Upgrade for 4870

[Petro89]

Hey all.

I have been extremely happy with my main system that I built like 3 years ago. It has performed really well and I haven't had a single problem.

Q6600 2400+ @ 3000
ATI hd4870 512 MB
MSI board
4GB DDR2

I don't run any of the latest games, but I do play Crysis, Dirt 2, LOTRO, and a few others. The system handles these games fine at 1680x1050 with mostly higher details and FSAA.

There are some areas in games though that it stutters a bit, mainly areas where a lot is goiong on.

I really dont have to upgrade per se, but a nice upgraded video cars with maybe 20% better performance would be fine, as I am also planning on moving the 4870 to my second system.

I know my hardware isn't the absolute greatest but it can still hold its own. I have just been out of the loop for a year or two and I don't know what to get. I am planning on building a new system in maybe a year and a half so I don't want to do that now.

What is a card that will fit the bill here and give me a little more performance and allow me to move the 4870 to the 2nd machine? I have always preferred ATI cards but would consider others.

I thank you for your time!

 

[Rifter]

budget? 5850's can be had pretty cheap with rebates right now that might be a good option. that or a 6870.

 

[toyota]

there has already been a few threads asking same question. at 1680 I would get a 6850 if you are just looking to move you 4870 to another pc. a 6850 will give you about a 40% increase over a 4870.

 

[Petro89]

I'm thinkin like $175 - 200.

Thanks for the replies. I just went over to the reviews section and was looking at some of the info on the 6850 and 6870. Hmmm...that might be what I'm looking for. I really appreciate it!

 

[toyota]

I'm thinkin like $175 - 200.

Thanks for the reply. I just went over to the reviews section and was looking at some of the info on the 6870. Hmmm...that might be what I'm looking for..

a 6850 can usually be found for much cheaper than a 6870. if you were to oc both the 6870 and 6850 to thier max they would be within 5% of each other. from a value standpoint the 6850 is much better and at 1680 its also plenty strong.

 

[Petro89]

Sounds like the 6850 is the one for me. I'll check around for some pricing and see what I can find. Thanks a lot folks!

 

[SickBeast]

I could swear I just saw a 6850 at PCVonline for $150...

 

[WaTaGuMp]

GTX 460 is cheaper and should handle 1680 easily, also can OC well.

 

[Qbah]

Check this out:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2129806

GTX470 with a non-reference cooler for $239 before rebates. Plus a $50 rebate from Galaxy. I wouldn't go lower than that coming from a HD4870.

 

[Shmee]

good find! 470's are getting to have some great deals now! How is that non ref cooler though on the galaxy?

 

[Qbah]

good find! 470's are getting to have some great deals now! How is that non ref cooler though on the galaxy?

Seriously? You have a link to a review of two of those Galaxy cards in SLi on HardOCP. He shows load temps for one screen, two screens and at load. Kyle even makes a video about how they sound...

 

[evolucion8]

The previous generation of GPU's like the GT2x0 and HD 48x0 series were so powerful, that only cards like the HD 5870, gives you little over 80% or nearly twice the performance, so an HD 6850 will be an upgrade, but will not buy you more than 40% of performance except in scenarios that might be shader intensive, I think than you should go for something a bit faster like the HD 5850/HD 6870 or GTX 460/470.

 

[RaistlinZ]

Newegg has a PowerColor 5850 for $169.99 shipped right now. No rebates required.


Sorry, direct links aren't working from my office PC atm.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Both Galaxy and PowerColor are horrible brands.

Grab yourself a Sapphire HD6850 for $170 after $15 MIR. Works like a charm for me and since you have quad, it'll be a lot better with a little bit of OCing.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2129840&highlight=

 

[shangshang]

Palit Sonic GTX460 1GB for $130 after $30 rebate from Microcenter.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0341977

However, I bought an open-box version of this card for $109 after rebate. Overclocked to 800 MHz at stock voltage; to 850 Mhz with minimal bump in voltage. At 850 MHz it beats my Asus HD6850 running 950 Mhz (which is probably equivalent to HD6870) in 3Dmark Vantage test. I paid a lot more the Asus 6850. GTX460 (any of them) right now is the best bang.

Edited:
but you may want to get the 6850 now, and then get another one to Xfire down the road? Maybe this is the most economic sense for you since you can extend the life of your gaming PC another 2-3 years easily.

 

[Qbah]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37;20HD%205850

The PowerColor HD5850 for $170 with free shipping RaistlinZ mentioned. Beats every HD6850 and GTX460 and is the best deal imo (no rebates). No idea on the cooler though, couldn't find any reviews.

 

[Brutus04]

Petro89,

I asked the same thing and got some good feedback in this thread: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2130068

I am seriously looking at this Sapphire 6850 at Newegg - 170 AR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-908-_-Product

 

[shangshang]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...37;20HD%205850

The PowerColor HD5850 for $170 with free shipping RaistlinZ mentioned. Beats every HD6850 and GTX460 and is the best deal imo (no rebates). No idea on the cooler though, couldn't find any reviews.

But if you're thinking Xfire down the road (within 1 year), then the 6850 is the better deal. 6850 is better than 5850 in both Xfire. 6850 is also better in tessellation, and games next year might offer more tessellation since now that is the upcoming rage. Also, the 6850 uses less electricity so for those running Xfire, it will make up for in electricity cost and runs cooler.

IMO, the best bang from AMD right now is the 6850 with the contingency to go XFire within 1 year. By this time next year, the 6850 will be $100 with rebates. And I'm thinking 2x 6850 > 2x 5850 in many ways.