Haswell onboard HD4600 vs ATI Radeon 4870

[goblinapoel]

Dear all,

I would need your help with some questions I have. I have updated my system to Haswell. I'm not a gamer and probably I'm not going to play any games and my old graphics card bought back in 2009 is an ATI Radeon 4870. What do you recommend. Is it better to plug my old GPU to the motherboard or go with the Haswell onboard graphics? Also, please have in mind that my monitor has a DVI connector but my motherboard hasn't. I would have to buy a display port to DVI converter or HDMI to DVI converter.

PS: What about if I want to use the new system as an HTPC too? Would I need a graphics card or the onboard graphics are good?

What do you suggest.

Appreciate any help. Thank you

 

[SPBHM]

4870 is probably faster for most games, but it may get problematic because of the vram limitation, and no dx11.

also it sucks a lot of power compared to the IGP... if you have both, the best thing to do is to test both solutions, if there is any meaningful difference for the games you play...

 

[Durvelle27]

is it the 512MB or 1GB model HD 4870

 

[mikk]

No question HD4870 is way faster.

 

[goblinapoel]

It is the 1GB version guys regarding the GPU. Noob question: Do you really need a GPU for HTPC or is it CPU demanding only? I think I'll go with the old GPU. The only concern is the DX11 no support from the card? Would it be needed if I don't play any games?

Thank you

 

[toyota]

some of you need to read the op a little closer.


I'm not a gamer and probably I'm not going to play any games

 

[frozentundra123456]

Dear all,

I would need your help with some questions I have. I have updated my system to Haswell. I'm not a gamer and probably I'm not going to play any games and my old graphics card bought back in 2009 is an ATI Radeon 4870. What do you recommend. Is it better to plug my old GPU to the motherboard or go with the Haswell onboard graphics? Also, please have in mind that my monitor has a DVI connector but my motherboard hasn't. I would have to buy a display port to DVI converter or HDMI to DVI converter.

PS: What about if I want to use the new system as an HTPC too? Would I need a graphics card or the onboard graphics are good?

What do you suggest.

Appreciate any help. Thank you

Just curious, if you don't game, what do you use your PC for that needs so much CPU power?

If you don't game, I would just use the igp. I think the 4870 would be faster, but honestly I would not want to use such an old and power hungry card with such a nice CPU.

 

[goblinapoel]

Just curious, if you don't game, what do you use your PC for that needs so much CPU power?

If you don't game, I would just use the igp. I think the 4870 would be faster, but honestly I would not want to use such an old and power hungry card with such a nice CPU.

Actually I need a lot of memory and processing power for Vmware systems due to the nature of my job.

 

[beginner99]

If you don't play any demanding 3D games, go with the iGPU. DVI to HMDI adapters are passive and hence very cheap.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Actually I need a lot of memory and processing power for Vmware systems due to the nature of my job.

I looked on Tom's Hardware graphics card chart and a HD4870 in in the same tier as a HD7750, so that would make it about 2x, or somewhat more, faster than the HD4600.

That said, personally, I would either use the igp or if you need more graphics horsepower, get a more modern DX 11 card like the HD7770 which would also be cooler, quieter, and use less power.

 

[NTMBK]

Use the IGP. It will be plenty fast for your needs, and give you a cooler, quieter system. Sell the 4870 and recoup some cash.

 

[goblinapoel]

Thanks for the answers guys! Help appreciated! What about the HTPC. Is a dedicated GPU really needed?

 

[wilds]

If you don't do gaming, then the HD 4600 will be enough for everything. I use my HD 4000 for virtual machines, playing blu-rays and browsing the web. It can handle everything except for graphically intensive games.

 

[jackstar7]

As has been said, you don't need the card. It's just going to make things much hotter in your system for little practical benefit for your uses.

 

[notty22]

The 4870 has high idle power draw. Almost no power saving features. I would use the IGP in your scenarios. The video decoders are going to be decent, if not equal in the newer IGP. For watching various video content and hardware acceleration.

 

[goblinapoel]

Thanks a lot guys! External GPU option: DISCARDED!

 

[el etro]

The 4870 is way better than the HD4600. The biggest problem here is the lack of DX11 support by the Radeon. Sell it to someone and pick a GTX 650/Radeon hd 7750. These two will be good even if you don't play games, really.

 

[goblinapoel]

The 4870 is way better than the HD4600. The biggest problem here is the lack of DX11 support by the Radeon. Sell it to someone and pick a GTX 650/Radeon hd 7750. These two will be good even if you don't play games, really.

So if i dont play games why still a GPU is needed?

 

[Phynaz]

So if i dont play games why still a GPU is needed?

You don't need a GPU.

 

[DaveSimmons]

So if i dont play games why still a GPU is needed?

You do not -- people suggesting the 4870 were thinking you wanted to play games.

 

[Remobz]

You don't need a GPU.

true dat

 

[el etro]

So if i dont play games why still a GPU is needed?

Only for the extra video card features(GPGPU capabilities in a lot of applications, video processing benefits). In my opinion(I'm saying this based on my pc-using experience), is good to have an capable co-processor to certain tasks, once you have a relatively powerful PC.

Anyway, you want to save money, is better to forget this. The HD 4600 will do a very good job here too.

 

[goblinapoel]

Thanks guys. I decided to go with the onboard option and if it is needed, I may go for an upgrade of a GPU.

 

[blackened23]

Having used HD4000 quite a bit (and the 2013 macbook air with GT2? I think) - it will do absolutely everything you need to do just fine even at super high resolutions such as 2560x1600, although you seem to have acknowledged that already. The only weakness is gaming. Everything else is flawless - video playback, video processing, etc. I can't think of anything outside of gaming which could be considered a weakness. I've never had driver issues either - everything has worked fine on systems i've used with iGPU graphics.

 

[Ventanni]

I used my onboard HD4000 iGPU while I was looking for my Geforce 285. For everything non-gaming, it was perfect. And for some light gaming, it was quite sufficient too. The HD4600 will be perfect for needs.