Ati Radeon X1650 ---> upgrade to Radeon HD 5670

[Chalky Emultion]

Hi all, (sorry for bad english):
I bought a new graphics card (PCI-Express) to replace the old one that came with my computer:

the old one is the ATI Radeon X1650, with 512 MB DDR2 memory;
the new one is the ATI Radeon HD 5670, with 1 GB GDDR5 memory.

I run Windows 7 Professional on an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (E6300 dual-core Conroe, 1.86 Ghz, 2 Mb L2) and i have 2 GB RAM DDR2.

I usually use my computer to play games like Unreal Tournament 3, Command And Conquer 4 or to run PS2/Wii emulators, at a resolution of 1600x900.
Will this graphic card improve my gaming experience? For example in Unreal Tournament 3 with ALL graphics options turned on i get 18 FPS (bad! ), and to get 60 FPS i must play it at a resolution of 800x600... will this change?

Also will my WEI score change? i get a score of 4,7 for Windows Aero performance and a score of 4,1 for game performance...

 

[badger906]

theres about 2 years difference between the 2 cards so by that alone would indicate improved performance as they are both on similar levels within there range. i cant find too much details about the x1650, ati's site doesnt offer much any more.

whats your budget? and we can work from there

 

[Chalky Emultion]

theres about 2 years difference between the 2 cards so by that alone would indicate improved performance as they are both on similar levels within there range. i cant find too much details about the x1650, ati's site doesnt offer much any more.

whats your budget? and we can work from there

budget isn't a problem... I would like only to know if I will see significant changes in terms of graphics performance...?

 

[Mark Phelps]

Well ... given that the new card not only has twice the memory of the old card, but it's also DDR5 instead of DDR2, I would expect to show a MAJOR improvement in graphics performance.

Also, you can use the latest Win7 drivers with this. Didn't the X1650 require Vista drivers (or an early Win7 version)?

 

[Chalky Emultion]

Well ... given that the new card not only has twice the memory of the old card, but it's also DDR5 instead of DDR2, I would expect to show a MAJOR improvement in graphics performance.

Also, you can use the latest Win7 drivers with this. Didn't the X1650 require Vista drivers (or an early Win7 version)?

ok i don't know, Windows 7 automatically installed Ati drivers... i don't use Ati catalyst... should I use it?

 

[stormy13]

Will it be an improvement, yes it will. It just won't be the major improvement you're expecting. The HD 5670 is about on par (wins some, and loses some) with the X1950 Pro, which is close to twice as fast as the X1650.

For today's games with the HD 5670, depending on the game you're looking at a mix of low to medium settings, and if you're lucky a mix of medium and high. Just don't expect to play something like Battlefield 3 at high settings.

Unreal Tournament 3 with ALL graphics options turned on i get 18 FPS (bad! ), and to get 60 FPS i must play it at a resolution of 800x600

Play at lower settings, and only lower the resolution when lowered settings don't help.

Windows 7 automatically installed Ati drivers.

Is that default driver that Windows installs, or whatever the current version is through Windows Update? Personally especially when gaming is a consideration, I would go with the latest driver for the card,

http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/1810-latest-amd-catalyst-video-driver-windows-7-a.html

and I would definitely not use the default Windows driver for it. Also wouldn't use the one from Windows Update as it is usually a few versions behind the current directly from AMD, and will not have any performance improvements or game fixes that are in the latest.

 

[thefabe]

The X1650 has 512mb of GDDR2
The 5670 Has 1gb of G-DDR5 ( pending on which one cause it also comes in GDDR3).

The X1650 only supports DX10.1 Also depends on exact manufacturer. Some only support DX9.
The 5670 supports Dx11 Way more EYECANDY!

X1650 supports Open Gl 2.0 to 2.1
5670 supports Open Gl 3.2

The clock speed of the 5670 is 775 compared to 500 on the X1650 (subject to exact card.)

Bottom line is the 5670 is a WAY better card.
A lot better Gaming experience.
Much smoother Video playback.

For comparison

X1650 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161261

5670 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129153

The 5670 will require a 400w Power supply 500w if crossfired.

Fabe

 

[Chalky Emultion]

Ok, thank you all!

 

[Sardonicus]

Going by your first post and your specs, it seems that you already have the HD 5670 card.
Why not test it?

 

[Chalky Emultion]

Going by your first post and your specs, it seems that you already have the HD 5670 card.
Why not test it?

I bought it yesterday, but now i'm using an old pc because i'm not at home... I already updated my system specs..