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Current 2900XT 1GB owner....Upgrade advice

obiwanquinobi`

obiwanquinobi`

obiwanquinobi`

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Joined
13 Oct 2005
Posts
151
Location
Sunderland:UK
Guys, I don't post much on here, but often ask you guys for your know how when I have an upgrade in mind ... I was wondering if you could indulge me :)

Is it worth upgrading from a 2900XT 1GB to a 4870 512MB?

Reason I ask is that a mates 2900XT died on him recently (only 2 weeks out if its warranty) and he got a 4850 and he reckons its about 30-40% faster than the 2900 was - and it cost less than half the price?? Seems like the latest ATI cards are really good value for money.

I don't want to be skank'd like I was with my last 2 graphics cards. The crippled X1800XT and the 2900XT were probably the worst purchases I've ever made, hardware wise.

Would a 4870 be a good upgrade from the 2900XT - or should I wait for the 1GB version coming out?

I game at 1680x1050 Wide screen and have a [email protected] Ghz/4GB Ram.

Cheers guys,

Later
 
Yes you will see a huge difference, especially where AA is involved. No point really in waiting for a 1GB card, I haven't seen any game benchmarks where it makes a difference. My Bro has an 4870X2 2GB, I have o/c crossfire 4850's. I beat him in vantage standard by about 500pts. Different mobos etc.. He caint bench higher than 1680x1050 cauze he's LCD. So that extra memory isn't going to help him out.
 
I would personally vote either the 4850 or the 4870, but the 512MB versions of each will be fine, my 4850 runs C0D4 fine at 4xaa, adaptive aa, 16AF, everything maxed @ 1920x1200 (according to fraps) ~ 60FPS on average.

I would say that at 1680x1050 either of those cards will do you fine service.
 
Bump

Right now, I have my mouse cursor hovering over the 'Order' button for the 4870 1GB ....

2900XT> 4870

Someone tell me that this is worth the upgrade (in a couple of sentences)
 
The 1GB version isn't worth it, everyone has said so. Save yourself a bundle of cash and order the 512GB version.

Edit - try to google a few tests between 512 and 1GB cards, there's generally little or no difference until you hit huge resses.
 
obiwanquinobi` said:
Bump

Right now, I have my mouse cursor hovering over the 'Order' button for the 4870 1GB ....

2900XT> 4870

Someone tell me that this is worth the upgrade (in a couple of sentences)
Click to expand...

It would be rude not to at their current price (mine should be arriving today :D)
 
Sleepery said:
The 1GB version isn't worth it, everyone has said so. Save yourself a bundle of cash and order the 512GB version.

Edit - try to google a few tests between 512 and 1GB cards, there's generally little or no difference until you hit huge resses.
Click to expand...

Surely the extra memory will come in handy when using a lot of AA/AF? And also some of the newer games that are just around the corner?
 
obiwanquinobi` said:
Surely the extra memory will come in handy when using a lot of AA/AF? And also some of the newer games that are just around the corner?
Click to expand...
no not much ... only about 1 or 2 fames extra if that. 1gb+ cards are a waste of money, no games uses the full 512mb. in about a year or so then maybe yes games will use 512mb+ but u would have upgraded by then.
 
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End of the day though £188 for the 1GB version, i'd be tempted to get it just for the sake of it as well. :D
 
gareth170 said:
no not much ... only about 1 or 2 fames extra if that. 1gb+ cards are a waste of money, no games uses the full 512mb. in about a year or so then maybe yes games will use 512mb+ but u would have upgraded by then.
Click to expand...

I reckon paying an extra £5 for another 512MB of Vram is a bit of a 'No-Brainer' non??

The 512 Version is £182 (And thats on a 'This week only' offer)

Edit: Just wish I had more than 250 post so I could get the free shipping....
 
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obiwanquinobi` said:
Surely the extra memory will come in handy when using a lot of AA/AF? And also some of the newer games that are just around the corner?
Click to expand...

As said above makes no difference, just look at reviews of the 4870 512mb and the GTX 280 1gb, at 1920x1200 with lots of AA, the 4870 is faster with half the Ram. :)

Id say the 4870 would be more than double a 2900, be an absolute massive performance boost.
 
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