4890 vs 4870x2

[vainta]

specs - Amd Phenom II 560 BE- Unlocked
ASus M4A78LT-M LE (1 pci-e slot)
Visiontek 3870 512mb
Gskill 8gb ram
WD Velociraptor 300GB 10k RPM
OCZ StealthxStream 700w
Antec V3 case






I was wondering which one would be better. I have a choice between an ATI 4890 and Sapphire 4870x2 for about the same price. Which one would be better. I'm usually streaming videos (jtv) and playing games ie sc2. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[bearclaw99]

4870 X2 easily. The 4890 itself is only a notch above a single 4870

 

[mactronix]

While the 4870X2 is easily a faster card than teh 4890 the question is do you really need or want a dual GPU solution. Its basically the same as running in Crossfire and will come with all the issues that would include.
Things are a lot better now but i would worry about support with newer games for profiles needed to make the crossfire work properly.

The 4980 is a huge step up from a 3870 anyway, whats sc2 anyway ? I ask as you would really need to look and see if as i say you actually need a dual card or if the 4890's performance in your favoured games would be fine.
Do check more things and titles though as buying a card based on a single title can lead to disappointment further down the line.

Mactronix

 

[vvhocare5]

The 4890 is a single GPU card, the 4870x2 was the dual gpu single card solution. The 4890 replaced the 4870 and was a lotcooler than the 4870x2.

The 4870x2 runs at a 750 clock and the 4890 runs at a 850 clock. For video or anything like that either is fine. The only difference will show up in 3d games.

You know this is a close call. The 4870X2 will be faster in CF games, slightly slower in nonCF games, but will be noisier and hotter. The 4890 will be faster in non-CF games and possibly slower in CF games, while being a little cooler.

The 4870 also takes two slots.

I hate these which card, PSU, case is better questions that litter this place. But...I would look at the 5770 if I were you. The 4xxx series are all discontinued parts anyhow...

 

[megamanx00]

I agree with most of what vvhocare5 said, but not all of it, so no +1 for you . 4870X2 takes two slots and is a big long card. Since I don't know which V3 case you have (there are several), I don't know if that card will fit. It should fit in most good Antec cases though. Your PSU should be enough to handle either card just fine.

If you can get the 4870X2 for a good price (less than $180), it fits in your case, and you don't mind the noise it will generate (the fan will rev up especially if you have poor air flow), then go for the 4870X2. If the 4870X2 won't fit in your case, then the 4890 is a good option so long as it's under $150. If the 4890 is more than $150 it makes more sense to start looking at the faster and newer Radeon 6850 or GTX 460.

 

[vainta]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0323929


oops its a thermaltake v3 case.. & these cards are from my friends shop. He's only asking for $80 for which ever I choose. I'm selling my 3870 for $60 on craigslist. So I'm basically paying $20 more for one of these two cards.

@mactronix Newer games? Not interested in new games. I'm Old school. counter strike and starcraft2 is all I play.

 

[dmcclelland1]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0323929


oops its a thermaltake v3 case.. & these cards are from my friends shop. He's only asking for $80 for which ever I choose. I'm selling my 3870 for $60 on craigslist. So I'm basically paying $20 more for one of these two cards.

@mactronix Newer games? Not interested in new games. I'm Old school. counter strike and starcraft2 is all I play.

I would go for the 4870x2, it is the more powerful option. You will probably have the sound on your games anyway so the noise factor is probably limited. Yes I know that SC2 is not a typical "CF" game, but as a person running CF it does make a 20-25 FPS difference in SC2 when i enable my crossfire.