Fallout 4 System Prepping

[tolae]

Hey everyone! Quick question today. Was freaking out earlier today because I forgot to realize that my current system might not be ready for Fallout 4, mainly the graphics card. I currently have two radeon hd 5870's, and I don't think that is up to snuff now. I don't have too much money right now, but I think I can handle $200 or less. I saw a few nvidia gtx 960's for about $170. Can anyone think of a better bang for your buck or is that about the best I can do. Thanks!

 

EDIT: Just noticed I have a newegg 10% code, helps a bit too with price.

[2FA]

R9 380 

 

Also do a closed loop with Nuka-Cola. lol

[Senzelian]

Hey everyone! Quick question today. Was freaking out earlier today because I forgot to realize that my current system might not be ready for Fallout 4, mainly the graphics card. I currently have two radeon hd 5870's, and I don't think that is up to snuff now. I don't have too much money right now, but I think I can handle $200 or less. I saw a few nvidia gtx 960's for about $170. Can anyone think of a better bang for your buck or is that about the best I can do. Thanks!

 

The best bang for your buck delivers the GTX 950, which performs pretty well at 1080p. (Have a look at benchmarks)

It uses a cut down version of the GTX 960's core.

You can also have a look at a R9 280/R9 380, because you might be able to get one of those fairly cheap.

And if you don't mind buying a used card; a R9 290 might also be a good choice. But then you'll have to look out for cards that might be used for mining bitcoins. Those are really not recommend to buy, because they're often at the end of their lifespan.

[App4that]

What CPU do you have?

[tolae]

AMD Phenom II X6 1090T

 

Not the best, especially now. But I don't think that is my bottleneck right now.

[InTechsicated]

There is currently a reference 290 on Newegg for just over 200. It would be loud and hot but will easily beat any other card at that price point. Otherwise I would recommend the 960.

[Necrodead]

And if you don't mind buying a used card; a R9 290 might also be a good choice. But then you'll have to look out for cards that might be used for mining bitcoins. Those are really not recommend to buy, because they're often at the end of their lifespan.

There is no evidence that suggusts that mining lowers the lifespan of the card by any amount. The card will proabably be obsolete by the time it dies.

 

That said I understand the stigma of buying used mining cards, they have been used for a while and thoretically that could lower lifespan. I do have an old mining card in my system, been doing CF for about 8 months with it.

[Necrodead]

There is currently a reference 290 on Newegg for just over 200. It would be loud and hot but will easily beat any other card at that price point. Otherwise I would recommend the 960.

You mean 280 or 380. No point going for a 960 these days, it can't even use all of its 4gb of vram. (they don't make the 2gb anymore)

[tolae]

From what I've seen, the R9 380 seems to be the better performer, at the cost of running a little hotter. I think that is an acceptable trade off, and I think my system's airflow is good enough to bleed most of the heat off. I've found a copy hovering around the $180 - $200 range, I think that's good. Anyone agree?

[App4that]

From what I've seen, the R9 380 seems to be the better performer, at the cost of running a little hotter. I think that is an acceptable trade off, and I think my system's airflow is good enough to bleed most of the heat off. I've found a copy hovering around the $180 - $200 range, I think that's good. Anyone agree?

They are great cards, only warning I can offer is that the 380x is right around the corner. So maybe look for a 280x if the price drops.

[alphaproject]

You mean 280 or 380. No point going for a 960 these days, it can't even use all of its 4gb of vram. (they don't make the 2gb anymore)

 

 

Actually they will use the ram but it won't increase the performance. Just like with my GTX 770 4 Gb card.

 

I was able to use the Vram using the DSR on 1080p but going up to higher resolutions maxed out the GPU before maxing out the ram and that's what the 960 must be like. A texture heavy game though can always use the ram up and more is better but it doesn't mean better fps.

 

If you can look for a used 970 or 290 but. If you have money now, sell the 5870 in a pair for SLI and just try and get like an extra $50-60.

 

Personally I think Fallout 4 will be completely fine with that setup IF the Xfire was to work flawless. My 6870 Xfire killed Far Cry 3 but OMG the heat.

[SteveGrabowski0]

R9 380 

 

Also do a closed loop with Nuka-Cola. lol

 

It'd be more baller with Quantum

[SteveGrabowski0]

There is no evidence that suggusts that mining lowers the lifespan of the card by any amount. The card will proabably be obsolete by the time it dies.

 

That said I understand the stigma of buying used mining cards, they have been used for a while and thoretically that could lower lifespan. I do have an old mining card in my system, been doing CF for about 8 months with it.

 

Running balls to the wall at 100% load 24/7 isn't going to lower the lifespan of a card? I find that hard to believe.

[Necrodead]

Running balls to the wall at 100% load 24/7 isn't going to lower the lifespan of a card? I find that hard to believe.

Well, exactly, it probably will lower the lifespan by a degree, but, what I said was there is no conclusive evidence that it does. As in there have been no scientific tests done to prove it. But many people agree, even if it lowers the lifespan, GPU's last so long it won't matter because you will probably have upgraded your card by then anyways.

And I also remembered it's my main card that was a used mining card, and its been going strong for 1.5 years now, overclocked the whole time.

[alphaproject]

GPU's last a long time..... lol....   I think that's a gamble.

 

You never know. Look at newegg's reviews of verified purchasers.

 

Some guys get cards that need an RMA after like 3 months.

 

I had a GTX 770 for 7 months. It did not fully die, but something on it (Fan controller) died enough

 

that Zotac confirmed it was broke in 1 day, rotfl. Side note, my buddies 670 lasted FAR past my 770 and it still running.

 

He gamed WAY more than me.

 

If you have a card last a solid 3 years I consider that GREAT. My Radeon 9800 Pro heatsink melted off after like 8 months.

 

They sent me a new one and I sold it right away to upgrade.  My 8800 GT lasted just shy of 3 years.

[tolae]

Just for some closure on this, I went with the R9 380 and it has been awesome so far. Couldn't play Dying Light on the old setup either, so good times all around.

[don_svetlio]

Just for some closure on this, I went with the R9 380 and it has been awesome so far. Couldn't play Dying Light on the old setup either, so good times all around.

Enjoy your new card