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Graphics Upgrade from 512MB HD4870

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by harveypooka, 9 Nov 2011.

  1. harveypooka

    harveypooka Fond of rumpots and crackpots

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    Afternoon, chaps!

    With Skyrim pre-ordered and a free afternoon and evening on release day I feel it's time for a new GPU! Thing is, I'm totally out of the loop. Help!

    Current machine is a Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83GHZ, 4GB RAM, an ageing 512MB HD4870 (which doubles as a under-the-desk feet heater) and a Dell monitor at 1680x1050. I can't remember the make of my PSU, but it's three years old, wasn't cheap and is rated at 500W.

    My budget is variable, but I'd rather spend less than £150. My 4870 plays most things on medium-ish without AA, but it struggles with Metro 2033 and Rage and DX:HR don't have shiny DX11.

    I'm not fussed about having the latest or greatest, just a decent upgrade from my HD4870 would be nice. Because I have a lower-than-average resolution, I'd like to see settings at the higher end, but open to suggestions and aware that my budget may not allow this.

    Any advice would be appreciated.

    Harv.
     
  2. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    Whats your budget?

    560ti would be my choice at about £160
     
  3. yassarikhan786

    yassarikhan786 Ultramodder(Not)

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    The 6870 looks like a very good choice for you, considering your budget. They cost roughly £150 and some models cost considerably less. If you've activated Scan's free shipping you can save an extra few quid.

    EDIT: I've not had a lot of experience with AMD cards, but I've heard that they are louder and hotter than the 500 series Nvidia cards. As above the 560 Ti would be a better choice.
     
  4. TheStockBroker

    TheStockBroker Modder

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    A 560ti will eat almost anything maxed out at that resolution. Metro 2033 with all the AA being the exception! It also falls within your power-specification. I hope that CPU is going to get overclocked soon!

    TSB
     
  5. xaser04

    xaser04 Ba Ba Ba BANANA!

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    HD6870 would be the perfect choice.

    Similar performance to the GTX560TI give your system and resolution (ie both will offer more than playable framerates in most games at high settings) but should save you around £30 or so.
     
  6. yassarikhan786

    yassarikhan786 Ultramodder(Not)

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    I've heard that the 6870 and 560ti perform similarly. Is it true that AMD cards struggle with AA, which I've heard mentioned quite a lot around the interwebs. If that is the case, then I would go for the 560 ti.
     
  7. harveypooka

    harveypooka Fond of rumpots and crackpots

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    Happy to overclock the CPU, but I have no idea where to begin! :D

    Thanks guys, I'll have a look at the HD6870 and 560ti this afternoon. :clap:
     
  8. Fingers66

    Fingers66 Kiwi in London

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    AMD is better with FXAA, Nvidia with MSAA. It depends on what you can use in the games you play.

    Parge posted an article about it, in the context of BF3, here somewhere, if I can find it I will link it.

    Edit: here: http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?p=2863947#post2863947
     
    Last edited: 9 Nov 2011
  9. rob the bank

    rob the bank What's a Dremel?

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    Plus you can still get £30 / £40 for the old card on ebay, that will pay for your up-graded CPU cooler then we can give you an overclocking master class :=)
     
  10. Kernel

    Kernel Likes cheese

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  11. harveypooka

    harveypooka Fond of rumpots and crackpots

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    Decided on the 6870 from Dabs as you get a free copy of Battlefield 3 and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Not too shabby!

    Thanks again!
     
  12. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    Great choice! Make sure you join us on the server (details in my sig below)
     
  13. HMBX

    HMBX What's a Dremel?

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    Doesn't the 560Ti perform more like the 6950 1GB ?
     

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