Bit of help needed regarding GPU and mobo

lrenno · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:10

Hi guys im in the process of a new build but havent put one together for quite a while now. I'd like a general opinion of which GPU is the better between the ATi - 4870 and Nvidia GTX280. At the moment im only looking at single card system but if i need to in the future id like the option to go either sli or crossfire depending on which card is the best. Which leads to my next question of which motherboard is the best one for either sli or crossfire.

My budget on mobo is around the £150 mark, it needs to take the intel quad 9550 processor not bothered about onboard sound as im prob going x-fi anyway.

Hope this makes sense and i havent broke any rules. cheers

95thrifles · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:19

The general breakdown for gfx card performance as it stands is this
4870x2>280>4870 1gig>260>4870 512mb
For a single card set up the 280 would prob be best, if you were wanting to keep your options open for adding a 2nd card later, then theres a lot more boards support x-fire as opoosed to SLI. I take it youre looking at socket 775?
What resolution do you game at though? theres no point getting a kick ass gfx card if your monitor cant support it.

lrenno · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:25

yes i think im going socket 775 as have no interest in i7 at the minute. im also purchasing the samsung 2433bw 24" monitor which has 1920 x 1200 support so that'll be what resolution im looking at playing at.
cheers for the help

95thrifles · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:28

Ok, well Id recomend looking at the P45 chipset, either Asus or Gigabyte, DFI are good too but you've got to be pretty clued up on their BIOS's

lrenno · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:32

ok thanks any recommendations in the asus or gigabyte range?
Think i'll leave the DFI as like i say im out of the loop as its been a while.

harris1986 · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:38

It vastly depends on what games you play? things like crysis benefit more from Nvidia platform as it makes use of the phsyx on the other hand the IQ on the 4870's tends to be a lot better.
Imo flip a coin

I went for the GTX280 as I got one of the gainwards from ocuk for £230

95thrifles · 9 Jan 2009 at 13:40

This asus one is good
And this gigabyte, whichever you prefer really, theres not much in it, or have a look at the other ones in the ranges, these both come out at about 105 so if you wanted to go for a higher spec one you can, just remember theres no point going for the higher spec if you dont need it, and these both meet most peoples needs

lrenno · 9 Jan 2009 at 20:40

went for the asus p5q pro board in the end thanks for the help