Do I really need an ATI HD 4870 X2 ?

Question

I have a monitor of 1280X 1024 res which I do not intend to upgrade within 1/2 years. I intend to buy an ATI 4870 X2 ( along with DDR3 ram and quad core processor) so that my gaming need for next 2/3 years is matched. I read on many reviews of this card that it is good for res 2500.

but I thought If I buy this card, it will run future games with higher sys reqs at 1280X1024 for the next 2 years.

Am I right?

Answer 1

It should be more.  The mainstream now is DDR2 and dual-core, but if you want to future-proof your purchase, then go with DDR3 and quad-core.  The 4870 X2 should last a long time.

Answer 2

you do not need a quad core for gaming. quads are for major multi tasking and video editing.

there are no games or applications yet that can fully utilize DDR3, just like a quad core CPU...

spend the money on your GPU, its what drives a gaming rig anyway. games can not keep up with how fast the new GPU's are released. I have a 2600XT that is still more than enough for 90% of the games out...

Answer 3

i run a 3870 at that res and it runs great and its a cheaper solution but it all depends on the monitor size really you can change the res like my monitor can go up to 1440 x 900 but i run at 1280 x 1024 and as for the guy above me saying there is no need for a quad core processor well i disagree if u want to future proof your computer for future games then a quad core processor is perfect there are only like 4 games out now though that run more then 2 cores crysis, world in conflict, farcry 2 (actually runs 3 cores thats why it can be played on a 360 too) and i believe flight simulator x but here is the thing if you clock a e8400 and a q9300 to the same speed and run a dual core game/program then they will be the exact same but if you clock them to the same speeds and run a quad core game the 9300 will be better its because when using a quad core running a dual core game its using only 2 cores at the clock speed so if you have a stock q6600 you are running 2 cores at 2.4ghz and the e8400 is at 3.0 so if you overclock a q6600 to 3.0 and run a dual core game then it is using 2 cores at 3.0 making it just as good as a stock e8400 if you need more help e-mail me