880GT 512MB or 4850 512MB ?

[Hav0k99]

I have a Pentium 4 3.2 ghz , 2gbs ram and an ATI x1900XT 512mb PCI-E card. I am trying to decided either to get an Nvidia 8800GT or ATI 4850.

Also on a Pentium 4 3.2 ghz is it even going to make much of a difference? I can't afford a better card then those 2 nor upgrading any other hardware at the moment. I also have a 19" LCD monitor if that matters.


Thanks in advance.

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmmm, the cheapest 9800gt = $95, cheapest HD4850 = $140. I'd prolly go with the 9800gt, and save up a little. With some luck your mobo supports new CPU's then P4's, and you can throw in something fast for little money, like a used e4400 or something.

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Hmmm, the cheapest 9800gt = $95, cheapest HD4850 = $140. I'd prolly go with the 9800gt, and save up a little.

Seconded. And yes, even though you will be CPU limited to some degree you should still see pretty impressive gains going from x1900xt to 9800GT (same as the 8800GT).

With some luck your mobo supports new CPU's then P4's, and you can throw in something fast for little money, like a used e4400 or something.

Doubtful. If it was a Pentium D you might get lucky and be able to drop in an early C2D but a P4 motherboard is higly unlikely to support C2D chips.

 

[Hav0k99]

Here are my PC's specs http://support.dell.com/suppor...g/findinfo.htm#1054387

right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

350w supply might be pushing it, there's a 9600GT for $70 in the hot deals section right now.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
Here are my PC's specs http://support.dell.com/suppor...g/findinfo.htm#1054387

right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

If you can get the 4850 for $100, then do that. The HD 4850 consumes less power than the 9800GT (Link), but more than a 8800GT. It looks like your PSU would suffice for the 4850, but I would still be wary. Both need one PCI-e 6 pin power connection. If your PSU doesn't sport one, you can pick up an addapter for a couple bucks at a computer store.

 

[vj8usa]

Originally posted by: Martimus

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
Here are my PC's specs http://support.dell.com/suppor...g/findinfo.htm#1054387

right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

If you can get the 4850 for $100, then do that. The HD 4850 consumes less power than the 9800GT (Link), but more than a 8800GT. It looks like your PSU would suffice for the 4850, but I would still be wary. Both need one PCI-e 6 pin power connection. If your PSU doesn't sport one, you can pick up an addapter for a couple bucks at a computer store.

Look again at the chart in the link you posted. The 4850 uses more power than an 8800GT, which uses more power than a 9800GT. The 9800GT isn't in that chart (only the GTX).

For the record, my 450W PSU wasn't enough for a 4850 (I too had an X1900XT before this, which worked fine with the 450W), but it wasn't exactly a great PSU (Antec Smartpower 2.0).

As for 9800GT vs 4850, I too would suggest the 9800GT - save your money for a new system (or at least new mobo+CPU+RAM) later, since that single core P4 will start holding you back. I remember when I had an A64 3700+ with an X1900XT - even overclocked and with that old GPU, there was a massive difference in performance in Crysis when I upgraded to the E2160 (which isn't exactly fast).

 

[Hav0k99]

how does the 9800GT compare to the 8800GT?

 

[MarcVenice]

They are exactly the same in terms of performance.

If you can get the HD4850 from your friend, try it, if it works, buy it. There's no reason to buy a $100 9800gt if you can buy a HD4850 for $100 as well.

 

[FalseChristian]

Well, I'd go with the 9800GT. Better drivers IMHO, Physics, CUDA.

 

[Jyve]

I'd probably jump on the used 4850 for $100 from your friend. Can't be too old, and unless he really tried to rack it up speed wise you'll be fine with that.

 

[james1701]

Are you using a Dell case? Will it fit inside?

 

[bimmerboy]

that better drivers talk is highly subjective, each camp has their problems. Choose whichever you can get the cheapest as either would be good at that resolution. 4850 more overkill at your res leaving you cpu bottlenecked. As mentioned above your money should be spent on upgrading mb , cpu , etc. Get whichever is cheapest

 

[evolucion8]

That CPU bottlenecks significantly any card beyond the X1950GT, you should try to get a 9600GT or HD 3850/HD 4670 and save some money for a future upgrade.

 

[Concillian]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

A 1900xt is like 120W TPD I think.

4850 and 9800GT both have lower Thermal design point, so they should run fine. I think 9800GT is at 105W TDP and 4850 is 110W.

 

[Hav0k99]

Originally posted by: Concillian

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

A 1900xt is like 120W TPD I think.

4850 and 9800GT both have lower Thermal design point, so they should run fine. I think 9800GT is at 105W TDP and 4850 is 110W.

Is there a site I can check TPD's on video cards? I really want to get the 4850 it it will work especially at $100.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99


Is there a site I can check TPD's on video cards? I really want to get the 4850 it it will work especially at $100.

This is what Guru3d says: http://www.guru3d.com/article/...-4870-review-force3d/2

110 W for the 4850.

 

[Hav0k99]

Thanks guys for the help. I went with the 4850 and already noticed a good difference. I'm so stoked! Now back to COD5.

 

[Qbah]

Good choice

As for the recommendations, remember he already had a X1900XT! This was by no means a sucky card. I had a X1950XTX and it was hardly any slower than a HD3870! Hell, at least as fast as a HD3850. And a 9600GT is similar to a HD3870 so I don't think he would see a big jump going with any of those two.

Though yeah, that Pentium 4 you have kills your performance. I had a Pentium D, so I know!

 

[poohbear]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
Here are my PC's specs http://support.dell.com/suppor...g/findinfo.htm#1054387

right now on a 350W Power Supply I can run an x1900XT. Would I be able to run a 9800GT or a 4850? Also my friend will sell me his old 4850 for $100.

as far as i know the 9800gt uses less power than the x1900xt. the x1900xts were pigs. If u get a 55nm 9800gt then no question, 350wt is more than enough.

 

[toyota]

Originally posted by: Hav0k99
Thanks guys for the help. I went with the 4850 and already noticed a good difference. I'm so stoked! Now back to COD5.

with a single core P4 you are only getting about 50-60% of what that card is capable of.

 

[Modular]

Glad you're happy with the choice. I think it was the right one. Now you have a decent video card that you can transport to a newer system at some point and really unlock it's potential. Buying something else for the same price to get inferior performance now as well as when you upgrade would have made no sense. Good call!