got a few questions on the graphics card... 1) how well does it play Crysis? 2) whats GDDR5 memory compared to 3 or 4? I notice that nvidia is still back on GDDR3...why is ATI so for ahead? 3) Is ATI back on top?? 4) Is it worth the 300 bucks? Thanx in advanced
1. Very well indeed 2. The GTX280 still uses GDDR3, and is still faster. This is not to say that GDDR5 is pointless, but there is a lot more to graphics cards than memory speed 3. IMO, Yes. Their new cards are faster for the same price than nvidia offerings, with the exception of the GTX280 - which is unmatched by an ATI product. However, using a crossfire compatible motherboard, and two HD4850s, you will easily surpass the 280 in performance, for less cost even though you got two cards. Two HD4870s then, needless to say are almost unstoppable, and are getting 100+fps at absolute maximum detail in numerous current titles like Call of Duty 4 and Quake Wars, at the monstrous resolution of 2560x1600. 4. That depends, the HD4850 isn't much slower, and is only $170. I would personally only go with a 4870 to be on a top budget system and buy two of them. One or two 4850s are not quite as fast, but a lot more cost effective.
