Looking to upgrade video card

[Liftik]

<p>Hi All!</p><p>I'm looking to upgrade my system to better perform while running Everquest2. Currently my set up is: 2.4 Dual Core (running at 3117), 4 GB Ram, and my video card is an ATI 2400 HD. With this set up I currently can run the game at the "normal" setting, getting about 11 to 17 FPS standard.</p><p>I realize that my video card is the weak link in this set up, so I'm looking to upgrade it. I'm looking to spend around $130 for a new card. I'm currently looking at the Radeon <strong>HD 4870 </strong>with 1 GB Ram, but I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has them. I really only play EQ2, so I'm looking for the best video card / rig setup that will make that game perform smoothly.</p><p>Thank you in advance for your advice.</p>

[TSR-DanielH]

<p><cite>Liftik@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>Hi All!</p><p>I'm looking to upgrade my system to better perform while running Everquest2. Currently my set up is: 2.4 Dual Core (running at 3117), 4 GB Ram, and my video card is an ATI 2400 HD. With this set up I currently can run the game at the "normal" setting, getting about 11 to 17 FPS standard.</p><p>I realize that my video card is the weak link in this set up, so I'm looking to upgrade it. I'm looking to spend around $130 for a new card. I'm currently looking at the Radeon <strong>HD 4870 </strong>with 1 GB Ram, but I'm open to other suggestions if anyone has them. I really only play EQ2, so I'm looking for the best video card / rig setup that will make that game perform smoothly.</p><p>Thank you in advance for your advice.</p></blockquote><p>Based on your price range and your current setup, I think you made a good choice with the HD 4870.  That card should work pretty well for you.  Let us know if you have any further questions.</p>

[Liftik]

<p>I've checked into the HD 4870 a little more closely and discovered that my current power supply might not be enough to run it. I currently have a Chiefmax 450W PS without any of the 6 pin PCI-E connectors needed for the HD 4870. I know you can buy adapters to make 2 4-pin Molex connectors function to power a 6 pin PCI-E plug, but the minimum wattage recommended for the HD 4870 is 500W. I'm curious if my current PS would handle the HD4870,  or am I looking at a power supply upgrade as well?</p><p>I've also been considering the HD 4850. While not as much of a powerhouse as the HD 4870, it does not require a power supply upgrade and only has requires 1 6 pin PCI-E power plug (the HD4870 requires 2). It comes with an adapter as well, I just don't know how much of a difference there is between the 2 cards. If anyone has upgraded from a HD4850 1GB to an HD4870 1GB, I would love to hear your comments on the difference. Thank you again.</p>

[TSR-DanielH]

<p><cite>Liftik@Everfrost wrote:</cite></p><blockquote><p>I've checked into the HD 4870 a little more closely and discovered that my current power supply might not be enough to run it. I currently have a Chiefmax 450W PS without any of the 6 pin PCI-E connectors needed for the HD 4870. I know you can buy adapters to make 2 4-pin Molex connectors function to power a 6 pin PCI-E plug, but the minimum wattage recommended for the HD 4870 is 500W. I'm curious if my current PS would handle the HD4870,  or am I looking at a power supply upgrade as well?</p><p>I've also been considering the HD 4850. While not as much of a powerhouse as the HD 4870, it does not require a power supply upgrade and only has requires 1 6 pin PCI-E power plug (the HD4870 requires 2). It comes with an adapter as well, I just don't know how much of a difference there is between the 2 cards. If anyone has upgraded from a HD4850 1GB to an HD4870 1GB, I would love to hear your comments on the difference. Thank you again.</p></blockquote><p>Please keep in mind that it's good to have a little head-room when dealing with power consumption.  The amount of power being consumed will fluctuate with system load and a power supply that hardly meets the requirements could result in automatic restarts.  You can recognize those issues immediately since the computer will reboot involuntarily when you put it under strain(like starting the game).</p><p>Sadly, I don't have don't have first hand experience with the 4850/4870 cards.  You should be able to find some good information on review sites like tomshardware, though.  You might want to check their graphics card section here:</p><p><a href="http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Components,1/Graphics-Cards,4/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...aphics-Cards,4/</a></p>