*Solved*Replacing my 4870x2, need advice on possible alternatives

[koolman007]

Hello guys,
i have recently upgraded my system to an up-to date quad core setup. I have been using my trusty old 4870x2 for nearly 2 years now and still it is able chew on any game that is thrown at it. But lately what has started to bug me is the ATI's lack of support in terms of old dual GPU graphics card and as a result i have been having all sorts of issues with different games where one game works well with certain set of drivers and other with different ones.
So i have finally decided that it is time to move on to something more recent and equally if not more powerful.

I have done some research and i am inclined towards buying a GTX 480 which i can get for around £180 after discount.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-222-AS

Also there is a Super overclocked version that is available for £215 that is close to a 580 in terms of performance.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...id=1914&subcat

Do you guys think that an extra £40 is worth the performance boost ?

i have also thought of the possibility to get and unlock a 6950 but its more like a hit or miss as its not certain if the card will unlock not to mention the chances of artifacts increased temps if it does.

Also I have a single PCI express motherboard so SLI is out of question (for now).

Please feel free to post your thoughts and views.

cheers

 

[RussianSensation]

Most stock 480s are pretty hot and loud. I'd spent the extra £40 on that Gigabyte card. Shockingly enough that card would be faster than a GTX570 and still cost less despite having an aftermarket cooler!

 

[koolman007]

as a owner of 4870x2 i am kinda immune to heat and noise
i have seen the benchmarks for that SOC 480 and its on par with 580 in most benchmarks...
if i get that card hopefully i wont have to upgrade for another year or so..what do u think ?

 

[pandemonium]

As always, the decision will come down to the game(s) you're playing and the level of gaming you consider to be comfortable.

Personally, I'll be determining my next GPU based off of the spreadsheet I made for a forum post on here. Efficiency is of big importance to me. That said, the 480 and 580 are pretty inefficient and the 6950 2GB is the single most efficient card on the market. Since you're using to the 4870x2 that may not have any bearing on your judgement.

Forum: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2150762
Spreadsheet: https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aom9AHEzDd75dE9KdVpvR2pfUmVRdkhfdnhoTVpTSUE&hl=en#gid=0

 

[Morg.]

Let's be fair : you don't seem to want the better card but the better nVidia card
No kidding, if you're looking for best card for your money, you have to pick AMD everytime (look @ reviews, for the same price point, AMD wins every time).
Imho, looking at the price point you're thinking of, I think it's the 6970 you'd pick.

Also, don't buy a 480 it's a failed 580 . Lots of power for no real results, older card, blah blah blah.

 

[Will Robinson]

The shader unlock for the 6950 2GB has a very good success rate and, as mentioned above,is the GPU de jour right now.
GTX480 is loud,power hungry and a space heater...just say no to that pig.:thumbsdown:

 

[Madcatatlas]

Let's be fair : you don't seem to want the better card but the better nVidia card
No kidding, if you're looking for best card for your money, you have to pick AMD everytime (look @ reviews, for the same price point, AMD wins every time).
Imho, looking at the price point you're thinking of, I think it's the 6970 you'd pick.

Also, don't buy a 480 it's a failed 580 . Lots of power for no real results, older card, blah blah blah.

Really... this is some b**lsh*t.

the linked 480 costs less than any of the latest cards while apparantly being able to match a 580. How is that a failed card?
Thats a good card for the money in my book.

 

[notty22]

Nvmind:

 

[darckhart]

agree with madcatatlas. for the price, that 480 is sweet.

@OP: u didn't mention what res and what games, but since i came from 4870x2 a while ago, i'll assume you needed the power for something similar. i went to 5850 first. then found i needed another 5850. ran those CF at 950/1200, sooo essentially like 5870CF. so if u go ati, u probly want something at least as powerful as that from the 6 series.

now i've ended up with 580SLI, but since none of the properly coded games recently are very taxing on a single monitor even with high eyecandy, u could probably get away with a single 580 performance or a step down if u wanted to go the nv route.

 

[koolman007]

thx for all your feedback guys, i just ordered the SOC 480 today which will be arriving tomorow
cheers

 

[3DVagabond]

thx for all your feedback guys, i just ordered the SOC 480 today which will be arriving tomorow
cheers

Curious what made you choose the 480?

 

[pandemonium]

Really... this is some b**lsh*t.

the linked 480 costs less than any of the latest cards while apparantly being able to match a 580. How is that a failed card?
Thats a good card for the money in my book.

It's a failed card due to overall performance comparisons of cards in the same price range. Read above and check out my spreadsheet I posted.

The HD6950 2GB runs similar frame rates for about $70USD less the initial cost, much less power consumption and much less heat generated. But hey, they're just numbers. :sneaky:

 

[Squirtmonster]

Your speadsheets have nothing to do with the OP's recommendation. He lives in another country where the gtx480 cost alot less then other cards in the same performance range. He is also buying a gtx480 SOC with a excellent aftermarket very quiet cooler, and factory overclocked to almost gtx580 speeds, for much less money. Check the OP's links and compare.

 

[Arkadrel]

as a owner of 4870x2 i am kinda immune to heat and noise
i have seen the benchmarks for that SOC 480 and its on par with 580 in most benchmarks...
if i get that card hopefully i wont have to upgrade for another year or so..what do u think ?

I think that if you plan on upgradeing within a year even if you get a 480 now, that you should just wait it out. If your not haveing issues gameing with your 4870x2.

Once 40nm->28nm comes, you ll see huge leaps in performance.
Basically todays topend, will probably end up tomorrows midrange, with 28nm cards.

And be cheaper, more power efficient.

 

[pandemonium]

Your speadsheets have nothing to do with the OP's recommendation. He lives in another country where the gtx480 cost alot less then other cards in the same performance range. He is also buying a gtx480 SOC with a excellent aftermarket very quiet cooler, and factory overclocked to almost gtx580 speeds, for much less money. Check the OP's links and compare.

I did, actually. If you want to compare apples to oranges, you're going to have to slice it up first. A lot of what you said is simply untrue.


I took the liberty of slicing it up for you here.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-079-GI
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...56&subcat=1752

GTX480SOC review
HD69502GB review