graphics card for gaming please - Computer Support & PC Help Forums

smokey · 09-28-2008, 01:25 PM

hi guys just need a lil help on deciding between the following cards.

2 x 4850 in crossfire
2 x 4870 in crossfire
280gtx

i play alot of games and watch alot of movies etc, ive decided to upgrade my system cuz i have to reinstall windows and the new specs would be e8400 clocked to 4gz and either 4 gb reaper ram or dominator just need help deciding on which card/s to get as im stuck lol.
Also the system is not bought it is one built from scratch many thanks

**Wolfeymole** · 09-28-2008, 01:32 PM

Dalo Harkin will advise on this when he gets online smokey if you'll be kind enough to be patient until then.

JEBWrench · 09-29-2008, 05:27 PM

Single 280gtx, or two?

If it's just one, the 4870s will be about the same price, and will have a fairly high-quality performance.

Also, what are your other system specs?

ATI's 4800 Series: HD 4850, 4870 reviewed: Page 1

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-29-2008, 07:25 PM

2 x 4870 will be better than 2x280's in SLI anyway - 4870s are ruling ATM

smokey · 09-29-2008, 10:08 PM

at the moment the rest of the spec is looking like this, e8400 clocked to 4ghz with watercooling, p5q pro mobo, 4 gb of either reaper or dominator ram 1066, xfi extreme gamer soundcard, + graphics cards of which yet is undeceided in an antec 900 case, maxtor 500gb hdd, and some £20 sony dvd reader writer drive, and finally a hiper 880w psu.

also it wudbe one 280 gtx cud not afford 2

**Dalo Harkin** · 09-30-2008, 11:32 AM

Of the 2 the 4870x2 (the one with 2 4870 GPU's on one card) is at present the fastest single card on the planet!

**AdvancedSetup** · 09-30-2008, 06:46 PM

You also need to really make sure your Motherboard FULLY supports using dual cards (try to do searches on Google for your motherboard to see if any posted issues)

Also that your PowerSupply has all the right connectors to use.
Also that your Case will support the cards. These are big cards and often have trouble fitting in some cases.

But, the single 4870x2 is a very good card at the moment.

.

**Dalo Harkin** · 10-01-2008, 07:28 AM

Agreed - some of the most modern GPU's are now a foot long and you dont realise how big that is inside a case.
you also have to make sure that the case has AMPLE cooling and although you can get adapters for the GPU's that run off Molex's they run much better off dedicated cables.