need some help with a video card choice

[Matt]

I want to upgrade my video card (I have a maximum $200 budget)and I'm
trying to decide between these two and could use some help...

SAPPHIRE 100269HDMI Radeon HD 4890 (New Edition) 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16
(2.0v) Video Card Retail $198.99

XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0
x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Cardc $199.99

I'm assuming that the XFX is a newer card, but a friend has the Sapphire and
says it's a better card. Or if there's a better card out there for $200 I am
open to suggestions.

Thanks




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[Paul]

I want to upgrade my video card (I have a maximum $200 budget)and I'm
trying to decide between these two and could use some help...

SAPPHIRE 100269HDMI Radeon HD 4890 (New Edition) 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16
(2.0v) Video Card Retail $198.99

XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0
x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Cardc $199.99

I'm assuming that the XFX is a newer card, but a friend has the Sapphire and
says it's a better card. Or if there's a better card out there for $200 I am
open to suggestions.

Thanks

You have to consider the power consumption of the card, and the length
of the card, when doing an upgrade. I don't know how long this card is.
The power connectors are on the end, rather than the top.

The HD 4890 draws 120W during peak 3D.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd4890_6.html#sect0

The latest generation of cards, have a better idle to full power ratio.
So the new cards don't waste as much power when you aren't gaming.

The HD 5770 is 61 watts at 3D peak. It is 8.5" wide.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5970_5.html#sect0

The 4890 is a bit stronger, in this benchmark. The stock 4890 is 104.4 FPS versus
83.3 for the 5770.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/...-charts-2009-high-quality/Left4Dead,1618.html

By the time you go to buy it, the 4890 could be out of stock.

Paul

 

[Benedict]

I want to upgrade my video card (I have a maximum $200 budget)and I'm
trying to decide between these two and could use some help...

SAPPHIRE 100269HDMI Radeon HD 4890 (New Edition) 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16
(2.0v) Video Card Retail $198.99

XFX HD-577A-ZNDC Radeon HD 5770 XXX Edition 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express
2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Cardc $199.99

I'm assuming that the XFX is a newer card, but a friend has the Sapphire
and says it's a better card. Or if there's a better card out there for
$200 I am open to suggestions.

Thanks




__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus
signature database 4720 (20091227) __________

The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus.

http://www.eset.com

this review will show that the 4890 is the faster card
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/10/13/amd-ati-radeon-hd-5770-review/1
for me the big difference is power consumption - putting in a 4890 may well
require you to upgrade the Power Supply
so tell us what PSU you have and we can advise further