Test if your PC can run GTA IV

[Hitman]

its not.

Its 1024MB of ram, and ram doesnt mean the game runs smooth. There are geforce  9400GTs out there with 2GB of ram, and they barely could run GTA SA at the maximum.

The HD 4870X2 is a multi-gpu card, its CrossFire on one PCB. Its like SLI with 2 nvidia cards, the difference is that both GPUs are on one card.

That doesnt change the SLI and CrossFire disadvantages.

It has 2x 1024MB or ram, which means 1GB at all, because every GPU renders the same frame on their own in their own memory, before they send it to your monitor.

Trust me, im a hardware nerd

[mjaa]

One single hd4870 is about 10% slower then a gtx 280.
You can overclock it to gtx280 speeds easy.

A hd4870x2 is dual hd4870.. Even if you play a games who not support Xfire you are just 10% slower

No point get a gtx280.

In games with full xfire support you need dual gtx 280 to compare a x2


No idea to buy a Nvidia..  Exept if you can get a GTX 260  216 core edition to same price as a hd4870

[Hitman]

You can. Atleast here.

PS: A single HD 4870 is about 30% slower than a GTX 280.

Its like this:  GTX 260=HD4870 < GTX 260 216Core < GTX 280 < HD4870X2

But, as statet above, double-GPU sucks.

[Strika]

say what?
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rU5GkRsucQ...re=related

[mjaa]

You can. Atleast here.

PS: A single HD 4870 is about 30% slower than a GTX 280.

Its like this:   GTX 260=HD4870 < GTX 260 216Core < GTX 280 < HD4870X2

But, as statet above, double-GPU sucks.

Depens on witch test site..

Still, why should someone buy a gtx 280 insteed of a hd4870x2 / hd4850x2?

in witch game are gtx better?

[Hitman]

just because of my stated CrossFire/SLI disadvantages, which you dont have with one single gpu.

believe me, 2-frame-lag is shitty, i used an 3870X2 and 9800GX2 myself, both are crappy.

-just 512MB vram (no, 2*512MB is 512MB in SLI. You dont have 1GB, because every GPU has to render the same frame)
- heat (2 cards will be so fuckin hot that your whole pc is hot
- power consumption (2 cards need incredible power sources)
- micro stutter (every gpu renders the same frame, and they send this frame to your monitor to show them. but now one gpu is a bit faster in rendering that frame than the other, but both send the same frame to your monitor. this causes lag, and sometimes the lag is so big that your game doesnt run smooth, although it shows like 60FPS)
- alot of games have no SLI-support, and runs like you have just 1 graphics card

The same counts for CrossFire ofcourse. And the micro-stutter and 2frame-lag of dual-gpu cards suck, trust me. Sometimes you have this feeling that your game doesnt run smooth all the time, you turn fraps on: all the time over 40FPS and you are like WTF?

Just trust me, i used both alot (radeon X2, nvidia GX2 and single gpu cards), and i modified all my games with the programm "nHancer" to make them SLI or CF compatible, but still - it sucks. 60 dualcard FPS arent as much worth as 60FPS with a single_GPU card.

[Strika]

your explanations sound appropriate, but im not sure that gtx280 is better.

[Carcass]

just get a gtx 260
http://techgage.com/article/ati_hd_4870_...16_896mb/1

[g3344]

just get a gtx 260
http://techgage.com/article/ati_hd_4870_...16_896mb/1

lolz "THATS WHAT SHE SAID!"

[mjaa]

just because of my stated CrossFire/SLI disadvantages, which you dont have with one single gpu.

believe me, 2-frame-lag is shitty, i used an 3870X2 and 9800GX2 myself, both are crappy.

The same counts for CrossFire ofcourse. And the micro-stutter and 2frame-lag of dual-gpu cards suck, trust me. Sometimes you have this feeling that your game doesnt run smooth all the time, you turn fraps on: all the time over 40FPS and you are like WTF?

Just trust me, i used both alot (radeon X2, nvidia GX2 and single gpu cards), and i modified all my games with the programm "nHancer" to make them SLI or CF compatible, but still - it sucks. 60 dualcard FPS arent as much worth as 60FPS with a single_GPU card.

-just 512MB vram (no, 2*512MB is 512MB in SLI. You dont have 1GB, because every GPU has to render the same frame)

Thats why you buy:

Hd4850 x2  2gb
Or
hd4870x2  2gb

Both has more memory per gpu then a gtx 280.


- heat (2 cards will be so fuckin hot that your whole pc is hot

Depens of your chassie and other fans. Ofc you can have problem keep your pc coold if you dont got enought fans.

The good thing is that graphic card use to blown out the air on the back of the pc. So the problem isnt that big.


power consumption (2 cards need incredible power sources)

I'd use the word incredible.

A good 500W power suply will handle 2st hd4850 without problems for example.
But sure, they need more power then one card.. But you get more performance to.


- micro stutter

Sure, i've heard about it. But the problem isnt that big with latest drivers etc. It was worse before, it works better now. Tbh i hvnt seen someone who has problem with micro stutter on the 48xx series in CFX.


- alot of games have no SLI-support, and runs like you have just 1 graphics card

You have right.. Most have not.. Good thing i dont can come up with NOONE of those games who not a single 4850 / 4870 can handle on full graphics alone?

The news games who needs both cards have better CFX support.



Sure you have right with a single gpu solution is better.
But when it cost more "gtx280 vs hd4870x2 2gb" and has less performance.

Then you should really consider a multi gpu solution.

just get a gtx 260
http://techgage.com/article/ati_hd_4870_...16_896mb/1

Or add 20 - 30 euro and get a HD4850x2 2gb who outperform 4870 or gtx 260.

Or buy a hd4870  512mb and save your money.