Want to upgrade my 4870... Best bang for buck?

[fuzzybabybunny]

With games like The Witcher 2, DNF, and Skyrim coming out, I'm excited about pc gaming again. I'd like to upgrade from my 4870 and don't know what to get for best bang for the buck. I'll just be gaming on a single 24" 1920x1200 monitor.

 

[bart1975]

Look into a 6850 around $170 or a 6870 around $200

 

[toyota]

you need to list ALL your specs in detail.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

I went from a 4870 to 6850.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I'd say keep an eye out for a low-priced (~$225AR) reference 6950 2GB and unlock it.
Either that or a 6950 1GB in a pinch.

 

[Dadofamunky]

If sticking with AMD, which I recommend since you're already on that platform and a card swap would bring you immediate benefits (I'm assuming you have the current driver set), the 6950 is a winner.

 

[vshin]

6950 2GB is the card you want. Seeing how you kept the 4870 this long, I assume you won't upgrade frequently so you may be better off with the extra ram for future-proofing.

 

[nanaki333]

i just bought a sapphire 5850 for $129 on newegg. best bang for the buck!

 

[RussianSensation]

Open box PowerColor 6950 1GB with non-reference cooling for $180.

Galaxy GTX560 Ti with non-reference cooling for $200 (after rebate + shipping).

This Galaxy card is a great overclocker: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/02/01/galaxy_geforce_gtx_560_ti_gc_overclocking_review

The performance benefit starts to decrease fast after these 2 cards. There is a Sapphire HD6950 2GB that can be unlocked into a 6970 for $255 after $20 MIR on Newegg.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Thanks guys. I went and got an XFX 6870 for $170 AR. I'm sure I'll be fine with it. 6950 is more than I'd like to spend.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Thanks guys. I went and got an XFX 6870 for $170 AR. I'm sure I'll be fine with it. 6950 is more than I'd like to spend.

Should work fine, I went with the 6850 since it OC's well. I got mine before the price hikes and even got 10% off after I already had it.

 

[toyota]

well my post asking for specs was ignored but hopefully the rest of the pc is decent.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

well my post asking for specs was ignored but hopefully the rest of the pc is decent.

I doubt its older than mine.

 

[Dark Shroud]

Still people should post their specs when asking for video card recommendations.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Still people should post their specs when asking for video card recommendations.

I don't disagree with you.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I've got an old Intel Q6600, 4GB DDR3, don't remember the motherboard, 500GB 7200RPM drive.

 

[toyota]

I've got an old Intel Q6600, 4GB DDR3, don't remember the motherboard, 500GB 7200RPM drive.

thats pretty good then but I would oc that Q6600 to get the best use out of a 6870.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

thats pretty good then but I would oc that Q6600 to get the best use out of a 6870.

My Q6600 is so old it gets pretty unstable when overclocked now, heh.

 

[toyota]

My Q6600 is so old it gets pretty unstable when overclocked now, heh.

did you already order or get the 6870? if not then I would get a 6850 since you will never see a playable difference anyway on a stock Q6600.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

did you already order or get the 6870? if not then I would get a 6850 since you will never see a playable difference anyway on a stock Q6600.

Yup, ordered it already. I'm not worried about it. Eventually I'll upgrade the proc, just not now cuz I don't care.

 

[toyota]

Yup, ordered it already. I'm not worried about it. Eventually I'll upgrade the proc, just not now cuz I don't care.

yeah not a real big deal since the 6870 is not overly expensive. enjoy the card.

 

[RussianSensation]

Did you crank enough voltage into the Q6600? You should try at least 1.35V and make sure you have disabled CPU spread spectrum, set PCIe to 100 (fixed), set the lower Ram:cpu ratio (1:1 which is often 2.0 on some motherboards), increased MCH and FSB voltage by +0.1 as well, and disabled all power savings settings (C1-C3 states, EIST, etc.). A lot of these "missing" steps may hinder your overclocking ability.

 

[Arkadrel]

newegg has a ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU for ~155$ after Mail in Rebates.

That seems pretty decent.
Crank up the clocks and its around ~560 ti speeds / 5870 speeds.

 

[RussianSensation]

newegg has a ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU for ~155$ after Mail in Rebates.

That seems pretty decent.
Crank up the clocks and its around ~560 ti speeds / 5870 speeds.

XFX HD5850 for $140, although I am pretty sure that one doesn't have voltage control.