Upgrade my video card

stryder092

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Hello,

I currently have an ATI Radeon 4850HD 512mb GDDR3 and it runs way hot and I am almost afraid to play games since it is idling at over 70 degrees idle now. I am looking to upgrade my computer right now to play games like Starcraft 2 and maybe an MMORPG, like Warhammer or something. I don't need to have the best out there definitely not since I only use a 17' LCD Monitor as well. I am currently using a 4GB PC6400 DDR2, Duo Core 2 E6850 3.0 Ghz and 750W Power Supply. What do you guys suggest, I want nice graphics that will run cool, I don't think an ATI/AMD Radeon is a good choice anymore, it runs too hot, I need something that will run awesome at lower resolutions and runs cool.
 

stryder092

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I'm thinking of selling my ati radeon 4850HD 512mb gddr3 for like 50 bucks and upgrade to like a 200$ nice upgrade so I can play starcraft 2 and what not, in which I want to do. How much will I have to pay and what is good out there for aroundn 200$ or less right now for NVIDIA video cards.
 

stryder092

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I mean if it's worth it i will spend over 200+ because I just got a new job but yeah, what should I look at from 200-300 from NVIDIA right now for my 750W Power Supply and that motherboard that will last me awhile and I won't have to worry about overheating and the performance will be unmatched especially on my lower res monitor and what not.
 

stryder092

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the XFX Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 looks really impressive and will play really great on my setup with my smaller monitor res 1280x1024 only and for games like Starcraft 2 and maybe an MMORPG or something else. What do you guys think for that choice? I am only a little nervous about it heating up, like the HD4850 I have in there now.
 
For that resolution, a HD5750 or even a HD5670 would be sufficient, and use less power and generate less heat. If your PSU is 750W, you could easily run a HD5850 even if it would be overkill for your resolution. If it is a "750W" PSU (i.e. it has a liar-label on it), then I wouldn't choose anything more power-hungry than a HD5770.
OR, you could save your money, and diagnose your heat problem. At your resolution, a HD4850 is sufficient. Is its fan running properly? Does its heat sink need to be removed, cleaned, and fresh thermal paste applied? Do you have at least one intake fan in your case, or are they all exhaust? If the latter, all of them will be struggling against negative pressure and not moving much air. You want a good front to back (and possibly bottom to top) air flow in your case.
 

randomkid

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+1. Do those mentioned above.
To the OP, if it is running 70C in idle, what is the temperature during load? And what was it before if it ever changed.
 

stryder092

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I'm thinking just an upgrade to a 5770 or something, but NVIDIA cards seam to last me a lot longer I used to have that old Radeon 9800 and that had heat problems and this one did too. My old Geforce 7950GT lasted me quite a while compared to them. That's why I am hesitant to go back to Radeons like the 5770. Idk maybe a GTX 260 is a good choice?
 

That sapphire card is very good. On the other hand if you are in North America and you are planning to keep the card a long time then XFX and their dual lifetime warranty should come into consideration. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462
p.s. You can edit your posts.
 

stryder092

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And it is cheaper then Newegg 165$ with shipping included as opposed to Newegg, the same card is a few dollars more. I mean I get what you're saying Newegg is definitely more reknown for selling stuff, but I mean yeah what do you guys think?
 

stryder092

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Well it's brand new and has warranty from XFX, that one right above this, it's just a computer store selling computer stuff on EBAY, it's not some child. Check out the reputation and other parts.
 

stryder092

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Ok should I get it from the Ebay vender or stick with Newegg? I mean the EBAY dude is definitely legit, but Newegg is def nice too.

I will definitely keep the receipt and register day 1 when I get the card, so there are no problems hah
 

stryder092

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What do you think about the vendor I supplied above? I will order this tonight most likely. So I want to get my options on the table right now. What am I going with here. By the way I am selling my HD4850 on Ebay right now with original box, crossfire adapter for 79.99. Nothing is wrong with it it really just needs to be cleaned up, but I don't have the receipt for it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270588342492&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

There it is if anyone is interested. Now help on my new upgrade where should I buy? What's good?