XFX Radeon 4870 512mb

[moopato]

Hey guys, I have a monitor that is almost 19 inches and has a resolution of 1280x1024, and I was wondering how well this graphics card will perform in games like Modern warfare 2, GTA IV , gears of war, etc. I couldn't care less about Crysis right now. I just want to know how well it will perform with max settings in these games. I'm in Canada and I would have to pay 20-40$ more for the 1gb version, unless I can buy it off someone localy. Is it worth upgrading?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=5509358&sku=P450-4877&srkey=HD487AYWFC

 

[xx12amanxx]

For that resolution it will perform very good! Im running one at 1650x1080 and it run's games great.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

4870 will max out all those games without any problems. 1GB would be good for bigger monitors, 512mb is good for your monitor size.

I have the 1GB version and I play FarCry2 (far more gfx intensive than the ones you listed, except Crysis) at max settings and AA at x4, and still get around 50-60fps average. This is with a 1920x1080p resolution.

You can basically max out any game, and play Crysis at Very High with lowered AA at your resolution of 1280x1024.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

^ Also note that GTA4 is far more CPU intensive due to its bad coding as a console port.

A 4870 paired with an i7 will max out GTA4 at 1920x1080p, but a better graphics card such as the 4890 paired with a worse processor such as the P2D E6300 @ 2.8GHz will struggle to maintain 35 fps at even 1280x1024.

 

[moopato]

Maybe i should have mentioned that my processor is an AMD phenom 955 BE at the stock 3.2 ghz. Also, I'le probably never buy a really fancy monitor, so i guess i could just stick with the 512mb? I could swap for the 1gb version but itd cost me 20-40 dollars I really dont want to spend. But if you guys think it is for the better, then i'm open to the idea.

thanks for you advice so far.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Yep. Your CPU is great and fairly powerful. You should have no problem running GTA4 or other CPU intensive games. Although for GTA4, the 1GB version will allow you to turn up the viewing distance and run some more features that require more VRM IIRC, but nothing significant.

If you're not going to get a bigger monitor, the 512mb version will do fine.

A new 4870 512mb should cost ~$130 or less online.