1 4850 X2 or 2 4850's

[Digitalx]

ok lets sum it up.

4850X2 Slightly higher price. More Power efficient and heat efficient. Generally same performance as 2 physical cards. Faster then single 4870 1GB and GTX260 and around same or more then 280.

2 4850's Will create more heat and consume more power (doesn't seem to matter with psu though). But performance wise is about on par with X2. Price also a bit more maybe ?...

4870 1GB is between 4850 and 4850(x2) crossfire and cheaper.

[Argote]

LOL Now I am really confused...

Two things with this... Price is higher than i wanted... However 2nd thing is I have always used Nvidia and prefer their drivers... So...

Here's a review which contains performance comparisons with the 285 and the 4850X2 (And AFAIK the 4850X2 and 2 4850's are pretty similar) http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/dis...c_15.html#sect1

Here are some performance graphs too, make sure you use the GTX 285 line and not the EVGA 285 SSC line as that is an overclocked version of the card (though you could possibly OC yours too)

The revies also contains comparisons with a 4870 which for some reason were not on the summary graphs.

[Digitalx]

Here's a review which contains performance comparisons with the 285 and the 4850X2 (And AFAIK the 4850X2 and 2 4850's are pretty similar) http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/dis...c_15.html#sect1

Here are some performance graphs too, make sure you use the GTX 285 line and not the EVGA 285 SSC line as that is an overclocked version of the card (though you could possibly OC yours too)

The revies also contains comparisons with a 4870 which for some reason were not on the summary graphs.

Depending on his monitor which i somehow doubt he'll be gaming on a 30" monitor so i think those images are a tad irrelevant to what information he's after specifically.

also the system it's on

* Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition processor (3.2GHz, 6.4 GT/s QPI);

* Asus P6T Deluxe mainboard (Intel X58 Express chipset);

* Corsair XMS3-12800C9 (3x2GB, 1333MHz, 9-9-9-24, 2T);

* Maxtor MaXLine III 7B250S0 HDD (250GB, Serial ATA-150, 16MB buffer);

* Enermax Galaxy DXX EGX1000EWL 1000W power supply;

* Dell 3007WFP monitor (30", 2560x1600@60Hz max display resolution);

* Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 64-bit;

* ATI Catalyst 8.12 for ATI Radeon HD;

* Nvidia GeForce 181.20 WHQL for Nvidia GeForce.

Is a bit more then what your system will be in the end i'm sure and also 9.1 update should have a bit of a performance increase for HD 4xxx series. they're using 8.12

[Argote]

Depending on his monitor which i somehow doubt he'll be gaming on a 30" monitor so i think those images are a tad irrelevant to what information he's after specifically.

Is a bit more then what your system will be in the end i'm sure and also 9.1 update should have a bit of a performance increase for HD 4xxx series. they're using 8.12

I agree, but that's the complete review contains more resolutions and also a comparison with a single 4870. As for the testbed, GFX card reviews generally use the best platform possible to avoid or minimize the effects of bottlenecks other than the GFX card itself. I also agree that there might be improvements with 9.1, this is just for him to get an idea.

EDIT: Sorry to have linked to the last page of the review, my mistake, here's the first page: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/dis...-gtx285ssc.html

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I think (not sure yet) I have narrowed it down to 1 4870 or the Nvidia GT 285

I just do not want to deal with the Crossfire issues right now, and the X2 comes with them, so I would rather them iron that out and if I decide to do it down the road, get another 4870

Also an FYI, the monitor I will be using this on the most has a max resolution 1680 x 1050

I might once in a while for kicks hook it up to my 1080p TV, but that would be a rare occurrence. So really 1680 x 1050 is the max resolution I can use.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

ok lets sum it up.

4850X2 Slightly higher price. More Power efficient and heat efficient. Generally same performance as 2 physical cards. Faster then single 4870 1GB and GTX260 and around same or more then 280.

2 4850's Will create more heat and consume more power (doesn't seem to matter with psu though). But performance wise is about on par with X2. Price also a bit more maybe ?...

4870 1GB is between 4850 and 4850(x2) crossfire and cheaper.

Well if I stick to my original plan, two 4850's are actually the best solution price wise out of all the options. 2 Asus 4850 1 GB cards will cost me $260

Again, keep my resolution in mind. If there only difference I am going to see is a few frames per second, I am fine with that.

[Digitalx]

I think (not sure yet) I have narrowed it down to 1 4870 or the Nvidia GT 285

I just do not want to deal with the Crossfire issues right now, and the X2 comes with them, so I would rather them iron that out and if I decide to do it down the road, get another 4870

Also an FYI, the monitor I will be using this on the most has a max resolution 1680 x 1050

I might once in a while for kicks hook it up to my 1080p TV, but that would be a rare occurrence. So really 1680 x 1050 is the max resolution I can use.

Well then you'll be getting what you pay for. about $100 more for 285 over 4870 1GB's i listed and they're probably going to give you an average of around 5-15fps more.

Well if I stick to my original plan, two 4850's are actually the best solution price wise out of all the options. 2 Asus 4850 1 GB cards will cost me $260

Again, keep my resolution in mind. If there only difference I am going to see is a few frames per second, I am fine with that.

I think yeah just get the 2 4850's and be done with it will be way to go.

[Sethos]

Hey,

Pre-9.1 Catalyst drivers, the X2 cards were appalling with BSODs and Driver Recovery errors all over the place. Ever since I upgraded to the 9.1s I haven't seen a single error, well did have an issue with some software blocking the drivers from loading but can't blame ATi for that. Plus there is even see a decent performance boost across the range!

Still, you would have to keep an eye out on the ATi forums and / or driver page, they do tend to release updated knowledge bases and hotfixes for the X2s specifically. Like the 8.12s had a hotfix concerning performance on multi-core fitted PCs.

So most of the problems have been worked out and the performance is great but it does require some attention and might have a few hiccups.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Okay simple questions now...

One 4850 X2 or the GTX 285???

It is down to those two cards, the difference is only $50, so I am cool with that...

My other question is if I do not want run either in Crossfire or SLi down the road, would I even have the room to do so on the motherboard I am getting with either of those cards??? i also have an XiFi Platinum that needs to use a PCI Express slot.

[Colin.B]

If it were between those two cards I would say the GTX 285 without a moments hesitation.

As for room to do SLi (I think that is what you were asking?) that motherboard doesn't seem to support it. As for Crossfire, I really couldn't answer that I'm afraid :(. If you could pull it off I think it would be a tight fit.

[Dom]

If it were between those two cards I would say the GTX 285 without a moments hesitation.

As for room to do SLi (I think that is what you were asking?) that motherboard doesn't seem to support it. As for Crossfire, I really couldn't answer that I'm afraid :(. If you could pull it off I think it would be a tight fit.

Agreed, as for the room, you0ve got room, dont worry about that, i dont know if the motherboard supports it, in the case it does, you'll have no problem.

The XFI uses 1 slot right? it should be able to fit in the middle PCI without problems in case you want to SLi with 285 in the future.

285 all the way.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I actually changed my mind, going with the EVGA motherboard. For starters it is known as an SLi board, and I have chosen to go Nvidia after all of this with the poll (sorry all, hopefully will be useful to others)

I read some people had issues going SLi and also getting a sound card in the 3rd slot on the Asus board.

Actually one guy said if you have a large card, the slot you need to put in the sound card covers up the flow for the Video Cards fans, making it run really hot.

Chances ar I may never go SLi, but want to know I can if I wanted to without many issues....

Here is the EVGA X58 motherboard I am going with...

And oh yeah, I think I have pretty much decided to go with the 285. I just have always been a Nvidia man, and even though I hear they have the issues sorted with their Crossfire drivers, to me there should not be any issues with the drivers to begin with considering many people are going that route.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

So anyone have an opinion about the change in motherboards before I go ahead and purchase this all?

[Colin.B]

I just read some reviews and it seems like a pretty solid board all around. The guys over at guru3d reviewed it with an i7 Extreme 965 and they were able to overclock it from 3.2 to 4.2Ghz which isn't a bad OC at all. (They also figured they could get to 4.5.) Now as you know the results wouldn't be the same for you - Different CPU and all but it should be a good indicator.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

My biggest concern with the boards are the slot layouts, really I would prefer to go Asus as I have always gone Asus and always liked them, but if I ever do want to get an additional 285, I would then not be able to use my sound card I think????

I found this image of the Asus board, shows two Radeon cards that each take up two slots, and as you can see, no room for the Sound Card then....

Asus p6t with Two Cards

Where as you can see here, the EVGA board handles 3 Dual Cards no issues, which means it will handle 2 cards and a sound card...

So really it all comes down to practicality for me. Right now only getting one graphics card, but I might want 2 eventually, and if I get 2, I still want to be able to use my sound card.

Finally, if the Asus can (eventually) fit two video cards and a sound card, I would much prefer that, as it slots are also both X16, where the EVGA is just 1X16, other X8

So what do you all think? Asus looks tight right? i read they did it on purpose to force people to get a more expensive model.

[Colin.B]

Yeah seeing a picture of that Asus board with two dual slot GPUs makes me really wonder how anyone would get a sound card in there. I'd really recommend the Evga one. Not only that but Evga has some great customer service from my understanding.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I just did it.

Purchased the EVGA Motherboard and the GTX 285

Should hopefully be up and running by the weekend. :yes:

[Dom]

I just did it.

Purchased the EVGA Motherboard and the GTX 285

Should hopefully be up and running by the weekend. :yes:

Congratulations on the new baby! :D

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

Congratulations on the new baby! :D

Thanks, and thank you to everyone for their help. (Y) Much appreciated.

[+shift. MVC]

Looks like one hell of a system. Nice job.

[DukeChutney]

Congrats on the new build! Sorry you went nVidia. I think if you had done some more research you would of gone with ATI,

but heck, oh well. This system will rock anyways!

[Argote]

Congrats on the new build! Sorry you went nVidia. I think if you had done some more research you would of gone with ATI,

but heck, oh well. This system will rock anyways!

Yeah, I felt bad recommending the 285 to him (since I prefer ATI), but oh well, he wanted top performance with a single card and that's what the 285 is. One must set preferences aside when recommending to others.