Video card upgrade advise

Reece · 07-06-11, 07:36 PM

I had shelved SH5 because my computer system is getting a little "old"! I recently purchased Trainz 2010 (2009 release) and even setting video options way down still jerks around, I would have thought it would run this!!

however I am not flush with funds but I think the best move would be to upgrade my old ATI HD4850 512, though I still use WinXP Pro so updating to a newer card will change this to 1024mb taking a further chunk out of the 3gb XP works with, I questioned this before here way back but it is getting more urgent.

If I do upgrade it would be to a later ATI card as the Asus AMD motherboard is optimized for this.

Advise please!

Specs:
Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe with 4 PCIe X16 slots.
Processor: AMD Phenom II dual core running at 3.7ghz
Ram: 4gb Kingston HyperX 1060mhz
Video ATI HD4850 512 HIS Turbo running at 685mhz
Windows: XP Pro

FIREWALL · 07-06-11, 07:51 PM

Hi Reece

A buddy has this card for 3 mo's and loves it. This card for the low price exceeded his expectations big time.

Lots of features and runs real cool with dual fans.

AND... Lifetime warranty to boot.

Amazon thru SubSim : http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-Min...9999407&sr=1-2

TigerDirect : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...997&CatId=7005

With all the Specs and Info and Reviews also to compare with Amazon Reviews.

Reece · 07-06-11, 08:05 PM

Interesting, I just checked and can get it locally for the same price, I wonder how it compares to a 6870, ($40 more)?

Edit: Just did a compare and the 6870 is way ahead:
http://www.hwcompare.com/9994/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/
I might do a compare between my 4850 and the 6870 just for fun!
http://www.hwcompare.com/6044/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/
Only a little faster!!

So far this seems the way to go! the 1024mb with XP pro is a worry though, I also better check to see if it will run ok in a PCIe X16 slot!

Thanks for starting the ball rolling FIREWALL.

FIREWALL · 07-06-11, 08:21 PM

Here's 2 examples of 6870 Reece.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...407&CatId=7005

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...408&CatId=7005 Black Edition

I could be but, besides some small difference in specs you get a game for Black Edition.

Both factory OverClocked and still Lifetime Warranty.

FIREWALL · 07-06-11, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reece

Interesting, I just checked and can get it locally for the same price, I wonder how it compares to a 6870, ($40 more)?

Edit: Just did a compare and the 6870 is way ahead:
http://www.hwcompare.com/9994/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/
I might do a compare between my 4850 and the 6870 just for fun!
http://www.hwcompare.com/6044/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/
Only a little faster!!

So far this seems the way to go! the 1024mb with XP pro is a worry though, I also better check to see if it will run ok in a PCIe X16 slot!

Thanks for starting the ball rolling FIREWALL.

Always willing to help a friend and, you've always been one.

Arclight · 07-06-11, 08:30 PM

6870 or 6850 sounds good. 6790 is not worth it at $150,-.

Reece · 07-06-11, 09:10 PM

Yes there is not much between the 6850 and the 6870:
http://www.hwcompare.com/5999/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/
but the price difference is quite a bit, I prefer to buy locally because it is easier to return if something goes wrong, I also prefer the Gigabyte range, there cooling fans are open for easier cleaning.

The 6850 here is $173

The 6870 is $215

At this stage the 6850 might be the best move since money is scarce of late!!

This way I save $42, I will see what my better half thinks, she controls the funds!

Thanks again.

07-06-11, 07:36 PM	#1
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,934 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Video card upgrade advise I had shelved SH5 because my computer system is getting a little "old"! I recently purchased Trainz 2010 (2009 release) and even setting video options way down still jerks around, I would have thought it would run this!! however I am not flush with funds but I think the best move would be to upgrade my old ATI HD4850 512, though I still use WinXP Pro so updating to a newer card will change this to 1024mb taking a further chunk out of the 3gb XP works with, I questioned this before here way back but it is getting more urgent. If I do upgrade it would be to a later ATI card as the Asus AMD motherboard is optimized for this. Advise please! Specs: Asus M3A32-MVP Deluxe with 4 PCIe X16 slots. Processor: AMD Phenom II dual core running at 3.7ghz Ram: 4gb Kingston HyperX 1060mhz Video ATI HD4850 512 HIS Turbo running at 685mhz Windows: XP Pro __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

07-06-11, 07:51 PM	#2
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Hi Reece A buddy has this card for 3 mo's and loves it. This card for the low price exceeded his expectations big time. Lots of features and runs real cool with dual fans. AND... Lifetime warranty to boot. Amazon thru SubSim : http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-Min...9999407&sr=1-2 TigerDirect : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...997&CatId=7005 With all the Specs and Info and Reviews also to compare with Amazon Reviews. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-06-11, 08:05 PM	#3
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,934 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Interesting, I just checked and can get it locally for the same price, I wonder how it compares to a 6870, ($40 more)? Edit: Just did a compare and the 6870 is way ahead: http://www.hwcompare.com/9994/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/ I might do a compare between my 4850 and the 6870 just for fun! http://www.hwcompare.com/6044/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/ Only a little faster!! So far this seems the way to go! the 1024mb with XP pro is a worry though, I also better check to see if it will run ok in a PCIe X16 slot! Thanks for starting the ball rolling FIREWALL. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!* Last edited by Reece; 07-06-11 at 08:17 PM.

07-06-11, 08:21 PM	#4
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Here's 2 examples of 6870 Reece. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...407&CatId=7005 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...408&CatId=7005 Black Edition I could be but, besides some small difference in specs you get a game for Black Edition. Both factory OverClocked and still Lifetime Warranty. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

07-06-11, 08:30 PM	#6
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	6870 or 6850 sounds good. 6790 is not worth it at $150,-. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-06-11, 09:10 PM	#7
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,934 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Yes there is not much between the 6850 and the 6870: http://www.hwcompare.com/5999/radeon...adeon-hd-6870/ but the price difference is quite a bit, I prefer to buy locally because it is easier to return if something goes wrong, I also prefer the Gigabyte range, there cooling fans are open for easier cleaning. The 6850 here is $173 The 6870 is $215 At this stage the 6850 might be the best move since money is scarce of late!! This way I save $42, I will see what my better half thinks, she controls the funds! Thanks again. __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*