Emergency!

[TBSN]

Everyone knows that recently the ATI cards busted everything up, so I need some advice.

My 8800GTS 640mb card is doing weird stuff and the computer keeps crashing, so now I need a new one, SOON (I use this computer for work as well as gaming).

Has AMD adjusted the prices of their previous cards to make sense with the new 5000 ones, or are they keeping them the same in order to phase them out?

I'm looking for a card in the mid-to-high end, but I'm not sure which cards the new ATI cards made obsolete (in terms of price) and which ones still make sense at that price point. I've been browsing newegg and it seems that the Nvidia cards can't really compete unless they lower the prices, but I wasn't sure about cards like the 4890 vs. the new 5850/70.

Is the 5850 worth the $60 extra over the 4890?

The 4870's are pretty cheap at ~$150, does that still make sense to get?

What about the Nvidia cards?

Thanks

 

[jlee]

I just picked up a Sapphire Vapor-X 4890 for ~$160 and I am very happy with it. FWIW.

I will probably go to a 58xx card when I do a complete rebuild, probably sometime next year.

 

[Informant X]

For your price range you really shouldn't even be thinking about Nvidia. As far as 5850 being worth the extra money right now I don't think so. I don't think there will be many DX11 optimized games out there soon to make it a big deal. Personally I have a 4870 and want to upgrade but I will probaly wait till the GT300 comes out next year to drive down prices. Then I'd say it would be worth it to get the 5850, but right now at the price and with no DX11 games I'd say no. Who knows by the gime the GT300 comes out the 5870 might be the price of what the 5850 is now. Not only that but i'm sure by then ATI will have some new superclocked 5xxx series card out there, or a X2 card that should further drive down prices. I'd say go with a 4870 if you can't find a good deal on a 4890. Basically same card, except one is a little bit faster clocked, big deal. I've had no problem ocing my 4870. I would say make sure you get the 1 gig variant thought if you do go the 4870 route. Good luck!

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: TBSN
Everyone knows that recently the ATI cards busted everything up, so I need some advice.

My 8800GTS 640mb card is doing weird stuff and the computer keeps crashing, so now I need a new one, SOON (I use this computer for work as well as gaming).

Has AMD adjusted the prices of their previous cards to make sense with the new 5000 ones, or are they keeping them the same in order to phase them out?

I'm looking for a card in the mid-to-high end, but I'm not sure which cards the new ATI cards made obsolete (in terms of price) and which ones still make sense at that price point. I've been browsing newegg and it seems that the Nvidia cards can't really compete unless they lower the prices, but I wasn't sure about cards like the 4890 vs. the new 5850/70.

Is the 5850 worth the $60 extra over the 4890?

The 4870's are pretty cheap at ~$150, does that still make sense to get?

What about the Nvidia cards?

Thanks

4870,1gb seems right for you. 150$

Edit : They have a xfx 4870 1gb for 145$ shipped at newegg. And if you use the 20$ rebate, thats 125$. Hard to beat that price and warranty for that card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150436

 

[v8envy]

Look in hot deals for a 9800GT for $68 from Fry's. Just get a replacement and hang in there until you need to upgrade. A cheap 4770 or 4850 would do as well.

If you need an upgrade then don't be stingy and fork over $260 for the 5850 and skip the next generation or two.

 

[MagickMan]

the 4879 or GTX 260 for ~$150 AR, either would be great.

 

[TBSN]

So I think I agree with most of you. $144 for a 4870 before rebate is pretty freakin awesome. I think I'll get that, RMA my 8800 (if it is still under warranty) and sell it.

I want to play Clear Sky in DX10!!! It'll still be a stretch, but maybe I'll manage.

 

[Jacen]

Originally posted by: TBSN
So I think I agree with most of you. $144 for a 4870 before rebate is pretty freakin awesome. I think I'll get that, RMA my 8800 (if it is still under warranty) and sell it.

I want to play Clear Sky in DX10!!! It'll still be a stretch, but maybe I'll manage.

Definitely the route you should go unless you can hold out for the 57xx series next week, as that is the rumored launch. Keep it in mind before you pull the trigger.

 

[LCD123]

Originally posted by: Jacen

Originally posted by: TBSN
So I think I agree with most of you. $144 for a 4870 before rebate is pretty freakin awesome. I think I'll get that, RMA my 8800 (if it is still under warranty) and sell it.

I want to play Clear Sky in DX10!!! It'll still be a stretch, but maybe I'll manage.

Definitely the route you should go unless you can hold out for the 57xx series next week, as that is the rumored launch. Keep it in mind before you pull the trigger.

The 5770 isn't worth the dx11 premium. You can't go wrong with the 4850 or 4870.

 

[tynopik]

get ANY video card (cannibalized, 8400gs, pci even) now just so you can continue working

that gives you time to make the correct decision without feeling pressured by imminent failure

having to give up gaming for a couple weeks won't kill you

 

[yusux]

ouch bad time for a card to die..

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: TBSN
So I think I agree with most of you. $144 for a 4870 before rebate is pretty freakin awesome. I think I'll get that, RMA my 8800 (if it is still under warranty) and sell it.

I want to play Clear Sky in DX10!!! It'll still be a stretch, but maybe I'll manage.

Truthfully, I tried Clear Sky DX10 max settings.

My system is
Intel Core2Duo E5200 @ 3.5ghz
4gig ram at 1000mhz (5-5-5-15)
HD4870 1GB at stock speeds
newest Cat 9.9 drivers.

And it doesn't run very well at 1280x1024 DX10 all high. I remember I had to use DX9 Extended Full Lighting (High but not max settings) to get comfortable frame rates. At the very beginning of the game, that town area, DX10 mode pegs my FPS between 22 and 32fps.

It might be because I have a dual core instead of a quad, but overall I don't think the 4870 is that fast for DX10. I'm fairly happy with the newest games at 1280x1024 all max settings (even Crysis DX10 max settings runs decently well) but on some games it can definitely struggle (Clear Sky, NFS: Shift)