Which way to go, ATI or NVidia

androb · 19 Jun 2009 at 19:47

Hi guys,

I got a mate to spec me a new machine a couple of weeks ago based around the AMD phenom tri core 720.

I was going to put the GTX275 in the new build.

I've always been an nVidia user but after reading a few articles I'm not so sure.

As AMD and ATI have joined forces would an ATI card like the 4890 be a better option to run with the AMD setup.

This would also give me the option of crossfire in the future as there do not seem to be many Sli motherboards with DDR3.(If any, I've yet to find one).

Thanks for any replies.

siumatfung · 19 Jun 2009 at 19:56

what games ya play?:

androb · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:03

Mostly shooters and sometimes dawn of war and the sims.

Looking forward to a blast on Crysis, GTA too.

FaceplantSi · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:28

At the price level you're looking at for a GTX275 I'd go for an Asus 4870X2 instead.

siumatfung · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:29

erm well if the games do not need physX then ATi is the way forward and cheaper aswell:d
wot resu play at?

androb · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:36

I didn't even think of that card.

A bit more expensive than the 4890 but I could stretch if the performance was worth it.

I'll be getting a 22" monitor to go with the build.

siumatfung · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:41

a bit

the 4890 is 140£!!!

edit: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-124-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1403

compared to this

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-174-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1235

androb · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:50

So ATI seems the better bet.

I take it that a 4890 would be the way to go then and maybe stick in another in crossfire in the future.

icey_haj · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:50

At your resolution, I'm assuming 1680X1050, the 4890 will slice through games.

siumatfung · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:55

androb said:
So ATI seems the better bet.

I take it that a 4890 would be the way to go then and maybe stick in another in crossfire in the future.

yes and icey_haj agrees

androb · 19 Jun 2009 at 20:57

May run at 1920 x 1080 if the monitor can handle it.

It looks like I'll go to ATI.

Does anyone know of a board that can take two cards for the future. I've noticed some posts that space on the board is an issue.

The board has to be AM3 and DDR3.

Also what wattage of power supply to run two 4890's in the future.

Audigex · 19 Jun 2009 at 22:31

Most of the board will run crossfire fine - the x16 slots are generally spread out far enough.

The second and third Asus boards on OcUK (Processors->AM3) both look excellent, as does the DFI - just base it on budget.

Wattage, you should be fine with 600W. Just keep an eye on the current (# of amps) on the 12v rails. Many like to go for 700W models both for the extra current it can push and the extra overhead for when the capacitors degrade.

stokecity_m · 19 Jun 2009 at 22:33

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-327-AS

that's the one I'm getting,
seems i'm getting a very similar system to you

psychas · 19 Jun 2009 at 22:33

ati cheaper better better performance 4870 1 gig /thread

zeppelin` · 19 Jun 2009 at 22:34

Ducky Spud · 19 Jun 2009 at 23:05

Yea, 4890 and GTX275 have pretty similar performance, but the 4890 is cheaper

Plus more choice of mobos for going crossfire compared to sli... if you took that path in the future

As for mobos, the one your getting looks good, hell, you could stick 4 graphics cards in there

Im an intel guy though so cant really offer much advice

Just make sure you get photos up when your done haha

ian|Squared² · 19 Jun 2009 at 23:11

i would get a 4890 but it doesnt fold aswell as the 260 and 275 so im saving for one of those
how sad is that :S

Ghost-Reaper · 19 Jun 2009 at 23:11

another vote for the 4890 here, at that res you want to play at it will be fine.

ArcAneTSGK · 19 Jun 2009 at 23:44

i play at 1680x1050 and my 4890 plays everygame i have played on it so far with great framerates with high settings including AA and AF

ATi finally sorted out AA and AF in 48XX series.

Crysis/Warhead are the only games that you should notice lower FPS on ultra high settings, but still get around 30-50FPS (bit less on warhead)

up2nogooduk · 20 Jun 2009 at 10:05

androb said:
Hi guys,

I got a mate to spec me a new machine a couple of weeks ago based around the AMD phenom tri core 720.

I was going to put the GTX275 in the new build.

I've always been an nVidia user but after reading a few articles I'm not so sure.

As AMD and ATI have joined forces would an ATI card like the 4890 be a better option to run with the AMD setup.

This would also give me the option of crossfire in the future as there do not seem to be many Sli motherboards with DDR3.(If any, I've yet to find one).

Thanks for any replies.

I had the 4890.
far to noisy for me. and i find ati to be a pain to set up how i like it compard to the nvidia.
i had to reinstall windows again to get the AA/AF to work. plus you need 3rd party software to get v.sync to work

but i just couldn't get rid of the jaggerd edges for some reason, no matter what i tried.
Part from that, the 4890 run games very nice,it is a nice card.
So i tried a friends O/C 275 http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-116-OK

which can be clocked to a 285. i just found the nvidia control settings a lot easyer to setup, no messing around. and my jaggerds are all gone

much quiter and a top card.
i know it maybe £20 ish more. good luck with whatever floats your boat