Video card Upgrade

jfreggie

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Jun 4, 2007
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So I currently have a 4670 in my desktop but I just got a new 24" monitor (VW246H). I generally like to game at high resolutions. Mostly playing CS:S and Prototype. I would like to upgrade my video card to take advantage of the higher resolutions.. just curious as to what I should get. I would like to keep the price under $200. Would it be to my advantage to upgrade my video card or stick with what I have.

Current specs:
Q9550 (OC 3.8)
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L
8 Gigs OCZ 1066

Thanks Everyone!
 
If you upgrade, make it a big enough jump or you will be disappointed. For <$200 you can get a 4870/4890, and you should be well pleased. Make certain that your psu has two 6-pin pci-e connectors, and is a decent quality 500watt unit.
 

Hard Line

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Apr 15, 2008
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I believe a 4870 would about double frames in just about any game.. ie: L4D goes from 47 to 72 FPS Fallout 3 goes from 35 to 51. just giving a couple examples based on the gaming graphics card charts here on toms... i have not seen card benches for prototype yet as i don't have it..lol ( on my get list) if anyone else has any input or finds a mistake in my conclusion, lease feel free to point that out thx

*edit make sure your PSU can handle the card though
 

brett1042002

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Jun 17, 2009
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I upgraded from a 4850 512mb card to a 4890 1gb card when I got my 24" Asus monitor. I game at 1920*1080 perfectly. No complaints. I paid about $200 for my 4890 too.
 

carickw

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Jul 31, 2009
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Sure, send the link to the pictures... if you read the specs it states 6 pin / 8 pin ....
Newegg has the wrong pictures sometimes, but i have never heard of them having the wrong specs. It may not be that card, but I have read countless reviews which say MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A 6 and 8 PIN, but if you want to take the chance, then have to return it, that is your decision :p.
 


Sorry, I was lazy.
Here is the link to ATI and their requirements for the 4890:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-4000/hd-4890/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-4890-system-requirements.aspx

It says you need two 6 pin pcie power connectors. They should know.
 

beehew

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Jun 10, 2009
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My 4890 has 2 6 pin. On newegg, of the ~22 4890's they sell, only 4 have 6/8 connectors: XFX and Sapphire brands.