Replacement for HD6870

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
O

occupant

Distinguished
Sep 27, 2009
106
0
18,690
The biggest thing here is my wife does NOT game. She wants a "fast" video card so she doesn't have to see artifacts or hesitation when scrolling through spreadsheets or web pages. We originally bought her an HD4870, then an HD4890, and after determining that it took too much power, we moved to the HD6870. I'd like to find her a new card that demands LESS power.

Budget here is $150, but would be perfectly happy spending $80-$100 instead if there is something worthwhile.

Low power consumption is top priority.
Quiet operation is second priority.
2D/3D graphics power is third priority.

I was thinking one of those GTX750Ti cards with no power connectors...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024

...where a standard 500W PSU would be sufficient...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050

I just wonder how much graphics card she really needs. I run a GT640M in my Acer 2nd gen core i7 laptop daily and never have any desire for more graphics or processing power. She has a danged i7-950, overclocked. But she doesn't game. She plays Zynga crap on Facebook for crying out loud. Does she need a graphics card at all? Can I drop a $29 GT210 in there and fake it?
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
If she wants less power consumption and doesn't mind losing power the 64w Nvidia GT 740 should slot in nicely.
Honestly though, make her happy. Get the 60w Nvidia 750ti she wants and have more power and equal power consumption to the 740.

Then just ask to game on her computer. Win-win.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
The GTX 760 uses twice the power of a 750ti, and is probably more powerful than what you need for your use.

Come to think of it the cheapest upgrade is the AMD R7 260X, with similar power to her current graphics card and 115w tdp. Worth considering. http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R7-260X-vs-Radeon-HD-6870

Also you can sell that 6870 to get a bit of cash back. There are still people looking for them online.

Best of luck to you!
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
Upgrading the video card won't help at all when it comes to spreadsheets/web pages or other desktop tasks. The current one is already massively more powerful than necessary. In my mind the best thing to do would be to replace the hard drive with an SSD (Crucial MX100 or Samsung 840 EVO would do), it would make a much bigger difference than any video card to standard desktop usage.

If you want a graphics card that doesn't take much power buy one that doesn't have PCI-E power connectors like a Geforce 720 or 730.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote


I think that 750ti is going to be it then. I've found a few for $120 after rebate. Maybe one will show up as a $99 Shell Shocker.

All told the HD6870 is selling for $80 as soon as it is pulled to replace an HD4870 in a friend's computer. He'll like that, I'm sure.

Quixit, I think she would notice going from an HD6870 to a GT720/GT730. Also, she already has an SSD (though only 120GB) and although getting her a bigger SSD is part of the upgrade plans, I can always pick out a 240-256GB unit instead of a 480-512GB one. It took her about two years to fill a 60GB SSD, but she has had this 120GB unit for three years and she is barely over 90GB.

I'd like to consider an AMD card but the R7 260X still has power connectors.

As far as the GTX 760 goes, $220-$240 seems like a deal for what you get, but I'm hoping to get this upgrade done for under $400, and I want to get a new SSD, video card, power supply, case, fans, and tube of silver 5.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom