PCI Express Interface: $150 to $310
Best PCIe Card For $170:
| Codename: | RV770 |
| Process: | 55nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 800 |
| Texture Units: | 40 |
| ROPs: | 16 |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 625 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 993 (1986 effective) |
| DirectX / Shader Model | DX 10.1 / SM 4.0 |
The Radeon HD 4850 is the new people’s champion, instantly bringing yesterday’s $300 performance level down to the mainstream $170 price point. The Radeon HD 4850 will usually best the GeForce 9800 GTX, and even the more expensive 9800 GTX+. This card has a lot of potential when used on its own, and becomes a devastating force when paired with a second 4850 in a CrossFire configuration.
Best PCIe Card For $300: 3-way Tie
| Codename: | RV770 |
| Process: | 55nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 800 |
| Texture Units: | 40 |
| ROPs: | 16 |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 750 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 900 (3600 effective) |
| DirectX / Shader Model | DX 10.1 / SM 4.0 |
The Radeon HD 4870 offers the same architecture as the 4850-series paired with its secret weapon: brand new GDDR5 memory. Because GDDR5 provides about twice as much throughput compared to GDDR3, its 900 MHZ clock speed is comparable to a 3600 MHZ effective memory speed. This edge allows the 4870 to up the ante and offer very compelling performance for the price, in some titles competing with the more expensive GTX 280.
| Codename: | GT200 |
| Process: | 65nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 192 |
| Texture Units: | 64 |
| ROPs: | 28 |
| Memory Bus: | 448-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 576 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 999 (1998 effective) |
| DirectX / Shader Model | DX 10.1 / SM 4.0 |
The GeForce GTX 260 offers compelling performance now that it’s price has been reduced to the $270 price point, allowing it to trade blows with the Radeon HD 4870 on it’s own turf. This is one of those situations where a buyer really should examine the game titles they plan to play and do some research into which performs better, although you really can’t go wrong with either card.
| Codename: | G92 |
| Process: | 65nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 256 |
| Texture Units: | 128 |
| ROPs: | 32 |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 600 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 1500 (3000 effective) |
| DirectX / Shader Model | DX 10.1 / SM 4.0 |
The GeForce 9800 GX2 competes at the same price point as the Radeon 4870 and GeForce GTX 260, but with a very different technique; instead of a cutting edge GPU, the GX2 uses two previous-generation GPUs in tandem. The end result is a graphics card that isn’t quite as consistent as the Radeon HD 4870 or GeForce GTX 260, but at very high resolutions in the titles that support SLI drivers well, the 9800 GX2 can be a devastating force. Once again, the buyer should look into benchmarks of their favorite titles when considering which of these three cards to purchase.
"Remember, the GeForce GTX 280 costs about $80 more than two Radeon HD 4850 cards!"
And? When the GTX 280 gets its price slashed with the next generation product just grab one, SLI the motherbitch and piss all over the two 4850s
Yes, it may be cheaper to get the two 4850s for similar performance, but isn't it rather shortsighted to recommend that approach for long-term investment?
Also...
"Best PCIe Card For Over $350: None"
Since when was this monthly segment about comparative value for money? I always thought the point was the best cards within each price bracket.
So, if I'm going to purchase a top-end graphics card, what's the best one in the $350+ bracket, especially if I DO want to play above 1920x1200 (this 30" screen ain't gonna fill itself y'know).
Christ can anybody be bothered any more?
These reviews are getting rediculous..
First, the title is best "video cards" for the money, not "best video card configurations", so Single Card configs really should definitly take priority over CF configs. The GTX 280, while on average slower then the CF 4850's, offers a much simpler solution with comparable performance, and definitly should get a mention (THIS is coming from an AMD/ATI supporter).
And WHY NOT put configs above $400 there, if people want a higher performing setup then 2 4850's can offer then why not put out the 4870x2, 4870 CF and GTX 260/280 SLI. There are perfectly noticable differences in capabilities with these setups then you would see with 2 4850's, if people wat to spend $500-600 on a graphics card/s then THIS is the review people want to read to determine the best option. Especially when there are many people who have spent in the $7-1000 regeon on the rest of the setup, or more!!
Come on guys, do some work, even I could have done something much more conclusive then this//
another fault, the nvidia cards doesn't support DX 10.1 as far as I know, because nvidia deems it worthless.
very very little text to each card, not very conclusive
I agree, nvidia does not support DX 10.1 on any of their cards. Something to consider when planning your purchase...
"Yes, it may be cheaper to get the two 4850s for similar performance, but isn't it rather shortsighted to recommend that approach for long-term investment?" there aint much more shortsighted than to recomend the gtx 280. Its a dead man walking waiting for its replaceent to show up. Plus it is dx10.1 which will be important some day.
anyone wanting to spend over $350 should be taking the time to read the detailed reviews themselves. there's only a few cards/configurations in that bracket and you shouldn't trust a small roundup alone when considering spending that much money anyway.
4870x2 would beat out the gtx 280 anyway in a higher segment.
Only 3-way SLI GTX 280's can churn out more performance than a 4870x2 CF rig. And the cost is SO high you may consider building 2 whole other gaming rigs for the same money.
ONLY MORONS HAVE BOUGHT INTO THE GTX 280 YUPPINESS.
A sign of either more money than brains, or ... no, just a sign of more money than brains
And again....
an article focusing on price, posted on the UK site, is priced up in Dollars rather than pounds. I can understand that it takes time and effort to do a conversion and actually look up local prices etc... but why bother having a .co.uk site if all you're ever going to do is just post exactly the same articles as the .com site???
I see 4870 with 512Mb slighty lower priced then the GF260 with 896Mb, while the 4870 with 1Gb is equally priced as the GF260.
Any recommendations for these cards?
There getting lazy, i rember this used to be the definite answer to which one to buy with your budget, ive come here to decide between 260 and 4870 and nune the wiser. i know its only there opinion but i would like to know which one they would recommend i know its down to the games atm but which one has the most potential for the future, rather than sittin on the fence and saying a draw. I ALSO STRONGLY AGREE WITH GARYRW_42, i go to uk sites to get uk prices not to know whats good to buy in amercia
COME ON CATER FOR THE UK FANBASE!!!
I remember the good old days , when ATI was king and the X1900XTX was the card to buy for my $ 600 dollars . Now I need crossfire but my mobo is sli . The 280 hampered by my system , the 260 slower than 4870 . Prices so cheap they make my head spin . I'll go with the 260 as I am sli ready . If that $ 10. scratch ticket is a winner make it two . Till its time to play Crysis 3 .