Which 4870 to get?

[AstroManLuca]

For reference, I'm gaming at 1680x1050 with a Phenom II X3 720. I run several games... mostly UT3, Company of Heroes, TF2, CoD 4, and I plan to continue getting new PC releases.

I was looking at some new graphics cards and given the substantially increased performance of the 4870 vs. the 4850 compared to the relatively small increase in price, I'm thinking it might be worth it to get a 4870. Whenever I start looking at 4850s, I realize that there's a 512 MB 4870 for only a little more that would perform a lot better. Of course, then I want to upsell to a 1 GB version, which costs even more, and I'm not sure if it's worth it. Here are the ones I picked out:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121288 Asus 4870 512MB, factory overclock, $165/$135AR + S&H

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102801 Sapphire 4870 1 GB, big cooler that appears to exhaust out the back, $190 (no rebate) + S&H

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127400 MSI 4870 1 GB, free Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, $200/$175AR + free shipping (cheapest 1 GB 4870 on NewEgg)

Any of these look good? Would I be fine with a 512 MB version since I'm only at 1680x1050? And would you recommend any different brands (as long as they're not hugely more expensive)?

 

[thilanliyan]

Definitely get the 1GB. You won't regret it. Whereas you might with the 512 if you say upgrade your monitor.

 

[Schmide]

Dude. Search the HD forum

MSI Radeon 4870 1GB - 158.99 AR + ship @ ZZF

Never mind that Asus fro $135 is a great deal!!!

at 1680x1050 1gb or 512 doesn't matter.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Wow, nice deal there. I sort of have "the bug" and want to order something RIGHTFRIGGINNOW, but on the other hand Ivan244 informed me that come April 9th, the 4890 will be released and other cards may drop in price.

But yeah, that MSI 1 GB for $159 is crazy! $24 more than the cheapest 512 MB version.