Hi.
I'm currently using an 8800GT 512Mb and a Samsung 204bw display @ 1680 x 1050
My motherboard supports Crossfire (albeit not at full 16x) so I'm thinking about switching to an ATI card and then maybe picking up a second one in the future for cheap. I know people often say a single card is always better but I just really like the idea for some reason.
However I obviously don't want a video card setupt that is total overkill for my display resolution on everything but Crysis. So there are a few options I think. My girlfriend's PC has an HD4830 in it so she doesn't really need my 8800GT as a hand-me-down, in which case I'll just sell it. They seem to fetch about £65 on eBay.
Video cards
XFX HD4830 512MB -- £75, ebuyer
Palit HD4850 512MB -- £112, Scan
Gigabyte HD4870 1GB -- £155, OCUK
Powercolor HD4890 1GB -- £195, Novatech
Displays
Dell 2209wa (22" 1680 x 1050, IPS panel) -- £198, ebuyer
BenQ G2400WD (24" 1920 x 1200, TN panel) -- £225, ebuyer
Dell 2408wfp (24" 1920 x 1200, IPS panel) -- £430, ebuyer
Sooo...waddya think? Obviously buying a solitary HD4830 is going be basically no increase from what I have now, but it gives me options to Crossfire in the future. And at 1680 x 1050, two HD4830s should perform pretty well right? In terms of bang for buck, with prices the way they are now the 4830 seems better VFM than the 4850. Are HD4850 prices likely to come down soon do you think? They seem like they should be more like £95-100 or so really.
Hmm...so if I currently rule out the 4850 on the grounds of being slightly poor bang for buck compared to the cards either side of it, the options seem to be:
HD4830 and Dell 22" (no increase in resolution for me but a good increase in picture quality and small increase in size. Missus can have my 20" Samsung)
Total outlay about £270 now plus whatever a second card costs down the line (assumes selling 8800GT)
HD4830 and Dell 24" (but is two HD4830s enough juice at this resolution?)
Total outlay about £440now plus whatever a second card costs down the line (assumes selling 8800GT)
HD4870/4890 and BenQ 24" (with the beefier video cards no way can I afford the Dell 24" as well)
Total outlay about £315 (4870) or £355 (4890) now plus whatever a second card costs down the line (assumes selling 8800GT)
Hmm....decisions decisions. :/


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