Help Picking a Graphics Card

[Jigsaw]

So, I decided I wanted to upgrade. I'm currently using an Nvidia 9800GTX+ 512mb and whilst it's served me fairly well over the last year and a half I feel sometimes that it is lacking in certain areas.

Rest of my system is as follows:

Intel Q8400 Core 2 Quad CPU ~2.6GHz
4GB RAM
Abit IP35 Pro XE Mobo
20" Samsung LCD Monitor @ 1600x900


I get about 20-25 FPS average in ArmA 2 and i'm looking for this to hopefully improve.

Price range would be up to ~£150.



So far i've looked at an Nvidia GTX 260 896mb, ATI 4890 1024mb or at a push an Nvidia GTX 460 1024mb.

Would any of these offer a decent FPS boost? And of the three which is the best/offers the most bang for buck?

[boilerrat]

How large is your power supply?

[Mj Pain]

I´d say go with the 460. (Most bang for buck and clocks easily).
I´m also stuck with a 9800gtx but i´m looking to get a HD5850 because it supports three screen setup.

I also hear that Arma2 i very cpu intensive, so perhaps you should try to clock that Q8400

Overall, we like what the Q8400 has to offer. It has mass appeal for being one of the most affordable Intel quad-cores on the market. Enthusiasts on a budget can make use of the processor's overclocking ability,

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 CPU Review - HotHardware

[FuzzySquirrel]

First. Try overclocking your CPU because I get fps in that same range with a dual core and GTS 250 (9800GTX+). and if ocing doesn't help I would then suggest the GTX460/4890

[Jigsaw]

How large is your power supply?

600w.


I've never been too keen on overclocking, my system currently is very stable and i'd be worried about screwing that up with my (embarrasingly amateur) hardware skills. Guess it's something to look at as another option though.

[Brainlaag]

.......... with your low budget I would stick with the ATI cards. But TBH jig, I wouldn't buy a new graphic card yet. Rather wait a bit, get some money together and buy a decent 480GTX or something similar. There is no real performance boost if you get some of those mid range cards.*My advice*

But if you really wanna buy one, here are few cards that should fit your wallet:
1) Nvidia GeForce 460 GTX
2) Nvidia GeForce 280 GTX
3) ATi Radeon HD 5830
4) ATi Radeon HD 4870 X2

Oh yeah BTW there is a OC tool for tards xD This little tool is called ClockGen. You can OC your GPU/CPU/RAM with a few clicks. You CANT mess up anything.

-->http://www.chip.de/downloads/c1_downloa ... 47&v=3600&

Its just not as effective as OCing by hand

[BloodBane611]

I've heard good things about the ATI Radeon HD 5770, and it's a fairly affordable card. Anyone with thoughts on it?

This is the one I've been looking at: Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

[SocketMan]

BloodBane611;1430311']I've heard good things about the ATI Radeon HD 5770, and it's a fairly affordable card. Anyone with thoughts on it?

This is the one I've been looking at: Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

I run 2 in Crossfire,can not complain.

[FuzzySquirrel]

BloodBane611;1430311']I've heard good things about the ATI Radeon HD 5770, and it's a fairly affordable card. Anyone with thoughts on it?

This is the one I've been looking at: Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

My problem with that, It preforms in the neighborhood of a 4870, Which is not much of an improvement over a 9800GTX, I would recommend a 470/480 or 5850/5870 if your looking for a considerable increase.

[Brainlaag]

My problem with that, It preforms in the neighborhood of a 4870, Which is not much of an improvement over a 9800GTX, I would recommend a 470/480 or 5850/5870 if your looking for a considerable increase.

Course are they a lot better, but his budget is currently nowhere near the 480/470. So its better for him to way till the upper 400-series goes down. I mean 9800 GTXx2 isn't bad at all.

[Not A Tumour]

I bought a 260 several months ago, but i ended up giving it to my cousin. Instead i bought an XFX 5770 for around 200 Aus dollars, and its one of the best I've ever owned.

[Kilgore.dfa]

I bought a 260 several months ago, but i ended up giving it to my cousin. Instead i bought an XFX 5770 for around 200 Aus dollars, and its one of the best I've ever owned.

Even though you kinda downgraded?

[FuzzySquirrel]

Course are they a lot better, but his budget is currently nowhere near the 480/470. So its better for him to way till the upper 400-series goes down. I mean 9800 GTXx2 isn't bad at all.

I'm saying for his current budget he won't be getting a real upgrade, He should probably wait til he can afford a card that will actually make a difference.

[boom50cal]

HD5750 here, can't complain whatsoever. Not much of a decrease under a 5770 is terms of performance. An HD5830 or GTX460 is what I recommend to you, though.

[SnipeHunt]

I just recently upgraded from the Nvidia 8800 to the GTX 260. I had several issues with the cheap SPDIF cable and upgraded to the GTX460 which does not need the SPDIF cable for the audio passthrough. The 460 looks like a well built card. Did not notice much of a difference from the 260, but I am running poor old DX9 <<<<HOT DAMN:: Just noticed the 460 let me use DX10 with XP>>>>>>>> I would recommend the GTX 460. its about 200$ USD. good deal..

I stay away from ATI cards. It seems whenever there is an issue related to a GPU it is the ATI brand that is not-compatible or problematic.

[Jigsaw]

Heh, there's a difference between what you can afford and what you want to spend


I'm fairly happy with my system as it is, it runs PR on almost all high and that's pretty much all I play tbh so i'd only be looking for an FPS increase there and maybe a 10-20 increase in ArmA 2 just to make it a little prettier/more playable. As I said those are the cards I've been looking at so just wanted to see what the general opinion of them was, seems the 460 is a decent option so will probably go with that.

Cheers