Graphics card update time, looking for suggestions

[Fenrise]

Hey there Canucks!

Built myself a PC this summer (with advice from this very forum =D!) and now I feel its time to start some upgrading! I was looking at replacing both the CPU and the GPU. I'm running with an EAH4870 DK (Basically a HD4870 with 1gig of VRAM) and a X3 720 BE for the CPU.

The new CPU is basically locked down (the quad-core BE, I think the 945), but with all these new GPUs coming out from ATI I don't know where to start looking! From what I've seen off of performance charts these new GPUs blow the pants off of all the old stuff! I'm looking at spending around 200-300$ on the GPU alone, but if something really worth while is out there for a bit more I can easily be convinced.

So, what do you recommend Canucks?

[Dr_BenD_over]

$300 = 5850 on sale

[upcoast604]

For the cpu your prob looking at the x4 955BE $175 fair price.

Gpu, depending what resolution, aa/af and games you play. Yes the 5850 is a nice card $300 but hopfully nvidia will release something in March/April and maybe ATIs prices will drop then the 5870 might be in your range at that time. Again if you need the 5850 DX11 now go for it, it's a good price for what you get today.

Ps;what psu do you have?

[jcmaz]

Why don't you wait a bit more till Nvidia's Fermi comes out. And i would get a decent cooler and OC the 720BE instead getting a Phenom II Quad.

[upcoast604]

Legion Hardware

Here's a nice cpu scaling article comparing ghz amd/intel with a 5970. Granted you have a x3 cpu(Farcry2 takes a hit on x3 core, don't know what other games suffer slightly with x3) but it'll give you an idea were your heading.

[Fenrise]

My PSU is...

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

if I'm not mistaken. When are the Fermis expected to come out? It isn't especially important that I get the stuff now. I won't actually have the money for a bit anyway so I have some time to wait things out.

[b1lk1]

I have a HD 5770 and it is kicking ass and taking names on my 1920X1200 24" LCD. I can play pretty much anything maxxed out with lots of AA/AF too. Don't overlook the budget cards so you can round out your PC with great choices for parts all around.

[upcoast604]

Originally Posted by Fenrise

My PSU is...

Newegg.ca - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

if I'm not mistaken. When are the Fermis expected to come out? It isn't especially important that I get the stuff now. I won't actually have the money for a bit anyway so I have some time to wait things out.

Good psu, nice single 12v rail.

if your not in a rush wait it out, fermis set for March/April release, unless it changes again.

[b1lk1]

ATI will almost certainly have some nice price drops waiting for Fermi's release as well.

[upcoast604]

Sapphire HD 5750 1GB Vapor-X Video Card Review

5770 really isn't that much of a boost over a 4870 1GB, no point imho.