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ATI's Latest Radeon Graphics Card (HD 4850) Benchmarked: Mid-Range, As Expected
Posted by Matt Buchanan at 9:52 AM on June 20, 2008
ATI's next line of Radeon graphics cards--the RV770-based 4800 series--doesn't officially launch until June 25, but Hot Hardware's got benchmarks already on the first shot, the mid-range US$199 Radeon HD 4850. It's prompted a response from Nvidia in the form of the US$229 GeForce 9800 GTX+, a speedier version of the 9800 GTX on a smaller manufacturing process. But that's just jibber jabber--the benchmarks show it's a pretty decent mid-range card, for now.
The performance is pretty on par with the pricepoint--it edges out the currently more expensive GTX 9800 (the revamped plus version wasn't available yet, so that'll be interesting) though it struggles against the 3870 X2 (which is two cards in one) and Nvidia's fresh-off-the-boat and doubly expensive GTX 260. If you're in the market for a mid-range ATI card, this might be it, but I'd wait for a showdown against the similarly priced 9800 GTX+ if possible. [Hot Hardware]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
bobide
Posted 11:05 AM 20/6/08
I just don't know what to do anymore. Get this, wait for the 4850x2, or just go and buy a 8800GTS!! It's madness.
bobide
The Monarch
Posted 10:50 AM 20/6/08
I miss "jibber jabber." Thanks Matt.
The Monarch
rdldr1
Posted 10:16 AM 20/6/08
Hey Giz, where did you find a geForce 9800GTX+ for $229? I bought a GTX a few weeks ago and it was still $300.
rdldr1
thebear91
Posted 11:35 AM 20/6/08
lol@hawkskater. Hey wait, ATI had the 9800 first. They just reverted.
thebear91
thebear91
Posted 11:34 AM 20/6/08
geForce 9800 GTX+ is expected to be $229 at launch in July.
I would guess that current 9800 GTX cards will come down in price very very soon. Probably down to $199, with deals of $179 to be found.
I just bought an 8800 GTS for $200. Gah! Ya just never know when to buy anymore.
thebear91
DashTheHand
Posted 11:30 AM 20/6/08
Of course its as expected, it always takes ATI and Nvidia like 2-3 months to get the drivers out for their new cards to make them work as they actually claim. The first few months are spent with gimped drivers wondering why a video card from 2 years ago can perform equally.
DashTheHand
HawkSkater0
Posted 11:10 AM 20/6/08
I reason that ati looses is because, nvidia has a graphic card with the numbers 9800, ati has 4850, 9800 is more then 4850, so nvidia wins.
HawkSkater0
bobide
Posted 11:50 AM 20/6/08
@HawkSkater0:
Hahah, that's a good one. However thanks to the new #ing both are using Nvidia is only in the 100s with their 280!! The HD 4850 must be like 40times better!
bobide
Dudemeister on the Run
Posted 12:41 PM 20/6/08
Apparently tigerdirect.com has them already.
Check it babes.
[www.tigerdirect.com]
Dudemeister on the Run
T1nd0g
Posted 1:05 PM 20/6/08
@bobide:
I don't think there's going to be a 4850x2 Bobide, are you thinking of the 4870x2? Because I know there's going to be one of those. At the very least you should wait a week until you see the 4870 numbers and make up your mind then.
T1nd0g
apeguero
Posted 1:57 PM 20/6/08
@thebear91: I used to have the AIW Pro of that 9800 card back in my PC days :) I wonder what's so special with that number that two competing companies use them.
apeguero
apeguero
Posted 1:56 PM 20/6/08
I love my 8800GT for my 2006 MacPro. Don't know if I'm ready to consider upgrading it but is this the one that will work with the MacPros?
apeguero
bobide
Posted 2:47 PM 20/6/08
Yea, I meant 4870x2, I'm wondering how great the 4870 will be and if I want to drop the $$.
@Soulxside:
ATI's philosophy is to introduce midrange chips and then scale up to challenge Nvidia. Their price point is decidedly midrange.
bobide
Soulxside
Posted 2:34 PM 20/6/08
misleading post title? "As expected, upon review, the latest ATI Radeon graphics card is mid-range."
Soulxside
lilaliendog
Posted 2:13 AM 21/6/08
the 4850 was supposed to compete against the 8800's, the 4870 competes again the 9800's, and the x2 is supposed to compete with the 2xx's.
strange how the 4850 is actually beating eh 9800's does this mean ati underrated their own cards ...
lilaliendog
aznplayer213
Posted 12:52 PM 21/6/08
its great though ati competing...it drives the prices down for both sides equal a win-win situation for the consumer...also i can finally watch my hd porn!
aznplayer213
Evangelion
Posted 4:16 PM 21/6/08
@aznplayer213: Dammit. Stop with your HD pr0n!
Evangelion