Upgrading from 4870 to ???

[Brutus04]

Anyone run a newer video card with a later model Quad cpu? Getting the bug and my cpu seems to keep up but my video card is a couple generations behind. Was looking at the 6850's and wanted to get some feedback. Do not want to spend over $200. Thanks & Merry Christmas!

r/ Brutus

 

[Shadow187]

If you want absolute performance go after an HD5850;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-386-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-370-_-Product

Otherwise an HD6850 is perfectly fine for an upgrade.

 

[MentalIlness]

Do you prefer reference cooling ?

 

[RavenSEAL]

Anyone run a newer video card with a later model Quad cpu? Getting the bug and my cpu seems to keep up but my video card is a couple generations behind. Was looking at the 6850's and wanted to get some feedback. Do not want to spend over $200. Thanks & Merry Christmas!

r/ Brutus

HD 6850 is a great upgrade over the 4870, I say this from experience

 

[Brutus04]

Do you prefer reference cooling ?[/QUOTE

If the card performs with it then it's fine; additional cooling is an added expense and I usually do not push too hard on the video.

 

[Brutus04]

HD 6850 is a great upgrade over the 4870, I say this from experience

Thanks RavenSEAL! appreciate the feedback.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Dont get any of the 6850's if you go that way that are over the MSRP of $179.

 

[Termie]

If you want absolute performance go after an HD5850;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-386-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-370-_-Product

Otherwise an HD6850 is perfectly fine for an upgrade.

Agreed. HD5850 is about 10% faster than HD6850 for the same price, and should give you 50-60% better performance than your 4870 512MB.

 

[toyota]

HD 6850 is a great upgrade over the 4870, I say this from experience

IMO no it isnt unless you get it for pretty cheap. its only about a 35-40% upgrade in performance. if he is at 1920 then it will be worth it though since 512mb is already a limitation too.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Dont get any of the 6850's if you go that way that are over the MSRP of $179.

I got mine for $155 lol.

 

[Termie]

I got mine for $155 lol.

Lowest now is $170 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=.

Probably doesn't make sense to go with these over the HD5850.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Lowest now is $170 after rebate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=.

Probably doesn't make sense to go with these over the HD5850.

PowerColor is a bad brand, that is all i have to say, HD5850s go for $200+ before MIR from a decent manufacturer.

 

[Brutus04]

IMO no it isnt unless you get it for pretty cheap. its only about a 35-40% upgrade in performance. if he is at 1920 then it will be worth it though since 512mb is already a limitation too.

Currently at 1680x1050; max resolution for the Dell 2209WA

 

[toyota]

Currently at 1680x1050; max resolution for the Dell 2209WA

well its up to you if you think its worth it. I would maybe wait on the gtx560 that should be out in a few weeks before making a decision.

 

[Brutus04]

Thanks Toyota...might do that. Have a Merry Christmas!

 

[MentalIlness]

PowerColor is a bad brand, that is all i have to say, HD5850s go for $200+ before MIR from a decent manufacturer.

I have had Powercolor cards in my day, and I absolutely agree. Don't go with Powercolor.

XFX/Gigabyte/ASUS would be my choice.

 

[MentalIlness]

Chances are, the 560 will not be $200 or less. Your better off to purchase a new card now. I'd say the 560 is going to be between $250/$300. Probably like $279.

 

[Brutus04]

Thanks Mental...concur w/your thoughts on Powercolor as well.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I'd say go with the HD 6850 and OC it, my sapphire version does 900 core/1100 memory easily on stock voltage, can go even higher according to some other benchmarks and folks here.

Even @ 1080p, gameplay is extremely smooth for me.

 

[Brutus04]

The 6970's are around $350-400 @ the egg....

 

[RavenSEAL]

The 6970's are around $350-400 @ the egg....

You don't need a 6970 at that resolution...

 

[dualsmp]

Check where your 4870 is on the hierarchy chart then move up 3 tiers. 5850 would only be two tiers but can be had for under $200. Not sure if the deals on the 5870 have dried up which were going for around $220 I think (probably gone now).

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-recommendation-upgrade,2803-7.html

 

[Powermoloch]

5850
6850 or 460 1 Gb GTX

 

[Rifter]

I would go for a GTX 460, can find them for under $120 after rebate. Going to be hard to beat for that price.

hell for $93 you can get a 768mb GTX460 and for 16x10 res it would be fine, you are not going to beat that for the price.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2129547&page=1

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

I got a real good deal goin on with my 5870