* another "what do i get" video card ?

Elvis2

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2001
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2 x 1gig 4870's in CF. what sinlge nvdia card = or > than the aforementioned?
tia.
 

apoppin

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
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alienbabeltech.com
2 x 1gig 4870's in CF. what sinlge nvdia card = or > than the aforementioned?
tia.
My GTX 480 was faster than my HD 4870-X2, so the GTX 570 would also be faster. i guess a highly overclocked GTX 560 Ti would be about the same .. and a GTX 580 would be the fastest single-GPU available from Nvidia.

Your dual-core is only holding you back in games that are well optimized for quad.
 

-Slacker-

Golden Member
Feb 24, 2010
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You won't be getting much performance gain either way, unless you're going to spend big.

A gtx 480, 570 or hd 6970 should be little more than sidegrades plus DX11 (we're talking ~10-15% performance increase), and a cheap quad core like a phenom II x4 955 @4ghz, another 10% in quad core optimized games. That's over $400 for a ~27% (tops) performance boost.

I know the general public on this forum will jump on my throat for saying this, but my advice to you is to wait it out until stuff gets cheaper and/or better.
 

Spikesoldier

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
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heres another vote for wait until 7xxx series

edit: to answer the question, I would go with the 580. lest not be disappointed.
 

zebrax2

Senior member
Nov 18, 2007
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What resolution do you play?
I'd say wait as well but if you can't then i would recommend the gtx 570/580 or if you play at 2560 either gtx 580 or hd6970 as i believe its performance at that resolution is pretty close to 580 at that resolution and a lot cheaper.
 
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Jacky60

Golden Member
Jan 3, 2010
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I'd also say wait, you will see a noticeable difference with a 580 or 6970 BUT it won't be massive and assuming you've had the 4870's for a while 3 or 4 month waiting 3-4 months will get you a much better deal.
 

Elvis2

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2001
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Seem's like the general concensus is wait. I'm in no real hurry. The performance is fine for what I do except this rig doubles as an htpc, is loud and can be used as a space heater. It was really loud and hot when I was running a 4870X2 in tri-fire before it crapped out.
 

peonyu

Platinum Member
Mar 12, 2003
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2 x 1gig 4870's in CF. what sinlge nvdia card = or > than the aforementioned?
tia.

CF 4870s is still a very competant setup. Unless you are willing to spend 500$ to SLI/CF two newer Nvidia or AMD cards you wont see much gain from a single card upgrade over your current setup.

Your setup now is about even to a single 6970 card and slightly slower than Nvidias best card.
 

Spikesoldier

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
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CF 4870s is still a very competant setup. Unless you are willing to spend 500$ to SLI/CF two newer Nvidia or AMD cards you wont see much gain from a single card upgrade over your current setup.

Your setup now is about even to a single 6970 card and slightly slower than Nvidias best card.

If only 4xxx series scales as linearly as the 6xxx series in CF.

I would place it more at the 6950 1GB or GTX 560Ti performance level.
 

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
1,482
612
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6850 or 6870, for the money are amazing.

You can game at 1920 x 1080 with the 6870.

I have reached the breaking point for the 4860 CF noise and ordered a Gigabyte 6870 with triple fans. W00t.

I like this chart best for comparing vid cards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card-game-performance-radeon-hd-6670,2935-7.html

4870x2 is the same as 6970, but is old tech, so, heat and features...
 

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
1,482
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or you could go with xfire 6850 cards :)

That is still around $320.00.

If I spent that much, I would just get a 6950 / 6970.

For $200, less heat and noise and 1650 x 1080 gaming resolution (have a great lcd that I do not want to part with), the 6870 is a happy medium.

I am waiting for 7000 or 8000 series to maybe go CF again and dual 30's.

I would have gone CF 5850, but, was feeling stingy at the time.
 

nanaki333

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2002
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actually it's $280 after rebates right now. you can also get sapphire 5830 cards for $109 when they're in stock.
 

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
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I strongly dislike rebates, and do not count them towards cost at the moment of purchase.

I would still have to pay tax on the initial amount if I bought it at retail, regardless of how big a rebate is available.

Are you seriously trying to sell me on a 5830?

Those cards are not worth the raw materials they are made with.

6800 series was a power consumption reduction, that is why I picked it!
 

nanaki333

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2002
3,772
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with all of the bitcoining going on, the 5830 is an excellent card. and for gaming, 2 in xfire would blow away the current 4870 xfire. he asked what would be a good upgrade, but the only thing you listed were sidegrades that were probably equal, to maybe 5-10% better. why bother with a single 6800 series card?

getting 2 radeon 5830s for $218 out the door with no rebates, it's a really good choice since you were choosing a side grade anyway. at least this would be a lot more than 5-10% for roughly the same cost.

what is the point in going to a 6870 or even recommending ONE?
 

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
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OP says it is for a HTPC.

Why does he need the space heater redux of CF 5830?

a 6850 or 6870 is perfect for a replacement without breaking the bank.
 

nanaki333

Diamond Member
Sep 14, 2002
3,772
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yeah well, he also asked what nvidia card, so whatever we both say doesn't answer his question. as others have said, an equal nvidia single card equivilent would be a gtx 570 most likely. regardless of anything else, the point is moot since he decided to stay with his current setup anyway. i was simply putting ideas in his head that could hold him over even more. you're the one taking it personal as if you were the OP.
For $200, less heat and noise and 1650 x 1080 gaming resolution (have a great lcd that I do not want to part with), the 6870 is a happy medium.

I am waiting for 7000 or 8000 series to maybe go CF again and dual 30's.

I would have gone CF 5850, but, was feeling stingy at the time.

htpc does not necessarily equal sff, so it's not like it wouldn't be possible to put 2 cards in. op said he had tri-fire, but it was unbearable. he said it sometimes doubles as an htpc, which implies it is his main desktop. and again, maybe he wants to join a team and start mining :)

at any rate, i will do as many wise man have said. i will not feed the troll :D
 

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
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The performance is fine for what I do except this rig doubles as an htpc, is loud and can be used as a space heater.


I would either wait or replace it with a single GTX 460. It would be slower with that card but not way slower. 6850/6870 are good choices also but usually cost more.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,268
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OP says it is for a HTPC.

Why does he need the space heater redux of CF 5830?

a 6850 or 6870 is perfect for a replacement without breaking the bank.

5830s would use less power than 4870s. Probably run cooler and quieter, too.
 

B-Riz

Golden Member
Feb 15, 2011
1,482
612
136
yeah well, he also asked what nvidia card, so whatever we both say doesn't answer his question. as others have said, an equal nvidia single card equivilent would be a gtx 570 most likely. regardless of anything else, the point is moot since he decided to stay with his current setup anyway. i was simply putting ideas in his head that could hold him over even more. you're the one taking it personal as if you were the OP.

htpc does not necessarily equal sff, so it's not like it wouldn't be possible to put 2 cards in. op said he had tri-fire, but it was unbearable. he said it sometimes doubles as an htpc, which implies it is his main desktop. and again, maybe he wants to join a team and start mining :)

at any rate, i will do as many wise man have said. i will not feed the troll :D

heh

So, you recommended CF 6850 and I recommended one 6870, while giving a link to a chart that can compare vid card performance level between mfgs.

I was in error by forgetting OP wanted nVidia.

Wow, I trolled a lot while trying to help...