HD 5870 VS 2x1.8gb gtx 260(core 192)

[novik]

Hi All,
Which among the two is a better option to go for: HD 5870 or 2x1.8gb gtx 260(core 192).

TIA,
Novik

 

[hispeed120]

I would go for the HD5870. It is roughly equivalent to 2XHD4870, which is more less equivalent to 2xGTX260 (maybe a little better because it is only the 192 version). Also, you would only be populating one PCIe slot, and wouldn't have to deal with scaling problems that multi-card configurations can have. If you already have a GTX260, you may want to add another, but if you are looking for a new card, and don't mind spending the extra $40, you can't go wrong with the 5870.

 

[japps2]

what resolution? How much $$ do you want to spend? What games are you playing? What CPU/system do you have? What motherboard?

 

[pepperman]

the 5870 will perform better, if only slightly (you can reference this article; treat the your 2 x gtx 260 as the gtx 295, except subtract a couple frames since you are referring to the core 192 version, not the 216 http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5870,2422.html) Personally, I would go for the single 5870, as multi-gpu setups can be sketchy, and as I said, the 5870 will perform better.

 

[pluke the 2]

yoyo! More specification for all the guys please. Monitor Resolution you use & full system specifications (Power supply name make model) as it will help people answer your questions better.

Let me give you an idea.

I play a lot of L4D. 60 Hours every 2 weeks. 700 Hours of total L4D I have played. I have played about 600 Hours of L4D on two xfx 8800gtx’s in SLI. I would get about 120FPS with that set-up. I recently bought the XFX ATI HD5870 1GB card and installed it. Playing L4d in the last 100 hours on this new Video Card I am experiencing 170FPS. I play at 1900 x 1080 Resolution with High quality settings. AA4x, Vertical Sync Off. I payed $430.00 including tax for the new ATI HD5870 card. So +50 FPS for $430.00 is not a good deal/trade off. For the future HOWEVER, it is a good investment for when I replace my existing set-up with a new build (keeping my new ATI card). So the gain Is none if any.

 

[novik]

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.Actually I was "thinking" of buying an Alienware(I know they are grossly overpriced but its a fullfillment of a long time desire )...
The specs for that machine is:

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64 bit) + Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Coupon
Lunar Shadow, Alienware Aurora Chassis-875 W power supply
Intel® Core™ i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor
Dual 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 192 Core - SLI® Enabled/1gb HD5870
6GB Triple Channel 1067MHz DDR3
500GB - SATA-II, 3GB/S, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

 

[jennyh]

The 5870 is by far the best option of those two options.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

I seriously doubt the GTX260 can even use 1.8GB of RAM.

Just like how anything under a 9800GTX or 4850 can't use more than 512mb of RAM even in higher resolutions.

 

[facie]

Oddly enough, I'm looking at the same computer! I'm planning on running it on an 70" HDTV (1080p). The Alienware rep told me that I'd get slightly better sharpness and clarity at that size on the dual cards (versus the single HD). What do you all think? I'm flying blind here a bit.

 

[broketechjunkie]

That's BS. The picture quality won't be any different. Performance favors the 5870 though.

 

[RogerDeath]

I would advise you to go with the 5870 over any two GPU solution because not all games support them! Having a single card that will reliably do very well is better then two that can fluctuate frequently.

Good luck getting that 5870 though, I've only found a 5850 aside from eBay...

 

[JAYDEEJOHN]

Oddly enough, I'm looking at the same computer! I'm planning on running it on an 70" HDTV (1080p). The Alienware rep told me that I'd get slightly better sharpness and clarity at that size on the dual cards (versus the single HD). What do you all think? I'm flying blind here a bit.

My guess is, the rep is trying to rid himself of old tech, as it has no fact in reality.
Get the 5870, and DX11 as well

 

[facie]

I wondered. I'm not as deep of a techie as most here, but for the progressive scan TV, why would dual cards (that alternate rasters) be sharper or faster?

I think the HD is the way to go. Now I just need to settle on a large format new HDTV. Man, I LOVE the holidays and buying for myself! LOL

 

[JofaMang]

The only specification on a display that will effect performanec is the resolution. A 70" 1920x1080 TV will run the same FPS as a 1920x1080 22" monitor. AFAIK (please correct me if wrong) the TV itself will de-interlace the video feed to create proggressive scan displays.

 

[facie]

Thanks Jofa. I didn't know, but I suppose should have realized intuitively, that the FPS will be the same regardless of size.

 

[L1qu1d]

Here is my 2 cents

4870 X2 ~ 2 x's 260 GTX (don't look for anything above stock 896because it just won't be used, maybe 1-3 fps difference at higher resolutions, or you'll get a 5 fps vs 15 fps situation where both are unplayable)

4870 X2 I've seen exchanges blows with the 5870, So I can safely say even if the 5870 is slightly slower iin some cases (although to be honest I've seen it match a 295 GTX at times) Its the more stable solution.

 

[facie]

This is all very helpful. Thanks! If anyone has comments on HDTVs, I have another post here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/53989-4-73c9-hdtv-mitsubishi

I'd love your input on HDTV choices to match my new PC.

Thanks again.
Facie

 

[raj072]

Hey Novik, I know it was an old post but the system you dream of is one I purchased a few months back. All same specs mine had a 5870 in it. I caught a sale and really did not pay that much more than I would have building my own. Yes you can get burned with Alienware if you buy at the wrong time. Having one was not my dream, I'm a system builder, I don't think I have purchased a name brand in 10 years. So to me it was getting lazy.
After I got it I have to say I am very impressed with the quality of the case, and the engineering that went into it. I don't think I could have matched the case and the organization of the wires, and extra features. I know I could have made one as fast but not as cool. The Aurora is a nice case with good overclocking feature on the MB. There is nothing cheap about it, they even have lights on the back so you can see when plugging in cables. Sort of like having a car with power windows, gps etc. You don't really need it but its nice to have. If you can get a decent deal on one they are worth it, much better than the XPS line in terms of case, power supply, etc. For anyone not into building their own you can do much worse.

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it.Actually I was "thinking" of buying an Alienware(I know they are grossly overpriced but its a fullfillment of a long time desire )...
The specs for that machine is:

Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium (64 bit) + Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium Upgrade Coupon
Lunar Shadow, Alienware Aurora Chassis-875 W power supply
Intel® Core™ i7 920 2.66GHz (8MB Cache) Quad Core Processor
Dual 1.8GB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 260 192 Core - SLI® Enabled/1gb HD5870
6GB Triple Channel 1067MHz DDR3
500GB - SATA-II, 3GB/S, 7200RPM, 16MB Cache
Single Drive: 24X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability

 

[decode]

Anyone noticed this post is almost a year old. Yoda were are you?

 

[raj072]

OMG the post police LOL. Hey its just text, hardly any bandwidth and well the system he spoke of is still the same today and people are still purchasing them. So maybe an old post but if you read the content still applies today and may be of use to someone in the market for such a system.

 

[decode]

Then they could make a new one and we could give them full, CURRENT information.

 

[Reynod]

/locks thread with lightsabre ...

/ siren wails as fake Yoda stumbles off ...