6870 vs GTX460 768MB vs 4850 crossfire

[Pollock]

I was using a 4870 512MB for a while, until I bought a slew of video cards during the holiday sales. I now have a reference HIS 6870 (currently installed), a factory overclocked Galaxy GTX460 768MB, and two 1GB 4850s on the way that I could run in crossfire.

I'd like to pick one and sell the rest.

Which option do you like, and why? I run 1920x1200 but wasn't feeling too starved for power. Games I play include TF2, Civ V, Just Cause 2, Mass Effect 2, Batman AA, BFBC2, maybe some upcoming titles.

Other factors: I run 4 monitors and use another video card, a 4350, to drive the other two monitors. Eyefinity would be pretty cool with the 6870, but I still to need to invest in a few 22-24" eIPS panels with DisplayPort. Also, my 4870 would get really loud and struggle a little playing Civ V, so while I'm not looking for a silent solution, I don't want something that loud ever again.

 

[RavenSEAL]

HD 6870, no questions asked.

 

[Termie]

HD 6870, no questions asked.

LOL, yeah, it seems like you bought maybe a few too many video cards! Can't pass up on a sale, huh? The 6870 is the one to keep among those...maybe keep a 4850 around for a spare.

 

[Pollock]

Yeah, but I got the 460 for $100 less than my 6870.. I was just thinking I could save myself some dough or put it towards a new monitor, assuming the 460 would still suffice.

 

[Termie]

Yeah, but I got the 460 for $100 less than my 6870.. I was just thinking I could save myself some dough or put it towards a new monitor, assuming the 460 would still suffice.

For your purposes, the 6870 is worth it. You want to go eyefinity. $100 towards a new monitor doesn't mean much if you can't do multiple monitor gaming. GTX460-768 is definitely not the ideal card for that.

 

[Modular]

Well, I guess I'll have to buy one of your 4850's

 

[lavaheadache]

For your purposes, the 6870 is worth it. You want to go eyefinity. $100 towards a new monitor doesn't mean much if you can't do multiple monitor gaming. GTX460-768 is definitely not the ideal card for that.

plus nvidia cards can only do multi monitor gaming when in Sli

 

[Shinjo]

two 6870s, AMD's 6 series has amazingly great improvement with crossfire.

 

[JimmiG]

LOL, most people decide on one video card first and then buy only that one. I guess you could just try them out and see which you prefer, but the 6870 is the obvious choice. 4850x2 is just slow, inefficient and outdated (DX10) while the GTX460 768MB is pretty slow and may not have enough video ram for new games.

You may want to keep a 4850. I still have my 4850 512MB in the closet. Can't be bothered to sell it off since it's practically worthless, and it's always a good idea to have a few spare parts in case of an RMA, for example.

 

[biostud]

keep the 6870, 4850cf is a lot of power and heat compared to the 6870.

 

[nemesismk2]

I would pick the 6870

 

[Pollock]

Thanks for your opinions, everyone. It looks like I'll be adding the 4850s and 460 to my FS/T thread.