6850 to ?

[cyclejim]

So I have an E8400 Core 2 Duo overclocked to around 3.7ghz-ish, 4 GB ram, and a 6850 2 GB GPU. OS drive is a Crucial M4 128 gb, and a couple of sata 2 drives in AHCI mode. Windows 7. I primarily game at 1366x768 on a 32 inch LCD

Even at that low res, I get hiccups and stutters in some games. Saints Row the third comes to mind (which may be known driver issues with AMD GPUs with Intel CPUs or so I have read), as well as Deus Ex Human Revo, mostly when shooting I get strange stutters.

Anyhow, the long overdue upgrade is basically an Intel 3570k, 8GB Ram, and either re-use my 6850, or upgrade it? If you think I should upgrade, what are some cards I should be looking at? I would assume either a 7850 or a GTX 570 are decent upgrades? What say you?

thanks

 

[cyclejim]

Hi

Well it all depends from your budget.

say $200-300 range for the GPU

 

[Gate9er]

Hi

Well it all depends from your budget.

 

[mInInOwA]

Generally I suggest buying a new card, like a GTX 670 or GTX 660 Ti. By buying and using any of the aforementioned cards, I guarantee that you will feel the difference in frame rate. That 7850 is another good alternative, but I suggest getting something more powerful than mid-range GPU. From what I see it, it's better to spend more once in every three years, rather than spending less every year, because in the first scenario you get to have a high-end system for at least a year and only then it slowly becomes outdated, however in the second scenario you never really get to feel what it's like to crank up all the settings to ULTRA or when the in-game-automatic-hardware-detection-program sets all your settings to ULTRA HIGH. I know I sound like a child here, but I'm pretty sure everyone here knows that feeling and how awesome it is.

 

[maxh22]

So I have an E8400 Core 2 Duo overclocked to around 3.7ghz-ish, 4 GB ram, and a 6850 2 GB GPU. OS drive is a Crucial M4 128 gb, and a couple of sata 2 drives in AHCI mode. Windows 7. I primarily game at 1366x768 on a 32 inch LCD

Even at that low res, I get hiccups and stutters in some games. Saints Row the third comes to mind (which may be known driver issues with AMD GPUs with Intel CPUs or so I have read), as well as Deus Ex Human Revo, mostly when shooting I get strange stutters.

Anyhow, the long overdue upgrade is basically an Intel 3570k, 8GB Ram, and either re-use my 6850, or upgrade it? If you think I should upgrade, what are some cards I should be looking at? I would assume either a 7850 or a GTX 570 are decent upgrades? What say you?

thanks

Upgrade the cpu and monitor the monitor has a low resolution!

 

[Gate9er]

Hi

After a small research I can finally recommend that you buy the HD7870. Comparing with its main competitor GTX570, the 7870 has the upper hand since it mainly uses much less power consumption and it is a bit ahead in terms of performance.
Here is a theoretical prove of this:

http://www.hwcompare.com/12208/geforce-gtx-570-vs-radeon-hd-7870/

Also I found a link for you with the XFX model. (It is an excellent offer)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150604

Regarding the HD7850 you will see from the link below that the difference, compared with 7870, is great and with the price difference not too much (around 50 bucks) you definitely get a more valuable solution (and you are still within your budget).

http://www.hwcompare.com/12187/radeon-hd-7850-vs-radeon-hd-7870/

Hope this helps!

 

[mocchan]

At that resolution, I would even go to say even a last generation GPU would suffice. However, with the launch of the GTX660Ti right around the corner, I would HIGHLY recommend waiting for it.

Also, a monitor upgrade may also be in your best interest