1GB or 512MB?

[mattyy]

Okay, so I've decided I'm going to get a HD4850 as it seems to be the best card I can get right now for my budget and also the best given the resolution I will mainly be playing at.

Primary monitor - 22" 1680*1050
Secondary monitor - 37" TV 1920*1080

Would I see any difference if I spent a bit more towards getting a 1GB version of the HD4850 opposed to the 512MB?

I also want to try and keep the card as long as possible, for another machine.

 

[Duke]

I've got a 4870 512MB and run it ok in 1680*1050 res. If you are using it on the TV then I would go for the 1GB model. Although it maybe worth actually getting the 4870 rather than 4850 for that res anyway.

 

[mattyy]

Ideally yeah I would like the HD4870, But thats like 50% of the cost of a 4850 added on to it again.
Even then I would only be able to afford the 512 version of the 4870 anyways so it wouldnt help me as the resolution aspect.

I just want to know if a 512 4850 would run most current games on high settings at 1680*1050 pretty good, and acceptable. I also want to know weather the extra £30 is worth it for a 1gb version of that card and if that will help me getting better FPS on the above resolution.

I simply cannot afford anymore for a card and a 4870 is out of the question for now, if the 4850 wont cut it then I may aswell get a 8800 and save for a 4870.

 

[bloodline76]

I think you should go for the 1gb with those resolutions. Even gaming at 1680x1050 is beginning to wear thin with 512mb with some games now.

 

[willy]

Go for 1gb if you can as the price not much different

 

[Sean_UK]

1680x1050 is beginning to wear thin with 512mb with some games now.

Agree.

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Go for 1gb if you can as the price not much different

 

[mattyy]

Looks like I'll wait a bit longer and save up for a 4870...

 

[almighty15]

Get the 1gb version, 1680x1050 is on the limit of 512mb TBH, STALKER clear sky, Crysis...loads of new games at that resolution require over 600mb...

Then when you start turning on MSAA and AF that consumes more RAM...

I wouldnt considering buying a new card with only 512mb of RAM

 

[Dicehunter]

4850 1 GB is the sex especially in crossfire

 

[almighty15]

4850 1 GB is the sex especially in crossfire

Yea, more expensive, more power hungry and more heat generated by them compared to a 4870X2

 

[Dicehunter]

Not true about price-
Cheapest 4870X2 = £396 inc VAT
Cheapest 2 x 4850 1GB's in x-fire = £310 inc VAT

 

[almighty15]

Not true about price-
Cheapest 4870X2 = £396 inc VAT
Cheapest 2 x 4850 x-fire = £310 inc VAT

Whoopss.....thought you said crossfire 4870

SLI'd 8800GT's = £160 and just as fast as 4850's, they scale very well in SLI