Gaming Two 4870's or one 4870 X2

[iffy525]

I am going to get a new pc soon and I was wondering if I should get two Radeon HD 4870's and crossfire them or should I get just one Radeon 4870 X2? I am looking for a pro/con sort of thing.

Thanks

 

[laminaatplaat]

I'm not sure of this because I didn't check but anyway:

-x2 is cheaper for the same performance as 2 4870's (just check some benchys and price checks)

-with an x2 you can always go crossfire with 2x 4870X2 in the future

-The x2 has more memory then 2 normal ones

-only 1 heat source to take care of instead of 2

sooo.... i would go for the X2 version

 

[Urza]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

 

[coolbho3000]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

 

[Urza]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

 

[Jiggah]

The 4870x2.

Heat will be an issue with the higher end cards and having a Crossfire setup means you have no room at all.

 

[juggernaut911]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

that's ridiculous!!!!! diamonds are gay. I'll bedazzle it for you!

personally, I'm a heat freak because I have crap cooling, so I'd get the 4870x2. just one source of heat.... but I like my 8800GT

 

[coolbho3000]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

You're right, as always, Urza.

But diamond is a bad conductor of heat .

 

[Mewgia]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

Maybe he doesn't want four monitors eh

 

[iffy525]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

Maybe he doesn't want four monitors eh

Yes, I do not want four monitors, but I am glad that Urza mentioned it. The more information the better.

 

[DSGamer64]

Either way you are going to be sucking a lot of power, better off with a single card for heat purposes.

 

[seedvt]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

CrossFire can only output 2 monitors at once.

 

[Urza]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

CrossFire can only output 2 monitors at once.

Which is why if you were running more than two monitors, you would have Crossfire disabled, obviously.

 

[Pimpmynintendo]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

CrossFire can only output 2 monitors at once.

Which is why if you were running more than two monitors, you would have Crossfire disabled, obviously.

How do I disable crossfire?

 

[coolbho3000]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

I think someone who can afford a quad monitor setup can also afford to get dual 4870 X2s along with it.

Sure, lets just waste money for no reason.

2x 4870X2, new PSU, more efficient mobo, oh, and don't forget the water cooling.

What's another 800USD? You should get the diamond-encrusted case too.

You're right, as always, Urza.

But diamond is a bad conductor of heat .

Never mind, diamond is the best conductor of heat! So diamond studded case might be useful

Imagine, a diamond heatsink.

 

[Raestloz]

You'll have to be extra secure with your PC, a thief would be surprised to find a piece of siamond inside your PC

 

[seedvt]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

CrossFire can only output 2 monitors at once.

Which is why if you were running more than two monitors, you would have Crossfire disabled, obviously.

That defeats the purpose of running 2 4870s.

Unless you are F@H.

 

[Urza]

4870 X2 = 2 DVI outs
2x 4870 = 4 DVI outs

CrossFire can only output 2 monitors at once.

Which is why if you were running more than two monitors, you would have Crossfire disabled, obviously.

That defeats the purpose of running 2 4870s.

Which is why you enable it while you're gaming.

Its not rocket science.

 

[FAST6191]

While I am a worshipper at the church of many monitors (well I would be but I can not be bothered to resolder my motherboard right now so I only have two) you have the option of stuff like this:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/rev...ripleHead2Go/p1
Not to mention the original way (back when 3dfx was a luxury item) was just to get another throwaway card.
Sidenote software triple head (dual should be possible with drivers alone although having a line in the middle of the monitor....) which dodges an issue or three:
http://www.kegetys.net/SoftTH/

Back on topic game support for SLI/crossfire (bad phrasing as it is not the game that matters so much) type arrangements and driver issues (nothing fatal but occasionally waiting for an update of either the game* or the drivers and messing around with beta drivers). Couple this with the power, space and cooling issues and it gets to be a only if you want to put in the effort solution.
*If you are considering such a setup modern games should be played or it is a complete waste of money as the older games will run great on slightly more affordable options.