GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

From what I’ve been able to dig up, there is actually a 4860 out there—essentially a refreshed version of the 4850—but it’s only being rolled out in certain specific markets (which, let’s be honest, doesn't include us here in the States).
The stuff you’re seeing currently being sold under the 4850 label? That’s just leftover inventory 🙂

Man, now I'm actually wondering if it'll be a tragedy when they finally vanish from the market
I've got one sitting right here, and it would make for a killer Crossfire setup

Hey,

I need some advice on which GPU would actually make sense for this setup:

Core 2 duo E6300 (1.86 MHz)
3 GB DDR2
500W

Mainly just looking to stream movies onto my plasma screen from the PC.

Thanks in advance!

Austin Smith35 said:Hey,

Looking for some advice on which GPU would fit this build best:

Core 2 duo E6300 (1.86 MHz)
3 GB DDR2
500W

Mainly just want to watch movies on my plasma screen through the PC.

Thanks in advance!

I reckon an ATI 4350, 5450, 4550, or 4650
would all work fine for that, and they're all under $133

EDIT

An 9500GT would do the job too.

Signature.
A few previous generations can handle HD movies just fine, supporting resolutions up to 2560x1600. I’d say just grab whichever one is cheaper and more power-efficient; there isn't really much to overthink here.

Is gaming even on the table at all?

Just stick with ATI... if you're looking at newer series... specifically because they actually support audio through HDMI, which NVIDIA still can't touch... otherwise, you'll just be stuck running extra cables for sound everywhere.

darkowl72 said:just stick with ATI... newer series... because of the HDMI audio support, which NVIDIA lacks... otherwise you're stuck running extra cables just for sound...

pretty sure the whole 4xxx series handles audio over HDMI, right?

I don't know, man. I can't remember if the 5xxx series actually got a new version... honestly, I'm getting old and my memory is slipping. 😁

So, I'm looking to pick up a new graphics card
Here’s what my current setup looks like:
MB: MSI K8N SLI Platinum
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 4400
RAM: 4 GB DDR
HDD: 160 GB
PSU: 400 W Chiftec
Right now, I'm running dual GeForce 6600 GTs, which I'd like to swap out.
I'm planning to set aside about $333—and while I've been an NVIDIA guy until now, I'm thinking it might be time to make the jump over to an ATI card.

Thomas Jones82 said:I'm looking to pick up a new graphics card
here is my current setup:
mb: MSI K8N SLI Platinum
cpu: AMD Athlon X2 4400
ram: 4 GB DDR
hdd: 160 GB
psu: 400 W Chiftec
Right now I'm running dual GeForce 6600 GTs, which I want to replace.
I'm planning to set aside about $333. I know I've been using GeForce until now, but I think I'll switch over to an ATI card this time.

The HD5770. It should run about $400 around $1000-ish.

Thomas Jones82 said:I'm looking to pick up a new GPU
here's what I'm running right now
mb: msi k8n sli platinum
cpu: AMD Athlon X2 4400
ram: 4 gb ddr
hdd : 160 gb
psu: 400 w chiftec
and currently rocking 2x geforce 6600 gt, which I'd swap out
thinking of setting aside about $333 and honestly, I've used geforce before, but I think I'll go with an ati card this time

My take on his setup...
Grab a 4850. Maybe you can snag a used one for under $233...

If you can find an HD5770 for $1000, grab it (otherwise they're $1200 new)

Bryan Evans77 said:my recommendation for his rig...
grab a 4850—you might even find a used one with some remaining warranty for under $233...

And if you can snag a 5770 for up to $1000, go for it (otherwise, they're sitting at $1200 brand new)...

But what about the 4870?? Is it not worth picking up??

Thomas Jones82 said:so what about the 4870?? Not worth grabbing??

To be blunt, if you've got $17 more, the 4870 is a much better bet.
The only catch is they won't be around much longer, so if you were planning on running Crossfire down the road, finding a pair will be tough.
But strictly comparing the 4870 and the 5770? Definitely go 4870.

Otherwise, the new 4850 with 512MB DDR3 is sitting at $250
(The 1GB version isn't actually any better, trust me)
I think for that price, it's a killer card.

And if you throw two of them in Crossfire, they perform right up there with a 5850—which isn't cheap.
If you're willing to shell out $100 more than your 1200 limit, this is my top recommendation.

EDIT: If you're shopping used, hunt down a 4890.

Here’s what I’m currently running:
- AMD Athlon X2 4400
- 4GB DDR2
- Zalman 450W power supply
- Radeon X1950

I'm looking for a decent graphics card that won't absolutely wreck my bank account—keep it under $267 if possible. I’ve always been an ATI fan at heart, but honestly, if there's an NVIDIA card in this price bracket that just crushes everything else, please, just tell me straight. Also, I'm not exactly sure how many options I can find at the local Best Buy or Micro Center out here in San Diego.
One more thing 😛... how much of a jump am I actually going to see in something like Call of Duty 4 at 1280x1024 with the settings dialed in the same way if I swap from a card around $200 to something closer to $267?
Thanks for the help!

brightrider8 said:here's my current setup:
- AMD Athlon 5200+
- 4GB DDR2
- Zalman 450W power supply
- Radeon X1950 pro

what kind of GPU would be good for gaming without breaking the bank (max $267)? I prefer ATI, but if NVIDIA is better in this price range, just say the word. Also, I don't know how many options I have at stores in San Diego.
One more thing 😛 how much of a difference will I see in something like Call of Duty 4 at 1280x1024 with the same settings using a $200 card versus a $267 card?
thanks for the help

In principle, you'll see the details based on what you set them to, but you won't be able to run games on max high settings with a 1950

I don't want to end up recommending a 4850 to every single person 🤷, but honestly, it's probably the best option for $250 in its class, and you shouldn't have any trouble finding one.
Just don't go chasing those $250 prices at every shop; that's just what some of the places listed on ZGu
(nabava.net)
No clue what they carry in San Diego

wiredotter14 said:To be perfectly blunt, if you're looking at $17 more, the 4870 is a significantly better pick.
The only catch is they won't be hanging around forever—so if you were planning on running Crossfire down the road, finding a matching pair might become a headache.
But strictly comparing the 4870 to the 5770? It's definitely the 4870.

Otherwise, a brand new 4850 with 512MB DDR3 is going for $250
(And let me save you the trouble: the 1GB version isn't actually any better.)
In my opinion, for that price point, it’s an absolute steal.

Plus, once you throw two of them into Crossfire, you get performance levels comparable to a 5850—which, by the way, doesn't cost less than two grand.
If you're willing to shell out $100 more than your initial $1,200 budget, this is my top recommendation.

EDIT: If you're shopping the used market, go hunt for a 4890.

Thanks for the help.

wiredotter14 said:you'll see the specs once you set them, but don't expect to run everything on max settings at 1080p

I don't want to look like I'm telling everyone they absolutely need a Radeon 4850 🤷 ,but honestly, for $250 it’s probably the best bang for your buck right now, and you shouldn't have any trouble tracking one down.
Just don't go hunting for those $250 prices in every local shop—that's just what some of the retailers listed on ZGu
(nabavi.net)
who knows what's available in San Diego

In San Diego, Links is basically just online via Nabavi (they might have physical stores, but they aren't listed there).
From $250 this is all there is...

If I were him, I'd try to grab something from a retailer in LA or check Craigslist for something with a warranty... you can get a much better deal ali za proc 🙂

p.s.
Here's what's in San Diego

Yeah, but neither brightrider8 nor Thomas Jones82 really know what they're doing when it comes to CPUs... I mean, brightrider8 is okay, I guess, but even a 5200+ isn't going to feed a high-end GPU properly, and Thomas Jones82 with that 4400+? He doesn't stand a chance...

darkowl72 said:Yeah, except neither brightrider8 nor Thomas Jones82 really have much of a clue when it comes to CPUs... I mean, brightrider8 might be okay, but even a 5200+ isn't going to feed a high-end GPU properly—and Thomas Jones82 with that 4400+? He doesn't stand a chance...

So, you're telling me it's not worth picking up a new graphics card for a setup like that??

Thomas Jones82 said:So you think it's not worth buying a new GPU for this setup??

Your CPU might bottleneck the card, but yeah, you'll definitely notice the difference.
You can probably still run newer games on an AMD Athlon X2 4400.

But honestly? Either grab something cheaper, or get a card you can actually reuse when you build a new rig later.