Old GPU overheating, need advice on upgrading

[Reynard]

Hiya. I think I'm in the market for a new GPU. My computer (built a couple of years ago) has a Radeon HD 4850, and even after jacking the fan speed up to manual at 100%, the thing idles at just under 70C and even trying to play a non-graphics intensive game like Portal 2 has caused it to overheat and shut down my computer. Obviously not ideal. My cursory web searches have suggested a dislodged heatsink to be the culprit, but I really don't have the tools or confidence to be ripping apart my video card. So I figure I should replace it with a current budget card, get a quieter computer and maybe even a moderate performance increase if I can. I can't afford to fry my GPU through a stupid mistake and be without a comp for a few days, I work on this thing.

Can anyone clue me in to what card(s) I ought to be looking at nowadays? $150 is my absolute price limit, but sub $100 is much preferable. I'll be happy if it's got more juice than my current card, but I can stretch a little for a nicer price/performance ratio. The reviews at Anandtech are amazingly detailed but also totally over my head.

I'm not sure if it's pertinent but in case my CPU could potentially be a performance bottleneck to a higher quality card for gaming, I'm running the E8400 Core 2 Duo 3Ghz, no schmancy overclocks or the like. If anything else is relevant about my specs please let me know and I'll dig it up. (Win7, 64b)

Thanks a bunch for any replies.

 

[lsv]

Hiya. I think I'm in the market for a new GPU. My computer (built a couple of years ago) has a Radeon HD 4850, and even after jacking the fan speed up to manual at 100%, the thing idles at just under 70C and even trying to play a non-graphics intensive game like Portal 2 has caused it to overheat and shut down my computer. Obviously not ideal. My cursory web searches have suggested a dislodged heatsink to be the culprit, but I really don't have the tools or confidence to be ripping apart my video card. So I figure I should replace it with a current budget card, get a quieter computer and maybe even a moderate performance increase if I can. I can't afford to fry my GPU through a stupid mistake and be without a comp for a few days, I work on this thing.

Can anyone clue me in to what card(s) I ought to be looking at nowadays? $150 is my absolute price limit, but sub $100 is much preferable. I'll be happy if it's got more juice than my current card, but I can stretch a little for a nicer price/performance ratio. The reviews at Anandtech are amazingly detailed but also totally over my head.

I'm not sure if it's pertinent but in case my CPU could potentially be a performance bottleneck to a higher quality card for gaming, I'm running the E8400 Core 2 Duo 3Ghz, no schmancy overclocks or the like. If anything else is relevant about my specs please let me know and I'll dig it up. (Win7, 64b)

Thanks a bunch for any replies.

How dusty is the inside of the case? Has it not been cleaned in 2 years? Are your fans still working? Etc... normal upkeep, right

 

[chocobaR]

Wow 70C idle is ridiculous I had a GTX 260 that idled at 55C or so. I removed the heatsink, it was FILLED with dust blocking the air from going out. I don't know how the dust got inside since the case seemed rather clean.

 

[TakeNoPrisoners]

Most likely dust or heatsink problem.

 

[Reynard]

I've blown out the inside of the case rather often since this started - before that, canned air treatments were occasional. It's possible the internal air channels of the card are clogged still... but like I said, I am incredibly wary about mucking with the physical components of my card. I don't know if I could trust myself to do so except in the presence of a backup card in case I do something dumb with a screwdriver. I am a clumsy oaf is what I'm trying to say.

 

[MustangSVT]

clean the dust out.
but make sure you take some before and after pictures for us.

 

[DaveSimmons]

You can get a Radeon 6770 for $98 after a $20 rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-941-_-Product

This is the rebranded and slightly updated Radeon 5770, which is a little faster than the old 4890 but uses a lot less power and runs cooler and quieter.

If you want to move up to a Radeon 6850 for $150 after a $20-30 rebate (see newegg.com for several choices), it will be noticeably faster and still runs cooler and quieter than your 4850.

4850 vs. 5770 (6770 is about the same)
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/177?vs=172

48_70_ vs. 6850
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/304?vs=291

 

[Reynard]

Thank you very much! Exactly what I was looking for.

 

[WT]

I was in the market for a used 4850 but after seeing all the overheating issues they have, its a much safer bet to just look at the 5770 or 6770 line, as was mentioned already.

Under $100 (AR) for a 6770 is a good deal, altho I think the 6770 lacks a few features that the 5770 has (based on a skim read of an Anandtech story I read yesterday).