Need advice on a possible upgrade within $200-250 range

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
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I am using a 4870 right now (in sig) but I'd like to get some money out of it toward a possible upgrade while I still can. I havent been watcing the video card market for a while so I got a few questions.

1)Is there anything truly groundbreaking coming out in my price range within the next 2 or so months that is worth waiting for? If yes, I will wait, since there is no pressing need for me to buy a new card atm.

2)Is there anything in my price range that I can get right now that will offer about 40% performance improvement (give or take) and should last me for about a year from now to play most games at medium to high settings?

I am not specifically an ATI or Nvidia fanboy, so I dont really have a brand preference. I only care about the most performance for my money.

Oh, and I am using two monitors. One is 1080p resolution(wide) and the other one is 1920x1200(my primary gaming monitor).
 
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toyota

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
12,957
1
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you already have a pretty balanced system as it is. a faster gpu will certainly help but in the more cpu intensive games dont expect to fully push any $250 gpu. I would probably get the cheapest 6850 I could find and oc it. it wont be a massive upgrade but anything beyond that would certainly have diminishing returns in many games. heck there are at least 4 or 5 games that are not going to be any faster than you already get with your 4870 right now.
 
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cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
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Overclocked 6850s and GTX 460s are about 40% faster than your 4870, available now.

Very shortly the GTX 560 and 1GB version of the 6950 should come out and be in or close to your price range.
 

ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
4,094
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Hmm.. I think I am better off waiting then, and just getting Sandy Bridge along with a better mobo and a video card when they get slightly cheaper.
 

Skurge

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2009
5,195
1
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Hmm.. I think I am better off waiting then, and just getting Sandy Bridge along with a better mobo and a video card when they get slightly cheaper.

Thats a good idea. Im sure your 4870 can play most of your games fine.