4870 or 4850?

[nikko]

Am debating between the two specific cards below.

VisionTek 900244 Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

or

ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Is there a reasonable performance boost going from the 4850 to the 4870? It seems to be about a $90 price difference on Newegg. I'd like to be able to play the latest and greatest games like Crysis at pretty close to max resolutions.

BTW, my 20" widescreen has a max resolution of 1680 x 1050.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[error8]

Of course it's big difference between them.You can look at anandtech review, to see how much faster 4870 is over 4850, or you can google it and find like 100 different reviews about these two cards. From my point of view, those 90 $ you pay extra for 4870, it does show in performance.

 

[ultimahwhat]

what resolution are you gaming at? if your screen isn't too big, you'd probably be ok with a 4850. it seems that in general, 1920x1200 gaming benefits from the extra power of a 4870 (e.g., I am hesitant to spend extra money for a 24" monitor when all I have is a 4850). Below that, a 4850is probably good enough for 1280x1024 and most 1680x1050 gaming (Crysis seems to be the standard yet the exception on these issues).

 

[sonnygdude]

Originally posted by: nikko

I'd like to be able to play the latest and greatest games like Crysis at pretty close to max resolutions.

I would argue that Crysis is still a separate animal from the latest and greatest games. A 4850 should be able to run everything except Crysis well at your resolution, and even a 4870 might not be enough to be comfortable at maxesd settings w/AA. Check out the reviews

 

[nikko]

Originally posted by: ultimahwhat
what resolution are you gaming at? if your screen isn't too big, you'd probably be ok with a 4850. it seems that in general, 1920x1200 gaming benefits from the extra power of a 4870 (e.g., I am hesitant to spend extra money for a 24" monitor when all I have is a 4850). Below that, a 4850is probably good enough for 1280x1024 and most 1680x1050 gaming (Crysis seems to be the standard yet the exception on these issues).

I have a 20" widescreen and the max resolution is 1680 x 1050. So would I see some benefit from a 4870?

 

[sgrinavi]

You will be able to run very graphic intensive games like GRID, Crysis, COD4, etc, at higher settings. Even if you were satisfied with a 4850 today you probably will not be when some new cool game comes out....

If you can swing the 4870 go for it, but don't rush things as you often see them for around $220 AR

 

[lyssword]

for 20" monitor 1680x1050, save money and go for 4850

 

[ultimahwhat]

Originally posted by: lyssword
for 20" monitor 1680x1050, save money and go for 4850

And if that doesn't cut it for you anymore down the line, maybe you can go Crossfire with a 2nd one (pending available funds, of course)!