First off looking to upgrade my case fans. Looking for something that can move plenty of air but still runs fairly quiet. I just bought one of these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999145 a few weeks ago, and it wasnt really what I was looking for. I dont want something with a controller like this. Plus on full blast this thing ROARS. I can hear it in the other room with the door shut. I just want automatic speed control from the PSU like the stock case fans. I may invest in a fan controller unit at a later date though.I have heard good things about Scythe fans. Whats your thoughts? My case holds 11- 120 MM fans and 1- 80 MM fan. Next up is I am thinking of investing in a 4870 in about a week to a month. I am debating on which of the 4870s to get: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801 This is the weaker of the two(not by much). http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102815 This is the more powerful of the two. It also boasts the Vapor-X cooling design which I have heard does offer better cooling. So with the performance boost and the Vapor-X cooling is it really worth the $20 jump, and does this in fact offer better cooling over the cheaper 4870? Will the small performance boost generate more heat canceling out the Vapor-X cooling design? I want to make sure it stays good and cool since it is known to generate alot of heat, so would it be good to invest in a cooler for the 4870(for either card) like these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186016 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186021 Now from what I can see the 4870 is already more card then I need, and the price seems fair enough, so should I really worry about holding off for a DX11 card?
The only difference between the cards is the overclock and the cooler. The vapor-x cooler is better than the cooler on the cheap card, but only by a tiny bit. The cooler you found is poorly designed, and the fan wires often jam the fans or get ripped off. Personaly, I'd stick with the cheaper 4870.
I heard the Vapor-X can lower temps by about 10*C. As for the cooler the cooler is fine as far as I see, but indeed the fans are pretty bad. I think I am going to see how the cooling is stock and then possibly pick up the heat sink. If worse comes to worse I will mount a fan on the heat sink myself to where I know its good and sturdy. Why do you suggest the cheaper? To met it seems like $20 is reasonable enough for a OC with a better stock cooler.
The reason I would go with the non-overclocked version is because my current card is a Sapphire 3870HD that came with the vapor-x cooler and the factory overclock. The thing got so hot that it made my RAID controler have issues, and the fins were so close together that they clogged with dust in just a few days. They may have gotten better since then (the new vapor-x is over twice as large, but the 4870 also needs a lot more cooling than the 3870 did). I ended up going with an aftermarket cooler...and overclocking the card more anyway, so neither the fancy cooler nor the factory overclock ended up being used (a waist of about $25). Again, Sapphire may have improved their product since then...I just don't trust it.
Well I took the time to read over the 4* and under reviews of the OCed card since there was only 9 or 10. I believe only one or two mentioned problems with the fan. Throw in a DOA or two, a few people knocking eggs off for its size, and a few bad driver experiences and that about covers the cons from that group. The non OC card has far more 4* and under reviews, but is also the more popular card so its sort of to be expected on a more popular card.
Sapphire's coolers back in the 3870 generation were abysmal, but realistically, with DX11 cards so imminent, wait until their release. These are about the best 120mm fans you can buy: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185059 Unsurprised you didn't like the Thermaltake fan, all Thermaltake fans are crap.
There is a handy rule for all hardware: When the new stuff comes out, the old stuff gets cheap. Even if the cost of a new part keeps you from buying it, the older generation will drop in cost...saving you money or letting you buy a higher-end part.
Well obviously. Im not some idiot off the street Nor am I really that interested in say a 4870x2 even if it comes down in price. I really like the looks of the 4870s I posted, and there already more then I need. I rarley play any new games. I gave a train simulator(Railworks - which is fairly new I believe) a run the other week and my 9800GTX was having a rough time with it. It played smooth but there was alot of artifacts if I zoomed out. Seeing as the 4870 demolishes the 9800GTX+ I have no worried. After thinking about it I am a bit concerned as to weather my Corsair HX520 will handle the 4870, 5 HDDs(4 of which will be dropped in favor of a 1 TB Caviar Green to consolidate storage before years end), DVD Burner,and several fans(about 8). Speaking of fans, I am out of connections to run any more fans as it is, so considering fans probably draw little power, is it alright to place a splitter on the molex so I can run 2 fans from one molex?
"I rarley play any new games" -I think you answered your own question about waiting for DX11...these old games are not going to need it. Your power supply is robust, it should handle everything you listed plus a 4870x2, but the card I was hinting at was actualy the 4890.
Ok thanks Killer. I think I am going to grab set of these molex splitters: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812706015 Will this lessen the power to the fans causing them to run at slower RPMs?
Thanks and btw do you agree with Sam on the Sytche fans? Not that i dont have faith in Sam just like to hear multiple opinions, analyze them, and decide what the best option is?
The 4870X2 was discontinued last month, you won't be able to buy one of those any more unless it's off ebay. A corsair 520HX is ample to run even an HD4870X2, let alone an HD4870, no need for an upgrade there.
NewEgg just got the 4870 OC in stock today and the regular 4870 has an ETA of this weekend I believe. So looks like there getting one last shipment.
