HD4850 Vs (HD4870 - GDDR5)

N

Nokkie

Executive Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2005
Messages
9,726
Reaction score
21
Location
Not Found
Graphics Double Data Rate...

The HD4850 barely becomes available and ATI launches a newer model
the HD4870. Which has GDDR5 Memory and the other opponent GDDR3.

The difference between these card as far as I can see are the Memory bandwidth.

HD4850 - 1.3GBps transfer rate
HD4870 - 6 Gbps transfer rate

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=1008

now with that behind... I would like to upgrade soon and i have decided to purchase HD4850 at www.ikonicit.co.za

But since the new HD4870 is available I have though about changing the card to that model. What I am confused about is that its only a small different amount of memory basically GDDR 3 to GDDR5...

Is it worth rather going for the HD4870 model or do you guy's think I should stick with the HD4850 model?

prices are not that different.

HD4850 2899
HD4870 3499

I am confused?

Thanks!
 
Nokkie said:
HD4850 2899
HD4870 3499
I am confused?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Firstly, that is a ripoff price for the 4850, it is available for R2172.84 at www.digitalsaonline.co.za . The 4870 is R3404 at ikonicit the last time I checked, A good price in any case.

Secondly the 4870 is a good card. The GDDR3/5 difference is not the main one. The 4870 is a better card overall when compared to the 4850. We are looking at about +-20% better performance depending at what you are looking at. Read the review that Ekhaatvensters posted to get more details of this card.

I'm going for this card because it is a dual slot card whereas the 4850 is single slot and I have a minor heat problem with my pc. :o The price/performance ratio also beats the other cards available in this price bracket :)
 
ld13 said:
Firstly, that is a ripoff price for the 4850, it is available for R2172.84 at www.digitalsaonline.co.za . The 4870 is R3404 at ikonicit the last time I checked, A good price in any case.

Secondly the 4870 is a good card. The GDDR3/5 difference is not the main one. The 4870 is a better card overall when compared to the 4850. We are looking at about +-20% better performance depending at what you are looking at. Read the review that Ekhaatvensters posted to get more details of this card.

I'm going for this card because it is a dual slot card whereas the 4850 is single slot and I have a minor heat problem with my pc. :o The price/performance ratio also beats the other cards available in this price bracket :)
Click to expand...

thanks man... :D

I read the article very nice info...
 
The GDDR5 makes a massive difference because it translates into oer 40GB/sec better bandwidth to the 4870 that is excluding the core clock differences as well...
The only single GPU solution faster than the 4870 is the 8K GTX280, I would rather than 4870 if I were you.
 
well, both cards are amazing performers, but best of all, they offer a pretty competitive price :D

oh, btw the 4850 is actually R2249 :D
and so for the R1100 difference, and a lil more moola you could get the 4850 and a decent crossfire mobo, so in the future, if you feel games are getting a bit much for you card, pop in another one :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X