Best PCIe Card: $200 To $290
Best PCIe Card For ~$200:
Two Radeon HD 4850 in CrossFire Configuration (Check Prices)
Good 1920x1200 performance, 2560x1600 in most games with some lowered detail
| Two Radeon HD 4850 in CrossFire Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x RV770 |
| Process: | 55 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 1,600 (2 x 800) |
| Texture Units: | 80 (2 x 40) |
| ROPs: | 32 (2 x 16) |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 625 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 993 (1,986 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10.1/SM 4.1 |
With the price of the Radeon HD 4850 at $100, two of these cards in CrossFire is going to deliver great performance. This setup provides a startlingly powerful solution for $200, easily beating out the Radeon HD 4890 and GeForce GTX 275 at the same price. The only drawback: you'll need a CrossFire-compatible motherboard and a decent power supply.
Best PCIe Card For ~$225: None
Honorable Mention: Radeon HD 4850 X2 2 GB (Check Prices)
Good 1920x1200 performance, 2560x1600 in most games with some lowered detail
| Radeon HD 4850 X2 2 GB | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x RV770 |
| Process: | 55 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 1,600 (2 x 800) |
| Texture Units: | 80 (2 x 40) |
| ROPs: | 32 (2 x 16) |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 625 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 993 (1,986 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10.1/SM 4.1 |
The Radeon HD 4850 X2 is essentially two Radeon HD 4850s in CrossFire mode on a single card, capable of even putting the hurt on Nvidia's more expensive GeForce GTX 285.
Right now, the Radeon HD 4850 X2 2 GB card might cost a few dollars more than a pair of Radeon HD 4850 cards, but this single card can be used with any PCIe motherboard, making it a compelling solution for folks without a CrossFire motherboard.
Best PCIe Card For ~$260:
Exceptional 1920x1200 performance in most games, 2560x1600 in most titles (some with lowered detail)
Two Radeon HD 4870 512 MB cards in CrossFire configuration (Check Prices)
| Two Radeon HD 4870 512MB in CrossFire Configuration | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | 2 x RV770 |
| Process: | 55 nm |
| Universal Shaders: | 1,600 (2 x 800) |
| Texture Units: | 80 (2 x 40) |
| ROPs: | 32 (2 x 16) |
| Memory Bus: | 256-bit |
| Core Speed MHz: | 750 |
| Memory Speed MHz: | 900 (3,600 effective) |
| DirectX/Shader Model: | DX 10.1/SM 4.1 |
Two Radeon HD 4870 cards also make for a powerful combination, and with the price of a Radeon HD 4870 at $130, recommending two in CrossFire is only natural. Just make sure you have a CrossFire-compatible motherboard and a good power supply in order to get the most out of them.
how can you even compare nvidia and ATi dual card setup's at that price point? with the 9.8 drivers the ATi cards are way ahead.
hei
I find this guide extremely unnecessary at the time. After sept. 22 the new ati cards will come out. You cannot recommend anyone to buy anything better than a 4870, with the prospect of these new cards. Their flagship will be around the 300 dollar range and there will probably be between 200 and 300. I want to bet my leg on the fact that those will easily outperform anything within its budget range.
This is not the time to buy a high end graphic solution. The 4870 will be fine for about any game and it in a sweetspot when it comes to its price. If this does not satisfy your needs, have patience and wait for the new cards to present themselves.