New GPU advice

[Malo]

So I've been buying a bunch of games from Steam in the sales the last few months however I've not played some due to wanting to play on a better GPU for higher settings, AA levels etc. With xmas money I've got an opportunity to upgrade my GPU and wondering which way I should go (if upgrade at all?). I can't afford a new computer, that is probably a couple of years away.

Current system:

Intel E6750 @ 3Ghz
Gigabyte P35-DQ6 Motherboard
4Gb RAM
5770 1Gb OC video card
1680x1050 resolution
750w Enermax PSU

I'm basically trying to decide whether to go for another 5770 in Crossfire (aware of the scaling limitations but definite potential to match a 5870) or spend a little more on the new 6850 Barts? Or will the rest of my system hold it back a bit much to really gain the potential of an upgrade?

 

[BRiT]

You might want to look into getting a 6950 and bios-modding it to a 6970 [ http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?p=1507147#post1507147 ]

 

[eastmen]

If i were you , i'd split the money across a new cpu (quad core ) and a gpu.

You should be able to drop in a q9550 for under $150 bucks. I'd then spend another $150-$200 on a radeon 5850 /6850 or so and overclock it. Sell the 5770 for some cash to sponser the upgrade.

You could even go the 6950 route if you want to keep the card for awhile or are thinking about a higher resolution monitor or mabye even eyefinity in the future

 

[Malo]

I'm really not looking at spending more than $200 on anything at the moment. I don't think going a quad core over my E6750 is worth the money just for the extra cores, still not a big use of those additional cores in games imo. The CPU upgrade can wait until my next PC in 1-2 years.

My choices are another 5770 for crossfire or pass on the 5770 to my daughters next computer and get a 6850 for myself.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

I wouldn't waste money on a q9xxx CPU myself. You'd be better off saving up for an i5 or i7 system in the long run.

I think 5770 will have the potential for overall higher FPS as long as scaling works. 6850 would be less trouble overall. Seems like crossfired 5770 is roughly similar to a 6870, slightly slower than 5870. Although there are times when it's faster than 5870 and it'd be faster than 6870 in those cases also.

You'd also save about 40-50 USD with a 5770.

I don't like multi-GPU systems myself, but if you have no problem with it, then adding a 5770 seems like the best value proposition and overall best performance. Again with the caveate that if crossfire scaling is borked for a game you won't see it. But seems AMD is pretty good about getting scaling to work lately, although it may be a bit of a wait for some newer games.

Regards,
SB

 

[eastmen]

IF its only a gpu option then go for the 6950 and bios mod it to a 6970. Would run rings aroudn the two 5770s

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...5356&cm_re=radeon_6950-_-14-125-356-_-Product

This is $280 after rebate.

You can find a 5850 for $170 also after rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0477&cm_re=radeon_5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product

this is $180

The 5850 might be a little slower in games than a second 5770 but you wont have to worry about how crossfire scales or what drivers are good for what games and if you find a game that the 5850 wont play well you could allways go with a second 5850 in the future.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1374&cm_re=radeon_6850-_-14-131-374-_-Product
barts is at $170 also it seems for a 6850.

Either the 6850 or 5850 would be a better choice than the 5770 i'd say.

 

[Malo]

Thanks for the feedback folks. I ended buying this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102912

Figured it would be a noticeable upgrade for now and with a new computer I can put another 6850 in if I don't get a new GPU then. And the 5770 can go to the kid.

 

[Arwin]

Heh. I'm getting my awesome brand-new 5570 tomorrow. Will be interesting.