Radeon 5970 with Q9450 @ Default

[kw3i]

Whats up AT forums, been a few years. I have a quick question for those who are in the know on the current state graphics hardware.

I am looking at upgrading from a GTX260 to a Radeon 5970 (once they can actually be found). My question for you all is this, will the Radeon be overpowering my current proc to the degree of pointlessness?

Current games: TF2, COD4 (MW2 soon prob), Aion (crysis engine and main game ATM), Freecell.

Wondering if replacing the GTX only will see significant improvements in the above, while not bottlenecking due to the slightly dated proc. Thanks all for your time!

 

[theAnimal]

What resolution?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Pretty sure Aion is built on CryEngine (ie Far Cry 1), not CryEngine 2 (the engine Crysis uses).

That being said, I probably wouldn't ditch a GTX260 unless I had to turn down settings to get favorable frame rates, which doesn't seem likely with the games you listed unless you're running a really high resolution (ie 2560x1600)

So unless you already have a 30" monitor or you plan on getting one (or 3 for Eyefinity) I don't think you need more than your GTX260.

 

[error8]

If your monitor is bellow 24", then don't bother with a card that's so powerful. A 5870 would be enough, or even wiser is to still keep your GTX 260. Also, Q9450 would probably be a bottleneck in some situations even for the GTX 260, imagine how will it be for a 5970. You really need to start learning to overclock.

 

[Cheex]

The GTX 260 is plenty fast for those games at anything 1920x1200 and lower. If you really need an upgrade though, wait for Fermi to be released and the HD 5000 Series prices to fall.

 

[kw3i]

What resolution?

Ah sorry forgot to mention, running at 2560x1600. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

at that resolution I could see justifying a 5850 or 5870, but a 5970 would still be overkill for the games you play

 

[kw3i]

at that resolution I could see justifying a 5850 or 5870, but a 5970 would still be overkill for the games you play

Once again, thank you for the input, its appreciated!

 

[error8]

Well, if we are talking about 2560X1600 and I know that in time there will probably be other games that you play, not just those you've listed, then why not get the 5970 monster? If money is not a concern ( like it is for most of us ) why not buy the fastest card available? We are all talking through the price/performance filter and for 90% of us on these forums, spending 600$ for a card just to play games, it totally negates that ratio, but then again, if you are one of the people that do have money to burn and you aren't taking food from your mouth or selling your car to obtain that sum of money, then why not 5970? It's the best there is and it's beautiful!
You still have to either get another CPU or overclock this one to its absolute maximum, to enjoy the full benefits of the fastest card money can buy.

 

[Dkcode]

Once again, thank you for the input, its appreciated!

Do you have a crossfire capable motherboard?

If money is no concern then get two 5870's. I wish i had done the same thing when i ditched my GTX 280 for the 295.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Let me warn you, your Q9450 at stock will make that card starve. You will be ill served IMO because you won't have enough CPU to push it.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

if money was no concern, I don't think he'd be running a Q9450 @ stock speeds...

 

[cmdrdredd]

if money was no concern, I don't think he'd be running a Q9450 @ stock speeds...

The thread topic says @ Default so I just assume...

 

[yacoub]

The GTX 260 is plenty fast for those games at anything 1920x1200 and lower. If you really need an upgrade though, wait for Fermi to be released and the HD 5000 Series prices to fall.

+1. No reason to upgrade right now, GPUs from AMD are overpriced and NVidia doesn't have DX11 hardware yet.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

if money was no concern, I don't think he'd be running a Q9450 @ stock speeds...

The thread topic says @ Default so I just assume...

I wasn't replying to you. I specifically state he was running the CPU at stock, so I wasn't even challenging where you might have gotten that idea from. My reply you responded to was in response to the two guys who have cooked up the idea that the OP has an unlimited budget, apparently based solely off of the fact that the OP is considering the 5970. My post is merely reasoning that he cannot have an unlimited budget or else he'd be running a faster CPU.

 

[kw3i]

Well thanks for all the additional posts guys. Let me paint a little clearer picture for you.

1. I am a veteran when it comes to OC. Going down this path is NBD if I chose to do so.
2. I stopped hassling with OCing years ago when $ stopped being an issue.
3. $ is not an "issue" I even considered grabbing a couple 5870s as someone suggested.
4. These days I keep my PCs as hassle free as possible, I prefer to spend my time at my desk above deck, rather than below.
5. The 5970 is a mid-life upgrade for my current hardware, the rest of the system will probably be replaced once another game hits the streets that would require me to push the 5970 beyond what the Q9450 limits it to.
6. I have a 5970 "pre-ordered" well see how well it works when i get it in 2012, just before the flood hits.

Thanks again guys!

Ooops, cant even get the proc model # right, what a noob!

 

[cbn]

Ah sorry forgot to mention, running at 2560x1600. Thanks for the input guys.

Well at that resolution....yes....this hd5970 would be good card since you are likely to be very GPU bound.

 

[Seferio]

Crossfired 5870 x2 is even more overkill. As the 5970 takes much less power to run, it seems less of a hassle to add to a system because you don't have to be as worried about making sure your case is well ventilated enough etc.

Just make sure your case can fit the card is the main thing.