CF 4850x2 or 1 4870x2

[o3srt4me]

Well I am preparing to buy a new PSU and GPU and am looking for the best deal. I was originally looking at the 4870x2 but I noticed for the same price I could get 2 4850x2!!, seems like that would a extremely powerfuly machine. Has anyone tried this, also what kind of PSU would I be looking at???

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Enermax did a really good job with their Revolution model PSU, i'm going back to buy my 3rd; either a 950 or higher.

 

[techboie]

4850X2 CF without a shadow of doubt except if they don't scale well.

 

[SunnyD]

I was under the impression that both SLI and CrossFire have nearly no gains once you get past 3 GPU's. Diminishing returns already show up with 3 GPU's. Though ATI has been really pushing toward multi-GPU efficiency so who knows.

 

[vj8usa]

What about a triple GPU setup with a 4850+4850x2? Should be cheaper, and virtually the same performance as 2x 4850x2 in just about any game.

 

[o3srt4me]

This is what I decided on, Im gunna go with the Tri-fire setup, for bang for the buck this is unbeatale...

I mean I cant imagine buying 3 4870s, that would be nearing 1000 in gpu alone!

 

[Cheex]

The 4850X2 is a very strong choice at its current price point.

Several pros but the only real con is whether or not it scales for the games you play.

Please post back with your experience with your "4850-X3" setup!!

 

[manimal]

I would like to hear your results as well!!

 

[o3srt4me]

Well after good thought (and a recent look at my spening money) :brokenheart:I think for now im just going to buy one 4850x2 and see how satisfied I am with the results and hold off for a month or so on the 3rd 4850 depending on just how far the single x2 will take me

 

[chizow]

Is AMD officially supporting the 4850X2 with driver updates yet, or are you still at the mercy of Sapphire to provide updates? If the latter is the case, I would put a big yield sign on buying a 4850X2. Along with the horror stories about its fan and lack of control, custom drivers and lack of user-defined profiles mean you're always going to be getting the short-end of the stick with updates. Given this part is only made and supported by one partner to begin with, I'd bet it'll be the first CF part to fall out of support as well going forward. Is your 4870 1GB being RMA'd? If so, why not just get a 2nd card for CF, as your board supports CF at x8 PCIE 2.0.