Hi bit-tech users! I've recently decided it would be a good idea to update my Graphics with the upcoming releases of Battlefield 3, Skyrim and a couple other titles. My specs are: AMD Phenom II X4 940 4.00 GB Dual Channel DDR2 Gigabyte GA-MA790X-DS4 Sapphire HD 5770 488GB Seagate ST3500630AS I'm going on a budget of around $100 - 150. I'm looking for the most cost effective solution to be able to play both those games at at least 45-60 FPS at full settings 1920 x 1080. I've been looking at crossfiring with another 5770, but I don't think I'd get great performance out of that. I've also been recommended a 6850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353) but I'd like more opinions from you guys, maybe even asking if upgrading my Graphics is what I need. Thanks for your time!
Don't get the 6850, it'll perform worse than 5770 CrossFire. I have 5770 in CrossFire, they do alright, but I can't max everything on maps like Caspian Border. Medium to high at stock clocks, a little better when running at 950/1400 which is as far as I can go because of my stupid Sapphire 5770. With that budget you're not going to get everything maxed at 1920x1080. Best option would be the crossfire route. And try and get an AM3 board with DDR3 memory, that'll help out your frame rate as well. Edit: Oh and welcome to the Forum and your first post
Haha thanks! The thing I'm also thinking of is the long term value, seeing as how CrossFiring now would leave me to get a single new card next time I upgrade, but getting a new card now would allow me to CrossFire next time I need to upgrade. But as it stands, I'm most likely going to go with the CrossFire 5770 option. Also, might as well kill 2 bird with 1 stone, so could you recommend a good priced AM3 board?
a good AM3 board?? well that depends on budget and what you want to achieve... Do you want to be future proof and get AM3+ board or just a new AM3 board? my advice would be the Gigabyte AM3+ UD5 (not exactly sure of the full name) i have read good reviews of it and it supposedly is a good over-clocker
Currently, I don't plan on upgrading my mobo right now, as I had actually upgraded from 2GB of Ram to 4GB recently. But I'm guessing it won't be to high, I really can't say. I'd like to find a cheap one, but one that performs well. To be honest I don't know much about motherboards. If the AM3+ is really going to be beneficial for the future, as I hear it is going to support future "bulldozer" processors, but I don't know if that's really that important.
