Toxic 4870 512mb or 4870 1GB?

[ZIrdem]

I'm building a new pc next week and I plan to use a 4870 gfx in my build. However I'm not sure which card will give me the best performance, the Sapphire toxic 4870 512mb or a 1GB 4870. Ill be running it on a 1680x1050 resolution. Also, I hear that the toxic 4870 has a very good cooler so I plan to overclock it a little further, to around 4600mhz on the memory clock and around 800mhz on the core clock. I realize that I could overclock a 1GB 4870 but the cooler on most is reference and I want to keep temps down. I also realize that the toxic 4870 is a little more expensive but this isn't really an issue for me. Any ideas on which card I should purchase? thanks.

[Bugbait]

If you intend to stick to 1680x1050 gaming I would suggest the 512Meg. Even with heavy AA you won't really need more. Then again, if the price difference is minimal and you're not cash strapped just get the 1Gig. I'd normally suggest 1Gig for 1920x1200 or higher though.

[ZIrdem]

I plan to stick to 1680x1050 for a long while really so should I get the toxic?

[Bugbait]

At 1680x1050 the difference between the 512 and 1Gig are minimal based on the Anandtech review: http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3415. The 512Meg is looking to be a decent option unless you intend to always play the games with the latest 3D engines (ie. Future proofing), but even that argument has holes.

[Cichlidash]

512mb is fine for 1680x1050 infact I doubt you would ever see any difference with 512mb or the 1 gig version, as others have said though depends on the actual price difference.
Toxic version's do have a very good reputation and the 4870's a very nice card but to be honest the 260-216 is edging it very slightly at the moment so could be worth a look if prices are close.
I really like my 4870 and am very happy with it.

[vicar]

If you don't have to go Ati why not look at the 'new' 260 (216 coreS) as Cichlidash suggested. Very good cards imho.