ASUS 4870 vs XFX GTS 250

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LokutusofBorg

LokutusofBorg

Golden Member
Mar 20, 2001
1,065
0
76
I picked up that XFX card you linked on Saturday for 117.99 with free shipping from Newegg. :( (the frowny is for you cause you missed a good deal on it...) I was fully planning to buy a 4850 for a few bucks more, but when I saw the price on that XFX and the free CoD:WaW it was the obvious choice for me. I would most definitely not have bought it for anything more than ~$120.

The manufacturer ratings for TDP for the GTS250 (145W) and the 4870 (150W) are almost identical (source: wikipedia). I'm thinking the wikipedia info is referring to the 9800GTX+ TDP though, because those charts in the AT article clearly put the 9800GTX+ and the 4870 pretty much equal, and the new GTS250 quite a bit lower.

So that begs the question of whether this XFX card has the new GTS250 improvements that give it lower power consumption (the whole it's-not-worth-more-than-120-bucks argument aside for the moment). Anybody know a definitive answer to this? I'm very curious because I just bought it.
 
S

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,002
126
Originally posted by: LokutusofBorg
I picked up that XFX card you linked on Saturday for 117.99 with free shipping from Newegg. :( (the frowny is for you cause you missed a good deal on it...) I was fully planning to buy a 4850 for a few bucks more, but when I saw the price on that XFX and the free CoD:WaW it was the obvious choice for me. I would most definitely not have bought it for anything more than ~$120.

The manufacturer ratings for TDP for the GTS250 (145W) and the 4870 (150W) are almost identical (source: wikipedia). I'm thinking the wikipedia info is referring to the 9800GTX+ TDP though, because those charts in the AT article clearly put the 9800GTX+ and the 4870 pretty much equal, and the new GTS250 quite a bit lower.

So that begs the question of whether this XFX card has the new GTS250 improvements that give it lower power consumption (the whole it's-not-worth-more-than-120-bucks argument aside for the moment). Anybody know a definitive answer to this? I'm very curious because I just bought it.
Click to expand...

I think the GTS250's that use less power than their 9800GTX+ counterparts have only a single 6-pin power connector. Also, I don't think there really was any power saved on the GPU itself, but I think the small power savings of some GTS250's vs. some 9800GTX+ cards has to do with the changes made to the board. As someone else put it, before a 9800GTX+ was a top of the line card, now it's a $120 card, so to save costs it uses a less complex PCB, and some lesser components. I'm not 100% sure on everything I've said, but I'm pretty sure that's how the story with the GTS250 goes... I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. :)
 
LokutusofBorg

LokutusofBorg

Golden Member
Mar 20, 2001
1,065
0
76
I double-checked all the pics before I bought that XFX card and it definitely shows only one 6-pin power connector...
 
evolucion8

evolucion8

Platinum Member
Jun 17, 2005
2,867
3
81
I recommend the HD 4870 card over the GTS any day, is just much faster, is as fast as the GTX 260 192 version which is consistently faster than the 9800GTX+ aka GTS 250, you could get the GTX 260 192 instead if you are in love with green, but if you aren't, just get the HD 4870 512MB and enjoy yourself, for 20 bucks more you can get the 1GB version which is around $159.99 after MIR, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131148 or get the Sapphire version which costs 20 bucks more http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102801, is the same card that I own for more than 4 months and I couldn't be happier with it. Is currently crunching in folding@home.
 
bryanW1995

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
Originally posted by: postmortemIA
Originally posted by: Wreckage
The GTS250 uses a lot less power than the 4870 and I think it will be fine on your system.
Click to expand...

I'd strongly recommend you on board GMA950, it uses about 15 times less power than GTS250, and has about same performance.
Click to expand...

:laugh:

shouldn't you have said "it uses 1/15th the power of the gtx250"? When bitch-slapping wreckage, it is always good to use proper grammar.

Hey wreckage, I heard that nvidia was about to be acquired by AIG. Any thoughts?
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Originally posted by: AntiFreze
Can you recommend a cheap PSU for my system then?

I'm running an athlon X2 3600+, a dvd burner, and a SATA 640gb WD HD.
Click to expand...

Are you overclocking that x2 3600? If not get yourself a 9800gt/4830 and use your current psu.

If you have a nice overclock say 2.8/2.9 then get the best gpu you can afford (gtx250/4850). Even with a good overclock your cpu will start bottlenecking a 4870 unless you using 1900x1200 resolutions and up.

get a psu like this for 50$ shipped for higher end cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182159
it has 396watts on the 12v rail @33 amps and 80% certified.

Or if want a better name brand heres a Antec 430 watt with a 30 amp rail too for 55$ shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006

By the way what size monitor are you using and at what resolution?.
What games do you like to play?
 
bryanW1995

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
that's the psu that the other guy offered to sell for $25. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I agree with happy medium, that cpu probably is too weak for anything more than a 9800gt/4830.


If you're gaming at 1680x1050 or less, then 9800gt/4830 should be great for you. Actually, I'd check out fs/ft or ebay and see how cheap you can get an 8800gt. Save the extra money to upgrade your mobo/psu/cpu.

What are your entire system specs, what games do you play, and what games are you looking at for the future?
 
A

AntiFreze

Golden Member
Oct 23, 2007
1,459
0
0
Originally posted by: happy medium
Originally posted by: AntiFreze
Can you recommend a cheap PSU for my system then?

I'm running an athlon X2 3600+, a dvd burner, and a SATA 640gb WD HD.
Click to expand...

Are you overclocking that x2 3600? If not get yourself a 9800gt/4830 and use your current psu.

If you have a nice overclock say 2.8/2.9 then get the best gpu you can afford and a psu like this for 50$ shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182159
it has 396watts on the 12v rail @33 amps and 80% certified.

By the way what size monitor are you using and at what resolution?.
What games do you like to play?
Click to expand...

Im not currently overclocking, I use a 22" at 1650x1050. I'm currently playing Fallout 3, L4D, The Witcher. I am thinking about picking up Empire Total War. I play pretty much everything.
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Originally posted by: AntiFreze
Originally posted by: happy medium
Originally posted by: AntiFreze
Can you recommend a cheap PSU for my system then?

I'm running an athlon X2 3600+, a dvd burner, and a SATA 640gb WD HD.
Click to expand...

Are you overclocking that x2 3600? If not get yourself a 9800gt/4830 and use your current psu.

If you have a nice overclock say 2.8/2.9 then get the best gpu you can afford and a psu like this for 50$ shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182159
it has 396watts on the 12v rail @33 amps and 80% certified.

By the way what size monitor are you using and at what resolution?.
What games do you like to play?
Click to expand...

Im not currently overclocking, I use a 22" at 1650x1050. I'm currently playing Fallout 3, L4D, The Witcher. I am thinking about picking up Empire Total War. I play pretty much everything.
Click to expand...

That cpu is begging for at least 2.5.:D
Grab a 9800gt/4830 and call it a day. No need for a psu upgrade for those cards. Whichever you can find cheaper.
Good luck.
 
A

AntiFreze

Golden Member
Oct 23, 2007
1,459
0
0
Originally posted by: bryanW1995
that's the psu that the other guy offered to sell for $25. Sounds like a good deal to me.

I agree with happy medium, that cpu probably is too weak for anything more than a 9800gt/4830.


If you're gaming at 1680x1050 or less, then 9800gt/4830 should be great for you. Actually, I'd check out fs/ft or ebay and see how cheap you can get an 8800gt. Save the extra money to upgrade your mobo/psu/cpu.

What are your entire system specs, what games do you play, and what games are you looking at for the future?
Click to expand...

So you think I should just go with a card like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130420

My full system is basically:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz Socket AM2 65W
A Budget MSI AM2 motherboard w/ onboard sound, 1 PCI-E slot (grabbed it from fry's)
WINTEC AMPO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
BUFFALO Select 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
BIOSTAR VR8603TS21 GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
640GB SATA WD HDD

I usually spend $150 around this time of the year. I flip from CPU/MB/RAM and Video Card. So I was hoping to overleap with a video card this year, and upgrade my CPU/MB/RAM next year. Like i said above, I play Fallout 3, L4D, and Witcher. I'm looking at getting Empire Total War, and a new BF game. i enjoy FPS, RTS, and RPGs. Might even try a new MMORPG down the road (ex-wow'r)
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
More like this 4830 for 89.00$ n 15$ rebate 75$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102822

Thats a great price .

Or if you like the call of duty series this 9800gt for 114.00$ with a 20$ rebate =94$ call of duty free.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127406

If you can wait a bit on the 9th of april they are releasing the hd4770 which should have lower power consumption (80watts) and a little faster then the 4830 but not quite as fast as the 4850.

http://www.guru3d.com/news/rad...740-launch-on-apr-6th/
 
A

AntiFreze

Golden Member
Oct 23, 2007
1,459
0
0
Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Just a FYI, a 9800gtx+ = GTS250 lol :p
Click to expand...

hmmm... so go for a 9800GT not a 9800GTX?

this is getting complicated ;)

Basically, I have $150 to spend by April 14th (its a bday gift).

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz Socket AM2 65W
A Budget MSI AM2 motherboard w/ onboard sound, 1 PCI-E slot (grabbed it from fry's)
WINTEC AMPO 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
BUFFALO Select 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)
BIOSTAR VR8603TS21 GeForce 8600 GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
640GB SATA WD HDD
CoolMaster 430w PSU

... What video card should I get? I'm liking that 9800gt that happy medium posted that comes with a free call of duty game. How does that compare to the 4830?

And should I overclock my CPU to 2.5?
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
You have a couple options.
1. Buy a 4830/9800gt and keep your current psu. That will cost you 100$
This option should give you about a 40% increase in gaming.


2.Overclock your cpu as high as it's stable (should get 2.5 at least). Grab a 4850/9800gtx and one of the psu's I suggested for 50$,= about 180.00$.

This option should double your gaming performance easily.

 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
I'd overclock that cpu and get the 9800gtx + with free COD world at war game for 129.00$ and get the Antec 430 watt psu with 30 amp 12v rail for 55$ shipped. 185.00$;) Or Rarebears psu.
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
3,204
0
76
Happy medium why don't you just edit your post? You are all over the place here.
 
rarebear

rarebear

Senior member
Dec 11, 2000
450
0
71
Originally posted by: AntiFreze
Originally posted by: rarebear
I have a 500W Rosewill PSU you can have for $25 its less than 60 days old I just swapped it out for my Cosair...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182016


I just got a 4870 Dark Knight card delivered today but failed to boot up so I have towait for replacement :(
Click to expand...

I've never bought anything from anyone AT, how does that work?
Click to expand...

You can send me an Private Msg from clicking on icons at top right of this window..

If you have Paypal you can pay with that or check also..

 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
3,204
0
76
Originally posted by: happy medium
Originally posted by: error8
Happy medium why don't you just edit your post? You are all over the place here.
Click to expand...


That was helpfull to the op.:roll:
Click to expand...

Yes, but you had two posts one after another. Their content could have been kept in only one of them. ;) That's what I was saying.
 
M

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
5,664
0
0
Stop the bickering. Happy medium is trying to be helpfull, and hes not exactly spamming. With 2000 posts since 2006 I don't think hes trying to increase his post count.

A HD4830 is roughly equal to a 9800GT. Most important thing would be oc-ing your CPU though. A new vidcard will improve framerates, but your minimum framerates might really suffer because of that slow cpu. So make sure you oc it as far as you can/feel comfortable with. If you can't, I would not get anything faster then a 9800GT/HD4830. If you're going to spend 130 though, you might as well spend 150 and grab a HD4870, it will last a fair bit longer then a GTS250.
 
error8

error8

Diamond Member
Nov 28, 2007
3,204
0
76
Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Stop the bickering. Happy medium is trying to be helpfull, and hes not exactly spamming. With 2000 posts since 2006 I don't think hes trying to increase his post count.
Click to expand...

What the hell is "bickering"? I was just saying that he had two posts one after another, with basically the same content in them. I didn't accuse him for increasing his posts count. We have "politics and news" topic for that.
 
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