GTX 470 sli vs HD 5850 cf vs HD 5870 cf

[mar100]

Hello,
I am currently building a new computer and have decided to go the dual gpu route. I am trying to decide which gpu's to use. GTX 470 in sli, which I heard is very noisy/power hungry but the best performer out of the three. HD 5870 cf is about equal to the 470 in sli, but less power hungry and quieter. Then the 5850 cf which I believe is in 3rd place out of them. I am not trying to start any fights, so please no nvida/ati fanboys. Also would a 750W psu be sufficient to power any of those cards?. I plan on running one monitor in 1920x1080.

 

[Maziar]

Hello
Performance wise:
GTX 470 SLI > HD 5870 CF> HD 5850 CF
Power consumption wise(ascending):
HD 5850 CF > HD 5870 CF > GTX 470 SLI.
My vote goes for 2 5850's because the difference between 5850 and 5870 is about 10-15% and its not worth the extra cash IMO, most users get a 5850 and OC it to 5870 speeds or higher.

 

[jyjjy]

Performance wise:
HD 5870 CF > GTX 470 SLI > HD 5850 CF

I do suspect this is incorrect. SLI scales much better than crossfire. SLIed GTX 470s are notably better than an HD5970 and probably faster than 2 HD5870, or at least their equivalent but for $200 less.
The best all around option in terms of performance, price and power/heat is two GTX 460s in SLI however IMO. They are on par with an HD5970;

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gf-gtx460-sli.html

 

[mar100]

So 460 sli beats them all ? And will a 750W psu be enough?

 

[EXT64]

No, 460 SLI would be lower performance than 470 SLI at least (at least I certainly hope that is the case). Also, dual 5870's is faster than a stock 5970, which according to the above benches at least trades blows with the 460 SLI. So the 470 SLI and 5870 CFX are the "high end", and the 460 SLI and 5850 CFX are the "hair below high end".

 

[jrhii]

I would say that a 470 in sli is probably faster than the 5870 CF. Oddly enough, the 460 does better in 2 or 3 games in the graph above, than the 470's Sli.

 

[jyjjy]

So 460 sli beats them all ? And will a 750W psu be enough?

A 750w from a good brand is more than enough for 2 GTX 460s.

 

[AMW1011]

2 GTX 470s beat out 2 5870s performance wise for up to $200 less.

There is no reason not to get 2 GTX 470s if you can afford it.

 

[Tamz_msc]

Hello
Performance wise:
HD 5870 CF > GTX 470 SLI > HD 5850 CF
Power consumption wise:
HD 5850 CF > HD 5870 CF > GTX 470 SLI.
My vote goes for 2 5850's because the difference between 5850 and 5870 is about 10-15% and its not worth the extra cash IMO, most users get a 5850 and OC it to 5870 speeds or higher.

Those should be < instead of >.

 

[yanje03]

So 460 sli beats them all ? And will a 750W psu be enough?

460 sli will be best for you. 750W psu should be enough. its performance is better than 5870 cf in some review. they are quiet and less power consume. They are much cheaper.

http://hardocp.com/article/2010/08/09/geforce_gtx_460_1gb_sli_vs_radeon_hd_5870_cfx


if you are looking for less noise 470 with less power cosumer. here it is
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gv-n470SO-13I-super-overclock-geforce-gtx-470,2713.html

but if your 2 pcie16 slot are close each other, I wont recommend you buy them. you prob should get some from eVGA.

 

[Maziar]

I do suspect this is incorrect. SLI scales much better than crossfire. SLIed GTX 470s are notably better than an HD5970 and probably faster than 2 HD5870, or at least their equivalent but for $200 less.
The best all around option in terms of performance, price and power/heat is two GTX 460s in SLI however IMO. They are on par with an HD5970;
http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/video/gf-gtx460-sli/1920_total.png
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gf-gtx460-sli.html

That's tested with Catalyst 10.7, with 10.8 + 10.8a CF profiles, the results are different especially in AVP and BC2 which both gain a signicant performance boost.
http://hardocp.com/article/2010/08/26/ati_crossfirex_application_profile_108a_performance
Overall SLI scales better in most games, but it depends on the drivers too.
But I agree that GTX 470 in SLI beat 2 5870's in almost all games, thanks for clarifying that.
to yanje03
That article compares 2 GTX 460 Super OC'd with 2 5870's,if they both are at stock speeds,then the results may differ.
to Tamz_msc
I actually was comparing them ascendingy.

 

[mar100]

Well thanks for all the input guys, but I ended up going with 470 sli as I got a surprise boost of funds Those cards run great playing mafia 2, and sniper ghost warrior so far, however they get HOT! With fans at about 85%-90% the temps get stable at about 87C. (Max Graphics). However those high temperatures are due to my case's crappy air flow.

 

[mar100]

Best answer selected by mar100.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey