Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

Replacing dead GPU on an older rig

Tags:
  • Blue Screen
  • GPUs
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
February 10, 2014 7:53:47 AM

So I built my machine 5 years ago and still hope to keep it for a couple more. But my GPU looks like it died (multiple BSOD when playing games, finally on bootup artifacts all across the screen even on the bios boot screen).

But I'm not looking for anything high-end. My current radeon 4870 served my needs with Skyrim quite well, so I don't really need anything fancy (and I know that was an old card). I built the rig myself but for whatever reason gpu comparisons are always in another language for me. So here's my system specs:

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sooner the better
BUDGET RANGE: sub $100 ideally

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Skyrim, Hulu/Netflix, WoW

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY
: SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 and CORSAIR Enthusiast Series CMPSU-850TX 850W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
MB: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775
Ram: 2 x G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: Replacing a Radeon card, but not beholden to Radeon line

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE:No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 - Dual monitors


Thank you for your feedback and suggestions!

More about : replacing dead gpu older rig

Related resources
February 10, 2014 6:56:46 PM

For another $20 the GTX 650 is a tad faster in terms of raw horsepower, and has better support in many games: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If your 4870 is toast, you could try toasting it (google GPU solder reflow). It's worked for me in the past, though I can't say I recommend it.
m
0
l
February 10, 2014 7:16:19 PM

BlacKHawK3 said:
For another $20 the GTX 650 is a tad faster in terms of raw horsepower, and has better support in many games: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If your 4870 is toast, you could try toasting it (google GPU solder reflow). It's worked for me in the past, though I can't say I recommend it.


Blackhawk, thanks but right now cost is a priority and so if I'm already getting a better card than what I had that ran everything I needed satisfactorily, I'll stick with the radeon. If I ever build a computer again I'll probably look at switching away from radeon cards.
m
0
l

Best solution

February 10, 2014 7:20:44 PM

You will be happy with the 7770 then; just putting some more options on the table.

Here's a compare of the 7770 and 4870: 7770 wins hands down

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/513?vs=536
Share
!