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5850 Xf vs 5870 2gig

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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I'm thinking about getting me a 5870 2gig model because I want to get me an eyefinity setup. so I was thinking I could buy me 2 585s 1 gig models for 600 bucks overclock them a little and maybe get 5870 speeds. Or I could go ahead and buy me 1 5870 2gig model. Then save a little more and buy me and another 5870. I would have 4gigs of memory that I could take advantage in my eyefinity setup for It would cost me around 1K. So Is the extra memory and extra fps by me getting 2 5870s worth buying over 2 5850s for 600bucks.

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shadow187 said:
If you're running eyefinity, the extra buffer will DEFINITELY help. If I were you though, I'd wait for the Sapphire HD5970 4GB.

And just to think that those babies will get xf giving you a total of 8Gigs of memory. I still know people using 64mb on their gpu.
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It also depends on what resolution of Eyefinity you are running. If you are running less than 1680x1050 resolution monitors, you're probably better off with 2x5850 as they will be much faster, but as you increase resolution, you're gonna start running out of frame buffer.

I noticed that on screens larger then 24". So i have decide im going to buy me some nice 22" acer monitors and maybe mod the screens so i can reduce the bezel thickness. I still want to try to max everything out in game.

A bigger single card is a better solution but honestly a flat out bigger monitor is an even better solution so you don't have to worry about extra wide resolution support and bezel.

I recommend a 5970 or perhaps the 4GB version of the 5970 when it comes out.

If you are going to go out and get (2) 5850, just get a single 5970 and be done with it. They DO overclock to 5870 speeds as that is exactly what the GPU is, they just have to undervolt and underclock it to stay within the PCI-E spec. This way you don't need to worry about Crossfire. Just one BIG card will do the trick for you.

Ok so now i am really looking to buy a 5970 instead but my question is. Does it really suck to do xf? I mean isnt what xf is all about? On the other hand having one 5970 and overclock it seems like the best idea.

CF doesn't suck, you just have 2 cards to deal with and in my experience, unless you have a large case with good airflow between the cards the top card gets REAL toasty. I tried to CF 2 4870's and the top card reached 102C and then crashed.

It all depends on positioning. If you have heat dumping onto the top card, it's going to overheat. Nowadays people should really only CF with non-reference cards (MSI Cyclone, I hear, is a good one to do on 4890s).
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You seem to be under the impression that when you crossfire cards together the memory from each card is added together, which it isn't

For example crossfiring 2 x 1GB 5850's will leave you with just 1GB of VRAM (not 2GB)

So I would advice you to go with a 2GB card if you want to go eyefinity.

shadow187 said:
It all depends on positioning. If you have heat dumping onto the top card, it's going to overheat. Nowadays people should really only CF with non-reference cards (MSI Cyclone, I hear, is a good one to do on 4890s).

MIne were Asus Dark Knight 4870's. I just don't think I have the case to circulate the air they need.

Dark knights utilized coppor quad heat sinks, right?

Heat sinks just dissipate heat better. It's still going to hit your top card. That's why the Cyclone was good, because it got the air off of the cards. You're quite right in assuming it was the air circulation.

shadow187 said:
Dark knights utilized coppor quad heat sinks, right?

Heat sinks just dissipate heat better. It's still going to hit your top card. That's why the Cyclone was good, because it got the air off of the cards. You're quite right in assuming it was the air circulation.

I just find a single card easier to deal with. That is why I suggested a 5970. Plus you can OC it like a wild banshee (well not really OC, just bring the clocks back up to the 5870 clocks or more)

kal20mx said:
I think the 5970 is the winner. Unless I buy me the new 2gig 5870 model and then later add another 5870?

The 5970 IS (2) 5870's so unless you have budget concerns, just go for the big tamale.

shadow187 said:
Grab an HD5970 NOW, and an HD5870 LATER. It'd be more prudent that way, and the 5870 will add a nice performance boost.

Didnt know I could add a 5870 xf to a 5970 That actually works out great.
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