Help with choosing new GPU

SlowEJ8

Member
Jan 6, 2011
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Hey guys so this is my first time putting my own computer together.

I had an old invidia 7900 that I borrowed; but sadly, my friend wanted it back and now I'm left with needing to purchase a new card.

My system:
Asus ML248H 24" Monitor
CM Haf X
CM Hyper 212+
i5-2500k
Asus P8P67 Pro
G Skill Rip Jaws 2x4GB(8gb) PC3-10666 1333 Ram
WD Caviar 7200 RPM 1TB

Things I do most with this computer are:
Gaming, and watching HD movies, sitcoms, lots of web browsing(multiple pages)

I'm planning to switch views from monitor-->t.v. at times when watching movies/sitcoms.(I heard it can mess up your GPU somehow if you do it a lot... is that true, and why?)

My budget is $200, lower the better of course, but unless the $200 card value really is dramatically better than a $150-180 card.
Or if its worth doing XFire, dual SLI with older cards?...

I already know some people will tell me to get the GTX460, or the 58XX series, but i'm not really sure which brand makes a suitable and reliable one(runs cool, fast, reliable, easily OC'd, etc.). Some guidance on that will be appreciated, Thanks.

If this helps, i'm using a the Asus ML248H 24" Monitor.
 
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SlowEJ8

Member
Jan 6, 2011
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Which card would handle best with games and htpc? And Which has the most potential? Also considering the size of my monior and resolution I will be using?
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
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I don't think you can do much better than the Sapphire 5870 for $199.99 right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-883-_-Product

The automatic redirect stuff seems to be broken so the link might not work..search Newegg for Sapphire 5870 and it should be right there. $299.99 down to $289.99, $60 off with promo code, and another $30 rebate card.

The only time I'd really recommend SLI or Crossfire is if you already had one card. I'd go for as good of a single-card solution as you can afford now, and later if you decide you want more performance, you can add a second card.
 
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SlowEJ8

Member
Jan 6, 2011
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Why is the 5870 and the 6870 priced up to be 200?? After rebates etc.? And are there any differences between them both??
 

badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
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5870 is the best you can do right now at 200. A good alternative is the GTX 470/460. Pure performance wise the 5870 is better but the GTX 460/470 are more competitively priced. Up to you.
 

SlowEJ8

Member
Jan 6, 2011
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I read a lot of mixed reviews about the radeon 58xx,68xx cards? Like the grey screen of death and some other significants.

Is it really worth the trouble?? Or are there ways to prevent that stuff from happening
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
?

My ATI cards (other than a used 4870 I bought that later died on me) have been great. I bought my 4890 in Sept '09 and am selling it now that my 5870 is here. I'm not familiar with the grey screen of death..hopefully I'll stay that way..lol
 

betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
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^^ Are these current reports? You want user experience from 2011, not 2010... and you are in the right forum to get it :)
 

SlowEJ8

Member
Jan 6, 2011
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I've been reading that it's only the 58xx series, and what are the updates with the gsod?? Might be some old info I just read about.. Does it still happen? What about cards with faulty hardware?
 
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jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
^^ Are these current reports? You want user experience from 2011, not 2010... and you are in the right forum to get it :)

Well, I didn't just stop using my computer on January 1st...

I've only been running my 5870 for a couple days, but it's been fine so far. I am getting some weird noise but I don't know what it's from yet..not sure if it's from my video card (fan bearings?) or something else.
 

maniacalpha1-1

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2010
3,562
14
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The only thing about the XFX 6870 is that I have seen written in a few places that they messed up the fan control and you have to do a BIOS update to fix it. I suppose that's why the referenced linked XFX 6870 has a huge rebate? However, don't companies eventually fix the BIOS issue on the assembly line such that units that ship later on have the updated BIOS?

Failing that, how hard(or safe) is it to flash the BIOS?