Published in Graphics

HD4850 X2 outperforms GTX280

by on14 August 2008

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R700 launch Belgrade: Budget R700 packs quite a punch


According
to AMD, even its watered down version of the R700 with DDR3 memory will make short work of Nvidia'a flagship GTX280.

The company claims a performance lead of anywhere from 8 to 34 percent in current titles against the GTX280. As the HD4850 X2 is set to sell at $399, or around €270-290 in the EU, this sounds like an impressive score. The card runs at 625MHz, and unlike the HD4870 X2, it features 2GB of cheaper DDR3 memory, which goes a long way in keeping the cost down.

There's also a good chance vendors will launch a 1GB version of the card, as it would allow them to offer it at an even more attractive price. Even with 2GB the new card will probably provide you with the best price/performance ratio in the high end.

Much has been said about the R700 lately, but the DDR3 flavored HD4850 X2 might just be the card to hit the sweet spot. It will end up significantly cheaper than the HD4870 X2, but it will still pack enough punch to outperform the GTX280 while selling for some €50 less.

The only downside is that you'll have to wait a bit more to actually get one. We're exepecting it to hit retail sometime in the second half of September, but it looks like the wait will be worthwile, indeed.
Last modified on 04 November 2008
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