What GPU for my rig? / Usage

html33

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Alright guys, Now for the common question that i'm sure you're all fed up of hearing.

My rig is;

Case : Antec 900
CPU : Q6600 clocked @ 3.6
Mobo : Asus P5k Premium Wifi [CrossFire]
Ram : PC8500 Crucial Balstics
PSU : Hiper Type R II | HPU-5K680 [http://www.hipergroup.com/products.php?lv=4&cate=1&type=25&pid=25&action=Specification]
Current GPU 8800GT BFG 0C2

I have 4 hdds soon to be 5
1 cd drive
1 card reader
1 floppy drive
2 lights inside etc..


Most is kinda of the point, but you can get an idea of what my power usage is like!


I'm going to sell my beloved 8800GT. And i am planning to upgrade.


Do i go for a Ati 4870? Or an 9800GTX+?


I am willing to go Crossfire on my mobo, Although i think my psu might die then . Lol.

2 x PCIe x16 (blue @ x16 mode, black @ x4 or x1 mode) supports CrossFire Technology

That is from the Asus site on my mobo, and assuming with my knowdalge does that mean if i go crossfire than one lane will be at 4X = low bandwidth for second card?

If that's true. That's kinda gay.

HALP PLOX.
 

html33

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EDIT: I have this thing were i LOVE to have games on full settings, even if it doesent improve much.
 

L1qu1d

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umm your best bet since its crossfire, is any of the 4 series. The 4870 X2 would be in your favor or if you want cheaper the 4870 :) or even cheaper 4850 which you should see an improvement from the 8800 GT with any of the above cards.

I mean You could go nvidia but it would be a waste for future proofing since it is a CrossX mobo .
 

html33

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4870 X2 = Cross fire right?

Wouldent that be limted due to having a lane running at 4X?

Also, if it was your build what would you do?

Can my psu hack it too? :(
 

L1qu1d

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I think your PSU should be okay...but I'm not that great with the 4870 X2 when it comes to consumption.

Actually I've seen benchies where 1 9800 GX2 best 2 9800 GTX in a couple of benchies, even though its downclocked.

Really it depends on the game. And even if it were limited, it would still be better results that just 1 4870 or 280 GTX or any other card, even the GX2:D
 

html33

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Alright cheers! I think i might sell my 8800GT [Maybe?] And get a 4870 which will give a better performance than the GT and then get saving for another.

Shame it would be limetd.

School is so crap, You get no income god dammn!
 

nishiki

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4870 X2 = Cross fire right?

No 4870 X2 is a card with 2 gpu on the same videocard...meaning it use only one pci express slot like the 9800 GX2 L1qu1d speak about in the above post.
 

L1qu1d

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Actually the 4870 X2 and GX2 are different. THe 4870 X2 and 3870 X2 are dual GPU that are onboard, so no its not Crossfire, even though it works Exactly like Crossfire.

While the GX2 is actually SLI since its 2 pcbs held together by a Bridge, atleast from what I saw :)
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
There is a bridge on the 4870x2, but its internal as opposed to the external bridge on the 9800GX2. Either card however plugs into the single slot, so you'd be using PCIe 16x. The 4x slot won't even get used.

I'm not a fan of Hiper. In my opinion, their stuff is one step above junk. I *think* their RII is a step above their normal junk, but I can't remember right now how good it is. If you had a 650-750W Corsair, PCP&C or Seasonic, I'd tell you not to worry. Take a look at any stickies in the forums for info on Hiper.

As for what card to get, I can't say. What resolution are we talking about, what games do you play, and what budget are we dealing with? Only then could I answer your question.
 
You now have a very capable vga card in the 8800GT. In order to see a meaningful difference, you should skip a couple of levels in capability. That will put you in the category of the fastest single cards out there today.
As I see it, the candidates are:
4870X2 $550
GTX280 $400
9800GX2 $285
GTX260 $250
4870 $250
Your PSU should be fine with any of them. They all fit in a single pci-e slot and need only a pair of pci-e connectors.

Your gaming experience is also dependent on which games, and the resolution you play at. Review the following charts to see where you are now in the spectrum of things, and where you might want to be.
http://www.guru3d.com/index.php?page=vga_charts
Don't get caught up in the differences between games, unless you play one game exclusively.

Also, as I read it, you can put two vga cards in your mobo at pcie-X16 , and the third slot is X4 for something else. For crossfire, they need to be ATI cards, not Nvidia.

If the power of the single cards is not enough, then you will have to go to multiple cards and the attendant increase in cost and complexity.
 

html33

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I run a 22Inch screen with the res of 1280X1650
I play many games, Mainly COD,grid etc but im the type of person that wants to upgrade all the time :) I cannot go without a game not being on high graphics. I guess that's what you get for being 15 haha :D

I personaly thought the Hiper was a very good PSU, I've many friends who have it and it runs there rig fine

Look at these, they're pretty good too

http://www.pro-clockers.com/reviews/?id=48&page=4
http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=103&Itemid=1&limit=1&limitstart=1


I dont really need to post any more, chances are you wont even look. But it's half decent.
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
As I said, the RII is a bit above their normal stuff.

but im the type of person that wants to upgrade all the time :) I cannot go without a game not being on high graphics. I guess that's what you get for being 15 haha

You might be the type of person who WANTS to upgrade all the time, but unless mommy and daddy are willing to foot the bill for all these upgrades, you might be limited with how much/how often you can. (no offense intended.) 1680x1050 is a pretty low resolution however, so you don't need a big video card. If you are looking for a new toy, try the 4870. Should be more then enough for 1680x1050.

If you want to know why I think of Hiper the way I do, read this.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=85

Again, there is a difference between the Type M and Type R/RII.
 

html33

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Dont worry, I pay the bils ;), I persoanly thought 1680X1050 is a big res. It's agood screen size. Or atleast for me. You say i dont need a big video card alhough i cant play grid on full setting for example. i lag out with about 15frames.

And that link you posted is NOT my psu that i have.

http://www.hipergroup.com/products.php?lv=4&cate=1&type=25&pid=25&action=Picture

Look at te image, you can tell that the psu looks are diffrernt, and the boxing etc is not the same.

Also, Would the 4870 be much of an improvment over my GT?
 

html33

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Sorry, I over looked that totaly. Although, I've got to disagree i dont think you can call hiper bad from one review which is on another review which is a lower version. I personaly find my psu to be a star! I know theres better but at the time i had no choice, Otherwise i would have gone for a Corsiar or the Antec.

You say 4870 should be enough on that res, well i should hop so because my 8800GT can play *MOST* current games on near to max settings.

But, Will it give me alot more?