Which graphics card?

Footyslayer · 19 Jan 2013 at 18:15

Hello everyone, pleasure to be here posting finally!

I have a query on which graphics card or selection of cards is best for me based on my setup...

I currently have a Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5.

OS - Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 (with latest BIOS)
Processor Name - AMD Phenom II X4 920 (2800.0 MHz)
Memory - 8GB DDR2
PSU - EZCool ATX650JSP (650 watts)

Basically I want more out of games so the easiest route for me as overclocking scares the crap out of me is for now to improve my graphics card. What could I realistically get which is better than the Radeon HD 4870 but won't effect or bottleneck my CPU?

Also I need 2 x DVI outputs as I run my monitor and have it hooked up to my TV.

I was looking at this, is it suitable or are there better recommendations?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BG-083-SP&groupid=595&catid=683&subcat=

Thank you for any help

OptimaLnrg · 19 Jan 2013 at 18:19

I would ask OCUK if they actually have that stock as it says eta

verdue but 2 in stock.

It could be a stock holding error.

As for what kind of card you should go for, My brother has a phenom II x3 720 and I got him a gtx 470 refurb for xmas. For most games it's a nice boost but for mmos etc (he plays planetside 2) there is no performance increase at all due to the cpu.

Footyslayer · 19 Jan 2013 at 18:23

If that isn't in stock it is fine, really I just need to know what I can use which won't bottleneck the CPU. I do need a better graphics card now though...

Bacon? · 19 Jan 2013 at 18:37

I'd say grab a 7850. Provided you overclock it even on stock volts:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-100-GI&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=411

Nuclear Fusion · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:03

7950 might be limited by your CPU, if so then a 7850 would be a good option- especially if you like to overclock

Gregster · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:13

I would say 7850 or 660. I still feel you will see a bottleneck but not much. It would help if you overclock your CPU.

Footyslayer · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:41

I would overclock the CPU but the process seems a little scary for someone like me who has never overclocked!

Also the 7850 has no double DVI.

liamfolz · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:51

Well that CPU is just under 1055T 2.8ghz on anandtech and i had a 6950 and worked great so if i was you id probably go for the 7850 or 7870. Both nice cards

breathe3asy · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:57

I was also worried about overclocking because the thought of changing values in BIOS & potentially rendering your PC useless is daunting. But, with a little research on basics it is easier than you think trust me.

I bought myself a £15 CPU cooler, messed around with BIOS & managed an OC which sorts me out for majority of latest games. It's recommended, especially when you're only other option is to fork out for a new motherboard & CPU, in which case you may as well start from scratch.

I would upgrade the GPU as you are & if its not the performance gain you were hoping for, explore the option of overclocking.

Gregster · 19 Jan 2013 at 19:57

Footyslayer said:
I would overclock the CPU but the process seems a little scary for someone like me who has never overclocked!

Also the 7850 has no double DVI.

Plenty of guys in the overclocking section will help you. Humbug is great with AMD CPU's and I am sure he will help

Tonester0011 · 19 Jan 2013 at 20:07

Footyslayer said:
I would overclock the CPU but the process seems a little scary for someone like me who has never overclocked!

Also the 7850 has no double DVI.

Do you require dual link? or will the single link adapters that come with the GPUs work?
These things: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-047-OK

sieze2 · 19 Jan 2013 at 20:35

As has been said a 7850 would suit you.

Footyslayer · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:31

Thank you for all the replies, last couple of questions regarding a 7850

I have a choice of 9 different versions. I am willing to pay the money for any of them so can anyone please recommend the perfect one?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/search_results.php?sortby=priceDesc&groupid=701&search=HD+7850

Also I don't think my motherboard has PCI Express x16 3.0 and some of these cards specify that.

Motherboard slots are as follows...

2 x PCI Express x16 slots supporting ATI CrossFireX™ technology (Note 4) (The PCIE_16_1 slot supports x16; the PCIE_16_2 supports x8. The PCI Express x16 slots conform to PCI Express 2.0 standard.)

3 x PCI Express x1 slot

2 x PCI slots

The motherboard website states

Dual PCI-E 2.0 x16 graphics interfaces with ATI CrossFireX™ support for extreme gaming performance

Secondly with the 7850 having one DVI but also one HDMI I could use the DVI to my monitor and the HDMI to hook the PC to my TV with just a HDMI lead? Current card has 2 DVI outputs and I run my monitor with a DVI lead and my TV with a DVI to HDMI lead.

Bacon? · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:36

Yep you can use just the HDMI lead

I'd grab the Winforce card in my earlier post personally.

Footyslayer · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:48

Bacon? said:
Yep you can use just the HDMI lead

I'd grab the Winforce card in my earlier post personally.

Apologies I missed that post!

That looks ideal and a good price too, I very much appreciate all your help

Lastly, with the crossfire possibility am I able to crossfire with my current 4870 or is this something you shouldn't do as it is a lesser card?

Gregster · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:51

No difference between PCI-E 3.0 or 2.0 and no problems with using a card that says 3.0 in a 2.0 slot.

humbug · 20 Jan 2013 at 14:58

gregster said:
Plenty of guys in the overclocking section will help you. Humbug is great with AMD CPU's and I am sure he will help

Footyslayer, Ping me if you need me, i have been running my own Phenom II x6 between 4Ghz and 4.2Ghz (depending on how i feel) for two years.

The CPU is today just what it was when it was new, Overclocking will not hurt the CPU, all you need is a £20 CPU cooler and away you go.
There are a lot of benefits to be had from overclocking, including gaming performance improvements

Footyslayer · 20 Jan 2013 at 18:14

gregster said:
No difference between PCI-E 3.0 or 2.0 and no problems with using a card that says 3.0 in a 2.0 slot.

Ahh thanks for that

humbug said:
Footyslayer, Ping me if you need me, i have been running my own Phenom II x6 between 4Ghz and 4.2Ghz (depending on how i feel) for two years.

The CPU is today just what it was when it was new, Overclocking will not hurt the CPU, all you need is a £20 CPU cooler and away you go.
There are a lot of benefits to be had from overclocking, including gaming performance improvements

Ill be in touch, would love to overclock it!

humbug · 21 Jan 2013 at 17:22

Footyslayer said:
Ahh thanks for that

Ill be in touch, would love to overclock it!

I just got your friend request, if your ready let me know, i can start a thread in the CPU room. Tomorrow at the earliest that is.

Footyslayer · 22 Jan 2013 at 21:16

humbug said:
I just got your friend request, if your ready let me know, i can start a thread in the CPU room. Tomorrow at the earliest that is.

Hey buddy,

I am going to start a thread discussing my options in the CPU room and we can keep discuss my options there, please keep an eye out for it