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Graphics Card upgrade possible or worth it?

Sinclair

Sinclair

Sinclair

Associate
Joined
27 Feb 2009
Posts
79
I recently put together my first build with a view of using the system until January next year at which point I would give it to my mother.
I would use the experience to build myself a better machine.

I had no real intention of using this one for games, but after trying out COD4 that has changed. I want more eye candy and performance.

I’m thinking of buying a new graphics card to use now in the existing build. I'll then place it in the new machine when the time comes. However, I don’t know whether it’s possible or worth it. For instance, is the existing PSU/CPU sufficient?

I’m using a 22” Samsung Monitor (1680x1050) and it’s possible that I’ll upgrade to a 24” in the future.

This is the existing build
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (66I-01939)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5200 "LGA775 Core 2" 2.50GHz (800FSB) - Retail
Abit IP35 Pro XE Intel P35 (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
Gainward ATI Radeon HD 4650 512MB DDR2 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail (471846200-9702)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD642JJ)
OCZ ModXStream Pro 400w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 X 2GB) DDR2 8500C5 1066MHz Dual Channel Kit (KHX8500D2K2/4G)
Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU)
Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM

And these are the cards I’m looking at:
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail (21133-04-20) - £165.59 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-188-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) – Retail- This Week Only Offer - £164.99 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-120-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

Zotac GeForce GTX 260 "55nm Maxcore" 896MB GDDR3 TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (ZT-X26E3KA-FSP) - £169.04 inc VAT
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-008-ZT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

Assuming the spec I have can accommodate one of these cards, which more is the most recommended?
 
i think you should upgrade to a 4870 1 gig it will come in handy if you go to 24 inch, and get a 550 watt corsair power supply mate.
 
Should be able to but it'll push the PSU nearer to its limit. In the anandtech review here they managed just under 300W under load with the 4870 and they have a power hungry i7 so I'd say you'll be fine, although ideally you should be leaving plenty of headroom for the PSU to work with. Both cards should come with a molex to 6-pin PCI-E connector you need.
 
Thanks a lot for the response guys. I was afraid the PSU would be an issue.

£160-170 is about as much as I want to fork out for at the moment. I plan to include a Corsair PSU in the new build, but unfortunately can't be paying out for that now.

Hmmm.... I don't know what to do. Risk an ATI with a 400w PSU... or forget about it? What would you do?
 
I'd go for it like I said 400W is sufficient unless you have a heavily oced E5200. It provides combined 31A on the 12V+ rail which can comfortably accomodate a 4870 in your setup. It's not like it'll explode as soon as you plug it in. If there isn't enough power the signs would be fairly obvious (random reboots/freezes) but it won't damage the card nor the PSU.
 
Thanks a lot steve258, that's useful infomation. The E5200 hasn't been oc'd.

Which of the linked 4870 1GB cards would you recommend? Or another choice?
 
I want to avoid shelling out for a new PSU now.... if possible. Also, I can’t sell the the present card as that will be placed back in for my Mum. I will give her the machine spec above when I build a new machine.

Any new PSU I get will need to be with the new build in mind. Therefore it should have the potential to run say... an i7, 2 HDDs, Blue ray etc and also have headroom for crossfire, incase I wish to include a 2nd 4870 in the future.

I want a Corsiar and they don’t come cheap. I’m guessing I will need at least a 750-850w PSU?

For now I hope the Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB Card I just ordered will be OK with the 400w PSU. Otherwise I will need to bite the bullet and buy a new one soon.
 
I'm 99% sure you'll be fine.
My system is very similar to yours (stock e5200 etc.) except I all ready have the HD 4870.
I have a gigabyte odin gt power supply that comes with software to test how much power my system is using. I'll install the software in a bit and give my system a workout and let you know what power i'm using and report back later.

From memory and at a guess, your system won't draw much over 200 watts fully loaded.


Just realised I have a Gainward HD 4850 GS in my system at the moment.
Anyway ran prime 95 toture test whilst running 3d mark vantage and peak power draw was 156w
 
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Thanks Shaolin Chicken, that sounds quite positive. I should think it's going to be so much more different that I need to worry.

Hopefully the card will arrive today and I will find out this evening. :)
 
Well so far so good. Been playing games all weekend.. The 400w PSU seems to be coping fine with the Sapphire 4870 in the above build.

Wow.. what a difference. :)
 
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