5850 vs. 5870 for 2560x1600 res

[eylee86]

After i found that GTX285 have been discontinued and that the price won't be going down (due to shortage in units i guess), I quickly sold my half year old GTX285 and am waiting to buy 5850 or 5870 when the Fermi's come out (to see if the prices drop). If i was going to stay at 1920x1200 which is what i'm at right now, I would just get 5850 no questions and possibly SLI in the future if i need to. But I am also considering to buy Dell 3007wfp-HC, which runs at 2560x1600 resolutions and want to know if it's worthwhile to get 5870 over 5850?

I'm specifically looking at saphire vapor-x models due to their cooling and noise (my tower is right next to my bed, and I usually leave my computer on at night). After hearing my housemates 5770(stock regular cooler/fan) at 20% fan speed and still not breaking 50-55 degrees C, I was sold on these HD5000's and couldn't help to imagine how silent the vapor-x series would be.

Any thoughts, suggestions would be great! thanks in advance.

Sorry forgot to list my spec:

Intel I7 920 (at stock at the moment) with Megahalem
EVGA X58 3X SLI
WD Caviar Black 1TB/750GB
Antec 1200
Corsair HX850 PSU

 

[shadow187]

What's your processor?

 

[vvhocare5]

He has an i7 920 - guessing you overclock it a bit?

There really isnt any question between the two - the 5870 will do far better for you at 2560x1600 than a 5850 will. I might go look at some of the recent benchmarks and think about a 5970 - it always depends what your goals are in terms of performance.

 

[dndhatcher]

Since you are considering spending over $1000 on a monitor, trying to save $100 on a graphics card sounds silly. If you are spending that much on the monitor you should be trying to decide if a 5870 is enough or do you need a 5970 or 480.

 

[builderbobftw]

I would go 5970, or GTX 480 SLI.

Nothing else can max 2560x1600.

 

[builderbobftw]

Hey also, are you gonna sell that GTX 285?

 

[shadow187]

I'd get an HD5770 crossfire. Better than an HD5870.

 

[builderbobftw]

Yep, But I still wound't do anything less than 4870 Trifire/Quadfire, 4890 tri, GTX 285 tri, GTX 295, GTX 295 four way, or a 5970 or a 5970 Quad for 2560x1600.

 

[eylee86]

Thanks everyone, it seems like I'm gonna end up getting HD5870 for now and get CF later when I get a chance.

Shadow187: disregarding your recommendation since after 5770 CF, i'll be stuck with it and I don't think that's powerful enough to drive the resolution i want.

builderbobftw: I already sold my GTX285 sorry! But also the reviews for 5870 benchmarks suggests that single 5870 CAN max some games out. At least the ones I'm interested in. Ofcourse it won't max out crysis but who cares about crysis...i got bored of that game 15minutes after i started. I mainly play L4D, W3(yes...still), MW2, BFBC2 at the moment. I know that SC2 and Diablo3 won't be tough on hardwares so it sounds like i'm pretty set with HD5870 (and future CF)!

thanks everyone for your input!

 

[builderbobftw]

It may have trouble maxing BC2 at 2560x1600.

And you will not be able to use major AA, or prehaps any AA at all, or even max settings.

BC2 is a very demanding game.

I would highly recommend the 5970 at that res.

It's only 200$ more, and worth every penny.

 

[jaguarskx]

For 2560 x 1600 I would buy the most powerful card(s) I can afford. The HD 5870 is a good choice. The HD 5970 is even better if you have the budget for it.

Alternatively, you can buy a HD 5850 now, then add another HD 5850 later if money is tight now and your mobo supports XFire.

 

[eylee86]

Best answer selected by eylee86.

 

[eylee86]

that is what i'm planning to do, i'll be purchasing 5870 now, and when I get the monitor(waiting for a deal to show up) and find that I need to CF, i'll throw another one in. Hopefully by then the price will drop even more