4890 took a dump, what would you do?

[c0chese]

Long story short, I was playing some BFBC2 this morning and my machine shut off, wouldn't power back up. So after some troubleshooting I find out that one of my xfire'd 4890's has taken a dump on me. I know I can just buy a used 4890, but I'd like to upgrade, as the wife is giving the
ok :thumbsup: So, I have a limit of about $550, and I've been browsing the forums and reading different reviews, but I'd like some input from you guys, if you were me, and had $550 to drop, what would you be looking at ATM? Thanks in advance guys...

MB is not SLI capable BTW, so any Nvidia solution would have to be a single card in anticipation of a later upgrade to a Mobo with SLI capabilities.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Well you would be looking at a GTX 570, GTX 580, HD 6970, or HD 6950 for a single card solution. Three of these cards aren't out yet, so I'd advise holding off a decision until they are.

Or you could pick up dual HD 5870s, HD 6870s, HD 5850s, GTX 470s.

I suppose you should make sure your board is SLI compatible before going with dual GTX cards.

 

[borisvodofsky]

Long story short, I was playing some BFBC2 this morning and my machine shut off, wouldn't power back up. So after some troubleshooting I find out that one of my xfire'd 4890's has taken a dump on me. I know I can just buy a used 4890, but I'd like to upgrade, as the wife is giving the
ok :thumbsup: So, I have a limit of about $550, and I've been browsing the forums and reading different reviews, but I'd like some input from you guys, if you were me, and had $550 to drop, what would you be looking at ATM? Thanks in advance guys...

LIKE,, today,, either 470gtx sli,, 5870 crossfire,,

In a month or 2, 480gtx sli,,

(DON"T bother with 6870 right now) they're imo overpriced right now, as soon as 69xx shows up, they'll be in the 160-175range,, then they'll be hot priced.

although since u already have a 4890, if you can find another for under 100 dollars.. it's still a better buy than upgrading at such a close gap till the 69xx releaseD:


Ah the wife.. If I had a wife,, i'd kill myself.. before she kills me.. (which is a fact looking at widow/widower statistics)

 

[c0chese]

Ah the wife.. If I had a wife,, i'd kill myself.. before she kills me.. (which is a fact looking at widow/widower statistics)

LOL, had I married any of my previous G/F's I would probably agree with you...those bitches was crazy! After 4 years with my wife, I can truly say, I don't know what I'd do without her. And, before you ask...yes, she does keep my balls in a glass jar next to our bed. :sneaky:

 

[c0chese]

Any opinions on the Dual GPU vs Single GPU? I've had dual gpu's since the Nvidia 7950gx2...

 

[iGas]

Check the warranty.

 

[KingstonU]

The 6950, 6970, and GTX570 are all slated to be released in the next 2 weeks (maybe even Dec 7th, 2 days from now). I would wait at least till they are reviewed and on store shelves to make a decision.

 

[notty22]

What cpu and resolution do you have.
The gtx 580 is fast, and has no cons , besides price.
Most who have it are happy and impressed.
You have/had dual gpu, so you know the scoop there. Only works full screen, alt-tab'ing driver settings effect performance at times.
You could wait to 'see' the 6970 price/performance comparison. Sounds like the 6970 might be hard to get before Christmas.

 

[c0chese]

What cpu and resolution do you have.

1920 x 1080

 

[3DVagabond]

I'd use the single 4890 for a bit and see what's out in the next couple of weeks. Of course, if you do that you'll run the risk that your new card will turn into your Christmas present.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

What cpu and resolution do you have.
The gtx 580 is fast, and has no cons , besides price.
Most who have it are happy and impressed.
You have/had dual gpu, so you know the scoop there. Only works full screen, alt-tab'ing driver settings effect performance at times.
You could wait to 'see' the 6970 price/performance comparison. Sounds like the 6970 might be hard to get before Christmas.

Shaded green;
Everything has cons...

 

[Raswan]

I'd use the single 4890 for a bit and see what's out in the next couple of weeks. Of course, if you do that you'll run the risk that your new card will turn into your Christmas present.

You're a sneaky bastard Vagabond. Sounds like this has happened to you before

 

[nOOky]

I'd use the single 4890 for a bit and see what's out in the next couple of weeks. Of course, if you do that you'll run the risk that your new card will turn into your Christmas present.

I'd wait it out also, possibly even after x-mas a bit. If any new ATI card coming out catches your eye, you'd best buy it right away when you can get it at it's retail price. Lately they have been going up due to demand/supply.

 

[happy medium]

buy another used 4890 for 120$ You don't need more then that @ 1900x1080.

BUT

If you really *want* to upgrade just grab 2 xfx 6870's and call it a day.

What cpu are you running? Is it overclocked?

 

[3DVagabond]

You're a sneaky bastard Vagabond. Sounds like this has happened to you before

What? Is it just me that kind of stuff happens to? I've always assumed it was a given that's the way it works.

Of course there's the flip side tactic of that. Where you get someone to give you your present early so they have to go out and buy you another one for on the day.

 

[c0chese]

System otherwise:
Q9450 @ 3.5
8GB Ram
Asus Maximus II Formula
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750
etc, etc...

 

[c0chese]

I'd use the single 4890 for a bit and see what's out in the next couple of weeks. Of course, if you do that you'll run the risk that your new card will turn into your Christmas present.

Actually the mother-in-law is springing for it, and they say people hate their mother in laws, mine kicks ass.

 

[happy medium]

System otherwise:
Q9450 @ 3.5
8GB Ram
Asus Maximus II Formula
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750
etc, etc...

I'd buy 2 xfx 6870's in x fire (500$) for that system. Spend all the money.
Your cpu will not push anything more.:thumbsup:

 

[jacktesterson]

I'd go with 2 Asus 6850's over any 6870....

Cheaper, and have much better cooling than the reference design 6850's, and O/C near 6870 levels.

If you don't O/C, I'd go a single card solution, the GTX 580 if buying today.


What I would do is use the current card until the new ATI's release then make your decision.

With $550 a 6970 may be within reach, giving you the opportunity to add a 2nd one down the road.

 

[c0chese]

@bigy
I've owned more high end video cards than I can even recall, starting with the geforce 2 ultra, and this Asus is the first card I've ever had take a sh*t on me. So, while I know it is probably an anomaly, I'm hesitant to sink money back into their cards.

@happy
Any particular reason for the XFX affinity or just a personal preference?

Someone mentioned the warranty earlier, but I've replaced the stock coolers last year and finally threw them out about a month ago, damn the bad luck.

 

[happy medium]

@bigy
I've owned more high end video cards than I can even recall, starting with the geforce 2 ultra, and this Asus is the first card I've ever had take a sh*t on me. So, while I know it is probably an anomaly, I'm hesitant to sink money back into their cards.

@happy
Any particular reason for the XFX affinity or just a personal preference?

Someone mentioned the warranty earlier, but I've replaced the stock coolers last year and finally threw them out about a month ago, damn the bad luck.

XFX warranty, and there usually quality cards ,and are at a really good price at 239AR. Anything more and you will be cpu limited. They should be 50% faster then your 4890's were.

Go for it man,you can't go wrong.

Edit: and better resale value.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Not waiting for the HD 6900 series would be a bad move at this point in time.

 

[happy medium]

Not waiting for the HD 6900 series would be a bad move at this point in time.

Why 2 6870's will be faster. He doesen't need 2 6970's, his cpu is too slow.
2 6870's for 480$ is not bad.

 

[tweakboy]

I wonder if you can use your remaining 4890 card as a dedicated phsyx card,, then buy a GTX 580 with that 550 dollars

I dont know if this is possible,, anyone is this possible ?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Why 2 6870's will be faster. He doesen't need 2 6970's, his cpu is too slow.
2 6870's for 480$ is not bad.

1. Of course he can't get two 6970s; that would be out of his price range. Duh. Red herring.

2. No (common) person knows how much faster two 6870s would be, if at all.

3. 6970 could end up with 2GB of VRAM. For its level of performance VRAM can play a big role at his resolution, with good amounts of AA, and/or in certain VRAM heavy games.

4. We don't know what the prices will be on the 6900 cards.

5. The 6800 cards could drop in price.

6. The 6900s could be more efficient (in thermals, performance, and/or power usage) than dual video cards.

7. We're only about a week away from find out more information and the cards will probably release this month.

8. Since he has a video card, that he can use, and it's still a decent performer, he shouldn't be in a hurry to buy buy buy.