Curse

moriz · Jun 19, 2008, 05:35 PM // 17:35

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-at...--powercolor/1

holy shit.

just as a heads up, the tester compared the card with 9800GTX, 9800GX2, and the good old 8800ultra. read the graph legends carefully, since he changes the cards without telling a head of time.

Tamuril elansar · Jun 19, 2008, 06:31 PM // 18:31

looks quite impressive.

Lourens · Jun 19, 2008, 06:40 PM // 18:40

Only 199 USD quite cheap compared to 8800GTS and 9800GTX

zamial · Jun 19, 2008, 07:13 PM // 19:13

This is perfect for the spider platform, just through a package of jiffy pop on top of your case, load up your favy game, wait 5 min and bingo your snack is ready. Yes, it is a nice cheap single card solution but had issues in crossfire.

Do not get me wrong the 9800 series of vid cards got an impressive yawn out of me. I am REALLY hoping the 4870 series is a little less than the x280's to drive the cost down on them, we will see.

moriz · Jun 19, 2008, 08:12 PM // 20:12

the HD4870 really doesn't need to match the GTX280. all it needs to do is come within spitting distance, and amd's got themselves a winner.

judging by the HD4850 performance, i'd say it's definately possible that the HD4870 MIGHT be able to match the GTX280 in some situations.

zamial · Jun 19, 2008, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the HD4870 really doesn't need to match the GTX280. all it needs to do is come within spitting distance, and amd's got themselves a winner.

judging by the HD4850 performance, i'd say it's definately possible that the HD4870 MIGHT be able to match the GTX280 in some situations.

agreed 12 chars

Lord Sojar · Jun 20, 2008, 12:19 AM // 00:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the HD4870 really doesn't need to match the GTX280. all it needs to do is come within spitting distance, and amd's got themselves a winner.

judging by the HD4850 performance, i'd say it's definately possible that the HD4870 MIGHT be able to match the GTX280 in some situations.

Nope... but the price will make it a better choice. The die size and fab process as I explained to both of you last night on vent make the GTX 280 expensive. The price can be lowered, but not by a huge amount. The segments are different, and ATi isn't going for the top slot, they are going for best performance for the money. I personally think it is a better business plan. That, and spider platform rocks (minus the craptastic phenom processors)

The HD4870 is going to be the best buy on the market though, with only minimal performance decreases. The GTX 280 will only shine in games even more advanced than Crysis. It is a future proof card, but unfortunately, checking accounts usually aren't.

The Meth · Jun 20, 2008, 12:42 AM // 00:42

Damn nice performance. If they keep up this good of a price/performance ratio in the future my next card might have to be a radeon. Haven't owned one since my 9500.

Interestingly, if you check the comparisons on GPU temperature it looks like the HD4850 is running really, really hot. Something I am not particularly fond of. Low prices aren't all that matters if you have to pay up for aftermarket cooling.

moriz · Jun 20, 2008, 12:43 AM // 00:43

here's the techreport version:

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/14967

less cluttered, but the same amount of pwnage. even with driver version 8.5 instead of 8.6.

EDIT: some people are reporting a 20C drop in idle temps if you apply arctic silver 5. that's definitely something to look into.

Tamuril elansar · Jun 20, 2008, 06:00 AM // 06:00

the HD 4870 costs 269 euro.
the GTX280 gets pwn'd here.

Lord Sojar · Jun 20, 2008, 06:21 AM // 06:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamuril elansar

the HD 4870 costs 269 euro.
the GTX280 gets pwn'd here.

I shalln't disagree with that statement, despite my connection with my baby. My baby costs too much.

Etta · Jun 20, 2008, 08:05 AM // 08:05

Well that's what most people want, right? Good performance with affordable price.

Dark Kal · Jun 20, 2008, 08:26 AM // 08:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the HD4870 really doesn't need to match the GTX280. all it needs to do is come within spitting distance, and amd's got themselves a winner.

judging by the HD4850 performance, i'd say it's definately possible that the HD4870 MIGHT be able to match the GTX280 in some situations.

I'd have to agree with Rahja, the GTX280 can almost compete with a dual GPU, the HD4870 only competes with a single GPU. You can't really compare high/high end cards with mid/high end cards. The huge advantage this card has over the GTX280 is it's performance/cost ratio. The GTX280 is just too expensive. So let's hope Nvidia improves the fabrication process and drops the price some, otherwise I don't see too much of a future for the GTX280.

kvndoom · Jun 20, 2008, 10:52 AM // 10:52

I wish Nvidia's driver coders put as much love into their work as you have, Rahja. If I hadn't just bought an 8800GT a few months ago and were in the market now, I'd definitely go AMD based solely on driver quality.

Moral55 · Jun 20, 2008, 01:55 PM // 13:55

The GTX280 may win form a marketing stand point though.

There are several marketing classes to customers, Earlie arrivals, fad setters, followers, and late buyers.
The GTX280 will sell to all of those market segments as it goes through it product life cycle, while the HD 4870 looks like it may start basically at fad setters.

P.S The Early arrival group is important for cost regrouping since they are willing to shell out for the best and ignore little things like price tags.

moriz · Jun 20, 2008, 02:01 PM // 14:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Kal

I'd have to agree with Rahja, the GTX280 can almost compete with a dual GPU, the HD4870 only competes with a single GPU. You can't really compare high/high end cards with mid/high end cards. The huge advantage this card has over the GTX280 is it's performance/cost ratio. The GTX280 is just too expensive. So let's hope Nvidia improves the fabrication process and drops the price some, otherwise I don't see too much of a future for the GTX280.

i'd say the HD4870 should come very close to the GTX280 on GRID, and maybe in assassin's creed version 1.0 (since that version still uses dx10.1). heck, the HD4850 is coming very close in those benches already.

but yes, overall the GTX280 is faster.

Brianna · Jun 20, 2008, 07:00 PM // 19:00

So.. where is this magical GDDR5 version that we were told about? Or are they releasing it later?

I was thinking of buying GRID, I was trying to get one of each genre of game (at least the genres that I like).

moriz · Jun 20, 2008, 07:02 PM // 19:02

the GDDR5 version is only available on the HD4870 1gb model. as of right now, we don't know the exact specs. release date of the HD4870 should be on june 25th, but i've heard that i can be as late as july 8th.

it's almost definite that a board partner will release a HD4850 with GDDR5. however, that will be a few months down the road.

Lord Sojar · Jun 20, 2008, 08:33 PM // 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the GDDR5 version is only available on the HD4870 1gb model. as of right now, we don't know the exact specs. release date of the HD4870 should be on june 25th, but i've heard that i can be as late as july 8th.

it's almost definite that a board partner will release a HD4850 with GDDR5. however, that will be a few months down the road.

That is the one that I am scared of. If any card gives the GTX 280 a true run for its money, it will be the GDDR5 HD4870...

moriz · Jun 20, 2008, 08:35 PM // 20:35

you mean GDDR5 HD4850?

wtb edit powahz