Help me choose a graphics card(s)?

Hi, can anyone suggest some graphics card(s), mine has just died and can't spend much.

Previous cards:
HD 5830 - ran BF3 ultra AA AF and Vsync.
HD 4870 - ran BF3 Ultra no AA no AF no Vsync

So basically asking what card(s) I can get which will perform the same as my old HD 4870 or better like my HD 5830.

If anyone can suggest a cheap crossfire setup that would be good too.

Not looking to spend much because I spend £50 on this used HD 5830.

Card(s) for £50 max (100 USD?).

These are the cards I have considered:

HD 3870
HD 3870 x2
HD 4770
HD 5650
HD 5750
HD 5770
HD 6650
HD 6750
HD 6770

Or buy a:
HD 4870 (just buy this again)
HD 4890

Long list I know, but basically trying to match the same performance for CHEAPER. I can get a HD 4870 for £42 (84 USD?) but want to see if I can match that performance at a lower cost.

Required Directx 10.1 (BF3)

Games I run:
BF3
Sniper Elite V2
Company of Heroes
BF2142
Battle for Middle Earth
GRID Race Driver
Men of War

Sooo if you think a cheaper setup will do fine then I would appreciate suggestions.

Out of the list what do you think is the best card to run BF3?

Without BF3 what's the best card to run all the other games? May be worth buying a lower card if one game isn't worth it.

Please don't suggest bigger cards, my HD 4870 could run BF3 max at 1400x900, and HD 5830 Ultra with AA and AF.

so anything same or better than HD 4870 is my aim.

Genuinely don't mind how old the card is, fed up of trying to get new top cards, given up all my cards have failed besies nice to have a bit of vintage in my setup!

Thanks everyone

Oh BTW, I will be getting a OCZ ZS 550W (my Corsair is acting suspicious!). So obviously power consumption will have to be low enough that it won't make fireworks in my house.
Edited by mikeo01 - 5/23/12 at 2:32pm

I would happily add a HD 6870, but its £120+ over here, which I can't spend. I spent £50 on my HD 5830 used and it died in less than 2 months.

Plus I need to squeeze in another PSU. So I need a cheap setup really.

Really want to know what card would match HD 4870 and what card could run all the other games I play.

Thanks Phenomanator53, very useful site!!!
Edited by mikeo01 - 5/23/12 at 2:44pm

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Yeah my HD 5830 ran BF3 with ease.


My HD 4870 used to run it ultra, I could squeeze in full AA but not AF and vsync.I am running at 1400x900.

I could get another HD 4870 for £44 (88 USD ish). But want to see if I can get a good crossfire setup cheaper.

From what I have researched, a HD 5750 in crossfire would just match a HD 5850 which is incredible.

Just found out BF3 does not run on HD 3870 X2

Any other cheap cards I could look at?

I am currently looking at the HD 5770/HD 6770. But because they're great crossfire cards its going to be difficult getting one for cheap.


It depends on the resolution, 1400x900 is my native, a HD 6850 would run BF3 without a hiccup, but its too expensive. My old HD 4870 could run BF3 without a hiccup also, I only upgraded for the AA, AF, Vsync

I think I should stick to the HD 4870 then. Would prefer a cheaper crossfire setup though.

Alright guys maybe your right, I should go for a higher GPU, not worth scimping when I could get a brand new card that would run BF3 flawlessly.

Now advice on what to do. I can get the HD 7770 for £110 (220 USD) or the HD 6850 for £85 (170 USD).

I know the HD 6850 is much cheaper, but its the MSI Cyclone edition, which doesn't look good at cooling. It looks like the flower zalman heatsink design, so it hardly covers the VRMs.
I am more worried about it overheating, and to be honest it would be a hassle sending it back and forth to MSI if so.

Anyone have experience on the MSI Cyclone RHD6850? Does it run cool?

By the way I won't be flashing it to make it a HD 6870, that'll void my warranty

Thanks for the reply, I may as well go for it, its going for 110 pounds most places (220usd).

But is it overkill for 1400x900? At this resolution how long do you think it'll last (until it dies)