DesertRat

Update(~1AM PST July 5, '09)
BTW my 4870 went for $128





Keep this in mind: Current system DOES NOT SUPPORT CROSSFIRE

I sold/am selling my 4870 512MB and should have ~$200 in my paypal early next week.

I've narrowed my choices down to 2.

The 4890.
and
The 4850X2 2GB

I know the 4890 has a lot of hype as of late but I'm really wondering if the 4850X2 isn't a better choice in my situation.

I run 1920x1080 4xAAor > and 16x AF(if framerate disallows, then 2x AA and 8x AF)
Will be playing:
-STALKER CS
-HAWX
-Crysis
-GTA IV
-Left 4 Dead
-Red Faction III(upon release to PC)
-FEAR 2
-Fallout 3
-ArmA II(possibly)
-Prototype
-Call of Duty 4, W@W, and MW2
-Probably more as they are released

Pros and cons I've thought of so far:
4890
Pros:
-Highly OCable
-Uses less power
-Shorter

Cons:
-Little or no OC headroom after OC to 4850X2 2GB performance levels
-Moderately loud, non-tweakable/customizable blower


4850X2 2GB
Pros:
-@ stock beats everything but OC'd 285s, 295s, OC'd 4890s and 4870X2s in most applications.
-Still has OC headroom
-Performs similarly to 4870X2
-1600 stream processors(folding?)
-Cheap tri-fire(4850 1GB or 4870 1GB) after later system upgrade
-Customizable/tweak-able cooler setup
-VF900s are compatible(have 1 already)

Neutral: 1GB available @ any given time due to each GPU needing the same data in it's buffer.

Cons:
-Eats up more power(will still have plenty of headroom however)
-Also loud
-Very long.
-May have to mod case to allow fit.



Please vote in Poll and post your comments.

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skugpezz

i vote 4850 x2, faster card right from the box

Jason_B

Right the 4850x2 will be the better card straight out of the box vs the 4890....but seeing as how the 4890 is dropping in price possibly get one now and xfire another one down the road when they can be had for $180 or so .

Tough decision yes, but Id pick the 4850x2 in your situation

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3D Mark 06:20,378

|Applying Thermal Paste to your Xigmatek|

DesertRat

Please keep in mind that @TM I DO NOT have a crossfire capable system.

I'm planning on upgrading next month(hopefully) however.

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neDav

4850x2 all the way!!

I don't think you should have to modify your case.

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JimmyYoshi

Yeah if you can't do crossfire I would go with the 4850x2 for sure.

DesertRat

I measured. It's almost exactly 11.5" PCI bracket to HDD cage. I have 3 other cases laying around I could swap into. However, I do like this case because of the 120s in back.

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linskingdom

Tough call. Since you have P965, I would get the 4850x2.

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Push to the limit one more time..

loll

Games must be coded specifically to use THAT dual GPU card. Most games aren't and quite a few never will be. The 4850x2 has many problems and tears a whole in stock 4890 but once you pay for vapor-x the 4890 does so to the 4850x2. Even non vapor-x overclocks beat the 4850x2 overclocks

rico2001

At stock 4850 X2 beats 1Ghz oc'ed 4890. Still hard choice, the 4890 has brighter crossfire future. Although tri-fire 4850 or X2 CF with a 4870 is outstanding. Good luck with your decision.

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My reviews:
4870, 4870 Tri-fire, 4850 X2 Quad-fire, 4850 X2 vs. 4870 X2,
4850 X2 + 4870 Tri-fire, 4850 X2 + 4870 X2 Quad-fire, 4850 + 4870 Crossfire,
(NEW) 4890 vs. 4850 X2

Steam nick: rico2001

"The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be only sustainable competitive advantage." ~Arie de Geus