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Upgrading from HD 4850 with older computer parts

Tags:
  • Power Supplies
  • upgrade
  • HD 4850
  • New Video Card
  • Graphics
  • Graphics Cards
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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November 8, 2013 6:54:04 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: This weekend
BUDGET RANGE: USD $150-200 after rebates

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming [Call of Duty Ghosts], running programs like filemaker, watching movies

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: ATI Radeon HD 4850 and Corsair 750TX 750W PSU Rosewill RP550-2)

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
CPU: Inetl Core 2 Quad Q6600@2.4GHz
MoBo: Gigabyte Technology P35-DS3L
Memory: 3 - 2GB DDR2, GSkill Dual Channel, PN: F2-6400CL5-2GBPQ

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Microcenter, Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Only used ATI in the past, but am open to any

OVERCLOCKING: Never done it, a little nervous
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Don't have that much cash, current MoBo wouldn't support it

MONITOR RESOLUTION: two monitors: 1920x1080 & 1680-1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Must run Call of Duty Ghosts. Hoping it will work with the current system specs, but potentially willing to explore other upgrades. Looking for a card that will last me a while that I can upgrade around - Maybe a new MoBo & CPU a couple years from now.

Would cards like these work? Or is there a better card?

Radeon HD 7870
http://www.microcenter.com/product/409682/R7870-2GD5T-O...

or

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
http://www.microcenter.com/product/400675/02G-P4-2662-K...


Thanks!
Ken

More about : upgrading 4850 older computer parts

November 8, 2013 6:57:57 PM

The 7870 will definately run ghosts on highest settings and your psu would work with it.
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a b ) Power supply
a c 501 U Graphics card
November 8, 2013 6:58:58 PM

The 7870 would be a better choice since it's a little more powerful than the 660. Once you begin upgrading your other parts don't forget to include a 2x4GB DDR3 ram kit since that is the optimum amount for gaming nowadays.

The 7870 requires two 6 pin PCI-E connectors as well so make sure the power supply has that (whereas the 660 usually requires one).

Also if possible, overclock that Q6600 a bit.

Bear in mind that CoD Ghosts is a horrible PC port, so it will have random framerate dips here and there no matter how powerful your system is.
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November 8, 2013 7:00:23 PM

duhmentia said:
The 7870 will definately run ghosts on highest settings and your psu would work with it.


I'm sorry, i had the wrong PSU written down. It's actually the Rosewill RP550-2
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November 8, 2013 7:02:33 PM

The 7870 still should be able to run off of an 550w just don't plan on crossfiring with it
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November 8, 2013 7:05:10 PM

rolandzhang3 said:
The 7870 would be a better choice since it's a little more powerful than the 660. Once you begin upgrading your other parts don't forget to include a 2x4GB DDR3 ram kit since that is the optimum amount for gaming nowadays.

The 7870 requires two 6 pin PCI-E connectors as well so make sure the power supply has that (whereas the 660 usually requires one).

Also if possible, overclock that Q6600 a bit.

Bear in mind that CoD Ghosts is a horrible PC port, so it will have random framerate dips here and there no matter how powerful your system is.


Thanks! My current PSU only has one 6-Pin PCI-E connector though. Is there a PSU you would suggest replacing my current one with? Keep in mind I'm looking for something that won't break the bank.
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a b ) Power supply
a c 501 U Graphics card
November 8, 2013 7:05:48 PM

Yea it will, that PSU has enough amperage on the +12v rail to run the 7870, the only problem would be that it only has a single 6 pin PCI-E connector so you'll have to use the dual molex to PCI-E adapter that comes with the card. Just make sure that you connect them to two different molex cables and not the daisy-chained ones.

The 660 only requires one 6 pin connector if you're not willing to replace, otherwise a decent replacement would still cost $50 or more
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November 8, 2013 7:09:11 PM

duhmentia said:
The 7870 still should be able to run off of an 550w just don't plan on crossfiring with it


rolandzhang3 said:
Yea it will, that PSU has enough amperage on the +12v rail to run the 7870, the only problem would be that it only has a single 6 pin PCI-E connector so you'll have to use the dual molex to PCI-E adapter that comes with the card. Just make sure that you connect them to two different molex cables and not the daisy-chained ones.

The 660 only requires one 6 pin connector if you're not willing to replace, otherwise a decent replacement would still cost $50 or more


Awesome!! Thank you so much! I'm going to get the 7870 and use the adapter to help power it. I know this is off topic, but how difficult is it to overclock my CPU - I've never done it before because I didn't want to screw anything up. Do you have a guide you could point me to?
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November 8, 2013 7:23:24 PM

rolandzhang3 said:
Seems like you're probably using the stock cooler which wouldn't be too good for that, though if you're interested, just take a look

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kf_hSIpa0A
http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=27&t=4...
http://alumar.hubpages.com/hub/Get-more-from-your-Quad-...


I just opened up my case to check it out. It's called a freezer pro 7 AC (Fan). Not sure if that was stock or something i bought. Would you overclock with that on? Or would you get another fan/cooling device?
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a b ) Power supply
a c 501 U Graphics card
November 8, 2013 7:25:16 PM

Ah that's an aftermarket cooler, so you could give overclocking a try, download realtemp and monitor your current core temperatures during gaming and other intensive applications before considering overclocking.

If you're not happy with the performance you get with the Q6600+7870, then go ahead and overclock :D 
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