4850 versus 9800GT low profile

[pwdbyhonda]

I am planning to put together the following HTPC case for serious gaming and entertainment on my plasma tv:

Phenom X3 720BE
Biostar 790GX
Corsair 450W psu
Gskill PC2 6400 memory
Silverstone LC13B-E


The Silverstone Newegg reviews seem to say that the HTPC case can hold a 4850. Not sure if I should go for the 9800GT low profile or not. It seems to be the fastest low profile card out there. Is the 9800GT future proof for gaming? I haven't seen any benchmarks. I want to crank up the settings.

I am torn. Help me choose.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The 4850 is faster. That case does not need a low profile card.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

I realize that the 4850 will "fit". But I have been reading that the 9800GT is the most powerful low profile card out there and will produce a lot less heat. I guess I am trying to figure out how bad the heat issue is with a 4850 and whether the lower performance of the 9800GT is a small tradeoff that makes sense. Its an HTPC issue

 

[Lonyo]

You might want to consider an HD4770 if you are concerned about heat issues, since it is almost equal to the HD4850 and pulls a lot less juice.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3553&p=9
HD4850 uses about 20w more than the 9800GT which uses about 20w more than the HD4770. And the HD4770 is faster than the 9800GT. Best of both worlds.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Do you know what low profile means? It doesn't have anything to do with power and heat. The case actually requires a full sized card and not a low profile one. You'd be just as well off getting the regular 9800GT as you are the low profile version. The heat from 4850 is not bad, but if you are that concerned do what Lonyo said and get the 4770, which is still faster than the 9800GT and cooler than the 4850.

In fact, this HD4850 will dump less heat inside your case than the low profile 9800GT.

 

[Jacen]

Go with the 4770. Has the best balance of things you are looking for. picking up a 9800GT is a bit silly at this point with better cards using less power.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

I went with the 4850 because Newegg has a great deal on the Sapphire right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102824

My order hasn't shipped yet. Is it too late to replace it with the 4770? I wish I had a free shipping code for the 4770

By the way, what's up with all of the newegg customer reviews saying that there isn't software support for the 4770?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102835


Is the difference in heat between the 4850 and 4770 significant enough to even go through the hassle of changing my order now?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

can't go wrong with the 4770 or the 4850, both will work well in that case.

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: pwdbyhonda
I went with the 4850 because Newegg has a great deal on the Sapphire right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102824

My order hasn't shipped yet. Is it too late to replace it with the 4770? I wish I had a free shipping code for the 4770

By the way, what's up with all of the newegg customer reviews saying that there isn't software support for the 4770?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102835


Is the difference in heat between the 4850 and 4770 significant enough to even go through the hassle of changing my order now?

ignore the newegg posts. they were either written by focus group members or idiots. or both.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
can't go wrong with the 4770 or the 4850, both will work well in that case.

Guess I will stick with the 4850. Thanks!

 

[firewolfsm]

There is a significant difference in heat output between the cards, I'd try to change the order.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

Now I am lost

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: firewolfsm
There is a significant difference in heat output between the cards, I'd try to change the order.

not really.. the 4850 performs well within its specification. only nubs say that their GPU is overheating when its @ 100c under heavy load. modern GPU's are within spec @ 100c. my 8800gt and x1900xt were over 100c on many occasions and didn't artifact and working until now.

the 4850 will be fine in that case

 

[pwdbyhonda]

You guys are killing me. I am going to stick with the 4850. I would have at least considered changing to the 4770 if there was even free shipping. The 4850 is about $23 cheaper after rebate and free shipping.

I don't know if it is accurate, but one of the Newegg reviewers said on May 5, 2009 that "This thing runs cool (Idle = 33-34, load =49-51)."

Hopefully that justifies keeping it.

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: pwdbyhonda
Now I am lost

HD4770 will use about 30w less power than the HD4850, but both should work alright. All the heat from either card will end up in the case though so a lower power card means less heat and thus lower temperatures for everything.
It's not essential to go for the lower powered card, but it would be nicer overall in a small case.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

Since its an HTPC, it won't be running a lot (like an office computer). One exception to that is that I will most likely use this for video editing of AVCHD as well, which does run long. I just don't want to have overheating of components.

 

[Creig]

Originally posted by: pwdbyhonda
Since its an HTPC, it won't be running a lot (like an office computer). One exception to that is that I will most likely use this for video editing of AVCHD as well, which does run long. I just don't want to have overheating of components.

I have a 4850 in my HTPC and all I can hear from the case is a very low level fan noise. 100% stable with no artifacts or issues and it only has the smaller, original heatsink/fan design, not the larger cooler that yours has. I think you'll be just fine.

 

[pwdbyhonda]

Originally posted by: Creig

Originally posted by: pwdbyhonda
Since its an HTPC, it won't be running a lot (like an office computer). One exception to that is that I will most likely use this for video editing of AVCHD as well, which does run long. I just don't want to have overheating of components.

I have a 4850 in my HTPC and all I can hear from the case is a very low level fan noise. 100% stable with no artifacts or issues and it only has the smaller, original heatsink/fan design, not the larger cooler that yours has. I think you'll be just fine.

Thanks! That makes me feel a lot better. I'll stick with it based on the great deal I got.

 

[supertle55]

Originally posted by: bryanW1995

Originally posted by: pwdbyhonda
I went with the 4850 because Newegg has a great deal on the Sapphire right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102824

My order hasn't shipped yet. Is it too late to replace it with the 4770? I wish I had a free shipping code for the 4770

By the way, what's up with all of the newegg customer reviews saying that there isn't software support for the 4770?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102835


Is the difference in heat between the 4850 and 4770 significant enough to even go through the hassle of changing my order now?

ignore the newegg posts. they were either written by focus group members or idiots. or both.

This is NOT a LOW PROFILE card. I am quite confused with the posts in this thread. I too am looking for a low profile decent video card. Unfortunately my problem will probably require a new thread b/c my crappy DELL PC has a 165W power supply.

 

[Stoneburner]

you can get the 4770 from amazon with freeshipping for $99. I preordered a saphire card and it supposedly shipped today. The site still says it's on preorder though.

http://www.amazon.com/Powercol...&qid=1242069941&sr=8-3

It lists the powercolor in stock now.

 

[GaiaHunter]

You are fine.

And the op doesn't need a low profile card. Low profile means about half height, except in the back plate. Has nothing to do with heat and whatnot.

Additionally heat generated doesn't mean heat dissipated. A card that is working at a lower temperature can drop more heat inside your case.

For example when I turn on the fan speed of my 4850, the core and ram will work at lower temperature but the heat needs to go somewhere - inside my case.

The 4770 will generate less heat as consume less power, but the difference isn't dramatic.

The 4850 is faster than the 4770 at stock speed, the 4770 has less power consumption and move overclock room, but the differences aren't significant.

My opinion buy the cheaper card.