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Would this 4870 be bottlenecked?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Would this 4870 be bottlenecked?

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ChipsHardy   10-09-2008 at 11:09:05 AM

I'm currently running an X2 4200+ at 2.51 ghz, and wondering if such a CPU would bottleneck a 4870? From what i've seen, most games don't even max out the CPU, while my X1800XT struggles greatly. I am thinking along the lines of getting the 4870 now, and a few months from now upgrading the rest of the system when i'm in the US.

Thanks in advance.

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johnyeah   10-09-2008 at 11:23:00 AM
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The HD4870 will be bottlenecked by the CPU.

However, you'll still get a lot out of the 4870 over an X1800XT with your setup. Which makes it still a great choice if you plan to just upgrade the GPU.

------------------------------ "If you don't plan on listening, why ask?"
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outlw6669   10-09-2008 at 11:25:13 AM
- 0 +

Yes, it will be bottlenecked.
You will still have much better performance with it than you do with your 1800XT.

------------------------------ If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce today would cost $100, get a million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
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johnyeah   10-09-2008 at 11:25:42 AM
- 0 +

Forgot to ask, what resolution do you game at?

http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2033.html
Go ahead and read that. It gives you a price range plus the resolutions the cards are good for.

------------------------------ "If you don't plan on listening, why ask?"
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yonef   10-09-2008 at 11:56:00 AM
- 0 +

Yes, It will bottleneck 4870 :(
Mine is clocked at 3.2 Ghz and still bottlenecks my 4870, espatially on crysis warhead(this game is huge cpu demanded)
BUT, you'll notice GREAT performance boost anyway.
P.S.
I've upgraded my 3870 to 4870 and noticed 50-60% performance boost, with better cpu it have to be more than 90% but I admit that cpu is bottlenecking my 4870. Can't wait for phenom 45mn release :bounce:

------------------------------ AMD Phenom II 940 OC @ 3.6 Ghz, 1.43V(cooled by Zalman CNPS9700-NT)
Gigabyte MA790X-UD4 (SB750); Corsair 2x2GB 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15 HDD Samsung SpinPoint F1 1TB; HDD Seagate Baracuda 7200.10 250GB;
LG DVD-RW; ATI Radeon HD 4870 @ 850/4200 Mhz; 22"LCD;
 Reply to yonef
metalweenis   10-09-2008 at 04:42:33 PM
- 0 +

That's right, huge bottleneck. I had a 3800+ x2 and a HD3850 and the performance was decent but after upgrading to a Q6600 it was HUGE!!!

Reply to metalweenis
kimfromabove1985   10-09-2008 at 06:05:20 PM
- 0 +

Well if this helps you:

Old Setup:
E2160 1.8Ghz Dual core
HD4870 512MB

Played Crysis on medium with no AA averaged about 25-30FPS, 1440x900


New Setup:
E8500 3.16Ghz Core Duo
HD4870 512MB

Much better, Playing Crysis on High with 4x AA about 25-30FPS, 1440x900

Crysis is definately CPU dependant, in fact its the only game have really gotten a kick out of the new CPU. Only tried COD4 and that seems to run the same :-S.

Im really keen to test out Far Cry2 and Fallout 3

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invisik   10-09-2008 at 06:46:14 PM
- 0 +

it will be a slight bottleneck but dont worry.

------------------------------ intel core 2 quad q6600 @3.2ghz msi p6n diamond (X-FI Extreme sound) 6gig of OCZ+CoRSAIR oc 900mhz Nvidia gtx 260 sli @ 730/1465/1250
Lite-On Blue-ray Western Digital 7200rpm 500gb Antec 500 Earthwatt Window vista 64-bit
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zodiacfml   10-09-2008 at 06:50:17 PM
- 0 +

nice benchmark kim, same speed with my cpu. that will be my performance when i get an HD4870.
to Chipshardy, the only reason to buy an HD 4870 is to play crysis.
with other games, 4850 is very good while 9800 GT / 8800 GT is good.


Message edited by zodiacfml on 10-09-2008 at 06:55:05 PM
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ChipsHardy   10-09-2008 at 06:55:14 PM
- 0 +

Well I am thinking that perhaps a 4870 will be better for future games, even at that resolution...

Irregardless, thanks for the input gents. I think i'll just wait until I get the whole system, as depending on how long that takes, new cards may be out!

Reply to ChipsHardy
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