4850 xfire or single 4870???

[latexblanky]

Hey everyone, I'm new here and I'm building my first gaming rig soon and need a little help on picking a video card. I'm trying to decide between getting a single HD 4850 and running crossfire on a P45 board later on, or getting a single HD 4870.
I'm getting the gigabyte ud3p, and a Q6600 (never OC'd but going to). The monitor I have now is pretty small (17 or 19 I think) and I'm planning on getting a 22'' or 24'' soon. So basically my options are:

1) Get the 4850 and the monitor at once (crossfire later)

or

2) Get the 4870, and get the monitor later, and possibly crossfire later.



I can't afford an X38/48 mobo, so would crossfire not be worth it with the P45? and if that's the case, should I just go with the single 4870?


Let me know if I need to clear anything up. Thanks in advance!

 

[latexblanky]

Also, I forgot to mention that I am talking about a 1gb 4870. If I went for the 512mb 4870 I could probably squeeze the monitor in about a month or so after I build, if not right away. Guess it depends on what kind of black friday deals newegg has

 

[zod96]

If you get a 22 inch lcd then a single 4870 is perfect. A 4850 would also be ok. But if you got a 24 inch then the 4870 1 gb or crossfire 4850's depending on what games you play...

 

[latexblanky]

Thanks for the reply zod96. I want to play newer games and future games (alan wake needs to hurry up), and have them look as good as possible. The only reason I was leaning towards a 1gb 4870 is because I've heard that the extra memory helps when using AA. I'm probably going to get a 22'' monitor around black friday so I can try to save some money, but if I can find a nice 24'' for around $200 I'll get that. Would the 1gb 4870 be more "future proof", and would it be overkill on a 22''? Thanks again!

 

[Whitedog]

Originally posted by: latexblanky I'm probably going to get a 22'' monitor around black friday so I can try to save some money, but if I can find a nice 24'' for around $200 I'll get that. Would the 1gb 4870 be more "future proof", and would it be overkill on a 22''? Thanks again!

24" for 200 bux? You're dreaming.

I use an HD4870 on a 22"er. Dream machine. It is NOT overkill.

Though I'd love to have 1920x1200 res... it's not really that big a deal, unless you have a lot of "interface" on your game screen that is taking up realestate (which is the problem I have with LOTRO right now).

The 4870 will run games at 1920x1200 without any trouble at all.

DEFINITELY get the 4870 now.

Paired with a 22" monitor, you'll have a killer setup. You don't need crossfire at all at that res.

 

[latexblanky]

Not really dreaming. I saw a nice looking 24'' at an office max where I live last weekend for $250 after a $100 instant rebate.

I do think I'm going to go with the 4870 though, just so it will last a little longer. Should I get a 1gb or a 512mb?
Would they do well in crossfire with a P45 board though? Not that it really matters that much.

 

[nitromullet]

Definitely go with the 4870 1GB.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3415&p=1

welcome to AT forums.

 

[TridenT]

Originally posted by: latexblanky
Not really dreaming. I saw a nice looking 24'' at an office max where I live last weekend for $250 after a $100 instant rebate.

I do think I'm going to go with the 4870 though, just so it will last a little longer. Should I get a 1gb or a 512mb?
Would they do well in crossfire with a P45 board though? Not that it really matters that much.

250 isn't 200. It's also not NICE. Nice is a Dell 2408WFP. Nice displays are never going to be under $500 unless you get the previous model or used.

EDIT: Get the 4870 1GB. Get a better monitor... Don't get a TN, that means no 22". (All 22" are TN) Get something nicer, save your money up.

 

[VirtualLarry]

You can get 21.5 acer with 1920x1080 res at newegg for $200