4870 crossfire now.. or wait for x2?

[rockx4]

Okay, I'm stuck.. my new PC is finished except for the video card. Should i get crossfire now? Or wait for x2? I don't know exactly how the x2 cards work, is there any reason why people are expecting any sort performance gain? Isn't it just a crossfire setting.. but on a single card slot?

*edit* at 1920x1200 would the 4870 crossfire make that much of a over a 4850 crossfire?

 

[MyLeftNut]

Wait for the X2 to come out, then make the decision of buying then. My rationale being: the X2 may drive prices down for cards from both ATI and Nvidia. As a result, single gpu 4870 512mb cards be become cheaper if the 4870X2 2gb is priced less than the current prices of (2) 4870 512mb cards. That's if price is part of your consideration which at that point, it'll be easier to make your choice. Performace seems to be about the same though other than the advantages for more onboard memory which applies to the 2gb model.

 

[Tempered81]

get 4850 CF for less cash, or a 4870x2 in a few weeks. 4870 CF costs $600+

Either way you choose, you win, because you get to use an Intel chipset!

 

[twjr]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
get 4850 CF for less cash, or a 4870x2 in a few weeks. 4870 CF costs $600+

Either way you choose, you win, because you get to use an Intel chipset!

That was exactly what I was thinking of doing. But then I read the R800 article and now I don't know what to do Stuff it I want the performance now. 4950 CF here I come.

 

[vgkarthik88]

well the ton of X2 reviews that have gone up today should help you decide. also, im curious what R800 article you read?

 

[rockx4]

I'm just afraid of getting the 4850 crossfire and having the memory be inadequate in a few months.

 

[wolf2009]

i think wait for 4870x2, it will have better scaling than 4870 CF .

 

[virtualskunk]

If you are going to want more performance, replace your single GPU with the 4870x2, don't add another. :]

 

[RussianSensation]

Right now 4850CF appears to provide better value at $300 (after MIRs) over $600 4870 in CF.

Review 1
Review 2

If you don't mind CF, then it's hard to beat 4850 at 1920x1200.

 

[twjr]

Originally posted by: vgkarthik88
well the ton of X2 reviews that have gone up today should help you decide. also, im curious what R800 article you read?

There's a link in the 40/45nm ATI card thread. Supposedly got 2000 stream processors.

However, it is only very speculative rumours so I will go with the 4850 CF.

 

[rockx4]

does the ddr5 on the 4870 make that much of a difference?

 

[LightningRider]

Yes it does, that's what boosts the memory bandwidth of the card so much.

 

[rockx4]

I'm really tempted to get the 4850 crossfire due to the pricing. but kinda on the fence due to the 4870 having ddr5.

 

[SickBeast]

If you're looking for this type of setup, I suggest you wait for 1gb cards to come out, or else just buy the 2gb 4870x2 when it comes out.

You're going to want a 1gb framebuffer with that much gpu power at your disposal. Future games will need more than 512mb of ram.

I think you should keep an eye out for 1gb 4850's. They should come out pretty soon and will hopefully be around $150-200.

 

[idiotekniQues]

well between 2 4870's or a 4870x2 its a difference of two huge heat producers fitting inside and taking up 4 total slots or one enormously long card - will it fit in your case?

in my p180 the 4870 just fits with 2 hard drives in the middle bay - which, i need to use. 4870x2 would mean a whole new case or less hard drives

although 2 separate 4870 will probably need a bigger PS too than i have so somethin will have to change later - these new cards can be tricky with what else u gotta do so they work.

so just keep size and power requirements and cooling in mind too.

 

[xlimit]

I'm waiting for X2, it's faster than 4870 CF and my board not support CF, and remember X2 will have 2 GB of GDDR5

 

[rockx4]

for the 4870x2.. both gpu still have separate framebuffers right? meaning the 2gb version is really 1gb? Unless the 4870x2 version actually shares the same framebuffer... if so I'll wait for 4870x2.

 

[Insomniator]

I think I would get a single 4870 for now and then another once you really need the horsepower. A single 4870 can handle that res for the vast majority of games already.

 

[MyLeftNut]

Originally posted by: idiotekniQues
well between 2 4870's or a 4870x2 its a difference of two huge heat producers fitting inside and taking up 4 total slots or one enormously long card - will it fit in your case?

in my p180 the 4870 just fits with 2 hard drives in the middle bay - which, i need to use. 4870x2 would mean a whole new case or less hard drives

although 2 separate 4870 will probably need a bigger PS too than i have so somethin will have to change later - these new cards can be tricky with what else u gotta do so they work.

so just keep size and power requirements and cooling in mind too.

I think you should be fine with your corsair 620w wtih 2 separate 4870s in CF. Has anyone tried 4870CF with psu around 600w?

 

[defy]

Wow, I've been deciding the same thing but just realize the x2 might not fit in my p182. I guess the decision is already made then

 

[ShadoutDH]

Same thing for me P182 too.
Hopefully getting the PC tomorrow, decided to go for a single 4870 now, always possible to get another later, or maybe simply get 1 new card which is better than two old later, who knows.

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: rockx4
does the ddr5 on the 4870 make that much of a difference?

5 - 7% average in games, when Rv770 gpu is clocked to same speeds in both 4850 & 4870.

 

[idiotekniQues]

Originally posted by: defy
Wow, I've been deciding the same thing but just realize the x2 might not fit in my p182. I guess the decision is already made then

i think the p182 is lengthier than the p180 not sure though.

dont forget crossfire will eat up one of two valuable pci slots on many mobos.
each one is a trade-off

 

[defy]

I have an dfi x48 with slots to spare - so no worries on that. Searched around google and forums and didn't find any definitive answers on the 4870x2 length, or if it fits either p180 or p182.

It sounds like we would have to remove the upper hard drive cage at a minimum to make them fit.

 

[rockx4]

I have a p182 case too, so I guess that'll determine which card I get.