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View Full Version : Looking for information regarding the Radeon 4850

Synk2
07-13-2008, 11:53 PM
I'm building a new system, as mine's getting a bit long in the tooth. It's based around a Q6600/GA-P35-DS3L setup (as are many budget workstations around here, it would seem). I'd decided on an 8800gt (another staple in the budget 3d setup, surely), but then stumbled across several reviews of the new HD4850 from ATI/AMD. All signs point to it being an '8x00/9x00 killer', at least in games, for close to the same pricepoint as the 8800s. I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with the 4800 series in 3D apps, or can point me to some concrete evidence regarding their functionality in 3D programs. This machine will be about 70% 3D work, 25% games, 5% staring at the screen while DVDs burn or renders finish. Apps used will mainly be Max and Zbrush, with some possible Maya or XSI use.

The HD4850 fully supports OpenGL 2.0 and DX10, and drivers seem solid, at least in games. My main concern is immature drivers for 3D apps, a la the 8800 series when it came out.
At ~$20 more, it seems like a decent step up from the tried and true 8800, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot over compatibility issues. Thanks in advance for any replies.
thebrianproject
05-11-2009, 02:47 AM
I just got a workstation with the 4800 series card in it and it's been a nightmare using it with maya.
teahtime
05-11-2009, 11:01 PM
I use a 1GB 4870 with Maya, Silo, and Zbrush. No problems here.
thebrianproject
05-12-2009, 03:05 AM
Did you do anything to the settings with the catalyst control? I'm trying to figure out why it's not working and any info would realllllly help.
ZacD
05-12-2009, 05:39 AM
Just go geforce, there is so many people have issues with Radeon cards, I'd just avoid the conflict.
villean
05-12-2009, 09:55 AM
Just go geforce, there is so many people have issues with Radeon cards, I'd just avoid the conflict.

Strange, I'm Using a Radeon 4850 with Max 2009/2010 & Mudbox 2009 and it works like a charm.
ThE_JacO
05-12-2009, 12:33 PM
Strange, I'm Using a Radeon 4850 with Max 2009/2010 & Mudbox 2009 and it works like a charm.
With Max you more often stand a chance than you do with Maya or XSI.
It is true that ATI drivers are quite hit and miss though, and most releases will only work fully (when they do) and without glitches for one out of three (or four) apps you might want to use.

Some cards tend to come out when these drivers do, and you get lucky and might have all
features working as expected and your spanking new card working well.

More often, something doesn't work, and after a few months of rotating drivers like it's out of fashion you simply give up and realize why everybody suggests only nvidia when it comes to gaming cards for 3D.

XSI, even with fireGL cards, has had an ATI dependent issue for years before AMD finally unplugged their head from their arse and fixed it (and they had acknowledged it for a while even then)... which required you to use beta drivers for months.
When they finally went stable and all, it was only for the fireGL cards, and radeon users still suffer from selection lag in both XSI and some releases of Maya to these days, and have had for a while.

It isn't myths and legends, it is statistically true that you have good chances to get screwed over with an ATI gaming card if you use anything OpenGL luverly.