How much longer will my HD4870 512mb last me?

[MouthBoy]

Howdy

I was wondering today how much longer my GFX could last me and still play games at good graphics. For instace, I am thinking of getting Crysis (yes, I am yet to play it) and I am looking towards the future and thinking "can I really play games at good detail for much longer?".

Im tempted to say that I currently run all my games at highest graphics, but looking at the games I play, such as HL2, Dragon Age and when I finally install it again, Dead Space. None of these have issues but they are not the latest cutting edge games so I dont know if I can really use them for a comparison to games I want to play in the future.

I know that when I actually OC my Q6600 (hoping for 3.2Ghz minimum) my system should last fine for about another year but the GFX is worrying me.

I have the Sapphire HD4870 512mb, 500MHz Core and 900MHz Memory.

BTW, if I am worrying about nothing then just tell me

Thanks

 

[Doogle]

I have the HD4850 512MB and i expect it to last several years.

 

[MouthBoy]

I have the HD4850 512MB and i expect it to last several years.

Even playing games at full whack?

I know my system specs might not show this, but I love playing games at full whack. Being a trainee game designer too, its useful to see every game I see how the designers wanted it to be played.

 

[b-star]

Depends on resolution too, but I would say HD4870 is still decent card, which can run all games on high settings, I had same card when played crysis and on high setting NO AA, low shadows it had now struggle,..

Only one new game Metro 2033 is GPU hungry, other then that HD4870 will cope with new games!

 

[jorzeh]

How long is a piece of string...

 

[MouthBoy]

How long is a piece of string...

How ever long I cut it

You know this xfire stuff, would I be able to get another 512mb card (regardless of manufacture) and improve my performance that way? I dont think a HD4870 512mb would set me back that much?

 

[jorzeh]

Thats the point it'll last you as long as you are happy with it maxing games out is a tuff one to answer since so many games are differant

if you can get a second 4870 for about £60 or less you would be onto a winner

 

[MouthBoy]

Gah, it seems that yet again I want something that I dont really need. I must be this forum! All this amazing gear on here and I can only dribble

 

[OrphanBoy]

Yeah, when you're finally thinking "god, this is just a bit too slow to be comfortable", pop a second 4870 in there for 50-100% better frame rates!
The thing is, Crossfire for second-hand cards is often better value for money than the next comparable brand-new card. Eg me getting my second 3870 only cost £30 yet I could never have better frame rates if I didn't have a 3870 to begin with and wanted to only spend £30...

 

[jorzeh]

Gah, it seems that yet again I want something that I dont really need. I must be this forum! All this amazing gear on here and I can only dribble

I know the feeling i don't really need to upgrade my 4870x2 but tempted so much i plan on a 5890 when they come .. two of them they should see me till allmost end of dx11 i hope or half way i'll prob upgrade twice ><