Help deciding on a new video card

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Cyberia123

Member
Feb 4, 2009
30
0
61
Hello everyone! I'm really looking for a new video card to replace my 8800GTX. It's showing it's age and I'm also experiencing random crashes/texture corruptions in StarCraft 2, which seem to be common for 8800 class cards, according to the Blizzard forums.

My current setup is as follows:

Windows XP Pro SP3 updated
EVGA 8800GTX 768MB
Core Duo Extreme X6800
Asus P5N-T Deluxe
4 GB RAM (I think it's Corsair, off the top of my head)
Dell 3007WFP @2560x1600
3 HDDs (one boot, two big data drives RAID mirrored)
2 CD/DVD drives
750W PS


I don't necessarily game at 2560x1600 unless I can get away with it, which is rarely on my 8800GTX. I take the highest playable resolution i can get, and will do that on a new card too. I'm looking for a single card setup, no SLI/CF, but x2 is fine. I've had both ATI and Nvidia before, both are good products.

Money isn't particularly an object, but I definitely don't want to spend unnecessarily. Also: I live in a warm climate, room temp is often 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and don't currently have overheating issues on anything. I won't OC unless I can easily/safety get a small boost on stock coolers.

So what do you guys think? 5970? 5870? 5750 OC'd? or go the 460/470 route?

The 5970 is very pricey, and might need a new PS to run it, I dunno. I'm leaning towards either a 5870 or 470. All advice is welcome.

EDIT: I'm going to switch to Win7 probably this fall/winter.
 
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Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
If money is no object and you want a single card solution then the 5970 is the obvious choice. Or a 480 if you go green. Both will run on a quality 750w PSU no problem.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Since heat is an issue I'd suggest a 5870 over the 470, or waiting to see what the GTX 475 is like when it comes out (it's using the newer Fermi design like the 460).

470 heat, power and noise are not so good:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3809/nvidias-geforce-gtx-460-the-200-king/17

The 460 1GB model is another one to consider if you really prefer nvidia. It's slower than the 5850 (let alone 5870) but runs cool and quiet compared to the 470.
 
bryanW1995

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
since you mentioned no preference get the 5970. if heat becomes too much of an issue you can undervolt/underclock it a bit.
 
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3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
204
106
Since you're running Dx9 I wouldn't think you need a 5970. A 5870 should be great performing w/less heat, etc...
 
Leyawiin

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
52
91
Given your CPU a GTX 460 1GB is about all you'd need or could use.
 
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Leyawiin

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
52
91
Yeah, guess that's true. I don't know, I don't think I'd go beyond a GTX 470 still.
 
netxzero64

netxzero64

Senior member
May 16, 2009
538
0
71
i think your board supports SLI right? if it does, go for GTX 460 1gb then go SLI mode
 
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Rifter

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,522
751
126
netxzero64 said:
i think your board supports SLI right? if it does, go for GTX 460 1gb then go SLI mode
Click to expand...

he requested a single card setup, so a 480 would be a better idea, or a 5970. Or wait for Nvidias current gen X2 card whenever that comes out.
 
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Cyberia123

Member
Feb 4, 2009
30
0
61
Thanks for the comments guys.

@ my cpu - I've been thinking about doing a complete system rebuild within the next 6 months anyway...maybe I should hold off on a super-high end 5970 (or whatever is available then) and just get a 5870 to replace my aging 8800gtx. A second advantage there is that I won't have to cannibalize my main box at all... making troubleshooting (there are always new-system problems) and data-transfer easier.

I've read that VERY soon there will be 2gb 5870s available, perhaps I should wait another 2-3 weeks?
 
happy medium

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Cyberia123 said:
Thanks for the comments guys.

@ my cpu - I've been thinking about doing a complete system rebuild within the next 6 months anyway...maybe I should hold off on a super-high end 5970 (or whatever is available then) and just get a 5870 to replace my aging 8800gtx. A second advantage there is that I won't have to cannibalize my main box at all... making troubleshooting (there are always new-system problems) and data-transfer easier.

I've read that VERY soon there will be 2gb 5870s available, perhaps I should wait another 2-3 weeks?
Click to expand...

Save your self some money and grab a gtx 460 and overclock it.
They do make 2gb gtx 460 for 260$
A 380$ 5870 is a terrible buy and a $400+ 2gb model is worse.
 
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Cyberia123

Member
Feb 4, 2009
30
0
61
Well, I was originally looking at a single card solution, but now I notice the price on the 460gtx. I can get two for less than one 5870 and get better performance. My Mobo does support SLI, and since I currenntly have an Nvidia card I wouldn't even have to remove drivers (a minor benefit, but still....)

Forgive me for being SLI illiterate.... Do two 1gb 460s make 2gb of video ram, effectively? I guess the Anands chart (linked above) suggests it works as 2gb since it runs 2560 well.

Will my 750W PS still be ok, or replace that too?
 
RussianSensation

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Grab a 5850 for $255 for now: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-494-_-Product

5850 will be faster than GTX460 at your resolution since you likely won't overclock the 460 based on what you said. Then in 6 months when you want to do a complete rebuild, grab HD6000 series or Fermi refresh, etc.

Performance 460 vs 470 vs. 5850 vs. 5870:
http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/..._460/20/#abschnitt_performancerating_mit_aaaf

I would generally recommend the 470 over 5850 and 5870 given the current pricing, but since you live in a hotter environment, grab the ATI cards.
 
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