One 4870 vs Two 3870's [Archive]

sparkie7

Mar 22, 2009, 09:50 PM

They both cost about the same. Wondering if anyone know's which setup is better?

Seems the 3870's are good for Pro Apps, but have noise/fan issues. I'm thinking of getting the 4870 if its just as fast as getting two 3870s

How is the 4870 for Pro Apps?

Tallest Skil

Mar 22, 2009, 09:52 PM

Graphics cards don't "combine" power when you have more than one. You would get no benefit from having two 3870 except the ability to run four monitors.

iObama

Mar 22, 2009, 09:54 PM

They both cost about the same. Wondering if anyone know's which setup is better?

Seems the 3870's are good for Pro Apps, but have noise/fan issues. I'm thinking of getting the 4870 if its just as fast as getting two 3870s

How is the 4870 for Pro Apps?

Getting two 3870s doesn't make your graphics faster, it just gives you more outputs. If you only need 2 outputs, get the 4870 since it's faster than the 3870.

EDIT: Tallest beat me to it.

sparkie7

Mar 22, 2009, 09:58 PM

what about Core Image/Pro Apps use, does the 4870 excel in this

also, has anyone had issues with the Mini display port to DL DVI adapter? I seem to remember people having problems with these. not sure if it was the DL version though

http://store.apple.com/au/product/MB571Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MjkyNjI0Mg&p=1&s=topSellers

Pressure

Mar 23, 2009, 02:09 AM

what about Core Image/Pro Apps use, does the 4870 excel in this

also, has anyone had issues with the Mini display port to DL DVI adapter? I seem to remember people having problems with these. not sure if it was the DL version though

http://store.apple.com/au/product/MB571Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MjkyNjI0Mg&p=1&s=topSellers

Yes, the Radeon HD 4870 easily beats the Radeon HD 3870.

sparkie7

Mar 23, 2009, 02:14 AM

Yes, the Radeon HD 4870 easily beats the Radeon HD 3870.

for Gaming yes, but Not for Pro Apps and Cor Image tasks it seems (on a MP 2008)

http://www.barefeats.com/nehal06.html

Pressure

Mar 23, 2009, 02:50 AM

for Gaming yes, but Not for Pro Apps and Cor Image tasks it seems (on a MP 2008)

http://www.barefeats.com/nehal06.html

I don't hope you base your assumptions on a difference of 1 frame per second between the Radeon HD 3870 and the Radeon HD 4870 or the Geforce 8800 GT.

In time the Radeon HD 4870 will surely be the better overall choice.

For it to make sense we have to see more benchmarks than the two presented here.

kabunaru

Mar 23, 2009, 03:52 PM

I don't hope you base your assumptions on a difference of 1 frame per second between the Radeon HD 3870 and the Radeon HD 4870 or the Geforce 8800 GT.

In time the Radeon HD 4870 will surely be the better overall choice.

For it to make sense we have to see more benchmarks than the two presented here.

ATI Radeon HD 4870 could have better drivers, though.