What should I do?

Foxxie-kun · Jul 1, 2009, 08:54 PM

I'm thinking about upgrading my video card for gaming, but now that I know that AMD/ATI is releasing DX11 capable cards to coincide with the Windows 7 Launch, would I be better off waiting for the DX11 cards to come out and get one of them, and save my money up some more in the meantime, or should I go and get a $140 HD4850?

Thanks.

Tipstaff · Jul 1, 2009, 09:19 PM

What video card do you have now?

CDsDontBurn · Jul 2, 2009, 02:44 AM

and also, what are all the other system specs you have as well?

Foxxie-kun · Jul 2, 2009, 08:06 PM

My specs are

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400+@2.2Ghz (Socket AM2)
RAM: 4GB DDR2-800MHz
HDD: 242GB HDD (I'm not sure whether it's Sata or Sata 2 or what).
GPU: ATI Radeon HD2600Pro 512MB.

Not sure about my motherboard, but I do know it's PCI-Express x16 for my video card.

**kris23** · Jul 2, 2009, 08:10 PM

you may want to save and get a mainstream HD 5000 card when they hit, that CPU cant take too much GPU power so id just wait and see what are the options

anonemus · Jul 2, 2009, 08:17 PM

While DX11 cards may be around the corner, DX11 games won't be...

OldBuzzard · Jul 3, 2009, 06:10 AM

A good compromise might be to go with a 4770 right now since they are within an eyelash performance wise of the 4850:.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,ATI,Radeon HD 4000 series,Radeon HD 4770

With them being in the $110-120.00 range, that would leave a bit more $$ in your pocket to use towards a high end DX11 card when they are released. That way you could have extra performance NOW, and be closer to affording a SX 11 card later.

Foxxie-kun · Jul 3, 2009, 08:10 PM

Thank you all. I figure dropping $110-$120 for a good card like the HD4770 isn't too bad since it'll give me better performance now.

And since I have an AM2 Socket CPU, I can upgrade to a Phenom Quad Core CPU as well, especially since now that the Phenom II are out, the original Phenom CPUs are going to drop in price.

Also, does anyone know the best way to increase ventilation in an HP Slimline S3400Z case? We don't have air-conditioning and it's getting really hot now that it's summer. Would keeping the case open and on it's side help? It got so hot last night that I couldn't play anything at all without severe glitches in both audio and video. It's fine now, but I need to know if keeping the case open or some such would help.

Thanks.

Neshi · Jul 3, 2009, 10:07 PM

depends, you can try it out.
It's possible opening the side disrupts airflow compared to a closed case resulting in even higher temperatures.

Jul 1, 2009, 08:54 PM	#1
Foxxie-kun DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	What should I do? I'm thinking about upgrading my video card for gaming, but now that I know that AMD/ATI is releasing DX11 capable cards to coincide with the Windows 7 Launch, would I be better off waiting for the DX11 cards to come out and get one of them, and save my money up some more in the meantime, or should I go and get a $140 HD4850? Thanks.

Jul 1, 2009, 09:19 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Toronto Posts: 5,610 Rep Power: 113 System Specs	Re: What should I do? What video card do you have now? __________________ >><<

Jul 2, 2009, 02:44 AM	#3
CDsDontBurn 127.0.0.1 Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,048 Rep Power: 157 System Specs	Re: What should I do? and also, what are all the other system specs you have as well? __________________ CD's Corner // Her first day // A year later // RX-8 Club 3Dmark06 - 4176 // 3Dmark05 - 7459 // 3Dmark03 - 14289 // PCmark05 - 4453 // PCmark04 - 6297

Jul 2, 2009, 08:06 PM	#4
Foxxie-kun DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Re: What should I do? My specs are CPU: AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400+@2.2Ghz (Socket AM2) RAM: 4GB DDR2-800MHz HDD: 242GB HDD (I'm not sure whether it's Sata or Sata 2 or what). GPU: ATI Radeon HD2600Pro 512MB. Not sure about my motherboard, but I do know it's PCI-Express x16 for my video card.

Jul 2, 2009, 08:10 PM	#5
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,374 Rep Power: 75 System Specs	Re: What should I do? you may want to save and get a mainstream HD 5000 card when they hit, that CPU cant take too much GPU power so id just wait and see what are the options __________________ Driverheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (9/4/09) New i5 systems with more to come! Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Jul 2, 2009, 08:17 PM	#6
anonemus H² Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Philippines Posts: 510 Rep Power: 45 System Specs	Re: What should I do? While DX11 cards may be around the corner, DX11 games won't be...

Jul 3, 2009, 06:10 AM	#7
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek? Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 2,330 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	Re: What should I do? A good compromise might be to go with a 4770 right now since they are within an eyelash performance wise of the 4850:. Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Video Cards & Video Devices,Desktop Graphics / Video Cards,ATI,Radeon HD 4000 series,Radeon HD 4770 With them being in the $110-120.00 range, that would leave a bit more $$ in your pocket to use towards a high end DX11 card when they are released. That way you could have extra performance NOW, and be closer to affording a SX 11 card later. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Jul 3, 2009, 08:10 PM	#8
Foxxie-kun DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 6 Rep Power: 0	Re: What should I do? Thank you all. I figure dropping $110-$120 for a good card like the HD4770 isn't too bad since it'll give me better performance now. And since I have an AM2 Socket CPU, I can upgrade to a Phenom Quad Core CPU as well, especially since now that the Phenom II are out, the original Phenom CPUs are going to drop in price. Also, does anyone know the best way to increase ventilation in an HP Slimline S3400Z case? We don't have air-conditioning and it's getting really hot now that it's summer. Would keeping the case open and on it's side help? It got so hot last night that I couldn't play anything at all without severe glitches in both audio and video. It's fine now, but I need to know if keeping the case open or some such would help. Thanks.

Jul 3, 2009, 10:07 PM	#9
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 2,053 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Re: What should I do? depends, you can try it out. It's possible opening the side disrupts airflow compared to a closed case resulting in even higher temperatures. __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? The only guarantee in life is failure, to achieve success you have to take risks.