I have a simple question. I heard that this graphic card needs a lot of power. So I was wondering if Spire ATX SP-650WTN 650W is good enough for this graphic/video card (Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4870)? Thank you for your answers.
Yeah according to what i've seen it definitely does require a good amount of power. 2x6-pin cables to be exact. Some even require a 6-pin and an 8-pin connector. Looks like it has the same power consumption as an 8800 Ultra. A 650W Power supply might be too low or too high, depending on your other peripherals. To be safe, an 800W might be more suitable, especially if your getting a good CPU such as a Intel Core 2 Quad or a AMD Phenom
I have that exact same graphics card (check my computer) And i have a Hiper 580 Watt PSU powering a C2D, 2 HardDisks, DVD Drive, Soundcard, ATi 4870, 6GB mem, CPU cooler and 2 other fans and has more power. The ATi 4870 requires TWO 6- pin PCI Express connectors but if you don't have two 6pin then it also comes with molex connectors. Also It does not consume a lot of power, the same amount as a 8800 Ultra on full load and can people stop making it sound like it needs a 1000 watt PSU please. Only the 4870X2 consumes a lot of power but to be fair that is basically two cards so it will be hungry
Exactly. It uses a fair more power than the 4850, Its defanatley not comparable to SLI (2 Cards). Also, a good PSU is alot stronger than a case PSU also. Most Case PSU's are cheapies.
I personally think I'm going to buy the 4850. I think that will get me plenty of performance for a year or 2 before I replace it or xfire it. the 4870 is 1. Fair amount more money 2. Takes a fair amount more power / makes heat I'll stick with the 4850 unless somenone can talk me into the 4870
Radeon 4850 vs 4870 - dslreports.com Sources (Toms Hardware, DSL Reports, etc...) say that there's a 15%-20% difference in performance (which isn't a lot btw). Also, check out this score by 3DMark comparing the two: 3dmark06: 4850 @ 15472 vs. 4870 @ 16093
i have this card, meaning the hd4870 and i'm having a heap of trouble. though i must admit, at this point im not sure if its the vga any more. i just got a brand new pc. bought all the parts and put it together myself. here is the config: asus p5q3 deluxe core2duo e8400 3.0Ghz 4 GB DDR3 1600 2x640 GB HDD set up in RAID sapphire radeon hd4870 550W power supply so i installed it and it keeps freezing durring games. installed all versions of catalyst and the one that worked best was 8.6, which is the one that came with the card, but even that still freezes. read on a different forum a guy had the same freeze problems and he fixed it by upgrading the bios. so i did that, but now it freezes durring system start up, barely making it to the desktop. i have no idea what to do with it anymore. spent quite some cash on a system that fails to even work...
Perhaps it would be best to post this in a more suitable thread that way your problem may been seen by more people who might help you out. Just one thing i would like to mention is that your PSU is a 550watt but is it actually any good?? because your system might be underpowered but im not sure if it will cause the symptoms that you are experiencing.
