Ready to buy video card, which 1 is best of 5 chosen?

Jimmy328 · 08-03-2008, 07:49 AM

Hello All,

I have my video card selection narrowed down to 5 cards; all are within my price range. I will be buying today after I receive feedback.
(Is it OK to post this WEB site?)

• 4 of them are the HD 4870’s with 512 MB of GDDR5, Core clock 750 MHz
• 1 of them is an HD 4850 with 1 GB of GDDR3, Core clock 625 MHz

The SAPPHIRE 100242-1GL Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 looks like the best deal; twice the amount of memory, but only the MEM is slightly slower. Max resolution, core clock, memory clock, about the same for all 5 cards.

When I look at the “end-user reviews” on this web site, there are a high number of reviews for the HD 4870 - 512 MB - GDDR5 and only 3 reviews for the HD 4850 – 1 GB –GDDR3. Both 4850 and 4870’s have favorable reviews, but obviously, most buyers opt for the HD 4870.

Why, I don’t understand?
Is there really that much performance difference between GDDR5 and GDDR3?

My video hungry software packages are Flight Simulator X, Punch Home Design, and F.E.A.R.

Thanks all,
Jim

Proc = Core 2 Duo E6750 with Liquid Cooling System
MB = Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6
Mem = Corsair, CM2X1024, 2 GB
HD= 2 SATA Barracuda 320 GB & WD 320 GB
Video = GeForce 8600 GT
Case/PSU = Smilodon Case w/500 Watt PSU
OS = Windows XP SP 3

ebackhus · 08-03-2008, 08:38 AM

Before a card can be chosen we need full specs on your power supply.

08-03-2008, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jimmy328 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP, SP 3	Ready to buy video card, which 1 is best of 5 chosen? Hello All, I have my video card selection narrowed down to 5 cards; all are within my price range. I will be buying today after I receive feedback. (Is it OK to post this WEB site?) • 4 of them are the HD 4870’s with 512 MB of GDDR5, Core clock 750 MHz • 1 of them is an HD 4850 with 1 GB of GDDR3, Core clock 625 MHz The SAPPHIRE 100242-1GL Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 looks like the best deal; twice the amount of memory, but only the MEM is slightly slower. Max resolution, core clock, memory clock, about the same for all 5 cards. When I look at the “end-user reviews” on this web site, there are a high number of reviews for the HD 4870 - 512 MB - GDDR5 and only 3 reviews for the HD 4850 – 1 GB –GDDR3. Both 4850 and 4870’s have favorable reviews, but obviously, most buyers opt for the HD 4870. Why, I don’t understand? Is there really that much performance difference between GDDR5 and GDDR3? My video hungry software packages are Flight Simulator X, Punch Home Design, and F.E.A.R. Thanks all, Jim Proc = Core 2 Duo E6750 with Liquid Cooling System MB = Gigabyte GA-P35-DQ6 Mem = Corsair, CM2X1024, 2 GB HD= 2 SATA Barracuda 320 GB & WD 320 GB Video = GeForce 8600 GT Case/PSU = Smilodon Case w/500 Watt PSU OS = Windows XP SP 3

08-03-2008, 08:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,313 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Ready to buy video card, which 1 is best of 5 chosen? Before a card can be chosen we need full specs on your power supply. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.