Upcoming birthday, new gfx card?

[EliteGM]

Currently my setup is:

Case- Zalman Z9 PLUS
CPU - Intel Core Quad Q9550 @ 2.83GHz (stock)
    - Some Arctic Cooling aftermarket cooler, not expensive
RAM - 2x2GB + 2x512MB = 5GB of Kingston DDR2 @ 399MHz
Mobo- Intel DQ35JO
GPU - ASUS EAH4890 TOP @ stock clocks
PSU - 500w HuntKey LW-6500HGP
OS  - Windows 7 Ultimate x64

My current GFX card is about.. 2 years old now I think?
Now over the years I've saved up a small amount of cash, which currently is almost 200 EUR, and with my birthday coming up that might go up by another 30-100EUR depending on my family

I feel like this card has run it's course... I've checked out old reviews of it on Techpowerup and it's an absolute power nomnomnom-er (ASUS EAH4890 TOP w/ Super ML Capacitor Review - Page 26/32 | techPowerUp). So, I'm heavily doubting about getting a new one... I mean, it runs most games on decent (to super high) settings easily on my 1920x1080 monitor (Race Driver: GRID on max, CoD:MW2 on max, but then it lags on Black Ops) and the main thing I'm thinking of is Battlefield 3 coming out and how I have to force AA off to play BFBC2 at a nice smooth FPS already. I'm just one of those guys who wants to play games on max settings whilst getting a steady FPS rate :closedeyes:

Anyway... I've been thinking of getting the AMD radeon HD6950 2GB. The Sapphire DiRT3 edition or the XFX one (which is about 10EUR more)

Got a couple questions then:
1) Will it fit? Some of the cards these days are huuuuge. But actually that also goes for the 4890
2) Will I have to worry about the PSU? My PSU has been tanking this power eater of a 4890 for years now; so I doubt it.
3) Will I be able to play the best fricken games on the best fricken settings?!

Cheers,

Elite.

 

[Jolin88]

Radeon HD6950 is huge, and it's twice as high as a normal card, so whatever slot is below your PCI-E, it will become obsolete

your PSU might not manage to hold that graphic card, it has a peak consumption of 260 - 270 Watt that's over 50% of your PSU maximum output + PSU's output lowers with age + you shouldn't overload the PSU

I use Radeon HD6950, I haven't found a game yet that I can't play on 1920x1080 with max settings

PS : How is your pc even able to run with a graphic card that uses 340 Watt peak usage knowing that it's total power is 500 watt?

 

[EliteGM]

Hey, it's a bloody miracle I guess ^^ But it manages. Don't ask me how 'cause I simply don't know.

I have one DVD drive and 3 HDDs btw.

---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:18 PM ----------

Also, the 4890 is pretty big aswell. Keep in mind it's the "TOP" one. It's got dual fans. And I think it also occupies 2 slots already but I only have like 2 pci slots.

 

[Jolin88]

it only uses 1 PCI-E slot, but it takes the room for whatever's below it on the motherboard, also it's long

take this pic of my radeon HD6950 as reference
(Radeon HD6950 compared to SATA 3.5'')

 

[Rishwin]

Your PSU should run it fine, and as long as your case is big enough it shouldn't have a problem fitting.

 

[EliteGM]

My current GPU is pretty bulky aswell (couldn't get a good measurement but 21-24cm sounds about like it) and I have about 2cm to spare, possibly more with some proper cable management.

I've been looking at the XFX HD6870 Dual Fan as well because it's a whole lot cheaper... Does anyone know how much performance difference would be between the two?

---------- Post added at 09:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:14 PM ----------

Now I'm reading reviews of the MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC which is supposedly very good bang for your buck... Decisions decisions. It's about 55EUR cheaper than the 6950

I just want to be able to run battlefield 3 on decent settings smoothly at all times >.>

 

[Samus.]

Aren't you from the Netherlands? If yes, have you checked Marktplaats yet? I always (really) get my stuff from there and it's much cheaper. See if you can find your desired card on there.

 

[Alfons]

Aren't you from the Netherlands? If yes, have you checked Marktplaats yet? I always (really) get my stuff from there and it's much cheaper. See if you can find your desired card on there.

I wouldn't check Marktplaats for hardware. You're better off on Tweakers.net (tech community). I've sold and bought a lot of stuff on Tweakers.net. Nearly everyone on there is a tech fanatic so you're bound to get better stuff then on Marktplaats (just check user ratings for selling/buying on tweakers).

http://tweakers.net/aanbod/

 

[EliteGM]

Update: getting a new PSU first. Right now I have some dodgy brand, 45EUR 500W psu.

I'm getting an OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W

 

[Samus.]

I wouldn't check Marktplaats for hardware. You're better off on Tweakers.net (tech community). I've sold and bought a lot of stuff on Tweakers.net. Nearly everyone on there is a tech fanatic so you're bound to get better stuff then on Marktplaats (just check user ratings for selling/buying on tweakers).

Tweakers.net Vraag & Aanbod

Yes, I know. Most of the users are young or old to know what they are selling (and price) so it's cheaper there. And ofc, the chances to find a product is higher there.

 

[cycoextreme]

if its soon and you can get it from newegg (doubt it though) they have a deal atm on the 6950

Newegg.com - XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity $190.39 w/promo code EMCKAHA23 *AFTER MAIL IN REBATE*

 

[EliteGM]

Sorry, I don't believe they ship to the Netherlands

I've ordered the PSU, that should also future proof my system a little better. Next order of business is installing that, then figuring out the GFX card a little more.

 

[Alfons]

Which PSU did you get ?

 

[EliteGM]

OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W

Update: installed the PSU, went smooth. can't test out performance yet because i'm forced to use my onboard VGA to connect to this TV -.-

Stoopid HDMI->DVI cable won't play nice with my comp

 

[3:01]

I'd suggest waiting for a HD7000 series GPU.

lower power per performance ratio and price per performance then the 6000 series. based on 28nm process and and a new architecture. Q1 2012 not that far away but if you cant wait go for an overclocked 6850 my Gigabyte 6850 can run the battlefield 3 beta at ultra with AA maxed at 1920x1080p24
and it runs cool at 35c and 50-70 while gaming. not sure on power consumption but you definitely have a sufficient PSU im running mine on 550w thermaltake. it comes with HDMI display port and DVI.

 

[EliteGM]

Thanks for the heads up about the 7000 series.

Also, your GPU, would that be the GIGABYTE GV-R685OC-1GD?

 

[3:01]

Yes it sure is that one. windforce 2 cooling 2 fans and blue?

the launch of the 7000 series will see a price drop for the 6000 series as well.

 

[Rishwin]

Don't bother waiting for the 7000 series.

Q1 2012 could be 6 months from now, and in 6 months of course alot of poop is going to change. If you keep waiting 6 months for every upgrade, you'll never finish building your PC because something better will always come out.

 

[EliteGM]

Bumpity.

Came into a little more cash than I expected. Thinking of getting the MSI N560GTX-Ti Twin Frozr II/OC, it's about 210.- EUR

 

[Rishwin]

6950 still out-performs it, is that out of your price range?