Upgrading my 4850 ATI card, what can my system best utilize?

[piranha45]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 0-4 Weeks

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: World of Warcraft with maxed-out graphics

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: ATI Radeon HD 4850 and ANTEC|TP-750 750W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: INTEL|CORE I7 860 2.8G, WIN HOME PREM 7 64-BIT, motherboard ASUS|P7P55D PRO P55 RT, 2Gx2|GSKILL F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH RAM

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg

OVERCLOCKING: No

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I want to run WoW smoothly with graphics maximized if possible. Right now I can't come close to maxing the graphics while holding a decent framerate. I am assuming that upgrading my graphics card will be the most efficient means of improving the game's performance. If I am wrong, please let me know. I don't want to buy the top-level graphics card if my pc won't gain much benefit compared to a lesser graphics card.

 

[Derbixrace]

i think performance would improve a bit if you OCed your CPU a little.

also for a new GPU i would suggest the 5850, i have one and they are awesome cards.

when i tried WOW with it i ran it maxed pretty smoothly, cant remember the FPS numbers though but it was definitely smooth enough.

heres a nice 5850 for a cheap price http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6078264&CatId=3669

 

[Helltech]

I didn't run it smooth with a GTX 260 at 1920x1200. SLI ran it smooth at 1920x1200 and heavily modded, GTX 260 sli is about equal to a GTX 470 for reference. You have a decent CPU and a good PSU, so you could definitely benefit from a GPU upgrade. I would overclock your CPU slightly, to like 3.2 Ghz at least if I were you.

I guess the last thing to ask is what is your price range?

 

[piranha45]

Regarding my price range: if buying a $700 card will give me an additional 10 fps over a $400 card, then I'll buy the $700 card.

I'm pc-illiterate and I doubt I will take the time to learn how to overclock my cpu, unless its terribly easy I'd rather you not take overclocking my cpu into account.

 

[piranha45]

If I buy a top-of-the-line ATI card, will my system be able to utilize it well or would such a graphics card be overkill?

 

[piranha45]

perhaps i am asking the wrong forum? Any suggestions on other forums I should post this in?

 

[in_core]

go for 5850 and if possible 5870...really nice cards

 

[piranha45]

I'll do the 5870 then, thanks for the advice!

 

[in_core]

you are welcome