HD4870 or HD4850 or 9800GTX

[octopus41092]

I'm stuck between the HD4850, the HD4870 and the 9800GTX, I need help deciding between these two.

So, I primarily game at 1680x1050 and with maybe 2x or 4x AA if I can get 60+ fps with it on. I mostly play Command and Conquer 3, Call of Duty 4, CS:S, Bioshock, Oblivion, etc...
I'm looking to get something that will last me maybe 2 years or more.

I also want to play some of newer games that are coming out, such as, Fallout 3, Red Alert 3, etc... For the newer games I want to be able to run it at 1680x1050 and at highest settings but I don't necessarily need the AA to be enabled.

I want to be able to run things at 1680x1050 pretty much max settings and at 60+ fps average.

So, which has better performance the HD4850 or the 9800GTX? Currently, I can get both for just about the same price. However, I've seen mixed reviews on which is better.

With my current setup, an AMD 64 X2 6000+ would it be bottlenecking the HD4870 or even the HD4850?

Would it be worth it for me to go and get a HD4850/9800GTX right now at around $185 or should I save up a little more and buy the 4870?

A couple things I want to put into consideration are that I'm low on cash and I don't really have all that much money to spend on a new video card. Also, my case is pretty crowded so I want something that will run cooler and not have any heat issues. Also, my motherboard is a SLI chipset so with the 9800GTX I could always throw another one in down the road to upgrade.

 

[Sylvanas]

Well the 4850 is clearly faster than the 9800GTX so that rules that out so it then becomes 4850 or 4870. Considering that you have a crowded case and want cooler running cards it would be best to go for the Dual slot 4870 which exhausts the hot air out the back (although in reality the 4850 will be fine just you'll probably have higher case temps and the fact you'll be able to get it now and not save up ).

 

[Denithor]

No contest here at all. 4850 FTW. At 1680x1050 you don't need the 4870 (overkill) and the 4850 is stronger than the 9800GTX (and cheaper, get the Diamond, ASUS, or Powercolor model that are $170 AR with free shipping.

 

[octopus41092]

I have to pay tax so it ends up being $185

 

[TC91]

For the money, 4850. Anyways in a couple years, its not like the 4870 is going to make games much more playable than the 4850.

 

[bryanW1995]

i'd snag a 4850, but wait a week or two and see if any dual slot (like the HIS iceQ edition) units come out. if you can get a nice oc 4850 with a dual slot cooler for ~ $20 more than the base 4850 that would probably be ideal for you.

 

[Hauk]

Well I guess that's that...

 

[octopus41092]

I'm thinking of getting it now with the Accelero S1, from what I've seen it drops it down to 30-40C. Then with a 120mm fan strapped to that it should be in the low 30's. I'd rather pay an extra $10 - $20 and get it now.

 

[nonameo]

where's my "peanut butter and cod sandwich" option?

 

[bryanW1995]

Originally posted by: octopus41092
I'm thinking of getting it now with the Accelero S1, from what I've seen it drops it down to 30-40C. Then with a 120mm fan strapped to that it should be in the low 30's. I'd rather pay an extra $10 - $20 and get it now.

yeah, it's hard to go wrong with that combo.

 

[octopus41092]

Originally posted by: nonameo
where's my "peanut butter and cod sandwich" option?

Peanut butter and cod?