4870x2 crossfire?

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Grooveriding

Diamond Member
Dec 25, 2008
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I would not pay that for a 4870X2. A GTX560 non-ti can be had for $165 and it will be faster, new, DX11, cool, quiet, have much less power draw, no micro stutter, less variation between minimum and average fps, no issues with game-specific dual-GPU support.

For a 4870X2 I'd pay max $50.

In DX9&10 games I doubt a 560 is faster than a 4870X2.

OP, I still would not get those 4870X2s. They're very old now and lock you out DX11. If you have any interest in Battlefield 3 etc, better to get a more modern card. A 6950 2GB is a much better choice.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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Quad-crossfire is simply not worth the hassle IMO. Tons of heat, power-hungry, may have driver issues with newer games, etc.

There are many other combinations of graphics card (s) that will give you similar performance at a reasonable price. For example, GTX 470s can be found for under $150 and two GTX 470s will perform better than two HD4870X2s (not to mention draw a lot less power). If you play at 1920x1080, even a single GTX 470 or 480 is enough to run most games at max settings.
 
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996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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OK guys, you have convince me to abandon my quad GPU dreams :( I'll go with a 6950... It looks like a lot of deals will get me deus ex and dirt3 with a 6950 so that is pretty cool.

Any thoughts on this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125385

That Gigabyte one has a very nice heatsink. Looks like the Accelero Extreme. Be aware that the heatsink is very long due to the 3x92mm fans and may not fit in all cases compared to a 6950 with a smaller heatsink.

The other issue with the Gigabyte card is that it's $240, and for just $5 more AR you can get a 2GB version which will be better for newer games with high-res textures. The Sapphire card is also shorter and you'll have fewer issues with case compatibility. And, of course, it still comes with free Dirt 3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945
 
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houe

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
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That Gigabyte one has a very nice heatsink. Looks like the Accelero Extreme. Be aware that the heatsink is very long due to the 3x92mm fans and may not fit in all cases compared to a 6950 with a smaller heatsink.

The other issue with the Gigabyte card is that it's $240, and for just $5 more AR you can get a 2GB version which will be better for newer games with high-res textures. The Sapphire card is also shorter and you'll have fewer issues with case compatibility. And, of course, it still comes with free Dirt 3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102945

Good point I didn't notice that was a 1GB card. Not sure if a 6950 has the power to run 3 monitors but I do want 2GB in case i go xfire and am able to run 3 monitors in the future. That card you pointed out looks like a winner. Thanks!
 

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
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From http://www.guru3d.com/article/ecs-geforce-gtx-560-review/

Far Cry 2 DX10 1920x1200 8xAA 16xAF
560 75fps
4870X2 49fps

Crysis Warhead DX10 1920x1200 2xAA
560 44fps
4870X2 41fps

Way to cherry pick benchmarks buddy. Listen I have an hd4870x2, along with all the other cards in my sig. It is a formidable card that stacks up there with the baddest single gpu cards right now. It deffinately has a few trade offs but performance isn't one of them a majority of the time.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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Way to cherry pick benchmarks buddy. Listen I have an hd4870x2, along with all the other cards in my sig. It is a formidable card that stacks up there with the baddest single gpu cards right now. It deffinately has a few trade offs but performance isn't one of them a majority of the time.

Eh, he was comparing it to a GTX 560 (non Ti) which is just a midrange card. A 4870X2 does not hold a candle to today's best cards, like the GTX 580 (or even a GTX 480 for that matter)...
 

lavaheadache

Diamond Member
Jan 28, 2005
6,893
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Eh, he was comparing it to a GTX 560 (non Ti) which is just a midrange card. A 4870X2 does not hold a candle to today's best cards, like the GTX 580 (or even a GTX 480 for that matter)...

Define hold a candle. Within 5, 10, 20% ? I can provide actual results. Not just some random website with outdated or archived data.
 

toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
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Define hold a candle. Within 5, 10, 20% ? I can provide actual results. Not just some random website with outdated or archived data.
a gtx480 was faster than a 5870. a gtx580 is about 20% faster than a gtx480. I doubt a 4870x2 could ever be within 20% of a gtx580. and newer drivers have and will only increase the gap over the 4870x2.
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,900
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Way to cherry pick benchmarks buddy.
**** off. Where's your integrity? The first thing you do, when something disagrees with your preconceptions is to call someone intellectually dishonest? How about YOU go searching for benchmarks that compare 560 to a card two generations old. Good luck!

Listen I have an hd4870x2, along with all the other cards in my sig.
I have had an 4870X2 too, right before my 560 Ti.

It is* a formidable card
*was

Define hold a candle. Within 5, 10, 20% ? I can provide actual results.

I would love to see this.


Profanity is not acceptable in the technical sub-forums.

Idontcare
Super Mod
 
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m3t4lh34d

Senior member
Oct 23, 2008
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A swear word is about as meaningful as an angry emoticon.

Not in this forum, you'll be lucky if you don't get an infraction for that in that particular context.

Regardless, I do find it amusing how people love to recommend the card that is in their sig as the best bang for the buck because THEY purchased it.

The GPU game is way too close for there to be a clear winner in a replacement for a 4870x2. What it comes down to is power consumption, and if you can get a card for the same price as a used 4870x2 that can match its performance, and can provide a little DX11 eye candy if needed, why not go for that? It will pay for itself in power savings over its lifetime without a doubt. Trust me I know first hand how quickly GPUs can add up in power costs. Running a bitcoin mining operation with just 6 GPUs shot my bill up over $150 in a month. You're talking about a 4 GPU setup there. Yes you wont be running it 24/7, but if you can save even $30 a month by side stepping to a more efficient piece of tech, I'd say jump on it!

As far as a GTX 560, I would never recommend it. Anything lower than a 560 Ti just wont cut it for very long @ 1080p or higher. I know, I have 4 TIs. Even in SLI they aren't great but I will admit they are ROCK solid for SLI stability compared to AMD. I will admit I wish I had at least sprung for a 570 since they can Tri-SLI, or wish I would've held onto my GTX 580 for quad sli. I do love my 6970 Quad-fire setup, but I really want to put my 3dvision monitors to use... I've yet to even test 3dvision as of yet =\.
 

lehtv

Elite Member
Dec 8, 2010
11,900
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Not in this forum, you'll be lucky if you don't get an infraction for that in that particular context.
This forum doesn't define what I think about swear words. If I could make the rules, swearing would be allowed, and accusations of intellectual dishonesty (i.e. lying or intentional misleading, cherry picking) with no basis would result in an infraction. Banning swear words only serves to irrationally sensitize people to words.

As far as a GTX 560, I would never recommend it.
Neither would I, in fact. I compared it to a 4870X2 for the sake of the argument.
 
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houe

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
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update: just received the UPS tracking number! I will let you know when I receive the card. Thanks.
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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this post made me face palm because it reminded me of this guys:
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i call them cross Fail and not cross fire, because they were in cross shipment a lot.

2 RMA's on the powercolor... and 2 on the saphire... 4 RMA's spent along with cross shipment fee's to china i had to pay.

Meh... get the newer gen ATI cards... they are so much better, or the nvidia counter part.
 

houe

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
316
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UPS tracking says it should be here on Thursday. I'm hoping it actually gets here Wednesday - sometimes they come a day quicker than they claim.
 

houe

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
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update: still unable to determine from tracking information if the card is coming tomorrow or not... will update when I know for sure!
 

houe

Senior member
Nov 10, 2005
316
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76
Update: The card will NOT be delivered today - it will come tomorrow! Looks like UPS is correct this time.