Replacing old graphics card

[Twistedsock]

Hi,

Bit out of touch with current hardware, only thing I have brought in the last five years is a CPU cooler.

I have an old XPS 730 with an intel core 2 extreme qx9650 and two hd 3870x2 in crossfire. The graphics cards seem to be on the way out. I have been getting crashes and blue screens when playing a lot of games. I have just finished pulling the cards apart to clean the heatsinks and fans. Current temps at idle are
GPU1 54c
GPU2 62c
GPU3 52c
GPU4 72c
Seems high to me or is this normal? Don't know temps under load as it crashes. Crashes when turning on crossfire as well.

I forgot to replace the themal paste but I don't think it will make much difference.

Does anybody know what current single card would be the equivalent of these two and I what would be a good replacement bearing in mind the age of the CPU, not sure about bottlenecks.

Cheers.

 

[kh85]

replace the thermal paste.. eh eh

 

[arc@css]

I'm no expert on this, but I think replacing the paste would be advisable. However, the temps for the 3870X2 look about right. They were hot running cards iirc.

In terms of equivalent power, iirc a 3870X2 = 4870, so at peak performance you have roughly the equivalent of a 4870X2 / 5870. Since you have still an ageing but fairly decent cpu, I'd suggest something like a 7850 / 660 (equivalent), or as a better performer, a 7950 /cheaper 670 and upgrade the mobo and cpu when you can.

 

[Drangueos]

I forgot to replace the themal paste but I don't think it will make much difference.

actually I think this would do a big difference.
You should start from there.

 

[Twistedsock]

Thanks for replies.

I replace the paste tommorow. I have artic silver and some Noctua paste knocking about.

At least I know how the get them apart now, so many little screws!

Cheers.

 

[apeksdiver]

Oh yes I remember taking the heatsink off mine when i fitted an arctic cooling setup have fun.

 

[kh85]

remember not to over do it with the paste