Upgrade 9800GTX or HD 4850?

[rogue1979]

Currently running a 2180 @ 3150MHz with a 9600GSO @ 700/1800/2050.

1. First of all would a 9800GTX or HD 4850 be a noticable improvement?

Budget is $150, this is my 13 year old sons rig and he prefers Nvidia but has used ATI also.

2. From what I have seen from benchmarks the two are pretty close in performance, though it appears the 9800GTX runs cooler then the 4850 using a stock gpu fan.

Any opinions or informative comments would be appreciated!

 

[KIAman]

Typically I would ask the usual series of questions such as

1. Resolution of display
2. Anti-Aliasing quality intended
3. What games?

But considering both cards are just about equal, it only really depends on question #3. If you are worried about noise/heat, go with the 9800GTX (+ if you can find one in the price range).

If you want the most upgrade proof, then go with the HD4850 which support newer specifications.

 

[AzN]

I would have to give the 4850 the edge when comparing it to a 9800gtx. Noticeably better AA support and 800SP that rivals Nvidia's GTX 280 for processing hungry games of the future.

KIAman is right. Without knowing what resolution your son plays it's hard to give a recommendation. GSO can play all games at the highest settings fine at except Crysis. Then again even 280gtx choke on Crysis to a certain extent. GSO clocked to those speeds easily rival 8800gt BTW. I say 9800gtx or 4850 is anywhere from 25% to 150% faster depending on what resolution and AA settings. 4850 is the obvious card if you are running high AA settings and even faster than 9800gtx by 50~100% with 8xAA settings. In raw frame rates however those 2 cards mentioned is only 25% faster.

 

[Tempered81]

asus brand 9800gt ultimate is nice also. As fast (some games it's faster) as a 9800gtx+ or hd4850 and is 129 AR at the egg

 

[rogue1979]

Thanks for the info.

He usually games at 1152 x 864 - 16af 4Xaa except on Crysis, which is too much for the 9600GSO and resolution and eye candy have to be lowered.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

New drivers from AMD will fix the high temperatures of the HD4850. IMO, go with the HD4850. In AT's review they showed the HD4850 using less power, at both idle and load, than the 9800GTX. So ultimately, the HD4850 is probably giving off less heat (heat and temperature ARE NOT the same thing).

 

[error8]

4850 = 9800GTX+ ( wins in some games, looses in others).

Now, 4850 is faster hands down, then the "normal" 9800GTX, but not by much. So, do the math...

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: rogue1979
Thanks for the info.

He usually games at 1152 x 864 - 16af 4Xaa except on Crysis, which is too much for the 9600GSO and resolution and eye candy have to be lowered.

I don't see how a GSO wouldn't be able to play Crysis @ high settings 1154x864 2xAA. I get decent frame rates all on high 1440x900. More than 30fps.

 

[error8]

Originally posted by: Azn

Originally posted by: rogue1979
Thanks for the info.

He usually games at 1152 x 864 - 16af 4Xaa except on Crysis, which is too much for the 9600GSO and resolution and eye candy have to be lowered.

I don't see how a GSO wouldn't be able to play Crysis @ high settings 1154x864 2xAA. I get decent frame rates all on high 1440x900. More than 30fps.

A bit off topic, but I remember, Azn, you had an 8800 GT before. What made you downgrade to a 8800 GS?