HD 6870 or GTX 470?

[TyphX]

I'm upgrading my old graphics card, you can see my old thread here:http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/330280-33-upgrade-9800
I've narrowed it down to a GTX 470 or a HD 6870.
I have a 450W PSU in storage, currently using a 250W with a 9800GT.
I have a preference for Nvidia cards, but i've heard the GTX 470 has heat crashing problems.
Any suggestions as to which one to pick and what manufacturer? (please keep the price below or around USD $200.)

 

[rolli59]

GTX470 will not run on your 450watt! HD6870 is much more power efficient and will run on a quality 450watt!

 

[ilysaml]

The GTX 470 beats the HD 6870 i would go for it with eyes closed if it's in a good condition.
There's no GTX 470 new at stores. and if there's it won't be that $200.
you can go for a GTX 560Ti it performs better than the GTX 470 and HD 6870 and for $200 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125401

if your PSU is not a quality branded one it will cause serious problems to your PC when you install it, so make sure to have a quality branded 500W PSU to cope with it.

 

[geofelt]

1) The 6870 is a notch slower than a GTX470, and priced accordingly.
AMD suggests a 500w psu for it.
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6870/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6870-overview.aspx#3

2) The GTX470 is an older technology, and needs a bit more power, like 38a on a 550w psu. If your psu has 38a and is a quality unit, you might try it, but be prepared to change out the psu.

3) The GTX560ti has similar performance to the GTX470 , and needs 500w with 30a on the 12v rails plus two 6-pin PCI-E power leads.

4) For nvidia cards, I like EVGA; they seem to have good support.

5) Your 450w psu might work, and is worth a try. Graphics card vendors tend to suggest stronger than necessary psu's to account for poor quality units and to forestall returns because of marginal power. But you should be prepared to spend an extra $50-$70 for a quality psu.

5) I might suggest the EVGA GTX560ti superclocked. It is close to your budget with a rebate and free batman arc game:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610

 

[TyphX]

It's an antec earthwatts. I think it was 130-150 watts on the 12v rails max.

 

[ilysaml]

should be fine with both HD 6850 or HD 6870, but if you'll be doing a lot of OCing to CPU and GPU get a 500W PSU

 

[geofelt]

It's an antec earthwatts. I think it was 130-150 watts on the 12v rails max.

Antec earthwatts is a good unit, but it doesn't sound right. that is only 10-13amps.
Look on the data panel affixed to the psu. Post a pic.

 

[TyphX]

Antec earthwatts is a good unit, but it doesn't sound right. that is only 10-13amps.
Look on the data panel affixed to the psu. Post a pic.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=35
here's a pic of it, i can't find my camera O_O.
mine's a little older, and it only has 80 plus, no bronze grade.

 

[TyphX]

So would the best choice be the GTX 560 ti or the 6870?

 

[ilysaml]

GTX 560Ti beats the HD 6870 and comparable with HD 6950, so GTX 560Ti all the way.
just make sure your 450W PSU will handle it.

 

[TyphX]

GTX 560Ti beats the HD 6870 and comparable with HD 6950, so GTX 560Ti all the way.
just make sure your 450W PSU will handle it.

kk. i googled it and it seems it will most likely handle it.

 

[ilysaml]

so you're good to go

 

[geofelt]

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=35
here's a pic of it, i can't find my camera O_O.
mine's a little older, and it only has 80 plus, no bronze grade.

You show a 500w unit with 38a. That is good for up to a GTX570. You are good to go.

 

[TyphX]

Best answer selected by TyphX.

 

[charlieGemini]

GTX470 will not run on your 450watt! HD6870 is much more power efficient and will run on a quality 450watt!

Oh, My GTX 470 has been working well for nearly 2 years on my 450W power. my cpu is i5 750 which has 95W tdp

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey