Does the HD4870 1GB have enough juice for a 30" LCD?

[Salvador]

I'm going to be getting a 30" LCD. I was going to get a single HD4870 1GB card for it, but I'm now wondering if I'm going to have enough juice for the 30" monitor.

If it's not enough, what should I get instead? 2 HD4870 1gb's to run in Crossfire or a single HD4870x2? Or.. Any other suggestions?

 

[Soulkeeper]

i'd get a single one, see how that works for ya
if you want more "juice" later on you can always add another

the x2's are less efficient than two cards

 

[ghost recon88]

Originally posted by: Soulkeeper
the x2's are less efficient than two cards

Actually its the other way around. HD 4870x2 is faster then 2x HD 4870 1GB.

 

[Elfear]

Depending on the games you play you should be fine although if you don't plan on upgrading for awhile the X2 is a better choice.

 

[exar333]

Depends what you use it for...if your MB supports CF, get one and see if you need more.

 

[Salvador]

Yep. The mobo supports CF. I don't know exactly what I'm going to be playing yet. I haven't even looked at the newest games because I haven't had a system that could handle them.

So.. The best course of action is to probably pick up one card and add another later to run in CF if needed. Correct?

 

[apoppin]

absolutely not; not if you are talking 25x16 and play modern PC games
-if you are gonna spend that kind of money on a LCD, don't cheap out on the video card

4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

So.. The best course of action is to probably pick up one card and add another later to run in CF if needed. Correct?

the best course of action is to pick up an X2 [if you wanna stick with ATi] and perhaps another X2 or a single 4870 for crossfireX-3 later on

 

[Tempered81]

for 30" i'd pick the 4870x2, gtx295, 4870 x-fire, 260/280 sli

 

[deerhunter716]

Originally posted by: apoppin
absolutely not; not if you are talking 25x16 and play modern PC games
-if you are gonna spend that kind of money on a LCD, don't cheap out on the video card

4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

So.. The best course of action is to probably pick up one card and add another later to run in CF if needed. Correct?

the best course of action is to pick up an X2 [if you wanna stick with ATi] and perhaps another X2 or a single 4870 for crossfireX-3 later on

I know your stance on the 4870 512 MB; BUT 4870 1GB is MORE than enough for 1920x1200 and handles without a hitch period.

 

[apoppin]

I know your stance on the 4870 512 MB; BUT 4870 1GB is MORE than enough for 1920x1200 and handles without a hitch period.

who cares?

the OP is asking about a 30" monitor; a single 4870 is useless for 25x16 without major compromise in detail[period]

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

 

[Overgloc]

X2 all the way!! I got one 4sale HEHEHE

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

:thumbsup:

 

[lavaheadache]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

 

[nRollo]

Originally posted by: Salvador
I'm going to be getting a 30" LCD. I was going to get a single HD4870 1GB card for it, but I'm now wondering if I'm going to have enough juice for the 30" monitor.

If it's not enough, what should I get instead? 2 HD4870 1gb's to run in Crossfire or a single HD4870x2? Or.. Any other suggestions?

I have a 30" monitor, and think you will want multi GPU of some sort to run newer games at 25X16.

I also think the launch of the NVIDIA GTX295 is rumored to be 13 days away, and that it would be fairly risky to buy any multi GPU solution prior to that.

The previews show it beating the 4870X2, and the rumored MSRP at launch is within 10% of what most 4870X2s sell for.

So if it ends up being 10-20% faster like the previews show, and 10% more cash, it might be your best deal.

Given that you don't even have the monitor yet, 13 days doesn't seem long to wait to make an educated choice.

I've loved my GTX295 so far.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

Except in:

Crysis
Crysis Warhead
Stalker: Clear Sky
Call of Juarez
Lost Planet
FarCry2*

.. off the top of my head .. forget 19x12 with any AA and a 1GB 4870
- i have the ASUS 4870-1GB "Dark Knight" and it sure isn't enough for those games
.. not for my tastes, anyway .. i guess you can put up with it; (*the drivers seem to be the issue with FC2; you never know)

. . . and new games like PT boats sure won't even run in DX10 on a 512MB card
FACT .. if you are gaming at 25x16 simply forget 4870 .. or GTX280 .. or any single GPU solution
- 4870 is ok for 19x12, i guess .. if you are on a tight budget, imo

personally, i think i will skip the new GX2 in favor of GTX280/285(?) SLi
- since i already have one i don't want to waste
.. and i will be getting x58 anyway when i get i7

 

[lavaheadache]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin


I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

Except in:

Crysis
Crysis Warhead
Stalker: Clear Sky
Call of Juarez
Lost Planet
FarCry2*

.. off the top of my head .. forget 19x12 with any AA and a 1GB 4870
- i have the ASUS 4870-1GB "Dark Knight" and it sure isn't enough for those games
.. not for my tastes, anyway .. i guess you can put up with it; (*the drivers seem to be the issue with FC2; you never know)

. . . and new games like PT boats sure won't even run in DX10 on a 512MB card
FACT .. if you are gaming at 25x16 simply forget 4870 .. or GTX280 .. or any single GPU solution
- 4870 is ok for 19x12, i guess .. if you are on a tight budget, imo

personally, i think i will skip the new GX2 in favor of GTX280/285(?) SLi
- since i already have one i don't want to waste
.. and i will be getting x58 anyway when i get i7

Ok, You're right with a lot of those games but there is a very large number of **better** titles that you can play. IMO Far Cry 2 is completely playable once you to the frame limit. I set mine to 42 and get no hitching.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin


I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

Except in:

Crysis
Crysis Warhead
Stalker: Clear Sky
Call of Juarez
Lost Planet
FarCry2*

.. off the top of my head .. forget 19x12 with any AA and a 1GB 4870
- i have the ASUS 4870-1GB "Dark Knight" and it sure isn't enough for those games
.. not for my tastes, anyway .. i guess you can put up with it; (*the drivers seem to be the issue with FC2; you never know)

. . . and new games like PT boats sure won't even run in DX10 on a 512MB card
FACT .. if you are gaming at 25x16 simply forget 4870 .. or GTX280 .. or any single GPU solution
- 4870 is ok for 19x12, i guess .. if you are on a tight budget, imo

personally, i think i will skip the new GX2 in favor of GTX280/285(?) SLi
- since i already have one i don't want to waste
.. and i will be getting x58 anyway when i get i7

Ok, You're right with a lot of those games but there is a very large number of **better** titles that you can play. IMO Far Cry 2 is completely playable once you to the frame limit. I set mine to 42 and get no hitching.

so now you want "better" PC games ?
:roll:

like Fallout3 .. using that old tired Gamebro Engine; you might as well play Oblivion
- so sad .. sure .. you can use a 8800GTX for that new game

Just look at it this way .. that 4870 is falling behind .. with '07 games
- how bad do you think the next few months will be?

let me add Hellgate: London to the list .. it would be an '07/'08 game
- a 4870 cannot run the dx10 pathway .. i am playing the FREE subscriber content with my GTX280 .. now .. they are shutting the gate Jan 31
- i should be thru Stonehenge Expansion by then .. i am Level 36 Engineer playing it on Nightmare Difficulty

 

[Cheex]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
for 30" i'd pick the 4870x2, gtx295, 4870 x-fire, 260/280 sli

I agree......All of the above!!



Anyway, seriously, a 4870 X2 would be the way to go for ATI. If you prefer Nvidia, then just hold off on the video card upgrade until January, when we all see what the GTX295 is capable of.

Hope this helps.

 

[Qbah]

A HD4870 1GB doesn't have enough power to run games at 25x16. Get two and you're set. Or a HD4870x2. Or two GTX260 c216. Or wait till the GTX295 launches in 2 weeks or so? But the last two seem to be running out of memory once you crank up the AA to x8 at 25x16. I've read a few previews and in some titles it does. Might be an indicator for future trends in newer games at those resolutions Just saying

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

I've noticed a change in Apoppin from some time back to now... he used to run games on a Pentium 4 and a single 2900XT for a while. This was back in the A64 days and then again in the GeForce 8800 days. Back then he didn't mind not having the best of the best, and seemed to be happy with his 'meager' hardware. These days he seems to be more of a hardware enthusiast then a gamer... nothing wrong with that, but people have different goals. Personally, I'm sure for me a 4870 1GB would be plenty for a 24" display. For others, they can't get by on less then 4xAA all details maxed at 30FPS min. You have to ask yourself if you can live with 2xAA, turning down some shadow detail, etc. and still be happy. Some people here tell me that 512MB is not enough for my 22" monitor, yet I have yet to run into an issue.

This goes for the OP as well, I'm willing to bet the 4870 1GB will do much better on a 30" display then many here would say it would, but obviously it will have some limitations. Depending on what you'll find acceptable you may be quite happy with the performance, especially for the little bit of money. You could always add a second 4870 in the future. You can always sell and get a GTX295/4870x2 if you feel it isn't up to task. Just my $.02

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: SlowSpyder

Originally posted by: lavaheadache

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bateluer

Originally posted by: apoppin
4870 is not enough for 19x12 imo
- well, if you like the little details ... and filtering ... maybe a little AA

Sure it is, I've been using a 4870 512 for the last 6 months on a 19x12 panel, with many bells and whistles. Thing barely breaks a sweat.

But, if you intend to game at 25x16, the 4870 is going to run into trouble. Odds are, you'll be able to play most games, just not at higher details.

i guarantee you are not using 4xAA/16xAF on a lot of new games; or else you don't mind slowdowns

- "many" bells and whistles is not fully maxed out

I'm sure many people including me, don't get completely upset if they can't run 4x AA in absolutely every game. With that being said a 512 HD4870 is sufficient in almost every new game out there @19x12. For a 30 incher, I agree with Bateluer

I've noticed a change in Apoppin from some time back to now... he used to run games on a Pentium 4 and a single 2900XT for a while. This was back in the A64 days and then again in the GeForce 8800 days. Back then he didn't mind not having the best of the best, and seemed to be happy with his 'meager' hardware. These days he seems to be more of a hardware enthusiast then a gamer... nothing wrong with that, but people have different goals. Personally, I'm sure for me a 4870 1GB would be plenty for a 24" display. For others, they can't get by on less then 4xAA all details maxed at 30FPS min. You have to ask yourself if you can live with 2xAA, turning down some shadow detail, etc. and still be happy. Some people here tell me that 512MB is not enough for my 22" monitor, yet I have yet to run into an issue.

This goes for the OP as well, I'm willing to bet the 4870 1GB will do much better on a 30" display then many here would say it would, but obviously it will have some limitations. Depending on what you'll find acceptable you may be quite happy with the performance, especially for the little bit of money. You could always add a second 4870 in the future. You can always sell and get a GTX295/4870x2 if you feel it isn't up to task. Just my $.02

You are correct, sir: my "change" is called "growth" or "evolution"

You have to realize, 2 years ago - one *could* run a Extreme Edition P4 and a 2900xt - back in the days of DX9c when a A64 did not beat P4-EE by very much - back then
- i did this with satisfactory results and my resolution was 10x7, 11x9 then wide-screen 14x9, and then 16x10 ... it made sense .. and was definite bang-for-buck

But when one goes to DX10 plus 19x12 - and wants the SAME level of maxed out detail that one had at 14x9 and with Dx9c - you will NEED more than a single-GPU solution - certainly more than a single 4870 can provide

Now you are talking about "living with" .. 'turning down some detail' .. "buying a second one" .. "selling it and getting multi-GPU"
- so i agree with you: IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH NO/AA, and MISSING OUT .. well then .. go ahead and SETTLE

just my updated .05c .. yes, my advice has changed since '05; but i am still all about 'bang-for buck'
- and if you have an expensive 30" monitor is makes no sense to get a cheap 4870 now and 'suffer' with it

 

[heyheybooboo]

As opposed to a 30-inch LCD monitor - I'd be scoping out a 50-inch 1080p (or maybe even 720p) plasma panel with a gaming mode. You'd save enough money to buy a second 4870 1Gb (in the future when you may need it)

And I think an HD 4870 1Gb will be 'just dandy' even with AA at 4x or even 2x @ 1920x1080.

 

[lavaheadache]

Originally posted by: Salvador
I'm going to be getting a 30" LCD. I was going to get a single HD4870 1GB card for it, but I'm now wondering if I'm going to have enough juice for the 30" monitor.

If it's not enough, what should I get instead? 2 HD4870 1gb's to run in Crossfire or a single HD4870x2? Or.. Any other suggestions?

This was/is the OP. The question being: Does the card have the juice aka Gonads to drive a 30 incher? Me not having a 30 and neither do you apop, can't really answer the question accurately since niether of us have the experience with that kind of screen so all we can do is speculate.

In my experience though, using 1920x1200 over the past 2.5 years and reading countless reviews with higher res and lower res screens can tell you what my opionion is and be fairly accurate in a non biased way.

I have a 512 meg hd4870 and the achillies heel of the card is 512 megs of ram. *BUT* the only time this has been a problem is with the use of AA, most notably 4xAA or higher on newer games. It has been no problem at all to me though cause I could care less if I drop down to 2xAA. Yes this is less than ideal to some because an E-peen is res and AA measured.

When you get down to the actual difference in Game experience, you hardly lose any. Now am I saying there is NO difference, nope. With this being said, I believe the OP is looking to go with a bang for the buck solution. Why else would he even consider 1 card? He must already understand that there might be some sacrifice in visuals.

Since you are implying that one needs 4X AA or higher or you'll be missing out. Does this type of thinking apply to DX10 ,very high details in Crysis? If your answer is yes then I think that the OP's only hope in happy gaming is Quad fire or TRi Sli, even then I think he'll be wishing for more.

What I suggest the OP does is get a single card(from vendor of choice which seems to be AMD) and decide if that is enough "juice". I assume it will be if he doesn't mind sometimes having to drop some extra's in select games. Obviously as time goes on more horsepower is gonna be needed and he will have to swap to a newer card or go multi gpu or both=).

With the price of the 1 gig HD4870 being at such a sweet spot I believe it is a no brainer to try it out and see if he gets the desired level of satisfaction out of the card. Maybe he can spend some of the money he saved by not needing to run games at the highest level of visuals and take a lady out for the weekend. IMO money better spent.

Cheers. BTW apoppin, I still like ya. I just think that you have hardware fever, Take a lil break from benchmarking and go ride a bike for a week or 2. Come back fire up GRID with NO AA and no AF with a nice set of headphones on. You'll be in Gaming Nirvana again.

Happy New Year!!


** edit.. I would like to add one thing. I would rather play @ 2560x1600(i think that the res or 30's) with slightly lowered visuals than at 1280x1024 max everything 11ty billion AA.