4870X2 crapping out, upgrade advice

[Stern]

Hey guys, my 4870X2 is crapping out, and above that it's noise has always irritated me, so I am looking to upgrade to something better and quieter. Does anybody have any suggestions?

The rest of my system is Core2Duo E8600, 4GB memory and an ASUS P50 Deluxe motherboard, 1680x1050 monitor.

 

[TemjinGold]

Depends what you are looking to spend. Do you want something similar in performance or similar in original price?

 

[Stern]

Haha, original price was over 500 dollars when I bought it. I live in Europe now, so I can't go very well by price. However I am not looking to spend quite that much, and I doubt I would get a good silent card for that kind of price anyway.

It definitely shouldn't perform less well though, I have been looking to upgrade my PC for a while, this is just me being forced to do it to my graphics card early.

 

[Termie]

See this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2174243. Guy has basically same system as you.

 

[Stern]

Well I'm specifically looking for quiet versions, and I need the upgrade very soon. Half the people in that thread recommend waiting several months for the next gen, I don't have that luxury.

 

[Stern]

A further bit of info, and I'll edit the OP too is, I currently use a 1680x1050 monitor and I don't see myself upgrading it anytime soon. I don't have the desk space.

 

[Termie]

Well I'm specifically looking for quiet versions, and I need the upgrade very soon. Half the people in that thread recommend waiting several months for the next gen, I don't have that luxury.

A further bit of info, and I'll edit the OP too is, I currently use a 1680x1050 monitor and I don't see myself upgrading it anytime soon. I don't have the desk space.

Better and quieter is hard. But I think your best bet is the HD6970. It's the quietest of the cards that can beat yours: http://www.anandtech.com/show/4061/amds-radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950/24 (noise levels at bottom of page).

An HD6950 would match your card and be much quieter, so that's another option.

 

[Stern]

I've found some cards here:
http://www.dabs.ie/category/components-and-storage,graphics--tv-tuners-and-i-o,graphics/11137?q=6970
My buying options in Ireland are quite limited, and I prefer to buy in-country as RMA is then easier (you never know). There is a massive price discrepancy between these cards (ignoring the 6990 which landed in there for some reason). Is this to do with the cooling?

 

[EliteRetard]

Isnt that like 500$?!!!

Of those though the Asus DirectCU II looks to be the best, good company and good card. Seems like those coolers always have a good balance of noise/heat.

I wonder what international shipping costs.../WAY/ cheaper to buy from the US.

Edit:
Yeah heres a decent site that ships internationally:
http://www.superbiiz.com/shipping.php
See how it compares.

 

[Madcatatlas]

A further bit of info, and I'll edit the OP too is, I currently use a 1680x1050 monitor and I don't see myself upgrading it anytime soon. I don't have the desk space.

Thats not the most demanding of resolutions. You could buy a cheap GTX460 or a Radeon 6850 and save up some money for an upgrade in 6months time when the new cards arrive.