HD4850 vs 8800GTX

[firewall597]

I came home from a successful LAN tourney this weekend with an HD4850 and 2gb of Mushkin DDR2, and I need some opinions/suggestions/facts.

I'm currently running:
WinXP Pro
2GB CorsairXMS DDR2
8800GTX
Intel quad-core 6600

I was wondering if I would see a noticeable up in performance if I went to:
Vista64 Ult (already own a copy)
4GB DDR2 (the two different brands together)
ATI HD4850
Same quad-core 6600

I mostly play CS which already runs great, but occasionally I check out the newest shooters like Crysis and COD4, so I like to have the ability to play them smoothly, and I can tell my computer handles Crysis on high ok, but just ok, and I'd like to be ready for the future if I already have the hardware on hand. And I heard the 4850's run hot and loud. I'm currently in an Antec Nine-Hundred case, would the heat affect me at all?

Thoughts? Vista64 with extra ram and 4850? Or stick to XP & 2GB with the 8800GTX and build a good computer for my friend on the cheap since I'm halfway there already? Money IS an issue for me, so try to avoid suggesting expensive alternatives.

 

[Sylvanas]

Originally posted by: firewall597
I came home from a successful LAN tourney this weekend with an HD4850 and 2gb of Mushkin DDR2, and I need some opinions/suggestions/facts.

I'm currently running:
WinXP Pro
2GB CorsairXMS DDR2
8800GTX
Intel quad-core 6600

I was wondering if I would see a noticeable up in performance if I went to:
Vista64 Ult (already own a copy)
4GB DDR2 (the two different brands together)
ATI HD4850
Same quad-core 6600

I mostly play CS which already runs great, but occasionally I check out the newest shooters like Crysis and COD4, so I like to have the ability to play them smoothly, and I can tell my computer handles Crysis on high ok, but just ok, and I'd like to be ready for the future if I already have the hardware on hand. And I heard the 4850's run hot and loud. I'm currently in an Antec Nine-Hundred case, would the heat affect me at all?

Thoughts? Vista64 with extra ram and 4850? Or stick to XP & 2GB with the 8800GTX and build a good computer for my friend on the cheap since I'm halfway there already? Money IS an issue for me, so try to avoid suggesting expensive alternatives.

Noticeable? Not really. There are plenty of reviews around showing you how a 8800GTX and 4850 compare, here is one that covers alot of games and cards to give you good idea of things. The 4850 is a faster card but not a night and day difference, in your case the reasons for upgrading would be more along the lines of new features (ie DX10.1, soon to be GPU transcoding etc) and a smaller lower profile card. The 4850 is a great buy so if you were thinking of upgrading to Vista and 4GB it would stand you in better stead for future titles.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

The resolution you run at should be something to consider in your upgrade choices.

 

[firewall597]

22" wide, so 1680x1050

And I didnt ask it, but I guess I was trying to imply the extra question: Is Vista worth it? I know it takes more memory, which I also won and have available, but I'm comfortable with XP unless there's a good reason to move up.

 

[User5]

Vista, thats really your call. Performance will be identical, and all the kinks are pretty much worked out by now. You might just have to look for a few new vista drivers for some of your things. But personally, i'm fine with XP and have no real incentive to upgrade to vista.

As for the video card, why not give your friend the 8800gtx and take the 4850 for yourself ? The 4850 may only be single digit gains over it, but there's also the AA factor. Check out the thread about 4800's and AA, as us 4850 owners are loving the way this card will give you the same FPS whether you have no aa or 4x aa. So this is a huge factor for me anyway.

 

[firewall597]

Thing is, I don't know if my friend's case is big enough for the 8800GTX, or if he has a good enough PSU for it. I'd have to look next time I see it, but the 4850 might be just right for him. Me, I've got plenty of room, power, and cooling for the bigger 8800GTX