtx 460's I'm supposing you're running at 1080P, and you are going to use AA. Get 1 GB versions of 460, and if you are using a monitor higher than 1080P, get 2 GB versions. The 768 MB versions of cards will slow you down, and you will wonder why you didn't get the 1gb's for a little more. Also, you will need at the least around a 750 Watt to run 2 460's (At the least), go the extra mile for future overclocking.

 

[bleach]

Those prices are for USED???

You can get NEW Asus Direct CU GTX460 for the same price ($159 x 2 = $320) and after rebate they are only $139. ($139 x 2 = $280)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

I am in Canada. The used card is a EVGA 768-P3-1362-AR for $120, plus one new card at $200=$320 for both. Life time warranty(The used one has been 'signed-up')


AHelpingHand:


I am using 1680x1050, and for the time being I am not getting new LCD's.(Funds are too low, and will for awhile after all this.)

 

[wh3resmycar]

If your going to SLI gtx 460's I'm supposing you're running at 1080P, and you are going to use AA. Get 1 GB versions of 460, and if you are using a monitor higher than 1080P, get 2 GB versions. The 768 MB versions of cards will slow you down, and you will wonder why you didn't get the 1gb's for a little more. Also, you will need at the least around a 750 Watt to run 2 460's (At the least), go the extra mile for future overclocking.

faults. the difference between the 768mb/1gb is not the RAM to say the least. it's processing power as far as 1080p is concerned. name a game that severely chokes the 768mb version versus the 1gb please @ 1080p?

and as far as crysis concerned:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-460-sli-review/11

settings was on high. take away a minimum of 10% to a maximum 20% performance loss with very high enabled and you get a score (1600x1200).


cheapest 768mb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...25334&cm_re=gtx460_768-_-14-125-334-_-Product

while the 1gb variation still hovers around $180 upward.

the 2gb variation on the other hand is a fail.

http://benchmarkextreme.com/Articles/GTX 460 ANALYSIS/P1.html

a more comprehensive 768mb vs 1gb sli comparison

http://benchmarkextreme.com/Articles/GTX 460 ANALYSIS/P3.html

so much for having 1gb vram eh?

 

[geekapproved]

Dont you think it would be important to mention you live in another country when asking for advice on price vs. performance??

 

[bleach]

Dont you think it would be important to mention you live in another country when asking for advice on price vs. performance??

Yeah, I do now. However I gave only two options. I just didn't know which would be best.(somewhat the same.)