Need a spare Graphics card

[IMZORRO]

Hello everyone,

I was hoping you guys can help me. I have a 4870 X2 currently and love it. I had to send it back recently for repairs but it came back with no problems. The only thing I hated is that I was without my PC for about a month. I want to purchase a good card to have as a back up in case something like this happens again. I use my computer mostly for gaming (BFBC2)(LOTRO).
I don't want to spend too much as this is only a back up. Maybe around $200 or so.
Here is the system I have.


Thanks for the help

MTH board ASUS Rampage formula
Power supply Galaxy Dx X
processor Q9550
Corsair memory 4GB XMS2 8500
running Windows 7 32

 

[Zap]

If you want to stick with Radeons, shop for a 5770 as those seem to be the popular cards in the $150-180 range.

 

[Oyeve]

If you want to stick with Radeons, shop for a 5770 as those seem to be the popular cards in the $150-180 range.

This ^

I love my 5770.

 

[tweakboy]

Get a Geforce 260 216core. It's about 140 to 200, I say more in the middle ground.

go to amazon and search for geforce 260 gtx , gl

 

[DaveSimmons]

With the radeon you can switch cards with less chance of driver issues.

But: Newegg shipping is very fast and Amazon.com has next day delivery in many cities so you could just do nothing now and set the $200 aside until you need the card.

Maybe you'll get some newer, better card for the same price by then. Or you'll be ready to replace your day to day card and can use the 4870x2 as your backup.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Try get another 4870 second hand for cheap. That way when the 4870X2 comes back you can do trifire.

 

[nyker96]

Your backup is faster than my primary. My backup is a $7.99 PCI card. :]

 

[Qbah]

Try get another 4870 second hand for cheap. That way when the 4870X2 comes back you can do trifire.

This sounds like the best idea Get a used HD4870 1GB and run tri-fire If one of the cards breaks again, you can use the other as a temporary solution.

However, you're running Win7 32bit... Your x2 alone is eating half of available addressing space already... Seriously, why are you running Win7 32bit? You have less than 2GB available for the system now...

 

[Binky]

A used 4850 would be less than $75 and work great as a temporary card. It's also the same generation as your 4870 so it might be less likely to act up when changing over.

In a year it will still be worth $50. In a year the 5770 will be worth $75. You lose much less...

 

[IMZORRO]

great stuff guys with some great points.

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

 

[IMZORRO]

Replying to Qbah:

Honestly, I didn't know any better when I built my system. I just bought windows vista without looking. I now bought windows 7 and it has the disc for 64 but I had to have had it previously. I need to lookin into seeing if there is a cheap way to get to the 64.