4850 vs 3870x2

97sslude · Jun 27, 2008

So I'm able to get a 3870x2 from a buddy of mine for basically the same price as the 4850. I know that in some benchmarks the 4850 is similiar to the 3870x2 in performance but which one is actually better if I'm able to get either one for the same price?

miksanity · Jun 27, 2008

Id say get the 4580. It uses way less power, and if you buy the 3870x2 youll be freaking out on your power bill if you do alot of gaming. plus, its much smaller, airflow in your case wont be blocked by such a huge card.

mitsirfishi · Jun 27, 2008

get 4850 plus crossfire its cheaper providing you got a good board

oli_ramsay · Jun 27, 2008

Get the 4850, the 3870x2 doesn't scale so well in all games. New drivers will increase the performance of the 4850 incrementally. Plus it consumes less power and only requires one 6 pin power connector.

Megasty · Jun 27, 2008

4850 hands down. I'll be retiring my 3870x2s cause a high-end system can't be high-end when mid-range cards are coming pretty close to matching it.

97sslude · Jun 27, 2008

Hey I appreciate the advice everyone. But seeings as to how close they are in terms of performance I might end up just waiting to see more reviews of the 4870. It looks very enticing.

Darren · Jun 27, 2008

97sslude said:
So I'm able to get a 3870x2 from a buddy of mine for basically the same price as the 4850. I know that in some benchmarks the 4850 is similiar to the 3870x2 in performance but which one is actually better if I'm able to get either one for the same price?

If your concerned with performance and performance only, the 3870X2 is faster

Full review:
http://en.expreview.com/2008/06/24/first-review-hd-4870-and-hd-4850/

dng29 · Jun 27, 2008

wow your buddy is selling the 3870x2 at the same price as the 4850. he must be desperate to get rid of it. overall i think the 3870x2 performs better than the 4850. if i was your buddy, i'd keep the 3870x2 and pick up a 4850. sooner or later amd has to make drive that will allow crossfire in cross generation card. a crossfire between a 3870x2 and a 4850 will be awesome.

bichonn · Jun 29, 2008

I actually have two HD3870 in crossfire! Instead of getting rid of them, I am getting a third HD3870 (a red double slot) for less than 90€ (130$).
I will be running in tri-Xfire, therefore I have nothing to fear when it comes to power! For the electricity bill ... I don't play 100% of the time, so I will not feel any difference.

The 4870/4850 are great cards, but excepted power, they bring nothing more!
I will advise all new buyers to get one (or two) of them of course. But for those who already have a 3870, and the right mother board, use the Xfire instead!

lemonadesoda · Jun 29, 2008

Benchmarks show that 4870 > 3870x2 > 4850 > 3870 > 3850

BUT 4850x2 >> 3870x2

Go for a 4850 or 4870. If you want even more power in a few months time, get another to crossfire them. No point buying 3870x2 at the same price as 4850. Those days are over. 3 months ago maybe. Not now.

newconroer · Jun 29, 2008

I wouldn't say heat or power is in your favor with the new 4800 series, however
straight-up performance is neither here nor there.

The 4850 will give you less stuttering and increased stability, especially in the long run with newer drivers.

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4850 vs 3870x2

97sslude

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miksanity

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mitsirfishi

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oli_ramsay

Megasty

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97sslude

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Darren

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dng29

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bichonn

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lemonadesoda

newconroer

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