XFX 4870 1GB Benchmark question

[Heretic1322]

Hi Guys,

I just upgraded from an 8800GTS 512 to a 4870 1GB.

I just did a 3dmark06 benchmark and I only got 12582. I was hoping for more of an increase as my GTS scored 11861 on stock.

is it the CPU that's holding the 4870 back?

Also what’s a safe overclock for the 4870 1gb?

Thanks for any help

 

[reflux]

Yup, you're CPU limited. You need a quad @ 3.5ghz or so, or a dual at 3.8ghz+ to get decent scores.

Don't worry though, your gaming performance will have increased a lot.

 

[arc@css]

^^I don't doubt the info, just makes me think that since all cpus are around (at the highest) 3.2 at stock then overclocking is an essential for getting the most out of these gpu giants like the 4870X2, 295gtx etc.

 

[willhub]

Get a quad core.
Get an i7 at 3Ghz, you wont be so CPU limited then.

 

[Ben M]

3dmark06 doesn't like the new ati cards. it's an outdated benchmark, run vantage.

 

[Heretic1322]

Thank you all for the replies...

I will give Vantage a try and I'll look in to getting a Quad Q6600. Shame they have been at around the same price now for so long due to the cred crunch.

What's the average overclock i could expect from this card please?

 

[FrenchTart]

Don't bother using 3dmark to assess the improvement in score. You'll have a lot more of an improvment than 3dmark suggests..

Your CPU isn't particularly limiting you either. Most games won't make decent use of quad core so there's no point swapping out to one (yet)... However, an upgrade to a quad would net you a couple of thousand 3dmarks...Which highlights just how useless it is as a benchmark.

Of course, a higher clock on your CPU (be it quad or dual) would net you some more performance, but don't listen to anyone that suggests that your card is seriously crippled without a 4ghz quad or something...

 

[EvilOne]

3dmark06 doesnt work too well on newer cards. Nothing to worry about everyone who updates notices that