Graphics cards

[FuDgE]

Hi
I would like to update my graphics card. i have a nvidia 512MB 9600 gt. i am not to sure which card i should update to. i have heard about the ATI 4850-70 but i am not to sure. please help.

Thank You

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Here http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-geforce-price,2323-6.html we see a chart or hierarchy of gpu performance. In his explanation of the chart, its top performer on down, and he recommends at least a 3 tier jump for an upgrade, to truly see a perfomance difference, all of which I totally agree. On the chart, the 4850 is 3 tiers up, while the 4870 is 4 tiers. Alot depends on how much of an upgrade youll want to see, and your rigs configuration: resolution/cpu/psu mainly
The pricing on the ATI cards have been reduced dramatically lately, so, if I was in your situation, Id go big provided my cpu can handle/truly show the difference, my psu can handle the card, and my resolution warrants it, or also be willing to change a few other things on my rig as needed, whether it be a oc to my cpu, a more powerful psu, and what size my monitor was

 

[FuDgE]

wow thank you. are you able to tell me the system requierments for the HD 4850?

 

[FuDgE]

umm i got a quad core Q6600 2.4 Ghz 3 gig ddr2

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Cpus fine. Psu?. The 4850 will require a psu that runs 19-20 amps per 12 volt rail, or 30 total amps for the entire 12 volt rail, and uses approx 110watts

 

[Onus]

Jaydeejohn's first post about the heirarchy chart and its use was great; use that. If there's a particular game that isn't running too well for you, perhaps there are benchmarks of that game on various cards that would suggest how high you want or need to go.
A quality 450W PSU is enough for a 4850; an Earthwatts 430 could do it.