[i7Stealth1366]

Ok well I am wanting to get a 5870 or a 5850 and am really confused.... is the 5870 like the core i7 965 where its not worth it and the 5850 is like the i7 920?

 

[Contagion]

What?

The 5870 offers about 15-20% more performance than the 5850. The 5850 can be overclocked to match the 5870 stock performance fairly easily. This also goes in turn with the 5870's ability to overclock enough to decimate all in its path.

 

[The Master Chief]

5870 is faster than the 5850.. simple as that.

5870 is worth it.

 

[fssbzz]

i would go for a 5850. that with asus bios.
u can easily clock up to 5870 stock clock/memory.
5850 have way more room for OC if u have a great cooler

 

[i7Stealth1366]

Asus 5870 ftw? or Sapphire Vapor X?

 

[Contagion]

Quote:

Originally Posted by i7Stealth1366 Asus 5870 ftw? or Sapphire Vapor X?

The Asus one is better.

 

[GeneralCuster44]

5870 all the way man!! get the asus one!!

 

[The Master Chief]

Quote:

Originally Posted by i7Stealth1366 Asus 5870 ftw? or Sapphire Vapor X?

I like Sapphire better but, either way, you will be a o.k.

The Asus is better for overclocking, and the sapphire is well... a sapphire.

 

[fssbzz]

asus ftw

 

[DuckieHo]

The HD5870 has a 1600 cores vs the HD5850 1440 cores. However, the HD5850 is a much better value since it costs 25% less but can overclock well enough to get to within 10% of the performance.

 

[brettjv]

When you decide betwixt 5850 and 5870, bear in mind that they overclock to about the same level, and when at equal clocks, the difference in performance is that the 5870 is 5-10% faster. By that I mean it's never more than 10%. So, at equal clocks, if on the 5850 you get 50 fps, then on the 5870, you get 55fps ... in the best of circumstances.

Then look at the % cost increase to buy a 5870, and calculate whether or not this gain is worth it to you.

 

[Nick911]

Don't forget the stock cooler on the 5870 is bigger and runs cooler then the 5850. When the streams becomes more utilized and when you run a bigger monitor, the 5870 will no doubt lead with a good 10fps or more.

 

[Manc25]

I suppose it depends where you are. If you're in the US and have the cash for a 5870, then why not? I'm sure the price difference can't be as bad as where I am. The flipside is if you take the 5850, you have cash for something else. But as I said before, cash might not be an issue.

Here in the UK it would cost an extra 100 quid for at most, an extra 5 frames. That's not worth it to me. But I'm not you and I don't have your budget.

If money is no issue: 5870

If you're on a budget: 5850 and clock that mutha up

 

[Mooooooo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo The HD5870 has a 1600 cores vs the HD5850 1440 cores. However, the HD5850 is a much better value since it costs 25% less but can overclock well enough to get to within 10% of the performance.

+1

This is what I have been saying all along Stealthy.
Other people choose to ignore this and state the obvious because of higher number specs.
You wont get a 25% increase of the 5870 over the 5850, yet it cost 25% more.
If money is no object, then buy a 5870, but if you want a better u/g path for future xfiring, 5850 FTW on a cost per performance ratio..

Yes I know you are still trying to convince yourself of the 5870.

And no I have no intended to offend anyone with my statement above..

Oh and listen to Brettjv, he knows his stuff MAAAAAN...

 

[kow_ciller]

Bang for the buck the 5850 wins. But if you want the top single-GPU card out there the 5870 is worth it IMO.

And for which brand to get. Stay the hell away from any card with a non-reference PCB if you want to overclock. I had a vapor-X 5870 and it was such a terrible overclocker.Also, stay away from the non-reference XFX card with the fan in the middle, or the powercolor with the fan in the middle. Any card with a reference design will be fine no matter the brand. btw, the best deal I've seen on a card is a powercolor one @ ZZF.

 

[manolith]

get a 5870 and if you dont have the cash for it then get a 5850.

 

[Lord Xeb]

The 5870 when overclocked to 1000c is a freaking monster! It just chews and spews man!

 

[calavera]

For 1920x resolutions the 5850 can handle most of the games out there with ease.
For eyefinity or 2560x resolutions you'd want a 5870.

My vote goes to 5850 for its value compared to 5870.

 

[badger6021]

5850 FTW its a monster and plays any game maxed out been playing BC2 maxed out full AA 1920x1200 between 60-70 fps this card is awsome for price-performance ratio 5850 wins handsdown.

 

[onoz]

5850 gets my vote, though like kow_ciller says, don't get a non reference pcb. I was lucky enough to get a reference one, but I wouldn't take that same chance if I were you.