Would this be a waste?

computernoob1 · 07-04-2009, 09:30 PM

I currently have a Saphire ATI Radeon HD 3870 512 MB, and I am looking for an upgrade.
I am hoping to get a XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1 GB for 170$ (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814150394), would I benefit from this card (computer specs in sig) or would it be a waste of 170$?
Also how much could I make off my current video card (on ebay or a similar site)? It is less than a year old, I got it in December (for 160$).

All prices are in canadian dollars.

CardboardSword · 07-04-2009, 10:37 PM

Your system would probably bottleneck it, but it would be a good performance boost. If you don't plan on upgrading your rig any time soon, get a cheaper card instead, if you do plan on doing an upgrade or getting a whole new system, get the 4870 and use it in your next build.

computernoob1 · 07-04-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardboardSword

Your system would probably bottleneck it, but it would be a good performance boost. If you don't plan on upgrading your rig any time soon, get a cheaper card instead, if you do plan on doing an upgrade or getting a whole new system, get the 4870 and use it in your next build.

I plan on getting a new CPU/Motherboard in the next two-three years (unless something happens to my CPU/Motherboard then it will be a lot sooner)

CardboardSword · 07-05-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computernoob1

I plan on getting a new CPU/Motherboard in the next two-three years (unless something happens to my CPU/Motherboard then it will be a lot sooner)

In that case, I'd say spring for the 4870. You'll never see all its potential on your current system, but its 200 bucks you won't have to upgrade in the future, unless you want Crossfire anyway

On a side note, a RAM upgrade would probably do you a world of good too.

computernoob1 · 07-05-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardboardSword

In that case, I'd say spring for the 4870. You'll never see all its potential on your current system, but its 200 bucks you won't have to upgrade in the future, unless you want Crossfire anyway

On a side note, a RAM upgrade would probably do you a world of good too.

Yeah I've been working on that since my old computer cr*pped out on me. Going to get a 1 GB stick.
Thanks for the replies

CardboardSword · 07-05-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computernoob1

Yeah I've been working on that since my old computer cr*pped out on me. Going to get a 1 GB stick.
Thanks for the replies

Just make sure you're running uniform ram. Basically meaning you can't be running sticks with different speeds/capacity. Your best bet is probably to just buy 2x2gb of 800mhz RAM. It's really not much and you won't have to worry about matching your ram. If you are running sticks that are different, they will all clock back to meet the weakest link. Same thing as your entire system's bottleneck, except exclusively for RAM.

Just some food for thought.

computernoob1 · 07-05-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardboardSword

Just make sure you're running uniform ram. Basically meaning you can't be running sticks with different speeds/capacity. Your best bet is probably to just buy 2x2gb of 800mhz RAM. It's really not much and you won't have to worry about matching your ram. If you are running sticks that are different, they will all clock back to meet the weakest link. Same thing as your entire system's bottleneck, except exclusively for RAM.

Just some food for thought.

Wouldn't 4 GB be a waste for windows xp 32-bit?

Respital · 07-05-2009, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by computernoob1

Wouldn't 4 GB be a waste for windows xp 32-bit?

I'd say to get 2X1GB 800Mhz.

Stildawn · 07-05-2009, 11:31 PM

Get Windows 7 RC 64bit = FREE

computernoob1 · 07-06-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Respital

I'd say to get 2X1GB 800Mhz.

I have no experience with RAM, will any stick fit into any motherboard?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stildawn

Get Windows 7 RC 64bit = FREE

I would, but I don't want to have to back-up all my files : P
And I've heard there are a lot of compatibility issues with games and 64-bit O/S

07-04-2009, 09:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
computernoob1 Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 276	Would this be a waste? I currently have a Saphire ATI Radeon HD 3870 512 MB, and I am looking for an upgrade. I am hoping to get a XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1 GB for 170$ (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814150394), would I benefit from this card (computer specs in sig) or would it be a waste of 170$? Also how much could I make off my current video card (on ebay or a similar site)? It is less than a year old, I got it in December (for 160$). All prices are in canadian dollars. __________________ CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4600+ 2.4 GHz GPU - ATI Radeon HD 3870 512MB PSU - Antec 550 watts Motherboard - ATI Radeon XPRESS 200P RX480-A HDD - 320GB Sata RAM - 1.5GB DDR OS - Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3 With Harmon Kardon Sound Sticks & a Logitech headset for gaming

07-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
CardboardSword Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newfoundland, Canada Age: 19 Posts: 304	Your system would probably bottleneck it, but it would be a good performance boost. If you don't plan on upgrading your rig any time soon, get a cheaper card instead, if you do plan on doing an upgrade or getting a whole new system, get the 4870 and use it in your next build. __________________ CPU- Pentium EE 840 @ 3.2Ghz (Intel mobo, no OC) RAM- 2Gb Dell brand, 533Mhz GPU- HIS 4850 Ice Q4 PSU- 460w Dell XPS Case- Tacky Dell XPS gen 5

07-05-2009, 11:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stildawn Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,197	Get Windows 7 RC 64bit = FREE __________________ AMD Phonem II x4 955 Cooler Master V8 HSF Asus M4A79T Deluxe AM3 GSkill 2 x 2gb DDR3 1600 HIS ATi HD4890 1GB TURBO 900/4000 WD 1TB 7200rpm HDD Corsair TX650 Zalman ZM-MFC1 Plus Cooler Master CM690

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