Ok,
Some of you have helped me over the past month with me deciding to hold out for a 5850. I just wanted to say thanks, as I am glad I waited for it to become available.
I upgraded from an ageing but epic 8800GT, and here is what I have found to be the real time results of the upgrade:
*OC is CCC Max @ GPU 775MHz, Memory 1125MHz
*All Fraps tests are at Native resoultion (2048x1152) and Max settings
*Benchmark tests ran at 1900 x 1200
In real terms I am very happy with the card as it runs quieter than the 4890 that I had for a week.
If anyone wants me to test something for them let me know and I will try my best.
Just out of interest I have ran everything @ stock, and hear of people clocking these things upto a 5870 level.
I assume that this can only be achieved via MSI Afterburner as CCC only allows an increase from 725MHz to 775MHz.
Would using MSI Afterburner void my Sapphire warranty?
Also is their any way to change the setpoints for the automatic fan speed? Or is it only availble my selecting 1 manual speed?
Ok, I have installed the new CCC 9.12 drivers, and have found some real term improvements:
*OC is CCC Max @ GPU 775MHz, Memory 1125MHz
Check out that vantage score with the new drivers
To be honest I find the stalker benchmark very unreliable and each time I run it the results can vastly vary. However the 9.12 drivers have brought good improvements to actual gameplay, i.e Min FPS up in both COD4 and MW2, with the average FPS up in GRID.
Good work ATI.
Thanks.
Some of you have helped me over the past month with me deciding to hold out for a 5850. I just wanted to say thanks, as I am glad I waited for it to become available.
I upgraded from an ageing but epic 8800GT, and here is what I have found to be the real time results of the upgrade:

*OC is CCC Max @ GPU 775MHz, Memory 1125MHz
*All Fraps tests are at Native resoultion (2048x1152) and Max settings
*Benchmark tests ran at 1900 x 1200
In real terms I am very happy with the card as it runs quieter than the 4890 that I had for a week.
If anyone wants me to test something for them let me know and I will try my best.
Just out of interest I have ran everything @ stock, and hear of people clocking these things upto a 5870 level.
I assume that this can only be achieved via MSI Afterburner as CCC only allows an increase from 725MHz to 775MHz.
Would using MSI Afterburner void my Sapphire warranty?
Also is their any way to change the setpoints for the automatic fan speed? Or is it only availble my selecting 1 manual speed?
Ok, I have installed the new CCC 9.12 drivers, and have found some real term improvements:

*OC is CCC Max @ GPU 775MHz, Memory 1125MHz
Check out that vantage score with the new drivers
To be honest I find the stalker benchmark very unreliable and each time I run it the results can vastly vary. However the 9.12 drivers have brought good improvements to actual gameplay, i.e Min FPS up in both COD4 and MW2, with the average FPS up in GRID.
Good work ATI.
Thanks.