Upgrading graphics card

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mwhlr

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Hi guys,

I'm currently looking to update my graphics card from an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS to a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 5850 Extreme -

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-259-SP

I am looking for the cheapest way to upgrade my computer graphically for gaming I can. I am not looking for the pinnacle of graphics technology, just something that will handle current games better than my NVIDIA card. The Sapphire seems to be a good choice. My question is - Would I get away with simply upgrading the card? Or will I also have to buy other components. My specs are as follows:


Windows 9 Professional 64-bit

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU @ 2.40GHz(4 CPUS)

Foxconn 9657MA Motherboard

2048MB RAM

NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 GTS

Jeantech AMD Artic 600W PSU

Any help will be very much appreciated!

Thanks!
 
O

Outlander_04

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You will need to remove all the nVidia drivers and software from your pc before installing the Radeon .

Its a good upgrade IMO

Also consider over clocking the cpu . The 6600 should easily reach 3 GHz with some additional cooling .
 
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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for the same price id get this 6850 (also i dont really like overclockers UK :p):
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Graphics+Cards/ATI/ATI+6800+Series+/Asus+ATI+Radeon+HD+6850+DirectCU+1024MB+GDDR5+PCI-Express+Graphics+Card+with+FREE+Shogun+2+Game+?productId=42291

there is also the GTX460 1gb OC which is the nvidia equivilant of the 6850:
http://www.aria.co.uk/SuperSpecials/Other+products/MSI+GeForce+GTX+460+OC+1024MB+GDDR5+Graphics+Card+?productId=44316

IMO this is the best offer, its the 6850, with a free copy of shogun 2, at £117 AND ebuyer offer free postage on orders over £50, so free shipping too:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/244473
 
addison

addison

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Tell you what if you get a iceq 5770 there so cheap and perform so awesome, it is a small difference to a 5850 like minor. A 5770 would be a pretty big upgrade from a 8800 gts and is only like 109.99 from tiger direct, but first you MUST uninstall nivida drivers, keep physx. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6076195&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE He could save some cash Also the 5770 uses less power (only 450 watts) And a 5850 is better, but there specs are really almost the same, the 5850 has a better shader clock while the 5770 has a better stock clocks.
 
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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the 5770 uses NOWHERE near 450W, it uses much less than that, the overall system maybe, but not the card on its own, the difference beetween a 6850/5850 and a 5770 is pretty huge:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=296

the power consumption beetween them is about 12W load and 2W Idle so not much power difference either.As for temps, the 5770 runs about 1C hotter in the anandtech bench.
 
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mwhlr

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Thanks for all the replies guys! I had a look at the Anandtech benchmarks and was wondering what the main difference between the 6850 and 5850 is? The benchmarks are practically identical with the 5850 getting a couple frames per second more than the 6850.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/291?vs=295

Obviously the price of the 5770 is quite a bonus, although ps3hackers 6580 deal is very appealing. I suppose the big question is between a 5770 and a 5850/6580, will the two options require an upgrade at the same time? Or will the higher spec options last a bit longer?

Thanks for all the help so far!
 
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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its still not that different:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/295?vs=296

temps are about the sam and idle temps are about the same too, (load temps are a tad higher).

and to the OP, the 6850 runs cooler/uses less power than the 5850, and also has support for 3D (if you decide to go 3D), the difference beetween them apart from that is basically nothing. the 6850 drivers have improved too, those benchmarks were taken back when the 6850 was newish, now its still newer than the 5850 but has better drivers.
 
addison

addison

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Well if he does get a 6850 he is really better of to get a ICEQ turbo or ICEQ version of the card is runs much cooler, meaning you can OC much better.
 
ps3hacker12

ps3hacker12

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yup and here in the UK the 6850 is actually cheaper than the 5850, so i see no reason to go with the 5850 really. (5770s a good card don't get me wrong).
 
addison

addison

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Yeah he should get a 6870 ICEQ or a 6850 ICEQ turbo there SO much cooler than the normal cards, infact I may get a 6870 or 6850 ICEQ for my PC. Will my althon 2 x4 2.9 @ 3.2 bottle neck the card if I get a 6870 or will 6850 do best?
 
addison

addison

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But the card is OC and has a awesome cooler IDK about the frozr cooler I wanna see it against the ICEQ to see which is best for low temps.
 
striker410

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Yeah I hear you. Like no comparisons. However, I did find some numbers....
http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-radeon-6870-hawk-review/10 (twin Frozr III)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/his-radeon-6870-iceq-x-turbo-x-review/9 (IceQ)
As you can see, they are identical, under idle and load. BUT, both are pre overclocked, with the IceQ being clocked a bit higher, so the Sapphire wins there.

Now, overclockability.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/msi-radeon-6870-hawk-review/22 (TF III)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/his-radeon-6870-iceq-x-turbo-x-review/21 (IceQ)
the TFIII wins. Don't look at the P-score, as that can be affected by drivers. What you want to look at is max clocks, where the MSI wins.

And once we factor in price..... I think the Twin Frozr III is a winner!
 
M

mwhlr

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The 6870 ICEQ X TURBO is £180 - quite a bit more expensive than the originally planned 5850.

The 6870 TF III looks really good, and I'd be happy to stretch to £135.

As my knowledge of hardware is quite limited (this thread has been a huge learning experience already), are these two cards the same model but with different cooling systems? Sorry if that it a stupid question. :p

I am also assuming that these 6780s are a tad more powerful that the 5850s based on the benchmarks here? http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/290?vs=295

If this is the case, I do really like the 6870 TF III.
 
striker410

striker410

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Yes, they are the same models but with different cooling. Yes, the 6870 is a bit stronger than the 5850 in almost every way.

The 5850 is still a very strong card. But for me, the TFIII cooler is worth the extra bit of money simply because of it's amazing cooling, good looks, and awesome overclockability.
 
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