Building a new PC and need advice on the video Card. Not a huge gamer but do occasionaly get into it and would like a system than can handle the current as well as future games and has good ability to be upgraded once the proper funds become available. I'm leaning towards an ATI card due to the integrated 5.1 audio in HDMI output and also having the ability to crossfire two non-identical cards. Dilema: Should I get a HD3870 now and add a 4xxx model once needed or should I go with a HD3850 to get by and then immiditely get a 4xxx model (Save money vs scrapping a HD3870). Lastly, what about nVidia, are they just that much better than ATI that I should go with one of them. Thanks, a NOOB PC builder
Crossfire works, but far from perfectly. If you can wait until a 4850 comes out, then do that. They won't be very expensive and should be here quite soon. I use a 3870, and unless you use a large monitor, it's more than adequate, but using a fast card like a 4850 should be a nobrainer really if you're building a new PC, especially if you play any of the following: Codemasters' GRiD or DiRT Crysis Age of Conan Supreme Commander inc. Forged Alliance Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 1 and 2 These are the games that I have issues running in high detail on my 3870. Note that Assassins Creed and Call of Duty 4 are not on the list, as they run fine.
Crossfire works...if you dissable AA & make the picture quality terrible. If you leave AA on, two cards are only slightly faster than one card. That said, a single 3750 512MB should play anything currently on the market with light AA, 30FPS, and good screen size.
Crossfire isn't hit by AA much more than a single card is. It's use in my games was really so that I could enable AA.
Thanks for the replies, one last question, Is it still the belief that a 4870 should be able to crossfire with a 3870?
I don't know, it's something I'm contemplating trying a bit further down the line. I think you might be able to do it, but you may need to use Vista to make it possible.
