New Graphics Card?

**Graham M** · 27-11-2011, 18:49

Hi there, I am currently running an ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB which is ageing a bit now and also seems to run quite hot so the fan is on a lot of the time, this weekend, while playing SW:TOR it conked out, refusing to turn back on until it had time to cool down.

Can anyone recommend a good medium range card that won't get stressed out by fairly modern games, I'm looking for something in the 100-200 price range.

Ta.

thenry · 27-11-2011, 19:14

replace the fan, sorry to quote another site > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=51851.0

djmagnifique · 27-11-2011, 19:45

When did you last clean the fan on your graphics card?

**Graham M** · 27-11-2011, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenry

replace the fan, sorry to quote another site > https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=51851.0

That was one thought I had, but is it really worth spending money on an out of date card?

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmagnifique

When did you last clean the fan on your graphics card?

Yesterday ;D

thenry · 27-11-2011, 20:41

it wont cost much replacing the fan you'll just have to motivate yourself to get the job done

DaiNasty · 27-11-2011, 22:45

If the fan is only running some of the time that's a bit worrying. On a card of that power it *should* be running all the time, although it may run faster at times depending on your setup.

If that fan ever stops then something is seriously wrong. It may be that the fan bearings are getting sticky so it only turns sometimes.

thenry · 27-11-2011, 22:49

upgrade options taken from...

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

these any good?

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gp...Radeon+HD+6850

http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gp...Radeon+HD+6870

**Graham M** · 27-11-2011, 23:04

Sorry I wasn't clear, the fan does run all of the time, it just goes crazy fast under load, sounds like a whiny plane!

DaiNasty · 28-11-2011, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

Sorry I wasn't clear, the fan does run all of the time, it just goes crazy fast under load, sounds like a whiny plane!

Ah, OK. You might want to look at airflow through the lower part of the case as well. It's quite common to have a 'dead spot' under the graphics card with restricted airflow into the area which means sometimes that warm air is getting drawn into the graphics card fan. Obviously this makes the cooling less efficient.

Ramrod · 28-11-2011, 09:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham M

Sorry I wasn't clear, the fan does run all of the time, it just goes crazy fast under load, sounds like a whiny plane!

Nothing strange there. My PC tries to hover when I'm playing BF3

Link to replacement coolers.....

**Graham M** · 28-11-2011, 10:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

Ah, OK. You might want to look at airflow through the lower part of the case as well. It's quite common to have a 'dead spot' under the graphics card with restricted airflow into the area which means sometimes that warm air is getting drawn into the graphics card fan. Obviously this makes the cooling less efficient.

My cooling through that part of the case should be fine, I have a Antec P1200 with fans all the way down the front

Ramrod · 28-11-2011, 10:53

Graham, it's usually pretty easy to replace the fan, go for it

damien c · 28-11-2011, 13:39

Really to replace the card, you are looking at 2 option's

ATI 6870 around £140

ATI 6950 around £200

Nvidia GTX 560 around £140

Nvidia GTX 560TI around £170

The 6950 is the best option, for performance and price really and will be allot better than you current 5770 as the 6950, iirc is the card used to replace the 5870.

If you can get away though with either replacing the fan with a new one or just going down the route of water cooling it, that is up to you but by right's it would mean you can up the speed on the card and last a while longer before upgrading.