Today AMD/ATI has retaken the performance crown for the first time in over 2 years, not content with that they also took likely to take second place too. With the release of the 4870X2 and in short order the 4850X2.
AMD have ended any chance of Nvidia retaining the top spots and the bragging rights associated with being able the hold the performance crown.
ATI already hold the midrange price/performance lead with its 4850 and 4870 GPU’s. Now they have made a pair of them combined on the same PCB with spectacular results.
As the NDA lifts on ATI’s new cards the internet is awash with benchmarks. All showing that the 4870X2 comprehensively beats the Nvidia GTX 280. And given the performance of the 4850 in crossfire beating the GTX 260 it follows that the 4850X2 will do the same.
The 4870X2 has the same exact specs (no underclock for the memory this time) as two single 4870’s GPU’s and paired with 2X1GB GDDR5 costing $549. The 4850X2 follows this pattern with a pair of 4850’s with 2X1GB of GDDR3 costing $339. Interestingly the Nvidia GTX 280 was $649 at launch.
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