GPU upgrade time

[Groovechild]

The ram is just a matter of having the capability of drawing on large displays (obviously it takes more pixels to store graphics data for 1920x1200 pixels than 1680x1050), the GPU frequency is what is faster on certain cards, and does all the work. The GTX460-768 is my card. If I were playing on a huge 2560x1900 resolution, it would not have enough juice, but the GPU is very quick on that card for my 1920x1200 resolution.
I think as far as 3D, any card should support it, it's just a matter of having the right app and glasses. The pixel shift is pretty simple for 3D, I would think any card should be able to handle that. As far as 3D gaming, that might be a different story.

[butt]

Ahhh, I see.

Found another test that showed the 6850. http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2010/12/05/the-best-graphics-card-for-black-ops/1 

Looks like its neck and neck w. the 5850 for the most part. Untill aa gets a bump.

Any idea why so little change in the two? Generally when they've released a new #/series, there was some preformance bump.

I did learn about the difference between 2.0 and 2.1  Seems cards w/ 2.1 support are getting "pre-wired" (very loosly translated) for 3.0 support. I also am looking at the memory interface bump in the newer cards. 

Getting my options narrowed down to 3-4 cards, 2 of which are out of stock


EDIT:
unforgiven had me look @ this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

May have figured out the 5850 vs the 6850 question... Looks like the 5850 needs 2 - 6 pin connectors. Where the 6850 only needs 1.

Perhaps the change in series number reflects better power usage? Perhaps just something new to go with the official AMD branding change? hell, I dont know. The 6850 was not included in the power usage charts.

EDIT2 lol
More info on the 68** series
http://www.tested.com/news/tested-amd-radeon-hd-6870-6850-video-cards/1197/

http://www.pcworld.com/article/208189/amd_radeon_hd_6800_series_is_the_new_midrange_graphics_champ.html

[Groovechild]

O dam, I didn't know the 6850 was only $179!
That's a schweet deal!

[butt]

O dam, I didn't know the 6850 was only $179!
That's a schweet deal!

thinking 6850 (thx unforgiven 4 link)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374&cm_re=6850_radeon_hd-_-14-131-374-_-Product
$170 after MIR

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348
$165 after MIR

Only difference I see between the two other than slight price difference is the PowerColor has a newer OpenGL version

From what I am reading the 6850 is easily OC'd to 6870 speeds. I'd like the additional Mini DisplayPort of the 6870's, but the price starts creeping into "silly" money for a GPU.


Also, another + for the PowerColor, is I went to their website, and they are adding an additional year on the listed warranty for all 6800 series cards. So instead of a 2 year, it carries a 3 year parts/labor warranty.

[butt]

thinking 6850 (thx unforgiven 4 link)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374&cm_re=6850_radeon_hd-_-14-131-374-_-Product
$170 after MIR

Ordered this tonight. Should get it next week sometime. Then the "fun" of re-working the H2o cooling system  oh joy!

[Groovechild]

Schweet!
You don't have to watercool the card ya know, ya can leave that one with the fan, the new ones are near silent to begin with. I'd hold on watercooling that one until you need to OC to get value out of it.
My computer is actually stock, so far haven't seen a need to crank it up. Kinda like the stability!

[butt]

Yeah, I hear ya.

But the 4850 is tied into my loop, and will have to re-work that part of the tubing.

Question then becomes, do i use a 4x120 radiator to cool my CPU and OC the shit out of it? Or - go back to an aircooled CPU and ditch the watercooling all together?

Kinda leaning twoards finally giving the 8400 a real strong boost and see what happens. For their time, they were said to be a stong OC'er.  All the 6850 reviews I read (and benchtests) were based on running them on bad ass rigs - quad processors, plenty of top end ddr3, Windows 7, ect.   I don't expect to get those kind of fps on this rig. Amazing how fast this stuff can get dated, lol. But anyway, This mobo is the replacment I got from the RMA. Have not had any issues with it like the last one. I've got the new power supply that has plenty of cajones for the job. Would be a shame to not see what it can do.

Blackduck had sent me some info on the procedure, but think he was looking at a different version of bios. I never could figure it out from the directions. Wouldn't take long for me to google a "how to" on it.

[Groovechild]

Is the 4850/sink loop compatible with the 6850?
The cooling mounts are usually the same spot. If the sink doesn't bump into any ram or capacitors, could easily be just a swap.
I think your CPU should be enough with that card (for gaming). I wouldn't worry too much about overclocking yet until you see a lack of performance.
I used to be like Tarsier, and overclock my machine so notepad would be super fast, but now it's on a need basis.

[butt]

Is the 4850/sink loop compatible with the 6850?
The cooling mounts are usually the same spot. If the sink doesn't bump into any ram or capacitors, could easily be just a swap.

Dunno. I'll look into it though. I've got the old hsf in a box in the garage. Once the new card gets here I'll compare the mounting holes. An uneducated guess would be that there not. The review articles mention that the new chip was smaller in design, than the 58** series.

If I do eventually watercool the GPU, I'll wait for a good year or two. Removing the stock cooler is an insta-void on the 3 yr warantee. Think I'll get some miles on it before start tinkering around with it. 

I think your CPU should be enough with that card (for gaming). I wouldn't worry too much about overclocking yet until you see a lack of performance.
I used to be like Tarsier, and overclock my machine so notepad would be super fast, but now it's on a need basis.

I've got a nice chunk of change (not to mention time) tied up in the radiator/pump/custom built case. Would be a shame not to try a heavy OC on the CPU if its going to be all thats left on the loop.

Problem is Blackduck has found him a new woman, and its awful tough catching him online anymore (AU timezone). 

[butt]

Card is due sometime today.

As to the driver, dont think I'll bother w/ the install disk (unless there are utilites on disk)

But, should I download the latest driver from PowerColor, or just download from AMD?

[Eric]

Me thinks _ AMD.

I always use that site.

[Groovechild]

Usually the producer of the card will point you to the AMD site. If they have a different version, I use the different version. I'm kinda old school though, I don't upgrade anymore unless I notice problems in games. Then I update drivers. My nVidia driver is like 6 months old in my rig, haven't felt the need to update since all the games work ok.

[butt]

Yeah, went w/ AMD. Tried the download from PowerColor, but I could piss a stream faster than their download bandwidth can handle.


Card is awsome! Its amazing how much is omited graphics wise, when running in lower settings. Bc2 looks much better. Black Ops looks much better as well. Also not getting the game freezes I was getting in blops. Loading into game at the end of each round still takes longer than others, but I think thats an ATI/AMD thing.  This card should handle anything I throw at it for several years (keeping in mind the console port trend). If and when I am in need of an upgrade, I'll pick up a used 6870 for $50 on ebay in 2013 and run in crossfire w/ a true 2x16 capable mobo.

Untill then, probably done w/ upgrades 

Except for potentially Win 7 and DDR3 (my mobo has slots for both DDR2&3)

Thanks to everyone that offered their views on this thread! Much appreciated.



Butt