Need a GPU upgrade from HD4890

Hi everyone

I noticed that my GPU tends to sweat with the newest PC games even when they are not at ran at max graphics. For example, I tried playing The Witcher 2 on my PC, but even with tweaked settings (aliasing down, shadows down, all demanding stuff) I run the game at inconsistent framerate. The dialogue is fine, but it's with set pieces and combat that my fps will tank. Also, my GPU tends to get extremely hot when playing these games, running at 85+ C° when playing The Witcher 2.

I would like to upgrade, but don't have much money to spend, since I was saving for a PS3. I suppose I can spend €150 for a new GPU, which is about $200 I believe.

I don't know a lot about computer hardware but I'll post the hardware that I do know is in my PC:

Windows 7 64-bit

Intel Core i7 920 CPU

ATI Radeon HD4890

Another question. If you will suggest me a graphics card, do I have to change something with my software or hardware? And is said GPU a large improvement upon my graphics card?

Hi everyone

I noticed that my GPU tends to sweat with the newest PC games even when they are not at ran at max graphics. For example, I tried playing The Witcher 2 on my PC, but even with tweaked settings (aliasing down, shadows down, all demanding stuff) I run the game at inconsistent framerate. The dialogue is fine, but it's with set pieces and combat that my fps will tank. Also, my GPU tends to get extremely hot when playing these games, running at 85+ C° when playing The Witcher 2.

I would like to upgrade, but don't have much money to spend, since I was saving for a PS3. I suppose I can spend €150 for a new GPU, which is about $200 I believe.

I don't know a lot about computer hardware but I'll post the hardware that I do know is in my PC:

Windows 7 64-bit

Intel Core i7 920 CPU

ATI Radeon HD4890

Another question. If you will suggest me a graphics card, do I have to change something with my software or hardware? And is said GPU a large improvement upon my graphics card?

Vravage

Before I forget, my GPU is about 50-55C° when idling, so I don't know if that is problematic or not. My friend's computer doesn't have an i7 or a HD4890, but his rig breezes at a 35C°.

Here you go, GTX 560 with alot of overclock potential, able to overclock pass GTX 560ti stock speeds.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-087-GI

but if you want to stay with AMD/ATI then the 6870 is your upgrade option

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-252-SP

Here you go, GTX 560 with alot of overclock potential, able to overclock pass GTX 560ti stock speeds.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-087-GI

but if you want to stay with AMD/ATI then the 6870 is your upgrade option

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-252-SP

04dcarraher

Ah, but I never overclock. So, is the AMD GPU still a good choice without doing this?

I use an Antec Sonata III as a case.

Well a GTX 560 and 6870 are about equal, and when you overclock the gtx 560 to gtx 560ti performance then your getting into the 6950 area of gpu performance Overclocking is very simple and pretty safe. But the 6870 is still a good choice. Your Antec Sonata III is part of the problem it does not have good airflow for the parts you use. Your case does not include a front 120mm fan which will help alot in cooling so buying a fan will good http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-021-SY

Well a GTX 560 and 6870 are about equal, and when you overclock the gtx 560 to gtx 560ti performance then your getting into the 6950 area of gpu performance Overclocking is very simple and pretty safe. But the 6870 is still a good choice. Your Antec Sonata III is part of the problem it does not have good airflow for the parts you use. Your case does not include a front 120mm fan which will help alot in cooling so buying a fan will good http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FG-021-SY

04dcarraher

Thank you for the info.

yeah the 560 isnt a smart idea the hd 4890 = hd 5830

upgrades to anything south of a gtx 570/hd 6950 is a waste of time.

yeah the 560 isnt a smart idea the hd 4890 = hd 5830

upgrades to anything south of a gtx 570/hd 6950 is a waste of time.

ionusX

[QUOTE="ionusX"]

yeah the 560 isnt a smart idea the hd 4890 = hd 5830

upgrades to anything south of a gtx 570/hd 6950 is a waste of time.

04dcarraher

a good boost but nothing huge nothign that exceeds 30% better. i wouldnt update a gpu for anything less than 30%

Your 4890 is similar to my GTX 275. I would wait until the next series from nvidia and ati, there's not a big enough increase unless you want to go very high end, but that won't come cheap.

Can you delay playing witcher 2 for a while? I have done that, I am waiting for prices to go down a bit or new cards to come.

I mean if someone has the budget then by all means upgrade a 4890 but you are saving for something else and I think 4890 is a good enough card for you to give other non-computer stuff priority(the PS3 in your case).

The 4890 is still a really good card, but if you have to upgrade from it, the only worthy upgrades would be a 570/580 or a 6970.

6950 2gb toxic edition is probably the best value dollar for performance right now. Right out of the box it'll compete with a 570 gtx at stock. Also id say the 4890 is still pretty decent. Can I know why exactly youd want a ps3 with a capable gaming pc? I have a ps3 and its just been collecting dust, since I prefer my games to have a certain level of graphics which the it is far from meeting. Only time I use it is when I want to watch a blu ray movie.

Just wait it out.

I'm using an HD4850 512mb a the moment and waiting for the HD7k series to come out. Just scale the graphics appropriately and you'll be fine.

6950 2gb toxic edition is probably the best value dollar for performance right now. Right out of the box it'll compete with a 570 gtx at stock. Also id say the 4890 is still pretty decent. Can I know why exactly youd want a ps3 with a capable gaming pc? I have a ps3 and its just been collecting dust, since I prefer my games to have a certain level of graphics which the it is far from meeting. Only time I use it is when I want to watch a blu ray movie.

blaznwiipspman1

I like the exclusives, like God of War and the collection packs. I've looked up a HD6950 and it's looking pretty expensive...

http://shop.dvscomputers.be/index.asp?G=Grafische+kaarten&S=ati+radeon+PCI-E

Funny, I have a 4850 and I run the Witcher at about 30 FPS average with all settings that could be maxed, maxed, but with fancy effects turned off (SSAO, motion blur, super AA).

But yes, I wouldn't get anything lower than a GTX 570/HD 6970.

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

Baurus_1

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

Baurus_1

Negatory.

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

Baurus_1

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

I'd say wait getting to the season of new GPU series.

[QUOTE="Baurus_1"]

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

blaznwiipspman1

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

[QUOTE="Baurus_1"]

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

blaznwiipspman1

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

I swear you must be on AMD's payroll.

[QUOTE="Baurus_1"]

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

blaznwiipspman1

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

[QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

[QUOTE="Baurus_1"]

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

V4LENT1NE

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

what bias garbage? If you're calling me bias then you're also calling HARDOCP bias as well as PUREOC, both respected review sites bias. Excluding all the games sponsored by nvidia, the 6950 2gb toxic does well against the 570gtx right out of the box, usually within 2-3 frames and even closer at 1080p. This is without any overclock applied.

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1352&page=14

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/08/29/sapphire_toxic_hd6950_video_card_review

I guess your nvidia fantasy has you in hardcore denial.

[QUOTE="V4LENT1NE"][QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

blaznwiipspman1

what bias garbage? If you're calling me bias then you're also calling HARDOCP bias as well as PUREOC, both respected review sites bias. Excluding all the games sponsored by nvidia, the 6950 2gb toxic does well against the 570gtx right out of the box, usually within 2-3 frames and even closer at 1080p. This is without any overclock applied.

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1352&page=14

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/08/29/sapphire_toxic_hd6950_video_card_review

I guess your nvidia fantasy has you in hardcore denial.

[QUOTE="Baurus_1"]

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

blaznwiipspman1

6950 2gb toxic edition beats the 570gtx and 580 gtx in most that aren't sponsored by nvidia

[QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

[QUOTE="V4LENT1NE"] Any respect you likely had from people is probably gone with the bias garbage you have been posting on here lately.V4LENT1NE

what bias garbage? If you're calling me bias then you're also calling HARDOCP bias as well as PUREOC, both respected review sites bias. Excluding all the games sponsored by nvidia, the 6950 2gb toxic does well against the 570gtx right out of the box, usually within 2-3 frames and even closer at 1080p. This is without any overclock applied.

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1352&page=14

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/08/29/sapphire_toxic_hd6950_video_card_review

I guess your nvidia fantasy has you in hardcore denial.

HD 6970 = best price/performance GPU currently available.

Baurus_1

[QUOTE="blaznwiipspman1"]

[QUOTE="V4LENT1NE"] Any respect you likely had from people is probably gone with the bias garbage you have been posting on here lately.V4LENT1NE

what bias garbage? If you're calling me bias then you're also calling HARDOCP bias as well as PUREOC, both respected review sites bias. Excluding all the games sponsored by nvidia, the 6950 2gb toxic does well against the 570gtx right out of the box, usually within 2-3 frames and even closer at 1080p. This is without any overclock applied.

http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=1352&page=14

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/08/29/sapphire_toxic_hd6950_video_card_review

I guess your nvidia fantasy has you in hardcore denial.

As I said before, disregarding games that are purely sponsored by nvidia and also a few years old now and comparing neutral games you get a clearer picture that the 6950 2gb toxic is pretty much neck and neck with the 570 gtx. After overclocking it beats the 570gtx. Switch the bios switch to the 6970 and overclock it and it beats a 580gtx at stock in alot of neutral games. Thats what the reviews are stating. You keep basing your conclusions on games developed on nvidia hardware and state that the 6950 is below most of the time. Thats obviously flawed. Nvidia bribes developers much more than AMD does. Its a sad case in the industry but thats the way it is.

who cares whter they bribe or not..Nvidia's got what they have got..i dont see why you have fight for the 6950 toxic soo much.gravitygamer

yes like I said before, thats just the way the industry works. Its despicable but thats business. Anyways, when comparing neutral games, 6950 2gb toxic is very close to a 570 gtx at stock and beats it after the overclock. Thats my point. MOST games are neutral and tats the way it should be. Starcraft 2 for example, probably the biggest pc game this year performs the same on both cards.