Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Am I really need to upgrade to HD4870 x2 ?

Am I really need to upgrade to HD4870 x2 ?

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Am I really need to upgrade to HD4870 x2 ?

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druglee   11-05-2008 at 08:18:44 PM

E6420
MSI P965 NEO
4GB DDR2 800
EVGA 8800GTS 320MB
WD 74GB 10000
two WD 320GB 7200
PSU: total=450W, Max output=575W

I like to play games in high quality settings, so I decide to spend 550 to upgrade to a Sapphire HD4870x2 2GB.
Is this would help a lot on my game FPS? Or do I need to change a PSU with the new card? I only have about 550 to spend with.

Thanks!

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peppy197   11-05-2008 at 08:33:48 PM
- 0 +

nope
psu not good enough
but if you have $550 to spend, you can upgrade it (1000w) for less than 200


Message edited by peppy197 on 11-05-2008 at 08:35:33 PM
Reply to peppy197
sciggy   11-05-2008 at 08:34:39 PM
- 0 +

A few problems:

First, your CPU wont be fast enough to really push a 4870x2 and not bottleneck it.

Second, your PSU definitely is not powerful enough to run that card (minimum 650watt required unless you have a top tier PSU like a PCP&C or corsair)

Third, what games do you like to play and at what resolutions? You say high quality but don't specify a resolution.


It sounds to me like a single 4870 would do the job just fine if you are gaming at 1600 or less resolution. Only if you are running 1900x1200 do you need the 4870x2 and then you will need a good power supply to go with it. This would go past your budget so in the end, no I don't think you need it.

Reply to sciggy
emp   11-05-2008 at 08:38:33 PM
- 1 +

If you're running at 1680x1050 or even 1920x1200, it might be in your best interest to keep an eye on the coming weeks for the HD 4850 X2.

------------------------------ Anxiously awaiting the Hydra 100 and the Hydra Engine...
www.lucidlogix.com
 Reply to emp
geofelt   11-05-2008 at 08:44:49 PM
- 0 +

A 4850 is probably the best that your PSU can handle. It would be a decent jump over the 8800GTS320.

A 4870/GTX260/9800GX2 would be about as good a card as you could expect your CPU to manage. Those cards probably need a stronger PSU.

Exactly what brand/model is the PSU? Quality matters.

Reply to geofelt
aevm   11-05-2008 at 08:53:48 PM
- 0 +

Get a Corsair 650TX for $72 here:
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-650w-tx-series-80-plus-certified-power-supply-corsair-tx-cmpsu/q/loc/101/206178324.html
It can handle your system with a HD 4870 X2.

 

Overclock that E6420 a bit too if you want.


Message edited by aevm on 11-05-2008 at 08:54:53 PM
Reply to aevm
The_Blood_Raven   11-05-2008 at 09:40:43 PM
- 0 +

When I still had my E6750 I had it at 3.2 GHz for awhile and it performed fine. At 1920x1200 resolution I have never seen a difference between the E6750 @ 3.2 and it @ 3.6 or my E8600 @ 4.3. If you can push that E6420 to 3.2 you will be fine, but that is pushing it. You WILL need a better PSU, the one aevm linked should be ok, but I would look for a Corsair or PC Power and Cooling 750w to be safe with the overclock.

Reply to The_Blood_Raven
druglee   11-05-2008 at 09:41:00 PM
- 0 +

Thanks for all your helpful replies!
Basically, I have a DELL 24" LCD, and I like to set the res to 1900x1200.
I try to buy a new video card for Crysis, Dead Space, Far Cry 2, Brother In Arms, and the recent release games.

After seeing the great advice, I decide to buy a new PSU and SAPPHIRE HD4870 x2

COOLMAX CU-700B 700W ATX 12V V2.2/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply-NEWEGG only $65

Are they compatible now?

Thank you!

Reply to druglee
The_Blood_Raven   11-05-2008 at 09:42:24 PM
- 0 +

The CoolMax 700w power supply is absolute trash, take it back and atleast get the Corsair 650TX.

Reply to The_Blood_Raven
aevm   11-05-2008 at 09:53:48 PM
- 2 +

+1 to that. Just say no to CoolMax :) OK, it's not that bad, but still your expensive video card deserves a reliable PSU. The 750TX is $100 at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=750tx

 

You could also get the GameXstream 700W for only $60 after rebate. I believe the Sapphire HD 4870 X2 comes with an adapter from 2 Molex to a PCI-E 8. If not, you'd have to buy one with that PSU/card combination.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341002

 

Edit: btw, the 650TX 650W has 52A combined, while the GameXstream 700W has only 50A. Silly, isn't it. Go with the Corsair 750TX if possible.


Message edited by aevm on 11-05-2008 at 09:57:07 PM
Reply to aevm
druglee   11-05-2008 at 10:02:11 PM
- 0 +

Thank you aevm and The_Blood_Raven for the advices.

I am going to spend 100 more to get the 750TX right away.

One more thing, is Sapphire good on ATI cards? I see ASUS more expensive than that. Is the price describe the good or bad on performance? Am I able to use the top settings in 1900x1200 for all the recent games? like Crysis?

Thanks for the helps!

Reply to druglee
thogrom   11-05-2008 at 10:18:25 PM
- 0 +

uh dude get a 4870... i can run ALL of those games max at great frames at 1920 by 1200...

4870 x2 is only needed at 2560 by 1600... and future "proofing"

i might add i have the 512 one and not the 1 gig one as well

don't pay 100 for expedited shipping... do you have money to waste or what? so what if its another 3 days you have to deal with a "crappy" system...

Sapphire is fine... all 4870s so far (except 1 gig) are the same board... with a different manufacturer sticker glued on... and of course different goodies... like a free game or what not

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to thogrom
druglee   11-05-2008 at 10:23:28 PM
- 0 +

Appreciated for the helps!

Reply to druglee
The_Blood_Raven   11-05-2008 at 10:44:43 PM
- 1 +

thogrom wrote :

uh dude get a 4870... i can run ALL of those games max at great frames at 1920 by 1200...

4870 x2 is only needed at 2560 by 1600... and future "proofing"

i might add i have the 512 one and not the 1 gig one as well

don't pay 100 for expedited shipping... do you have money to waste or what? so what if its another 3 days you have to deal with a "crappy" system...

Sapphire is fine... all 4870s so far (except 1 gig) are the same board... with a different manufacturer sticker glued on... and of course different goodies... like a free game or what not



Not true, even my 4870 X2 lags at times. I would say that something in between the 4870 and the 4870 X2 for a decent price would be best. The 4850 X2 will be about perfect in my opinion once the price stabilizes.

Reply to The_Blood_Raven
thogrom   11-05-2008 at 10:52:13 PM
- 0 +

I concede... i cannot play crysis max w/ AA... or far cry 2 wit AA ...

but close enough :D

Reply to thogrom
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