Upgrading from HD Radeon 4850

[zeroxerxes]

Hi guys, need some help from experts.

mobo: gigabyte ep35-ds3p
psu: ocz 500 watts
cpu: intel core 2 duo e8400 wolfdale @ 3.00 ghz
gpu: hd radeon 4850
ram: ddr2 2gb

I am upgrading my computer from windows xp, to windows 7 64 bit, adding 4 more gigs of RAM leading me to 6 gigs.


I'm looking for a better graphics card. When I run say, Dragon Age Origins, card runs extremely hot, almost reaching 100C. Very noisy as well. Playing in 1680x1050.

I am basically looking for better performance, quieter, and less heating maybe? I only have the stock fan on the gpu..that could be the reason. When I get an upgraded gpu, I will definitely buy a cooler though.

Budget is around $200-300. $300 pushing it.

Was looking at the 5770 hearing some good and bad things about it. Then was looking at the gtx 260. I would really like to try a nVidia card this time around. Been having problems with ati drivers. Still open to any suggestions though, thanks guys really appreciate it.

 

[sabot00]

I'll second the 5770, it has around the performance of an GTX 260, plus DX11, which would help as you have Win 7.
If you want a little more bang, will a 5850 fit in your budget?

 

[rolli59]

Upgrading to HD5770 or GTX260 is not a massive upgrade. Sort of like going from HD4850 to HD4870 with the HD5770 would though get the less heat and most likely quieter operation and it is pretty good at your resolution. Going HD5850 would take you to the upper end of your budget but would be the most noteworthy upgrade.

 

[zeroxerxes]

Hm. Have been reading more on the 5850, looks awesome. I can manage that.

Would that be a worthy upgrade going to the 5850 from my 4850?

Also, is my 500 watt psu good enough for the 5850?

 

[rolli59]

Yes and Yes!

 

[jyjjy]

It's approximately twice as powerful and your PSU will be fine. The HD5850 actually uses slightly less power than your H4850.

 

[redgarl]

A 5770 is about the strength of a 4850 OC... so you will to pump it up a little...

A 5850... or two 4850...?

My two Asus 4850 TOP are as fast as a single GTX285... tremendous power for half the price.

Still, a 5850 don't require you to upgrade your PS, so it's the best choice.

 

[zeroxerxes]

I don't really want to crossfire 4850.

I don't know much about cooling units or what not, can someone recommend me one from newegg maybe? I plan on getting the 5850.

 

[sabot00]

Cheapest 5850:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131184&cm_re=5850-_-14-131-184-_-Product

Don't worry about manufacturers, the Sapphire one is the same as the XFX, and personally I like Sapphire, but I pick the cheapest one when recommending.

 

[rolli59]

Yeah Sapphire is awesome if you want slower clocks and bad quality.

Sapphire is the biggest producer of ATI graphics cards! They did not become the biggest by producing bad quality cards!
Compare these both reference design http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106793261%201067949753&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16814102857%2CN82E16814150442 specs are they same. I have said it before do your research before posting and making statements like that!

 

[redgarl]

LOL. Its casual... XFX, EVGA (I know they only make Nvidia cards) = hardcore.

Phhh here another fool...

The first batch of cards with reference coolers are absolutely the SAME with different stickers across the manufacturers.

IMO, reference cards with reference coolers are the best cards to get because ATI itself made the whole thing and are not messed up with idiotic choices made by Asus, Gigabyte ecetera.

 

[sabot00]

LOL. Its casual... XFX, EVGA (I know they only make Nvidia cards) = hardcore.

Prove it or SHUT UP.


Who was the only manufacturer to make a 4850X2? The 4860?

 

[sabot00]

Prove that XFX & EVGA are hardcore.

 

[sabot00]

They look better. They sell better. EVGA got life time warranty... Sapphire looks UGLY! xfx got insane looking cards. Sapphire just looks cheap and casual.

Is not ugly an opinion?

 

[sabot00]

Actually many would argue Sapphire is one of the best, if not the best.
Then again, I'm trying to convince a nVidiot.

Do not let your OPINIONS influence OP's, an XFX card isn't worth $20 more than an ASUS card.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

I think, Sapphire and powercolour and all the other cheap brands looks ugly. ASUS looks nice. XFX is always the best looking. And yeah I forgot about Zotac. Another of my favorites. And of course, good old EVGA.

Sapphire has different shells for their cards.

My Sapphire 4830 is a barebones/exposed circuitry card with an ugly giant circular fan in the middle...at least it runs cool at 30'C/50'C

My Sapphire 4870 (vapor X?) however, has this awesome looking shell that looks pretty solid and a nice looking fan in the middle.

 

[sabot00]

You are because the 8800GTX doesn't perform better than a 5770, the 5700 series isn't crap, XFX & EVGA aren't the only "hardcore" AIBs.

 

[zeroxerxes]

Guys when I get my 5850, I should buy some sort of cooling unit for it as well right?

Could you guys recommend me a cooling fan, or heatsink for the 5850?

 

[sabot00]

Guys when I get my 5850, I should buy some sort of cooling unit for it as well right?

Could you guys recommend me a cooling fan, or heatsink for the 5850?

It should come with one.

 

[rolli59]

me nvidiot? Oh. Well, How come I got an HD 4890 then?

Your opinion has changed with every card you had in the last two weeks!

 

[subliminalaffect]

Why do people stress the housing of a piece of hardware that is installed in a case where it won't be seen. cooling, noise, performance are all you need to be concerned with. I'm not a whore of any manufacturer or company. that's sheer ignorance. whoever makes the best product at the lowest price gets my money.

 

[vargasjr13]

Why do people stress the housing of a piece of hardware that is installed in a case where it won't be seen. cooling, noise, performance are all you need to be concerned with. I'm not a whore of any manufacturer or company. that's sheer ignorance. whoever makes the best product at the lowest price gets my money.

I completely agree, unfortunately some people thing cause they tossed money at a company they should wage ware on anyone who doesn't like the same product......sad.

 

[vargasjr13]

Sorry for a doubleposting, but as to this thread. The 5850 will be better, IMO anything less then that and you will not see munch of a better performance.

 

[zeroxerxes]

think i should shell out the extra $110 and get a 5870 instead of the 5850?

 

[jyjjy]

I wouldn't, just OC the HD5850 and save some money.