Which video card? 4870 x2 vs 6850 vs 6870

[lektrix]

All prices are in Canadian dollars.

Sapphire 4870X2 used - $90

Gigabyte 6850 1GB brand new - $150 final

XFX 6870 1GB used - $150 (and has full, second warranty)

Which one would you guys buy, considering price, performance, and noise levels?

 

[RavenSEAL]

6870

 

[GotNoRice]

The 4870x2 would the fastest out of the three but unless you knew and trusted the previous owner I would probably pass on that card. They run hot and if the previous owner didn't run it in a well ventilated case and didn't pay attention to GPU temps the card might be well on it's way to cooking itself to death if it hasn't already.

 

[GaiaHunter]

The used 6870 since it has full warranty (otherwise I would pass it in favour of the new 6850 or pay more for a new 6870).

The speed difference between the 4870x2 and the 6870 is negligible, especially considering the 4870x2 has no DX11 support, consumes more and it has the quirks associated with dual GPU.

 

[nemesismk2]

I would get the 6870

 

[Arkaign]

6870

 

[tulx]

6870, get another one later. Great performance per euro.

 

[-Slacker-]

the 4870x2 is slightly faster than the 6870, but it needs 300w of juice, runs hot as %#$@ and is pretty loud too ... but at a $60 price difference it's kinda tough to decide ... still, with a hd 6870 you might get that $60 back through power savings.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

the 4870x2 is slightly faster than the 6870, but it needs 300w of juice, runs hot as %#$@ and is pretty loud too ... but at a $60 price difference it's kinda tough to decide ... still, with a hd 6870 you might get that $60 back through power savings.

i agree.

plus you could probably sell the 4870x2 and help save on the 6870

 

[d3fu5i0n]

HD 6870 due to the warranty still being intact; otherwise, the 6850 as GaiaHunter said, or paying more for a new 6870.

Most gamers don't let GPUs live their full life [not from what I've seen], so even though you might like the feeling of buying a new card, the 6870 is the better option - as it still has the full, second user's warranty.

P.S. Some people say CF it later - I've tried CF in the past [two 5770s] and didn't like it at all. I personally recommend the best price/performance [in the gaming sector] single GPU cards for upgrading each time.

 

[lektrix]

How much will the prices fall in 1-2 months when the new cards are released? Is it worth waiting the 1-2 months or should I just buy the 6870 now and forget about the measly $10-$20 saved???

 

[Madcatatlas]

Forget the measly saved $, buy that 6870 or a oced 460

 

[lkkgg72200812]

gigabyte 6850OC is good and has double fans, the heat dissipation is better than others~

 

[deadken]

How much will the prices fall in 1-2 months when the new cards are released? Is it worth waiting the 1-2 months or should I just buy the 6870 now and forget about the measly $10-$20 saved???

I can't see prices dropping much further on the 1gb 6850 or 6870's. They are very well priced right now. I'm looking to get the best 2gb video card I can for $250. I got so fed up, I bought a 1gb 6870 right now to hold me over. I'll sell it later (if I get the rebate, I'll take maybe a $20-$30 hit) if I see that the 6970's drop a good amount in price. If not, I think the 2gb 7850 is supposed to retail around $250, so I'll get that.

As for the OP, I'd say (like most others here) get the 6870. For the money, I don't think you can beat it. I don't see prices getting lower in the next month. Perhaps after the next batch of 7xxx cards are release (starting Feb 12th, IIRC), we will see the 6950/6970 cards drop in price a bit.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

6870 for sure. I do not want to mess with old crossfire, DX 10, or unreasonably high power consumption.

For that power level it just isn't worth dealing with the headaches of crossfire. A single card, even the 6850 would be so much more simpler, quieter, and power efficient.

The warranty adds some much appriciated peace of mind.