Replacing my 4870x2, need advice on possible alternatives

[koolman007]

Hello guys,
i have recently upgraded my system to an up-to date quad core setup. I have been using my trusty old 4870x2 for nearly 2 years now and still it is able chew on any game that is thrown at it. But lately what has started to bug me is the ATI's lack of support in terms of old dual GPU graphics card and as a result i have been having all sorts of issues with different games where one game works well with certain set of drivers and other with different ones.
So i have finally decided that it is time to move on to something more recent and equally if not more powerful.

I have done some research and i am inclined towards buying a GTX 480 which i can get for around £180 after discount.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-222-AS

Also there is a Super overclocked version that is available for £215 that is close to a 580 in terms of performance.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-079-GI&groupid=701&catid=1914&subcat=

Do you guys think that an extra £40 is worth the performance boost ?

i have also thought of the possibility to get and unlock a 6950 but its more like a hit or miss as its not certain if the card will unlock not to mention the chances of artifacts increased temps if it does.

Also I have a single PCI express motherboard so SLI is out of question (for now).

Please feel free to post your thoughts and views.

cheers

 

[omnisome]

Don't buy the GTX-480: It's the worst high-end card I know of due to it's silly power consumption, high temperatured reputation and loudness. The GTX-580 is certainly worth the extra £35.

To unlock the HD6950, you require a 2048MB version and the HD6970 is AMD's counter-attack to the GTX-570.
Can you give a full system specification including monitor resolution and power supply details?

 

[koolman007]

as a owner of 4870x2 i am kinda immune to heat and noise issue :lol:

its not the actual 580 that is for an extra £40 but an super OC version of 480 by gigabyte, which performs on par with gtx 580...
here are the rest of the specs:

Asus M4N68T-M LE V2 mobo
AMD X4 955 stock
650W Corsair TX series
24'' Samsung 1080p monitor

hope this helps and thx for the reply

 

[omnisome]

as a owner of 4870x2 i am kinda immune to heat and noise issue :lol:

Good point but you surely wish for an improvement?

its not the actual 580 that is for an extra £40 but an super OC version of 480 by gigabyte, which performs on par with gtx 580...

On par with a 580? Doubtful. The GTX-580 is the most powerful single-GPU card ever made for Windows.

 

[koolman007]

here have a look for yourself

http://www.guru3d.com/article/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-480-soc-review/

 

[omnisome]

Perhaps I stand corrected, apologies.
-Nathan.

 

[koolman007]

very informative indeed...
you think its worth spending the extra £40 and go for the SOC version ?
considering i wont be upgrading my card for another year or two.
cheers