HD3870 in crossfire vs HD4850

crazy pyro · Nov 25, 2008, 09:27 PM

Which is better, I have a feeling I can get the 3870s less than the 4850 from a local supplier (Sadly they don't stock the 4850).

DarkEgo · Nov 25, 2008, 09:32 PM

Well, that depends. What is more important to you benchmarks or games. If you like benchmarks more get to 3870's. If you like games more, I would get the 4850. Also it depends on your location. If you are in the States and can go to NewEgg, then get the 4850.

crazy pyro · Nov 25, 2008, 09:36 PM

UK so no newegg, plus a local wholesaler stocks the 3870s so I can probably get them cheaper.

thebluebumblebee · Nov 25, 2008, 09:42 PM

Something to consider is that the software that ATI is releasing to allow the GPU to do more than GFX only works on HD48xx series! 3800 is obsolete, sorry to say.

EDIT: If you're into overclocking, consider 2x 4830!

DarkEgo · Nov 25, 2008, 09:42 PM

How much would you be paying for the 3870's? I will see if I can find you a better deal.

crazy pyro · Nov 25, 2008, 09:42 PM

What do you mean more than graphics?

DarkEgo · Nov 25, 2008, 09:49 PM

I don't know UK prices but this looks like a good deal. http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/P...tail_8156.html

crazy pyro · Nov 25, 2008, 09:49 PM

I've gotta call the wholesaler, however I'm pretty sure they'll be about 20% cheaper than standard, I'll get back to you on the price tomorow. The machine will be used mainly for gaming with the occasional benchmark.
That link you posted's around the same price as the ASUS HD4850 which I'll probably get off Ebuyer (Just for convenience since I'm buying the majority of my other parts from there.)

spearman914 · Nov 25, 2008, 10:00 PM

like someone said above. 3870 CF for benchies and 4850 for games. 3870 for benches because benches take more advantage in CF then games. And for a 4850 standing a lone is for games.

Steevo · Nov 25, 2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebluebumblebee

Something to consider is that the software that ATI is releasing to allow the GPU to do more than GFX only works on HD48xx series! 3800 is obsolete, sorry to say.

EDIT: If you're into overclocking, consider 2x 4830!

Not true.

All cards with stream processors benefit.

James1991 · Nov 25, 2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebluebumblebee

Something to consider is that the software that ATI is releasing to allow the GPU to do more than GFX only works on HD48xx series! 3800 is obsolete, sorry to say.

EDIT: If you're into overclocking, consider 2x 4830!

i thought it was going to work on all cards with unified shaders which would mean it would work on the HD2k, 3k and 4k series

thebluebumblebee · Nov 25, 2008, 10:31 PM

OK, I'm partly right, partly wrong.

"There's a catch, however—you'll need a Radeon HD 4600- or 4800-series GPU to use the tool." From: http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15886

"Once installed, the driver package automatically turns on the ATI Stream acceleration capabilities within ATI Radeon HD 4000 series graphics cards." From : http://www.techpowerup.com/76167/AMD...than_Ever.html

And I have a 3870.

JC316 · Nov 25, 2008, 11:20 PM

I would say that the 3870 would edge the 4850, I would rather have a single card solution than a Crossfire for simplicity.

crazy pyro · Nov 26, 2008, 07:10 AM

Ok, the company doesn't have 4830s on offer so they're out of the question.
I'll check the price this weekend and if it's significantly cheaper I'll go for the 2 3870s since I don't want to over spend on this system.

Sonido · Nov 26, 2008, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebluebumblebee

Something to consider is that the software that ATI is releasing to allow the GPU to do more than GFX only works on HD48xx series! 3800 is obsolete, sorry to say.

EDIT: If you're into overclocking, consider 2x 4830!

2x 3870's should be enough to get you playing your games with great performance, but a 4850 gives the best bang for buck out there.

crazy pyro · Nov 26, 2008, 08:01 AM

Ok then, I just realised the motherboad I was buying doesn't support crossfire anyway so this is a bit of a moot point lol.

Nov 25, 2008, 09:27 PM	#1
crazy pyro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,304 (0.73/day) Thanks: 290 Thanked 137 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	HD3870 in crossfire vs HD4850 Which is better, I have a feeling I can get the 3870s less than the 4850 from a local supplier (Sadly they don't stock the 4850). __________________ Lappy: AMD athlon/ turion TK-53 2GB Crucial RAM@667 512MB Generic@667 Acer travelmate motherboard, unsure, Liteon laptop Power supply,ATI mobility Radeon, x1250,120GB HD “Testicles and birthday presents yum!” -joinmeindeath417

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Nov 25, 2008, 09:32 PM	#2
DarkEgo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,200 (0.66/day) Thanks: 273 Thanked 222 Times in 182 Posts System Specs	Well, that depends. What is more important to you benchmarks or games. If you like benchmarks more get to 3870's. If you like games more, I would get the 4850. Also it depends on your location. If you are in the States and can go to NewEgg, then get the 4850. __________________ Sic vis pacem, para bellum HEATWARE Ego's Enthusiast Equipment

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Nov 25, 2008, 09:36 PM	#3
crazy pyro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,304 (0.73/day) Thanks: 290 Thanked 137 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	UK so no newegg, plus a local wholesaler stocks the 3870s so I can probably get them cheaper. __________________ Lappy: AMD athlon/ turion TK-53 2GB Crucial RAM@667 512MB Generic@667 Acer travelmate motherboard, unsure, Liteon laptop Power supply,ATI mobility Radeon, x1250,120GB HD “Testicles and birthday presents yum!” -joinmeindeath417

Nov 25, 2008, 09:42 PM	#4
thebluebumblebee Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 2,143 (1.20/day) Thanks: 1,559 Thanked 882 Times in 628 Posts System Specs	Something to consider is that the software that ATI is releasing to allow the GPU to do more than GFX only works on HD48xx series! 3800 is obsolete, sorry to say. EDIT: If you're into overclocking, consider 2x 4830!

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Nov 25, 2008, 09:42 PM	#6
crazy pyro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,304 (0.73/day) Thanks: 290 Thanked 137 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	What do you mean more than graphics? __________________ Lappy: AMD athlon/ turion TK-53 2GB Crucial RAM@667 512MB Generic@667 Acer travelmate motherboard, unsure, Liteon laptop Power supply,ATI mobility Radeon, x1250,120GB HD “Testicles and birthday presents yum!” -joinmeindeath417

Nov 25, 2008, 09:49 PM	#7
DarkEgo Join Date: May 2008 Location: Delaware Posts: 1,200 (0.66/day) Thanks: 273 Thanked 222 Times in 182 Posts System Specs	I don't know UK prices but this looks like a good deal. http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/P...tail_8156.html __________________ Sic vis pacem, para bellum HEATWARE Ego's Enthusiast Equipment

Nov 25, 2008, 10:00 PM	#9
spearman914 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Brooklyn, New York 11223 Posts: 3,000 (1.61/day) Thanks: 339 Thanked 510 Times in 482 Posts System Specs	like someone said above. 3870 CF for benchies and 4850 for games. 3870 for benches because benches take more advantage in CF then games. And for a 4850 standing a lone is for games. __________________ .................................................. .. “Originally Posted by mlee49 So pain level on a 1 to 10 scale, 10 being having a wart removed on your butthole with pliers.”

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Nov 25, 2008, 10:31 PM	#12
thebluebumblebee Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Portland, OR USA Posts: 2,143 (1.20/day) Thanks: 1,559 Thanked 882 Times in 628 Posts System Specs	OK, I'm partly right, partly wrong. "There's a catch, however—you'll need a Radeon HD 4600- or 4800-series GPU to use the tool." From: http://techreport.com/discussions.x/15886 "Once installed, the driver package automatically turns on the ATI Stream acceleration capabilities within ATI Radeon HD 4000 series graphics cards." From : http://www.techpowerup.com/76167/AMD...than_Ever.html And I have a 3870. Last edited by thebluebumblebee; Nov 25, 2008 at 10:45 PM.

Nov 25, 2008, 11:20 PM	#13
JC316 Knows what makes you tick Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DFW/ Texas Posts: 6,047 (2.26/day) Thanks: 714 Thanked 912 Times in 696 Posts System Specs	I would say that the 3870 would edge the 4850, I would rather have a single card solution than a Crossfire for simplicity. __________________ Core 2 Duo Overclocking guide Athlon 64 overclocking guide “If I were to do this, it'd be my luck that the door would rip off the hinges, burst into flames, and rape my face with fiery hot death.” -El Fiendo

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Nov 26, 2008, 07:10 AM	#14
crazy pyro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,304 (0.73/day) Thanks: 290 Thanked 137 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	Ok, the company doesn't have 4830s on offer so they're out of the question. I'll check the price this weekend and if it's significantly cheaper I'll go for the 2 3870s since I don't want to over spend on this system. __________________ Lappy: AMD athlon/ turion TK-53 2GB Crucial RAM@667 512MB Generic@667 Acer travelmate motherboard, unsure, Liteon laptop Power supply,ATI mobility Radeon, x1250,120GB HD “Testicles and birthday presents yum!” -joinmeindeath417

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Nov 26, 2008, 08:01 AM	#16
crazy pyro Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Newcastle Posts: 1,304 (0.73/day) Thanks: 290 Thanked 137 Times in 121 Posts System Specs	Ok then, I just realised the motherboad I was buying doesn't support crossfire anyway so this is a bit of a moot point lol. __________________ Lappy: AMD athlon/ turion TK-53 2GB Crucial RAM@667 512MB Generic@667 Acer travelmate motherboard, unsure, Liteon laptop Power supply,ATI mobility Radeon, x1250,120GB HD “Testicles and birthday presents yum!” -joinmeindeath417

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