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

[Jimmy328]

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p>Hello All,</o:p>
<o:p>(Hope this question is in the correct discussion)</o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
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.<o:p></o:p>

• 1 of them is an HD 4850 with 1 GB of GDDR3, Core clock 625 MHz<o:p></o:p>

<o:p>(Am I allowed to post the WEB site?)</o:p>
<o:p></o:p>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.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Is there really that much performance difference between GDDR5 and GDDR3?<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
My video hungry software packages are Flight Simulator X, Punch Home Design, and F.E.A.R.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Thanks all,<o:p></o:p>
Jim<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Proc = Core 2 Duo E6750 with Liquid Cooling <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">System</st1:City>
<st1:State w:st="on">MB</st1:State></st1:place> = 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<o:p></o:p>

[casecutter]

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

What size and resolution is your monitor? That makes the most difference in any video card decision.

[randomness]

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

remember more RAM doesnt necessarily translate into bigger numbers, only if u plan to play on ultra high resolutions with AA/AF enabled.

[Jimmy328]

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

My display’s are
• Monitor = 22 inches, 1680 x 1050
• Plasma TV = 50 inches, 1920 x 1080

After additional forum discussions, I think the HD 4870 is an ideal card for motherboard compatibility and my budget. Flight Simulator X is a demanding game (frame rates, resolution), but from what I read in other forums, it relies heavily on the processor too.

ATI is coming out with a card called the X2 - R700, possible this month. I may wait and go with this card. The link that was passed on to me is
AnandTech: ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 - R700 Preview: AMD's Fastest Single Card

Jim

[casecutter]

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

A regular HD4870 can easily handle those resolutions. Even my 8800GT can easily handle those resolutions. 512MB of Vram is the sweetspot for now. It'll be a few before we really need more.