Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Video card Upgrade

Video card Upgrade

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Video card Upgrade

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
jfreggie   08-06-2009 at 09:32:01 PM

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!

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
geofelt   08-06-2009 at 09:44:25 PM
- 0 +

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.

Reply to geofelt
jtt283   08-06-2009 at 09:45:53 PM
- 0 +

If you have a quality 500W PSU, get a 4870 for that resolution.

Reply to jtt283
Hard Line   08-06-2009 at 09:50:17 PM
- 0 +

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


Message edited by Hard Line on 08-06-2009 at 09:50:55 PM
Reply to Hard Line
carickw   08-06-2009 at 10:05:36 PM
- 0 +

4890s take a 6 and 8pin power, but you can get one for $200.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to carickw
geofelt   08-06-2009 at 10:19:53 PM
- 0 +

carickw wrote :

4890s take a 6 and 8pin power, but you can get one for $200.


I believe they only need two 6 pin connectors:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Show [...] -%20Retail

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to geofelt
brett1042002   08-06-2009 at 10:24:02 PM
- 0 +

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.

Reply to brett1042002
carickw   08-06-2009 at 11:50:24 PM
- 0 +

geofelt wrote :

I believe they only need two 6 pin connectors:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Show [...] -%20Retail



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.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to carickw
geofelt   08-07-2009 at 12:46:50 AM
- 0 +

carickw wrote :

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/des [...] ments.aspx

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

Reply to geofelt
beehew   08-07-2009 at 01:42:56 AM
- 0 +

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.

Reply to beehew
carickw   08-07-2009 at 05:55:41 AM
- 0 +

kk, just looked at the highest rated one. my b. just make sure you have what the card you get requires

Reply to carickw
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Video card Upgrade
Go to:

There are 1378 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.663 seconds
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?