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About to buy a 4870 from OcUK - Just need a few questions answered

asim18

asim18

asim18

Soldato
Joined
5 Dec 2006
Posts
15,370
Howdy,

I'm about to get THIS, but i just need some questions answered before i hit buy.
  1. How much longer is this card than the 8800GT?
  2. My motherboard only has (afaik) a 1.1 pci-e slot, however this card is pci-e 2.0. How much would this bottleneck? maybe an insignificant 1%?, or would it be highly noticeable?
  3. Can you set custom graphics profiles for different EXE's? Like for example, i play GTA Vice City and UT2004 sometimes, and as you know they dont have options for Anti-aliasing. Can i set up profiles to automatically load for these older games, like the nvidia drivers can?
  4. Will changing graphics cards interfere with my current cpu overclock?
  5. And finally, I have a 580 watt hiper psu, will this be enough?
I currently have, [email protected], 2x 1gb ram, asus p5k-e.


Thanks a lot guys :)
 
asim18 said:
Howdy,

I'm about to get THIS, but i just need some questions answered before i hit buy.
  1. How much longer is this card than the 8800GT?
  2. My motherboard only has (afaik) a 1.1 pci-e slot, however this card is pci-e 2.0. How much would this bottleneck? maybe an insignificant 1%?, or would it be highly noticeable?
  3. Can you set custom graphics profiles for different EXE's? Like for example, i play GTA Vice City and UT2004 sometimes, and as you know they dont have options for Anti-aliasing. Can i set up profiles to automatically load for these older games, like the nvidia drivers can?
  4. Will changing graphics cards interfere with my current cpu overclock?
  5. And finally, I have a 580 watt hiper psu, will this be enough?
I currently have, [email protected], 2x 1gb ram, asus p5k-e.


Thanks a lot guys :)
Click to expand...

ok im not the best at this but i will give it ago.

1. They are same size as 8800 gts 640 meg card > 9 1/2 inches long.
2. Dont think there will be any difference in speed.
3. Not sure but would think so in ATI driver suite.
4. No can not see why it would.
5. If it's classed as a good make then yes thats plenty of power.

Please feel free people on correcting me as im not the best person to ask but i tried.
 
.one. has answered your questions well, I would just add;

4 - The 4800-series cards are HOT so might interfere slightly with your cpu overclock if you havent got a v well ventilated case

5 - Hiper? Weak make tbh for a highish end system, it's touch and go tbh. Personally I'd change it for a quality make 600w+ if that's possible

Si
 
Thanks for the replies.

1. I just measured my case and i have exatcly 11 inches of clear space from the start of the PCB. So this should be enough including the PCI-e power cables.
4. CPU temps are well within limits, so it should be fine.
5. :( i thaught hiper was a good brand, seeing as i baught it from OcUK, and they sell "Only the best performance hardware" :p.
It's listed HERE as a certified psu for the 4870 though.


Cheers guys.


I think i will order it today, which afaik is friday. Any chance i can get saturday shipping at a weekday price? :o :p

EDIT: hmm, i found a competitor asking £9.99 for saturday delivery, OcUK is asking for £18. Both via citylink. :p
 
Last edited:
asim18 said:
Howdy,

I'm about to get THIS, but i just need some questions answered before i hit buy.
  1. How much longer is this card than the 8800GT?
  2. My motherboard only has (afaik) a 1.1 pci-e slot, however this card is pci-e 2.0. How much would this bottleneck? maybe an insignificant 1%?, or would it be highly noticeable?
  3. Can you set custom graphics profiles for different EXE's? Like for example, i play GTA Vice City and UT2004 sometimes, and as you know they dont have options for Anti-aliasing. Can i set up profiles to automatically load for these older games, like the nvidia drivers can?
  4. Will changing graphics cards interfere with my current cpu overclock?
  5. And finally, I have a 580 watt hiper psu, will this be enough?
I currently have, [email protected], 2x 1gb ram, asus p5k-e.


Thanks a lot guys :)
Click to expand...

1. Roughly the same length.
2. There's a difference, but for non-CF configs this is insignificant.
3. You can have custom profiles, but the issue is that they don't launch automatically which in my book defeats the purpose.
4. Nope.
5. Should be fine yes. There a certain amount of grumping about Hiper PSUs on these forums as some 580W models have blown up under too much load. However, I had the 580W one for years (best modular cable management I've come accross) and never had any issues. I think you should be just fine.

Good luck :)
 
Ahh, i've changed my mind.

I really don't want to risk getting another peice of ATi hardware. Long story short, I've had multiple terrible experiences with ATi hardware/software in the past, just isn't worth the risk IMO.

So I baught some other bits 'n' bobs insted :D.
 
asim18 said:
Ahh, i've changed my mind.

I really don't want to risk getting another peice of ATi hardware. Long story short, I've had multiple terrible experiences with ATi hardware/software in the past, just isn't worth the risk IMO.

So I baught some other bits 'n' bobs insted :D.
Click to expand...

You'll regret that. None of that will make your PC any faster in the way the graphics upgrade would have.
 
asim18 said:
Ahh, i've changed my mind.

I really don't want to risk getting another peice of ATi hardware. Long story short, I've had multiple terrible experiences with ATi hardware/software in the past, just isn't worth the risk IMO.

So I baught some other bits 'n' bobs insted :D.
Click to expand...

What a strange thing to do considering you was interested in a GFX card :) still your choice hope your happy with your purchase.
 
Tbh, im not rich (yet ;)). All the gfx card upgrades i've ever had have been big/very significant jumps.

I started with Geforce 5200> 9800Pro> 7800 GS> 8800GT, and IMO, i wouldnt be happy with throwing money for a 4870, im gonna wait until the GTX 380's come out and drop in price lol. (EDIT: mind you, i baught all those cards after significant price drops)

But with these bit's n bobs, i've ordered, they are way more future-proof upgrades, i'd been using an old 80gb IDE drive for the OS, and an IDE DVD-drive for almost 5 years. Atleast now i'll be all SATA. And the coolermaster case i've also had for almost 4 years is literally starting to show its age.

So i'm very happy :)
 
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would have added the 3 pound and gone for the seagate 250gb with 16mb cache, but still, hope you enjoy what you have got and maybe your confidence will grow in ati as im using a 4870 and have to say best thing ive brought in ages.
 
JediFragger said:
.one. has answered your questions well, I would just add;

4 - The 4800-series cards are HOT so might interfere slightly with your cpu overclock if you havent got a v well ventilated case

5 - Hiper? Weak make tbh for a highish end system, it's touch and go tbh. Personally I'd change it for a quality make 600w+ if that's possible

Si
Click to expand...

ive got the hiper type r 580 and running a 3870 x2 with no problems at all.so i should think you will be ok.
 
Nothing on your list will see any realterm gains.

And the antec 900 is an awful cramped case.

But if your happy ,I guess that all that matters.
 
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