Recommended upgrade? ($200)

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LateraLex

Limp Gawd
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Jan 14, 2008
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My buddy needs to make a new gaming rig on the cheap, so I'm going to offer my current video card to him for cheap (like $120 for the HD3870-X2). It gives me a good excuse to buy a new card... what would you guys recommend for my setup? I'd like to spend $200. Won't need to get it for a week or two...

My current rigs specs:
- E8400
- Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
- HD 3870 X2
- Hauppauge HVR-1600
- G.Skill (2x2GB) DDR2-1000
- ZEROtherm Nirvana NV120
- Corsair CMPSU-550VX
- 22" Samsung LCD (1920 res)

Also, does that seem like a good price to offer the HD3870-X2 for? :cool:
 
ill say wait a bit for the hd58xx but if you want it now, get an hd4890.

for the seller, that price is good. for the buyer, not so much........
 
Yup 4890 or wait for the 5870 to come out, although that will likely cost over $300 at first.
 
Ya if you get something now a 4890 is the way to go. 120 seems high considering you can find some used 4890's for 150-160.
 
Hmm.. so what is a fair price? I thought I saw 3870x2's going for $150 used on ebay a month or so back...I definitely want to hook him up, otherwise I'm happy to stick with my setup)

It sounds like the 4890 is recommended.... strange - no Nvidia cards?
 
LateraLex said:
Hmm.. so what is a fair price? I thought I saw 3870x2's going for $150 used on ebay a month or so back...I definitely want to hook him up, otherwise I'm happy to stick with my setup)

It sounds like the 4890 is recommended.... strange - no Nvidia cards?
Click to expand...

If you want the Nvidia equivalent of the 4890, that would be the GTX 275. However ATI is closer to launch of its new cards, so if you want to use a step up program, I believe you have to purchase an ATI card first.
 
its just at that price range a 4890 is hard to beat. Especially considering they are dropping in sales to 170 sometimes. In addition the new gen ATI cards will be coming out soon so the 4890s will get another drop in price and they are very capable cards of playing yesterday, today, and tomorrow's games.
 
LateraLex said:
Hmm.. so what is a fair price? I thought I saw 3870x2's going for $150 used on ebay a month or so back...I definitely want to hook him up, otherwise I'm happy to stick with my setup)

It sounds like the 4890 is recommended.... strange - no Nvidia cards?
Click to expand...

Truth is your friend is probably better off buying a new HD4850, which cost less than $100 and performers about the same as the HD3870x2 (HD3870x2 = 320 x 2 SP + higher clock speeds vs HD4850 800 SP + lower clock speeds, and doesnt have to deal with crossfire issues).
 
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You should let him have it for $80 tops. Otherwise a HD4850 would be a much better choice like ClearM4 said.
 
LateraLex said:
Hmm.. so what is a fair price? I thought I saw 3870x2's going for $150 used on ebay a month or so back...I definitely want to hook him up, otherwise I'm happy to stick with my setup)

It sounds like the 4890 is recommended.... strange - no Nvidia cards?
Click to expand...

The reviews put the 3870-X2 between a 4850 and a 4870 in tests without AA. But when you turn on AA, it gets left in the dust by both cards.

So, it's beaten by a $100 video card, and competitive only in games that fully support CrossFire. I'd say $75 would be a fair price, as it is used.
 
Ok, the input is definitely appreciated. He is going from a machine that cant play anything, so if I hook him up, he will be able to upgrade sooner... I'll give it to him for $70 and keep an eye out for a good price on a 4890. If I stumble onto a wad of cash, what would be the card just above the 4890?
 
LateraLex said:
Ok, the input is definitely appreciated. He is going from a machine that cant play anything, so if I hook him up, he will be able to upgrade sooner... I'll give it to him for $70 and keep an eye out for a good price on a 4890. If I stumble onto a wad of cash, what would be the card just above the 4890?
Click to expand...

a GTX285, not worth the money (a 4870X2 as well, again not worth the money right now). or you can buy a OC 4890 that is more or less the equal of a non oc GTX285.If your buying now a GTX275 or a 4890 are the best bet. and yah, 75 is what I would ask for that card, I know it sucks being left with that kind of deprecation but...
 
vjcsmoke said:
If you want the Nvidia equivalent of the 4890, that would be the GTX 275. However ATI is closer to launch of its new cards, so if you want to use a step up program, I believe you have to purchase an ATI card first.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware ATI vendors had a step up program. EVGA & BFG do on the Nvidia side.
 
70 is fair I suppose, but you really should direct your buddy to a 4850 instead, as that is going to last him in the long run. Might be better off selling the 3870x2 on ebay.
 
direct your bud to a cheap 4850, from an online dealer, sell off your 3870x2 on ebay or craigs list.

Than wait a month and get a 5850 or a 4890(after price drop)
 
I think the shaders in the 4850 are better than the 3870x2 anyway no? also way less power hungry and less demanding on a psu. Tell him to grab a 4850 and sell the 3870x2 yourself. If it went wrong for him it could strain the freindship? As for your system, grab a better gpu and oc that E8400. Its still a very capable cpu. As for gpu for you? The 4890 or gtx 275 would do very nicely for you and save some $$. Hers a couple solid deals,

HIS H489F1GP Radeon HD 4890 1GB $189.99 + FS - $10 MIR
XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB $199.99
EVGA 896-P3-1170-AR GeForce GTX 275 896MB $229.99 - $20MIR + FS + free Batman Game

Here's a nice deal for your buddy if he likes nvidia over ati

EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB $119.99 - $15 mir + fs + Free WOW + 3D vision glasses kit w/ purchase, ends 8/31
 
Thats some good advice... so you think I could get more for the HD3870X2 on ebay? Any suggestions on selling it? Do pics of my actual card help or just the stock photos? Also, what would be a good starting price?
 
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