HD4890 1GB to GTX460 1GB?

[TheTen]

Hey all. I am looking to buy a new graphic card in December and am hoping I can upgrade and not just sidegrade. I am currently using a HD4890, 1024MB.
I've been looking over the articles, but the information is a bit overwhelming, so I am hoping for some clearer answers from the forums.

I've been oogling the GTX 460 1GB. I want to keep it as simple as possible because I am one of those people who break computers by looking at them crossly, so I would rather not overclock or use SLI/Crossfire. And I prefer nVidia to AtI for the more reliable driver support, but I would rather not touch the overheating issues of GF100.

Is this a viable option, or would I end up downgrading myself? Or is there a good chance something better but equally affordable will come out till December? I never followed the market that closely.

(- I play some graphic-intense games like FFXIV, and I like getting the best out of a game's visuals.
- I'm not a competetive gamer, so as long as my games run smoothly, the detailed framerate numbers do not concern me much.
- My screen resolution would be 1920x1080.
- I run on Windows 7 64b, with 6GB Ram and a MSI 790FX-GD70(MS-7577) MoBo with a PhenomII X4 3.2GHz.)

 

[skolpo]

The upgrade isn't all that great. You'll see about 5-10% upgrade from the 4890. You're better of with a GTX 470 or HD5870 if you want to see noticeable performance increase,

 

[phasmantis]

You can even look into a 5850, factory overclocked. It's much simpler when it comes overclocked, and you'll get more graphic performance out of it. However, some factory overclocked 460s (800mhz core) run like a 470.

However, I would go with a 470 over a 5870.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125338&cm_re=470-_-14-125-338-_-Product

That's a great model. Cool temps, a factory OC, and uses less power than a standard 470. Also, this model surpases the performance of a 5870 for less money.

 

[phasmantis]

Get a decent 5850 and overclock, the 5870 is overpriced ATM.

I wouldn't upgrade to a 470 unless you have your AC on all the time or live in a cold area.

5850 surpassing 5870 stock speeds
http://i683.photobucket.com/albums/vv199/OvrClkr/BC2_70F_ambient_1000_1300.png

Well keep in mine the 470 by Gigabyte runs at 30-40 idle and 60c load. It's a different architechture with a nice aftermarket cooler. These things don't run warmer than 74c.

He also didn't want to do the OCing, so this will help him because it is already OC'd. but I think you deleted your post.

 

[TheTen]

Thanks for the tips! A 470 would be just so in my budget.

As a German, I unfortunately can't buy from Newegg, and will have to look into the models available here. Are there any producers I should absolutely stay away from?

 

[phasmantis]

Not that I can think of. But look for that specific model, the Gigabyte GTX 470 Super Overclock. It's probably the only 470 I'd get because of it's cooler/speeds.

 

[TheTen]

I'll check for it, thanks a lot.

 

[OvrClkr]

Overclocking a GPU is as easy as moving 2 sliders from left to right, its the easiest most efficient way to get an extra boost when needed.

I recommend you get a decent 5850 that at least offers voltage control, nothing is going to happen to the GPU or any other part of you PC as long as you don't go crazy with the clocks/voltage.

The 5850 can be purchased for more or less the same price of a 460 1gb.

 

[OvrClkr]

Well keep in mine the 470 by Gigabyte runs at 30-40 idle and 60c load. It's a different architechture with a nice aftermarket cooler. These things don't run warmer than 74c.

He also didn't want to do the OCing, so this will help him because it is already OC'd. but I think you deleted your post.

I doubt there is a 470 that will run at 60c load unless the user has an ambient of 70F or lower. An aftermarket cooler like the GB you mentioned will indeed drop the temps a bit but not by much. I used to have a GB 470 reference that idled at 48c and load was at a ridiculous 85c with an ambient of 74F (hence the reason I got rid of it )

 

[benski]

Where can you get a 5850 for the same price as a 460?

 

[OvrClkr]

Well since he stated that he is German (assuming he lives in Germany) he should be fine with that particular 470. Or he can also wait for the 6xxx series that should drop anytime soon (next 2-4 weeks).

 

[OvrClkr]

Where can you get a 5850 for the same price as a 460?

More or less the same price as stated above..

Top of the line 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375&cm_re=5850-_-14-121-375-_-Product

Top of the line 460 1Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121391&cm_re=Asus_460-_-14-121-391-_-Product

I could compare the XFX 5850 @ 239.99$ (MIR) vs. a mediocre 460 1Gb but IMO it is not worth the cash if you don't have voltage control. I'm just trying to get the OP the best bang for his $$, the problem is the fact that he is overseas so the price will fluctuate quite a bit.

 

[benski]

Wow that's a nice deal on the 5850 after MIR... giving me buyers remorse.

 

[skolpo]

There's a few GTX 470s out there that are available for about the same price as that 5850 without rebate. If anything, the best bang for the buck is two GTX 460s in SLI.

 

[OvrClkr]

There's a few GTX 470s out there that are available for about the same price as that 5850 without rebate. If anything, the best bang for the buck is two GTX 460s in SLI.

yea, was going to suggest a pair of 460's but the we first have to convince the OP that it is not as hard as it seems when it comes to installing both cards and a bridge.

 

[killerchickens]

Oops didn't refresh the page and got distracted and then posted late. :lol:

 

[skolpo]

^I think that will do.

 

[phasmantis]

I doubt there is a 470 that will run at 60c load unless the user has an ambient of 70F or lower. An aftermarket cooler like the GB you mentioned will indeed drop the temps a bit but not by much. I used to have a GB 470 reference that idled at 48c and load was at a ridiculous 85c with an ambient of 74F (hence the reason I got rid of it )

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gv-n470SO-13I-super-overclock-geforce-gtx-470,2713-7.html

Shows the card with quite a nice drop in temperature.

 

[TheTen]

Yes, I do indeed live in Germany, and cards are accordingly expensive for me.
While I believe you that SLI is not as difficult as I thought, two 460s are out of my budget. (In dollar, it would cost me $500 and upward.)

The review for the Gigabyte model is indeed promising. I'll also keep the 5850 in mind, and if nothing else is available by December, I'll come back here and ah heck you about how to safely overclock a 460.

Thanks for the help!

 

[OvrClkr]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gv-n470SO-13I-super-overclock-geforce-gtx-470,2713-7.html

Shows the card with quite a nice drop in temperature.

Well, if we go by that chart then we can assume that the difference in temp is about 7-8 degrees between both cards. Problem is the reference load is nowhere near 68c as we all know how hot those reference models can get. No doubt it’s a nice card, I just wouldn’t take the bait as I already had the same GB model that Tom’s tested and my load would easily hit 85c when playing Crysis with v-sync enabled.

 

[phasmantis]

Well, if we go by that chart then we can assume that the difference in temp is about 7-8 degrees between both cards. Problem is the reference load is nowhere near 68c as we all know how hot those reference models can get. No doubt it’s a nice card, I just wouldn’t take the bait as I already had the same GB model that Tom’s tested and my load would easily hit 85c when playing Crysis with v-sync enabled.

Ah okay, I figured you had a reference 470 and were assuming temps for each were still to high anyways.

At any rate, as bad as it sounds, 85c isn't out of bounds for Fermi cards. However, people reporting similar temps to mine with 8800GTX upgrades (80c under load) saw a drop down to 60c under load. I have a feeling sometimes fans just work better randomly, that or they adjusted the fan speed to 80-90.

 

[OvrClkr]

Ah okay, I figured you had a reference 470 and were assuming temps for each were still to high anyways.

At any rate, as bad as it sounds, 85c isn't out of bounds for Fermi cards. However, people reporting similar temps to mine with 8800GTX upgrades (80c under load) saw a drop down to 60c under load. I have a feeling sometimes fans just work better randomly, that or they adjusted the fan speed to 80-90.

Yea 85c is quite normal for the 470/480, I just cannot handle so much heat coming from my PC. Heck, even 65c will raise my room temp by quite a bit in a short period of time.

I went from a 48c idle to a 34c idle, and from a 85c load to a 60c load so in my case it was a massive change that was much needed. On the other hand the 470 had a much higher "low FPS" drop compared to my 5850 and that is one of the most important aspects when it comes to upgrading the GPU in my opinion.