stick with my 4890 or upgrade???

[krypto1300]

Thinking about upgrading the GPU in my system. I've been playing Crysis Warhead, SupCom FA, SupCom2, Bioshock, Dirt, Assassin's Creed, Orange Box games & World in Conflict.

I use a 22" 1680x1050 LCD monitor.

Thinking about getting a 5850, but with my monitor would I be wasting the GPU power? Should I skip this gen and wait for the next? What do you guys think?

 

[mhouck]

are your fps lower than you want? are there games that aren't playable at the settings you want? if not wait...
You might want to wait to see benches on metro 2033, crysis 2 later in the year and others because the card you have currently shouldn't be holding you back in anything but crysis.

 

[nOOky]

I'd upgrade to a bigger monitor first, that card should be plenty for that lower resolution. It will even be perfectly playable at 1920 x 1080.

 

[RussianSensation]

I would wait until faster cards are available or until you get a new monitor/games get more demanding. Other than Crysis, a 4890 will easily handle any of those games at the resolution you noted. 5850 isn't that much faster than 4890 to warrant dropping $300. For that kind of $, I would want the card to at least double the framerates.

Get a $30 aftermarket cooler like Cooler Master 212 Overclock that CPU to 3.9-4.0ghz instead. This is a CPU limited resolution really.

 

[zephyrprime]

Upgrading isn't very worthwhile for you right now. I'd get a bigger monitor like mhouck says. Maybe get another 4890 on a good deal and crossfire it. When the next gen comes out, you may want to reconsider.

 

[JSt0rm]

if you have $300 to spend on your computer you would be better served getting a ssd.

 

[krypto1300]

Thanks for all the responses. You all have been very helpful.

I've decided to spend the money on a new, larger monitor & a better CPU cooler instead of a new GPU.

 

[nenforcer]

Yeah don't buy a new GPU until at least March 26th when nvidia's Fermi is released and you will have a much better idea of what you SHOULD have gotten.

The bigger monitor is more important if you ever want a new GPU or even to watch a Bluray at native resolution!

 

[Patrick Wolf]

New monitor FTW! (yeah it's over $300, but c'mon!)

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_305LN32...30.html?tp=161

 

[bryanW1995]

Yeah don't buy a new GPU until at least March 26th when nvidia's Fermi is released and you will have a much better idea of what you SHOULD have gotten.

The bigger monitor is more important if you ever want a new GPU or even to watch a Bluray at native resolution!

yes, because watching a bluray at native res is so very important on a computer monitor... (/sarcasm)

 

[Patrick Wolf]

yes, because watching a bluray at native res is so very important on a computer monitor... (/sarcasm)

It could be... if your monitor is a mid or large sized HDTV.