HD5870 / HD5850 Reviews and Discussion

[randomizer]

So that we don't get 500 threads asking the same thing and posting links to a single review, try to keep discussion in this temporary sticky (which I will unsticky once the new hardware frenzy dies down).

To clarify: you are free to post other threads, but by having most info here it will (hopefully) reduce the number of other threads asking for the same info or posting links to reviews over and over. "Should I buy a HD5870" - type posts should be in their own thread.

Scabbed this list from XS, credit goes to onethreehill and the others that posted the links.
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=783
http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=858
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ATI/Radeon_HD_5870/
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/AMD/HD_5870_PCI-Express_Scaling/
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...sapphire-radeon-hd-5870-1gb-gddr5-review.html
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=20289
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=20354
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/09/22/amds_ati_radeon_hd_5870_video_card_review
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2009/09/23/ait-radeon-hd-5870-1gb-review/1
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-5870-review-test/
http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3643
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5870,2422.html
http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/hardware/grafikkarten/2009/test_ati_radeon_hd_5870/
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/2933/sapphire_radeon_hd_5870_1gb_graphics_card/index.html
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,...f-the-first-DirectX-11-graphics-card/Reviews/
http://www.sweclockers.com/articles_show.php?id=6195&page=9
http://lab501.ro/placi-video/ati-radeon-hd-5870-vs-nvidia-gtx-295
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1080/1/
http://techreport.com/articles.x/17618
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5870.html
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/ati_radeon_hd_5870_performance_preview/
http://pclab.pl/art38674-8.html

 

[rescawen]

5850 is at 1900x1200 only 87% of 5870

 

[Twoboxer]

The 5870 looks very nice, and looks correctly priced from at least a manufacturer's point of view. From a consumer point of view, they didn't gouge like nVidia did, but it could have been a bit lower.

I suppose my disappointment is a bit unfair. My understanding was this card was supposed to beat the 295. Its obviously a better choice, but it doesn't win - at least with current drivers.

So I decided to hold off buying a couple to see what unfolds.

 

[randomizer]

It does beat the 295 in several titles. The difference in price/performance is what makes it more attractive though. The 295 is far too expensive for the few titles it wins in.

 

[rescawen]

5850 is the best high end card out there. only a little slower than 5870 but 100 dollars or euros here less. I was gonna get a samsung jet, but turns out phenom 955 and 5850 is going to cost me the same price in china

 

[Twoboxer]

No disputing that - but it doesn't beat the 295. That was the expectation AMD set in my mind.

That doesn't diminish the card, only my impulse to HAVE IT NOW.

 

[rescawen]

BTW im gonna wait for the more silent editions from sapphire or his. Maybe ASUS to?

 

[randomizer]

The drivers need improving (EyeFinity doesn't work in Crossfire) and remember that it's a single GPU taking on 2. Put them in crossfire and the 295 falls apart.

 

[Twoboxer]

Again, undisputed. But not as expected.

 

[mactronix]

I have a suggestion for you and toms randomiser, well two actually.
Firstly i think it would help with stickys if the links in the forum were a totally different colour so we noticed them more, just being in capitals and a slightly darker shade of blue doesn't make them stand out nearly enough.
And secondly a launch day sticky on all boards on all technology CPU/GPU/OS etc, to which dedicated Mods such as yourself can add reviews.
That way there wont be threads that get locked mid discussion for no reason.
I understand what you are doing and think it a good idea but lets get it going properly in future.

Mactronix

 

[randomizer]

I have suggested the colour change many times but it seems badges are more important. I don't fully understand what you're getting at with the second point though. PM to clarify to keep this on topic.

 

[hallowed_dragon]

The cards are exactly how i expected them to be, with the 5850 the clear price/performance winner. Beating the 285 almost all the time that is the card i will get to replace my 4870.

 

[Maziar]

5870 looks a good choice,a single card that performs like 4870X2(beating it in some games and losing in some other games by a minimal margin)it looks a great card with good price too.
Same for 5850 great price/performance

 

[hallowed_dragon]

I would get the 5870, except it doesnt fit in my A+ mid tower , but no matter I will OC the #### out of the 5850.

 

[Maziar]

For me i think i will wait a little longer,i currently have a 4870X2 so i think i will wait more for the 5870X2 to see how it performs

 

[lorik]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ug3lM7uqK8 vapor-x version OMG !

 

[killtacular]

What I would want to see is how does 2 x 5870 perform on P55 8x and X58 x16. That would really finalise my decision as to which chipset to go for.....

 

[randomizer]

Btw, AMD didn't make reviewing this card easy when they released the drivers just over a week ago. That's alot of work for one week!

 

[killtacular]

Guru3D used Beta drivers and still the results were impressive.

 

[sirkillalot]

dam its like looking at a steak when im hungry my month is watering
feed me seymore aragggggghhhhhhh

 

[Guest]

"We're sure that NVIDIA have something special up their sleeves and we don't doubt they’re benchmarking the HD 5870 in single, CrossFire and CrossFire X form so they have a better idea of what they're dealing with"
Nvidia still has the fastest card at at moment gtx 295, nvidia know knows what 5870 has performance and they will have in short period of time gt 300 series cards

 

[Pailin]

heh, love that low power usage with 2 cards

Will be ordering at least 1 once prices have settled down a little

later maybe a 2nd one if 1 can't handle games well enough in Tripple 1920x1200

 

[The_Blood_Raven]

Anandtech confuses me. They say the 5870 can't touch the GTX 295, but their benchmarks prove otherwise. They should know as well as anyone else on this forum that multi-GPU solutions don't play as well as they bench, low min. FPS and high max. FPS. The 5870 should play as smooth and likely smoother than the GTX 295. Yeah it might not hit 80 FPS for a few seconds here and there in Crysis, but 50-60 with 30-40 being much more consistent makes for a better gaming experience.

I'm sorry, but the 5870 = GTX 295, if you think otherwise you are missing a very important principle of multi GPUs. Just going by HardOCP I tested my rig with the exact same settings as a single 5870 and I could get close the min. FPS, but not match it. Compared to 3 4890s that is insane.

 

[randomizer]

Nvidia still has the fastest card at at moment gtx 295,

Which is alot more expensive and performs, at best, marginally better with 2 GPUs, not 1.

nvidia know knows what 5870 has performance and they will have in short period of time gt 300 series cards

You mean 8800GTX Rev 4?

 

[Milos-stancene]

Rev4 or 24,that card plays music !!!