Need help choosing GTX260 or 4850 Crossfire

[Tempered81]

Hello friends,

I would just like opinions on which graphics setup would be a better choice. I like the single gpu option for steady frames, and steady minimums, but the 4850 x-fire is a more powerful solution. Any thoughts?

The setups will be either:

1.
MSI GTX 260 192shader OC edition dual slot $160
Gigabyte GA-P45 DS3L motherboard $60
Total: ~ $220

-or-

2.
Two single slot Sapphire HD 4850 in crossfire $260
Asus P5E X38 motherboard $105
Total: ~ $365

CPU + RAM:
E0 E8400 @ 4.4ghz & 2x2GB 1066 DDR2

 

[cmdrdredd]

Multi GPU is not my first choice really. Sometimes it just works and sometimes it just doesn't. The number of "it doesn't work" threads scared me away from a 4870 x2 myself. I didn't want to take the chance that I'd be the one with all the problems.

 

[Elfear]

What monitor are you using Jared? That will help determine the better solution.

 

[Tempered81]

oh it'll be a 22 inch LCD 1680 x 1050. I'm going to use AA & AF on my games too.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
oh it'll be a 22 inch LCD 1680 x 1050. I'm going to use AA & AF on my games too.

I would just go with a single 260. Not too high of a resolution and you don't have to worry about studdering and scaling issues. You'll save a chunk of $$$ too.

 

[JPB]

Yea, I would choose the GTX260 as well. I only have a 9800GTX and my resolution is 1920x1080 and just about ALL of my games I can run max settings. So a 260 should do you really well.

And if you want to spend that much to begin with, still get the GTX260 and put the difference towards an even better cpu.

 

[SSChevy2001]

I voted GTX260. Limited vram and CF problems aren't worth it at that resolution.

 

[thilanliyan]

$160?? Damn that's cheap for a 260. Where are you getting it from? Here in Canada a regular 260 is still like $260-300 w/rebate.

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: thilan29
$160?? Damn that's cheap for a 260. Where are you getting it from? Here in Canada a regular 260 is still like $260-300 w/rebate.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2254848&enterthread=y

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: thilan29
$160?? Damn that's cheap for a 260. Where are you getting it from? Here in Canada a regular 260 is still like $260-300 w/rebate.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2254848&enterthread=y

Wait isn't it $180...not $160? The $40 rebate is for the 280 not the 260.

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: thilan29
$160?? Damn that's cheap for a 260. Where are you getting it from? Here in Canada a regular 260 is still like $260-300 w/rebate.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2254848&enterthread=y

Wait isn't it $180...not $160? The $40 rebate is for the 280 not the 260.

MSI GTX 260, $199.99 - $25 coupon code (VGA12425), - $20 MIR, - $5.50 live.com 2.75% cashback, + $9.39 shipping = $158.88 total!

edit: Anyway, looks like I'll be picking up this one. 260 OC wins over 4850 x-fire two to one in the poll!

 

[thilanliyan]

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: thilan29

Originally posted by: jaredpace

Originally posted by: thilan29
$160?? Damn that's cheap for a 260. Where are you getting it from? Here in Canada a regular 260 is still like $260-300 w/rebate.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2254848&enterthread=y

Wait isn't it $180...not $160? The $40 rebate is for the 280 not the 260.

MSI GTX 260, $199.99 - $25 coupon code (VGA12425), - $20 MIR, - $5.50 live.com 2.75% cashback, + $9.39 shipping = $158.88 total!

Ah I see...damn...wish I could get one for that price.

 

[Tempered81]

Thanks for your votes. Looks like I'm leaning towards the 260.

 

[Wreckage]

Originally posted by: jaredpace
Thanks for your votes. Looks like I'm leaning towards the 260.

The extra $145 seems to help with the lean.

 

[Zstream]

GTX 260 all the way. Trust me I have two 4850's and sometimes it can be a pain in the butt to get things working right.