Would it make sense to get a current gfx card to replace my 4870X2

[Baron]

I currently run two 4870X2 cards, and wondered if changing them for say a 5870 (if they ever come to market in the UK, although I haven't looked that hard yet)......apart from the ability to run DX11 and I could use the display port connection to my Dell wfp2408 24" monitor.......would (after installation) I would say "Wow it is an improvement on my 'old' cards, or would any benefits just show up in benchmarks, which I am not really that bothered about ?.

Thanks.

[burebista]

[...] benefits just show up in benchmarks[...]
Not even in benchmarks (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5800-crossfirex.html).
The only benefit will be power consumption and avoiding potentially problems that might arise from Crossfire.

[Zero82z]

It won't be faster, but considering the fact that you're only running a 1920x1200 display, you could easily get away with a single 5870 anyway.

[Baron]

Thanks for the replies Gents...

If I did go for a 5870 card, then it would only be the single....the days of being able to grab 2 x 4870X2's are over.....:D

Yes, the one card would be less power hungry than the two beasts I am currently running.

I don't have any problems (that I am aware of) by running these 4870X2's in crossfire, but they help to keep this room warm with the heat put out through the back of the case.........although the fans never ramp up by themselves when playing say....Crysis, SupComm, C&C Gens/ZH, BF series etc especially when some full scale battles are going on in some games..........I do sometimes take control and ramp up the fans manually.

I want the sort of 'WOW' that I got when switching years ago from my Voodoo 3500 TV out to a GF2 Ultra playing UT GOTY......:D

I want to be able to see extra effects like I did in UT with smoke trails and stuff.............not spend £300 plus on a card just to brag that I got a 1000 extra points on 3D Mark or something.

Maybe I will have to wait a couple more generations of cards before I will get the improvements that make me see a definate difference in games when my current cards are really.....really old........but I am tempted....very tempted.....as it has been a year since I put this PC together and I am getting the itch for something new and shiny and the possible benefits of DX11 and using the display port connection since I have it and it's not being used :D

[Zero82z]

You most likely won't see a significant difference in games with a 5870 compared to your current setup for quite some time.

[Baron]

Thanks Zero82z...I value your opinion.

I still have that 'need a new shiny thing' itch to scratch....but, these cards have served me well for the past year....but you know, new toys and all that :D

[Zero82z]

Honestly, you may as well just wait until nVidia brings out their new cards and ATI refreshes their lineup in a few months. You don't need any more GPU power right now, so any change you make won't give you a real benefit.

[370forlife]

Getting a new case scratched that itch for me. Before I wanted another 9800gt to do sli. Should never buy stuff just because you can though. This was a Christmas present.

Now though it's what graphics card? :D

[Baron]

Decisions...decisions.....:D
My machine is going to have to last me a long, long time, as I have just retired the days of laying out some £1500 to completely build from scratch are sadly over...........since I am 64 yrs I guess I don't have too many upgrades ahead of me anyway......:D