5850/5870?

[sincreator]

I'm going to pick up one of these two cards in the very near future(next week). My system is in my signature. So what does everyone think would be the best. I'm thinking the 5850 would be plenty, since I can get a second one for x-fire down the road. I do plan on getting a new CPU in the next couple of months as well. Probally the 955/965 phenom 2, or maybe the 6 core next year. So keep that in mind. Thanks for the input.

 

[sirkillalot]

5870 with the 955 just like me

 

[shadow187]

The 5870 is, of course, the better card. However, if you want to save for a better processor, the 5850 is not a bad choice. Either card will suit you good, and you will see a major improvement from your current setup.

 

[sincreator]

Oh it's not in my sig, but I have the 750w Thermaltake Toughpower PSU as well. I have to make sure that whatever I do this PSU will handle it.

 

[coozie7]

At or below 16x10 get the 5850.
At or above 19x10, ge the 5870.
In either case, make sure your case will accept them.

Edit: Your PSU wll drive either with ease.

 

[sirkillalot]

i use the 650 its enough for 1. 2 im not sure but i think its ok

 

[sincreator]

Well if I plan to eventually crossfire 2 of the cards in question, will a 750w PSU be enough for for 2x5850/5870. I also game at 1920x1080, but both cards should handle that resolution with ease, I would think from all the reviews I have read. I like turning up the eye-candy as well, so 1920x1080 with say 4x AA for most games.

 

[sirkillalot]

yes

 

[metalweenis]

The 5850 WILL do what you need it to do any more, don't both wasting money on a 5870. Overclock your 5850(s) and you will have near 5870 performance anyways. Save some cash, because it's not worth it. One 5850 can run Crysis wonderfully and your resolution - so what will two do?

 

[OvrClkr]

IMO the 5850 is almost as fast as the 5870. I really dont think that performance/percentage gap between both GPU's is worth 100.00$ unless you are playing at 19x10 or above like coozie said....

 

[sincreator]

The 5850 WILL do what you need it to do any more, don't both wasting money on a 5870. Overclock your 5850(s) and you will have near 5870 performance anyways. Save some cash, because it's not worth it. One 5850 can run Crysis wonderfully and your resolution - so what will two do?

I plan to get the second card down the road just to keep performance up on future games(next 2-3 years). Down the road maybe a year from now, maybe longer depending on the prices. Basically it's the same as what I did with my 3870's. I bought one card first at regular price, and when a few games came out that bought that card to it's knees, I picked up a second card to compensate. It worked out really well to last for an extra year, year and a half. That would be my overall plan. That and a newer CPU sometime in the next year or so as well. I just try to keep my computer up to date, adding upgrades as needed basically.

 

[rodney_ws]

OP doesn't mention what case he has. A 5870 is an 11 inch card.

 

[OvrClkr]

As far as I know dual 5850's are redonculous when it comes to GPU power. If a 5870 is a monster than you can imagine what dual 5850's can do....

 

[shadow187]

The 5870 has a lower idle power than the 4870, however it has about 20W higher load.

 

[sincreator]

OP doesn't mention what case he has. A 5870 is an 11 inch card.

I've got plenty of room, about 16 inches to be precise. Even then I could remove the bottom drive bays. I'm not quite sure what model case this is. My brother gave it to me about 5 years ago. It has 4 80mm fan slots, and a 120mm slot. It also has a clear side window. The only indication of the manufacturer of the case is a circle with a T in the center. Thermaltake maybe?

 

[shadow187]

Nii-ice.

Now all you need is a CPU upgrade, PSU upgrade, and then in a year, a second GPU upgrade.

 

[sincreator]

Exactly. I'll get one 5850 first, then a better cpu, and then the second 5850. I was hopeing my 750w Thermatake would be enough for two 5850's. Crosses fingers. lol

 

[shadow187]

It might be, but make sure it has a minimum of combined 65A on the 12v's.

 

[sincreator]

It might be, but make sure it has a minimum of combined 65A on the 12v's.

Here is the PSU: http://www.thermaltakeusa.com/Product.aspx?C=1264&ID=1508 60 amp combined.

Now I was reading here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/268105-28-corsair-650tx-enough-5870-crossfire and people were saying that 40 amp for 2 5870's was what ATI recommended.

 

[shadow187]

Odd. I assumed, because the HD4670 needed a minimum of 17A, that the HD5870 would be quite more.

Looks like you're fine

 

[OvrClkr]

TP 750 for a single or dual 5870's?

 

[sincreator]

TP 750 for a single or dual 5870's?

For 2 5850's most likely in the long run. One now, one later. Im thinking there's a better value there. Plus a better chance of this PSU being enough.

 

[OvrClkr]

the TP 750 is more than enough for dual 5850's ..... I doubt your entire system will pull 650w at load.

 

[sincreator]

I decided to go for the Sapphire 5850...now if only newegg.ca had them in stock.