4850x2 vs 4870x2

[ev0styLe]

Hi, im have trouble deciding what GFX card to go for as the performance increase of the 4870x2 over the 4850x2 isnt massive according to benchmarks. However, compare the single 4850 to the 4870 and the performance increase is visible.

So would it not make sense to purchase the cheaper 4850x2 over the 4870x2 seeing as though they both perform quite similar?

Benchmarks:
www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sapphire_radeon_4850_x2_review/default.asp

www.cluboc.net/reviews/video/sapphire/hd4850x2/page1.asp

 

[Leyawiin]

I would go for the HD 4850 X2 with the caveat that its a Sapphire only (at this point) product not officially supported by ATI. You'll need to use the drivers from Sapphire's website and there will probably be a small delay getting the most recent Cats "fixed" for them. That's a pretty minor inconvenience and considering the performance of the card for the money and how thrifty it is on power.

 

[ev0styLe]

Is it not strange how the 4850x2 and 4870x2 perform similar, but as single chips the 4870 is clearly better. Could this be a CPU bottleneck? But then again the review by FiringSquad uses a 965 Extreme i7 chip so cant be?