Difference between different priced HD 5870's?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Hey all,

I'm planning on buying a HD 5870 for my new build, and I'll leave the option open to buy another one in a few years. (Xfire)

Now I decided which grafic processor I want, but there are so many different versions of this card.

I know there are 1GB and 2GB versions (I want a 1GB one)
But even then each brand has 4 different 1GB HD 5870's!
Prices here ranging from 360-480 euro's.

So I need you guys to tell me which one I should go with :p

Less important: (look at the last post)
3 different Sapphire 1GB 5870's:
http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?MERK_ID%5B3625%5D=on&LEVERTIJD_MAX=on&VERFIJNING_2769%5B156415%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B416%5D=on&GROEP_ID=970&p_tab=8&v_uitgebreid=off&PAGINA=1&SORTERING=levertijd_asc

I see the Vapor-X one is slightly overclocked?
Which one has the best cooling solution of those 3? Which one is more silent?

And here are all HD 5870's, which one should I take?
http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?LEVERTIJD_MAX=on&VERFIJNING_2975%5B156415%5D=on&GROEP_ID=970&p_tab=8&v_uitgebreid=off&PAGINA=1&SORTERING=levertijd_asc
I'm guessing I'm looking for a good brand, good warranty (preferred), overall cool and silent. I'll overclock it, but not too the max.

If you have troubles translating, just ask :p

Thanks!!
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
K, this are all the 1GB HD5870's cards only from XFX and Sapphire (to narrow it down)

7 choices:
http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek?GROEP_ID=970&p_tab=8&v_uitgebreid=off&PAGINA=1&SORTERING=prijs_asc&MERK_ID%5B3625%5D=on&MERK_ID%5B3500%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2975%5B156415%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B416%5D=on&presentatie=miniatuur-lijst

So the Vapor-X has a better cooler, making it more expensive, louder, but better cooled?

How important is having the cooler? Does it make a lot of difference to have a 5870 overclocked to 875 Mhz instead of 850Mhz for example? Can I also overclock the cheapest ones a fair bit without the special cooling?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jryan388

jryan388

Distinguished
Nov 1, 2009
1,342
0
19,460
The cooler is the only difference between those cards. Having it factory overclocked is usually just a waste of money as nearly any 5870 can be overclocked a fair bit (possibly up to 100 mhz) without paying more. A better cooler would probably let it overclock a little more, but don't expect to pass 1ghz.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Ok, lets say I go with Sapphire (> XFX?)

http://azerty.nl/producten/vergelijk/?vergelijk=1&hrefterug=%2Fproducten%2Fzoek%2F%3Fp_tab%3D8%26amp%3BGROEP_ID%3D970%26amp%3BPAGINA%3D1%26amp%3BMERK_ID%5B3625%5D%3Don%26amp%3BSORTERING%3Dlevertijd_asc%26amp%3BVERFIJNING_2769%5B156415%5D%3Don%26amp%3BVERFIJNING_2974%5B416%5D%3Don

I'm leaning toward the Vapor-X for it's better cooler, but then why not pay 12 euro more for the last one? (What is special about that one?)



So this cheap XFX just as good as those?
http://azerty.nl/8-970-260384/xfx-radeon-hd-5870-grafische.html

If any card can be overclocked ok and cools good (I'm not planning to overclock very high)
Then the noise is the only difference?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Bleh, need some help here ^^

Where do you guys see what the VAPOR-X for example includes? What fan etc and what features, because when you just look at newegg's specifications, it doesn't mention a different fan or anything
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
And how to compare between different brands (say XFX and Sapphire)?

Well here it is Sapphire has long had a history of building their own high performance models that offer a non reference design with improved electrical components and cooling. Most of these boards rely on Sapphires Vapor-X cooling to keep the thermal loads under control while running quieter than the reference solution. These cooling solutions are well designed and do the job they were intended for with Sapphire specifying a 15° C drop in temperatures and 10dB drop in noise levels.
Click to expand...
Found here http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/sapphire_hd5850_toxic_2gb/17.htm

So the vapor-X seems great, less noise, more cooling, maybe better performance

Now is my question, do other brands also have such a custom solutions and are there any better then the Vapor-X for around thesame price?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
The main difference to me between various HD5870s is that some of the cards allow for voltage control and some do not. If you are going to overclock and want the highest speeds(1000mhz+) you will need a card that lets you bump up the voltage of the core. FYI none of the cards you are looking at allow you to do so as far as I know. You will need the reference version of the card for that. This ASUS card would be a good choice;
http://azerty.nl/8-970-267466/asus-eah5870-2dis-1gd5-v2-gr.html
Once again this only matters if you want the best overclock. If you aren't overclocking or you can live with a mild one then the other cards are fine.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Well, I'm planning to overclock, but certainly not to the max.
A mild-nice overclock + as cool and silent as possible is what I'm aiming for.
I like the vapor-X for it's price, cooler, quiter, and so better to overclock a bit?

Now are there other brands that have custom HD5870 solutions like the vapor-X, that are better?
These are all HD5870 cards from XFX, Sapphire and Asus sorted by price, which is best for my wishes?
http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?MERK_ID%5B3625%5D=on&MERK_ID%5B202%5D=on&MERK_ID%5B3500%5D=on&LEVERTIJD_MAX=on&VERFIJNING_2769%5B156415%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B224%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B416%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B313%5D=on&GROEP_ID=970&p_tab=8&v_uitgebreid=off&PAGINA=1&SORTERING=prijs_asc

http://azerty.nl/producten/zoek/?MERK_ID%5B3625%5D=on&LEVERTIJD_MAX=on&VERFIJNING_2769%5B156415%5D=on&VERFIJNING_2974%5B416%5D=on&GROEP_ID=970&p_tab=8&v_uitgebreid=off&PAGINA=1&SORTERING=levertijd_asc
These are the 3 1GB HD5870's from sapphire, the vapor-X is in the middle with it's price, what does that most expensive makes it worth 12 euro more then the vapor-x?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
I believe at stock volts the card tends to be able to OC in the 925-950mhz range. If that is ok for you then the custom cards like the Vapor-X are fine. The more expensive card isn't actually better. Prices on cards often seem fairly random and I suspect there's always a handful of overpriced cards to get more money out of the kind of person that just assumes that a higher price = a better card.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Haha ok, pretty sure imma take the Sapphire HD5870 Vapor-X now :)

"custom cards like the Vapor-X" => are there better custom cards for around thesame price?

This would be my build:

Coolermaster HAF 922
Intel i7-930
Noctua NH-D14
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R
Corsair CMPSU-850TX
Sapphire HD5870 Vapor-X (semi-decided)
6 GB of DDR3 1600 (undecided)
Samsung F3 Spinpoint HD103SJ
24" screen (undecided)
Some DVD-writer

Looking good? :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Just read the vapor doesn't has voltage control? => so no high overclocks possible?

Any card that has a custom (better) cooling solution AND has voltage control? I don't get why they remove it on the vapor-X
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
As I said earlier that card does not have voltage control. You did say a mild OC would be ok though and for that the Vapor-X should be fine. It should get up to around 950mhz like I said before.
If you want voltage control grab the ASUS card I linked. I believe it actually is a custom design but ASUS leaves the voltage control intact.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
Oh, for anyone wondering, the Sapphire non reference cooler is VERY beefy, 5 large copper heatpipes which are actually like a HDT design. The VRM has a one piece heatsink and the memory has no heatsinks. Just thought I'd let everyone know as there is not a lot of information about this card
Click to expand...
from here http://www.overclock.net/ati/575775-ati-hd58xx-owners-club-official-324.html#post9875936

Which one is he talking about? "Sapphire non reference cooler"

And I still don't get why they left out the voltage control on the vapor-X :p
Making it cooler and more suitable for oc'ing, but not possible to oc as good as the other cards due to the lack of voltage control.


What is the range you can oc HD 5870's?
And what is the max with vapor-X edition?

for example: if you can oc anywhere between 800Mhz (stock) - 1200 Mhz (pro, watercooling) I would be happy with a 1000 Mhz OC.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

vsdagama

Distinguished
May 12, 2008
501
0
18,980
If 1050 is about the max, I would be happy with that 950 Mhz overclock.

Overvolting causes more heat? Or does that 950 Mhz overclock without overvolting generates lots of heat (because you push it)

So the Vapor-X will get to 950 Mhz easily + keep it cool?

Or that reference one you linked will hit 1050 with overvolting + keep it cool enough also?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
jyjjy

jyjjy

Splendid
Feb 27, 2006
9,877
1
31,960
No, I never said it would get to 950mhz easily; I said the max overclock without added voltage is usually somewhere in the 900-950mhz range. Your card will likely fall somewhere in there with the possibility of slightly lower or higher.
Overclocking and volting does use more power/give off more heat. I remember reading the card tends to use about 50 more watts when OCed up to around 1ghz.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom