Need help on buying a 4870 card

[lee1938]

Just put a 500watt PC POWER/COOLING psu in my Dell XPS 420. Now i need a card. I would like to stay with ATI radeon HD 4870 PCIexp. 1024 (unless there is a better way to go) but i don,t know which manufacture is the most reliable( such as XFX, DIAMOND, asus, the list goes on. would like to stay between $200/&300. Thanks in advance Lee

 

[jyjjy]

I would be looking at an HD5770 instead. It's about $10 more. Not quite as powerful, but it's close and it's much more power efficient and DX11 compatible.
Or, if you want to max out your budget try to find an HD5850. Much better than either of the other two but also close to twice as expensive(used to be $260 but it's now up to $310 and hard to find.)

 

[tuesday0180]

Lee I just got a XFX 4870 for $154.99 for new egg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150436

It comes with free shipping.

Unfortunately I'm currently going to RMA it because it runs way too hot. With my side panel on I idle at over 70 celsius and it has hit 98celsius under load with the stock fan speed! I don't know if it's a defective card or if my case cooling just sucks. But I don't believe cards should ever hit 98 celsius on stock speeds because it makes my whole case run way hot.

Your call though if you want to chance it with the XFX. Seems like others have gotten good temperatures with it.

 

[jedimasterben]

The 4870 1Gb is the best bang for the buck. However I'd suggest getting one that blows hot air out the back.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102825&cm_re=4870-_-14-102-825-_-Product

I was just about to recommend that card!!

That's the model that I have, and it comes HIGHLY recommended. That cooler may look tiny in comparison to some, but it really brings down temps better than most of the big guys.

 

[jyjjy]

You can get an HD5770 for the same price as that card(less actually as it has free shipping.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864
I know it's not quite as powerful but as the driver mature the performance gap should close and the power efficiency and DX11 are nice pluses.
Or there's an HD4890 for $160 after rebate;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161299

 

[lee1938]

Thanks guys for you info. and help. Changed my mind and went with 5770