Time to Upgrade GPU... Advice?

[Dalius]

Hey all,

I built my gaming desktop in October 2007 and it is starting to struggle with newer games with all settings/details maxed @ 1680x1050. I'm also planning on buying a 24" gaming/HD viewing monitor (once I can find a good one) so I will need even more power than my current 8800GTS512 can provide. Current specs:

mb: gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
cpu: intel core 2 quad 6600 running at stock (i'm a newb at OCing, never done it before)
ram: crucial ballistix ddr2-800 (2GBx2)
gpu: evga geforce 8800gts 512
psu: corsair hx-520
hd: segate barracuda 7200.10 500gb
case: antec nine hundred
monitor: samsung 226bw

I've been looking at the 4870 & GTX260 Core 216, which both seem to perform almost the same at 1920x1080/1200 (resolution I plan on using with new monitor). However, a local computer shop has this on sale: "MSI R4890-T2D1G-OC ATI Radeon HD 4890 Chipset (880Mhz) 1GB GDDR5 (3996Mhz)" for $180 CAD.

Now, being mainly an nVidia user mostly, I am not familiar with MSI or many other ATI board manfucacturers. Is this a good deal? ArsTechnica seems to think the card is good, going as far as to recommend it in their latest System Builder Gamer Guide (published today, actually... what a coincidence!) Would this card fit my needs of gaming at 1920 res and future-proof me for at least a year or two in PC gaming? Anyone have any experience with the card? Any advice would be greatly appreciated... that particular card is only on sale until Thursday so if I were to pick up that parituclar one, it would have to be soon.

Also, I know this isn't the proper forum to ask this question but I was wondering if anyone had any quick 24" gaming monitor suggestions? Price range of $200-400CAD, using DVI-D to connect to PC, low input response time & decent colour reporodcution & viewing angles... planning on using for gaming & HD viewing mostly. the Acer G24 is a beautiful monitor, specs wise but the orange coating looks a bit... much. I've seen it in action before though and it performed beautifully.... a monitor similar to that would be ideal Here is a picture of the G24:

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated! Please let me know what you think!

 

[DeerSteak]

holy shit that thing is orange.

One thing I can tell from the research I've done regarding my 8800GT is that I'm going to have to put out substantial money to get a big increase in GPU power. I just don't think a 4850 is worth it. It'll take a 4870 or a GTX 275 for me to see enough of a gain for me to put out the corresponding money. That said, a 4870 isn't that pricy, really, even for a 1GB.

 

[jvz555]

an upgrade from an 8800gt to a 4870 is amazing but even more to a gtx 260, well a little bit more

 

[Phuey]

If you're not really crazy about upgrading, hold out a little bit.

8800GTS will do fine for now, unless you need to have ALL the eye-candy.

 

[flogge]

4890 is a good card. They are clocked higher than a 4870 by 13% and are more overclockable generally than the 4870s. $180 is fairly common pricewise. I got a damn nice deal on my second one. $175 shipped with a $20 MIR on top of that for the HIS stock-clocked one.

 

[echn111]

+1 for that 4890. If I had to buy now and price was somewhat of a factor (but not too much), I'd definately grab the 4890 over the 4870 or GTX 260. In fact, if you're considering upgrading the 24", I'd avoid the GTX 260. As for the monitor, I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones, but I've only had hands on experience with my Dell 24XX WFP, was quite pleased with it, and would recommend it if you can get it for a decent price. You may need to wait a bit and look around as Dell changes the price quite drastically fairly often.

 

[12 Axes]

My 7900GTX just died. I think I'm gonna limp along with a spare 3650 I had until the new lines come out in a couple of months. I'm hoping for 4870 X2 performance at less than $200.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Let me guess, you been shopping @ Canada Computers lol

They been pushing that monitor for a while now.

That monitor and a 4890 will work really nicely with your Q6600.

The orange will go well with your Antec900.

Good luck.

 

[Dalius]

holy shit that thing is orange.

One thing I can tell from the research I've done regarding my 8800GT is that I'm going to have to put out substantial money to get a big increase in GPU power. I just don't think a 4850 is worth it. It'll take a 4870 or a GTX 275 for me to see enough of a gain for me to put out the corresponding money. That said, a 4870 isn't that pricy, really, even for a 1GB.

The orange kinda looks good to me now but the glossy screen and one reviewer commenting that HD viewing on it is 'meh' is holding me back from getting it.

As for the video cards, my thoughts exactly. 4870 is quite cheap, but so is the 4890 I linked and 4890 IS a bigger number, no? I just need to know that buying an MSI card won't be something I regret down the line.

an upgrade from an 8800gt to a 4870 is amazing but even more to a gtx 260, well a little bit more

So I hear. So many card models out, and I can only choose one! Decisions, decisions...

If you're not really crazy about upgrading, hold out a little bit.

8800GTS will do fine for now, unless you need to have ALL the eye-candy.

What should I wait for? New cards around the corner? The 8800GTS has been a trusty card indeed but games like SF4 need to be put on low settings, and I like gaming on a computer compared to a console because I can pump the eye candy sky high.. so I guess it's kind of important to me, but of course not a necessity.

4890 is a good card. They are clocked higher than a 4870 by 13% and are more overclockable generally than the 4870s. $180 is fairly common pricewise. I got a damn nice deal on my second one. $175 shipped with a $20 MIR on top of that for the HIS stock-clocked one.

Is $180 common for a 4890? Maybe in the US, but computer parts always seem to be more expensive north of the border, here in Canada.

+1 for that 4890. If I had to buy now and price was somewhat of a factor (but not too much), I'd definately grab the 4890 over the 4870 or GTX 260. In fact, if you're considering upgrading the 24", I'd avoid the GTX 260. As for the monitor, I'm sure there are plenty of other good ones, but I've only had hands on experience with my Dell 24XX WFP, was quite pleased with it, and would recommend it if you can get it for a decent price. You may need to wait a bit and look around as Dell changes the price quite drastically fairly often.

I've heard good things about Dell monitors, but they tend to be quite expensive. Also, does the input lag time make it less than ideal for gaming? I'll have to keep searching I guess... I plan on buying the GPU before I get the monitor though. Why is the GTX260 bad for 24" monitors, though?

My 7900GTX just died. I think I'm gonna limp along with a spare 3650 I had until the new lines come out in a couple of months. I'm hoping for 4870 X2 performance at less than $200.

That would be quite awesome... and if that were the case, I don't think I would mind waiting... although I was really looking forward to playing Dragon Age: Origins at highest settings possible when it came out... oh god, it will be beautiful!

Let me guess, you been shopping @ Canada Computers lol

They been pushing that monitor for a while now.

That monitor and a 4890 will work really nicely with your Q6600.

The orange will go well with your Antec900.

Good luck.

I love Canada Computers! Yeah, I see that monitor with CoD4 running whenever I go into CC and honestly, it looks beautiful on that monitor. It really is nice, and apparently a great gaming monitor but I've heard 'ok' things regarding HD playback, something I do a lot of :\. But yes, the 4890 will compliment my system well I think... thank you.

Thanks to all of you who replies, I value your opinions! If anyone has any last minute comments, specifically about MSI GPUs, the Acer G24 monitor, or a good 24" monitor alternative for HD playback & gaming, I would appreciate it!

 

[cyclone3d]

Why are you torturing that poor Q6600? It is begging to be let loose.... 3-3.2Ghz is VERY easy with 3.6 being pretty easy as well with a decent cooler.

I've been running at over 3.6Ghz on mine for over a year now... just recently bumoing it up to 3.88 from 3.76.

 

[echn111]

I've heard good things about Dell monitors, but they tend to be quite expensive. Also, does the input lag time make it less than ideal for gaming? I'll have to keep searching I guess... I plan on buying the GPU before I get the monitor though. Why is the GTX260 bad for 24" monitors, though?

I found the GTX 260 to be slightly underpowered at 1900x1200 when it comes to modern games with all the eye candy turned on. This could be because I upgraded from an 8800GTX which spoilt me a bit. If you are used to turning the graphics options down, you're probably fine with a GTX260. If you're not into these compromises, I'd favour a more powerful card like the 4890 or the GTX275, or even the GTX285.

Not sure about input lag of the Dell LCD's - I'm not a hard core gamer who turns off all the eye candy and plays at something like 640x480 to maximize the chances of fragging someone... If you're really into "performance" like that, you may want to go with the old fashioned CRT monitors instead.

p.s. that orange monitor will probably be fine for you....

 

[Jorenm]

I run an 8800 gt and I'm waiting for the next gen of graphics cards. I just can't justify upgrading when it's right around the corner, and the 8800gt runs everything I play at 1920x1200 perfectly.

 

[Jalidi]

Definitely get a 4890, it's worth the premium over the 4870 and really doesn't cost that much more. I got the Sapphire 4890 from Canada Computers, it runs like a dream and costs only 220 CDN cash right now. The card is good and quiet and dirt cheap enough that I'm considering getting another for Crossfire.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=023891&cid=999.243.272

For a 24 inch monitor, if you're interested in just watching movies and playing games, check out the Samsung T240HD. I own the 22 inch version and though fine detail doesn't compare to my Dell 2407 (which also costs twice as much) it is more than passable for video and games. I pipe my PS3 through it and occasionally watch Blu Ray. The bonus is that it comes with actually a very good digital tv tuner, so when I'm not using the console or watching a movie, I can watch cable right on my desk.

http://www.canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=020933&cid=MT.863

edit: shoot, i missed the 180 CDN 4890 you found. wow at that price, the performance you'll get is really off the hook. definitely fastest thing under 200 bucks.