Radeon HD 5770 And 5750 Review: Gentlemen, Start Your HTPCs

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Test Setup

As we add more and more comparison numbers, it gets difficult to interpret the charts at a quick glance. We’re working on a way to make this easier (splitting each resolution off into a separate chart, tripling the number of charts, isn’t really the answer). In the meantime, though, I’ve tried to re-order the way cards appear this time around. The three new configurations are up top: Radeon HD 5770 in CrossFire, Radeon HD 5770, and Radeon HD 5750. Then you’ll find the products in ATI’s own stack, in order of performance. Finally, we have two cards from Nvidia: the GeForce GTS 250 (priced to compete with ATI’s Radeon HD 5750) and the GeForce GTX 260 (a Radeon HD 4870 competitor priced more aggressively than the Radeon HD 5770).

Test Hardware
Processor
Intel Core i5-750 (Lynnfield) 2.66 GHz, 8 MB L3 Cache, power-saving settings enabled
Overclocked to 3.8 GHz (20 * 190 MHz) for scaling tests
Motherboard
Asus P7P55D Premium (LGA 1156) P55 Express chipset
Memory
Corsair Dominator 4GB (3 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 7-7-7-20 @ 1,600 MHz
Hard Drive
Intel SSDSA2MH160G2C1 160 GB SATA 3 Gb/s
Networking
Realtek RTC8111C, 1 Gbps
Graphics CardsATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB

ATI Radeon HD 5750 1GB

ATI Radeon HD 5850 1GB

ATI Radeon HD 4890 1GB

ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB

ATI Radeon HD 4770 512MB

Nvidia GeForce GTX 260 896MB

Nvidia GeForce GTS 250 1GB
Power Supply
Cooler Master UCP 1100 W
CPU Cooler
Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme
System Software And Drivers
Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64
DirectX
DirectX 11
Platform Driver
Intel INF Chipset Update Utility 9.1.1.1019
Graphics Driver
AMD Catalyst 8.66 RC6

AMD Catalyst 9.9

Nvidia GeForce 191.07
BenchmarkConfiguration
World in Conflict Very High Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Patch 1009, DirectX 10

Very High Quality Settings, 4x AA / 16x AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Patch 1009, DirectX 10
Far Cry 2 Very High Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Steam Version

Very High Quality Settings, 4x AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Steam Version
CrysisHigh Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1900x1200, 2560x1600, Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit Executable

High Quality Settings, 4x AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1900x1200, 2560x1600 Patch 1.2.1, DirectX 10, 64-bit Executable
Left 4 Dead
 Highest Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Steam Version

Highest Quality Settings, 4x AA / 8x AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Steam Version
Grand Theft Auto IV
 Highest Quality Settings, No AA / "High" AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200, 2560x1600, Patch #4
Stalker: Clear Sky
 High Quality Setting, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, DirectX 10 lighting

 High Quality Setting, 4x MSAA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, DirectX 10 lighting
H.A.W.X.
Highest Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, AO enabled, DirectX 10/10.1

Highest Quality Settings, 4x AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, AO enabled, DirectX 10/10.1
Resident Evil 5
High Quality Settings, No AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, DirectX 10, Fixed Benchmark

High Quality Settings, 4x AA / No AF, vsync off, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 2560x1600, DirectX 10, Fixed Benchmark
3DMark Vantage Performance Default, High Quality, Extreme Quality
Batman: Arkham Asylum
High Details, No AA / Max AF, vsync off, 1680x1050/1920x1200/2560x1600, Patch 1.1, In-game benchmark, w/ and w/o PhysX
Previous Next
Summary
  1. Introduction
  2. ATI’s Radeon HD 5770 And 5750
  3. TrueHD/DTS-HD Bitstreaming: It Works!
  4. Test Setup
  5. Benchmark Results: 3DMark Vantage
  6. Benchmark Results: S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky
  7. Benchmark Results: Crysis
  8. Benchmark Results: Far Cry 2
  9. Benchmark Results: Left 4 Dead
  10. Benchmark Results: World In Conflict
  11. Benchmark Results: H.A.W.X.
  12. Benchmark Results: Resident Evil 5
  13. Benchmark Results: Grand Theft Auto IV
  14. Benchmark Results: Batman: Arkham Asylum
  15. Power And Noise
  16. The CPU Scaling Story: From 2.66 GHz To 3.8 GHz
  17. Conclusion
About the author
Chris Angelini

Chris Angelini is an Editor Emeritus at Tom's Hardware US. He edits hardware reviews and covers high-profile CPU and GPU launches.

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123 comments
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    Top Comments
  • Summer Leigh Castle
    Can we BOLD or change the color of the card that's being reviewed?
    • Other Comments
  • Summer Leigh Castle
    Can we BOLD or change the color of the card that's being reviewed?
  • masterjaw
    Nice one, but the charts are a bit cluttered without giving emphasis on the featured cards (bold fonts, etc). A media card that could do games pretty good.

    I'm quite agree with the nvidia's G92 still hanging around but looking at their newly released cards (gt220, 210), I don't know what to say anymore. Hopefully, they're making the right choices at the right time.
  • megamanx00
    Looks to me like the 5770 really needs faster memory speeds, though that would defeat trying to make it cheaper, and perhaps a higher core clock. Perhaps we'll see some factory overclocked cards with memory that can reach a significantly higher speed.
  • JohnnyLucky
    Power consumption, temperature, and noise levels are very encouraging. I just finished reading other reviews where the 5700 cards are described as mid-level and mainstream cards.
  • buzznut
    If I was building today (htpc), I would still go with a HD4670. Who knows six months from now...
    Those other features are compelling. If I could afford 2 more monitors that is.
  • cangelini
    Summer Leigh CastleCan we BOLD or change the color of the card that's being reviewed?


    For sure--I've looked into this and would be happy to implement, but haven't had much luck. Any Excel gurus able to get only certain axis labels bolded without changing the entire series?
  • noob2222
    Quote:
    and bitstreaming HD audio in an HTPC (a reason to buy a second card for the living room).


    Personally I use my main computer as my HTPC, after all, I can't play games and watch movies from 2 different rooms at the same time, and all it takes is the HDMI cable (at least until they make it wireless.)
  • cangelini
    That works as well. But for someone with a triple-head setup *and* an HTPC, I can justify both usage models.
  • lashabane
    I'm looking to upgrade from my dated 3850 and was thinking that these would really impress me for the price. I'm thinking I'll just spend the bit extra and get the 5850 when the prices come down.

    Of course, I wouldn't have been able to make such an informed decision so early if it weren't for TH and columnists such as yourself.

    Thanks for another great article Chris.
  • ambientmf
    What's the benefit of DirectX 11 capabilities if the cards are worse performing than last gen cards in DX9/10 games? I'd rather get a 4800 series card, being a gamer myself, for slightly better framerates.
    I can see the other benefits for the hardcore HTPC crowd though.
  • greglouganis
    Question... Why are the power consumption values in comparison to the GTS 250 in this review so different from the ones posted here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gts-250,2172-10.html ? This 5770 review lists the system at load with GTS 250 within a handful of watts of the system with an HD 4870 or GTX 260, while the older review (and many other sources of information) seem to suggest at least 20-30 Watt gap.

    I'm running a GTS 250 1 GB on my PC just fine at the moment (but cutting it close), and I was under the impression that I would need to upgrade my power supply as well if I changed to anything more powerful than it/hd 4850... The main reason I was so interested in this article was to see if a 5770 would be worthwhile upgrade (I don't intend to replace PSU anytime soon), but this data here seems to suggest that I would fine jumping up to a 5850!
  • DjEaZy
    ... if it's ATi, give some credit to AMD and do a AMD based machine too... pretty please?
  • deadlockedworld
    I would add a third group of potential buyers: people looking for low power consumption, or seeking to maximize performance on a 400-450w psu?

    I would have liked to see the old 4850 in here too, even though its similar to the 4770..
  • CoryInJapan
    I got my 4870 OC'd to 4890 specs almost a month ago.I dont feel smug at all because I got it for 112 bucks open box brand spankin new and out performs the 5750 and 70 so Im cool. .....for now...
  • cangelini
    greglouganisQuestion... Why are the power consumption values in comparison to the GTS 250 in this review so different from the ones posted here: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 72-10.html ? This 5770 review lists the system at load with GTS 250 within a handful of watts of the system with an HD 4870 or GTX 260, while the older review (and many other sources of information) seem to suggest at least 20-30 Watt gap.I'm running a GTS 250 1 GB on my PC just fine at the moment (but cutting it close), and I was under the impression that I would need to upgrade my power supply as well if I changed to anything more powerful than it/hd 4850... The main reason I was so interested in this article was to see if a 5770 would be worthwhile upgrade (I don't intend to replace PSU anytime soon), but this data here seems to suggest that I would fine jumping up to a 5850!


    Greg, we switched testing methodology for power consumption earlier in the year--I suspect this is where the gap comes from.

    The GTS 250 has a maximum board power of 150W. Given the 5850's revised board power of 151W, I suspect you'd be in great shape if you upgraded to that one at some point without a power supply problem (so long as you have something in the 450W range?)
  • cangelini
    lashabaneI'm looking to upgrade from my dated 3850 and was thinking that these would really impress me for the price. I'm thinking I'll just spend the bit extra and get the 5850 when the prices come down.Of course, I wouldn't have been able to make such an informed decision so early if it weren't for TH and columnists such as yourself.Thanks for another great article Chris.


    Thanks Lash--glad you enjoyed the story!
  • Proximon
    I continue to be in awe of your conclusion writing skills, Chris. You always observe something interesting and useful.

    One thing I haven't seen mentioned... can you double up Eyefinity with two cards, for 6 monitors? We get traders on the forums regularly looking for ways to get 5 or 6 monitors on a budget.
  • cangelini
    Thanks much Prox
  • Sihastru
    ProximonOne thing I haven't seen mentioned... can you double up Eyefinity with two cards, for 6 monitors? We get traders on the forums regularly looking for ways to get 5 or 6 monitors on a budget.
    No, and not even in CFX, at least not in a way to combine the resolution... you could run 3 of them independently of the other 3, but where's the fun in that? I think they are doing it on purpose to protect their upcoming 6 mini display port card that should have a nice price premium for that software "functionality".
  • randomizer
    This is the only review I've seen which shows Batman with PhysX enabled (HardOCP was the only other site I found that used Batman in their review but without PhysX). That ~15FPS cap is very interesting. How did you go about enabling PhysX in this? Did you use the "hack" to run it on the CPU?
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