After a new card

KaotiK · Jun 3, 2011, 07:07 PM

Hey guys, i know theres always tons of these threads but felt id make my own to.

I currently have 2 4870, crossfired. But i want to upgrade, as im sure one is on tis way out (fan is make a terrible sqeek kind of noise? :S)

i can pay up to about £150, is that enough for an upgrade?

i was looking at the 5770 as its pretty cheap and seems to run all games on full as far as ive read..

i playu on a 1680x1050 res
i7 cpu
my power supply is a corsair 850w

cheers

Tipstaff · Jun 3, 2011, 08:09 PM

In a card vs card comparison the 5770 is as fast if not a bit faster than a single 4870, yet uses less power, and generates less heat. However, it should be noted that you'd be pretty much doing what we call a "sideways" upgrade, which is spending money to get almost the same performance. Price wise you should be able to easily get an HD5770, even the higherend models like the Asus DCU or Powercolor PCS+ Vortex cards. If you look around, however, you might be able to get the lower end, non-overclocked/fancy cards, such as the bottom end Powercolor card for 1/2 what you've budgeted for, so you might even be able to get 2 cards for that amount.

However, that said, why stop there? You could get yourself a single HD6870 which is even faster than a single HD5770 for less than or about the amount you've budgeted for (you should be able to get most non-fancy/overclocked cards for that price). This is almost the same price as the fancy/high-end versions of the HD5770. You could even get yourself an HD6850 too. It would still be faster, and you'd have money left over. Having said that, it should be noted that 2 x HD5770s in Crossfire would be faster than a single HD6870 (and HD6850), but buying the single HD6870 or HD6850 leaves you the option of buying a second card later on.

KaotiK · Jun 3, 2011, 08:20 PM

yea, id rather not go for 2 cards now as i dont think i have the room in the case. The 2 4870 i have now are so close together, the main card is running so hot :/

can you link me to one of those 6870 cards for around that price? ive checked scan.co.uk and some of em are near £300. maybe not the bext site to check

A Desire to Game · Jun 3, 2011, 09:51 PM

Scan.co.uk: Sapphire HD6870 AMD / ATI Graphics Card - 1GB+ Free Shogun 2* - 11179-09-20G

Scan.co.uk: XFX HD 5870 AMD / ATI Graphics Card - 1GB - HD-587X-ZNFC

I would go with either of the cards above. The 5870 is actually faster than the 6870 but uses a little more power and is a tad bit noisier. It is actually cheaper on this site because it is previous gen.

XFX has double lifetime warranty (make sure to register online) so if your fan makes a clicking noise or whatever, they will cover it.

Sapphire is a good AMD/ATi brand that comes with a 3yr warranty I believe.

Things could be different in the UK.

KaotiK · Jun 3, 2011, 10:08 PM

thanks for that, think il go for the 6870. The 4870's i have now are sapphire, i did have the XFX version but they opverheated really quickly. but like i said, theres not much room for 2 cards in my case, there really close together!

KaotiK · Jun 4, 2011, 07:23 PM

one more question, all these cards will be fine on this motherboard?:

Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard [GA-EX58-UD3R]

blibbax · Jun 4, 2011, 07:46 PM

Yes, all of these cards will be fine on that motherboard.

Tipstaff · Jun 4, 2011, 10:09 PM

That particular Sapphire HD6870 is very nice. Bought a couple for clients over the last few months as well as the VaporX edition, and they've all been solid so far.

On the flip side, the other card to look at would be the Nvidia GTX560 (THIS one in particular on that Scan.co.uk site). Sorry... just had to throw the green in there.

KaotiK · Jun 13, 2011, 11:01 AM

hey guys, gonna ask one more question if poss, between the 5870 and 6870, which is the best for gaming, as thats what i do. Ive been reading reviews everywhere anbd people say the 5870 is better cuz as a poster above said its faster? but with not much price difference i dunno whether to get the 6870 or not. Need to make sure i get the right one

blibbax · Jun 13, 2011, 12:23 PM

The 5870 is a slightly faster card in games. It does use slightly more power, however.

KaotiK · Jun 13, 2011, 04:35 PM

:| dunno which to go for then lol, does the 5870 use more power than 2x 4870 crossfired?

blibbax · Jun 13, 2011, 04:49 PM

No. Performance comparisons and power consumption comparisons between 4870, 5870, 6870 and 4870X2:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6870/27.html

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6870/29.html

***Veridian3*** · Jun 13, 2011, 04:52 PM

Also worth pointing out that as games begin to use more tessellation the 6870 will perform better.

KaotiK · Jun 13, 2011, 06:28 PM

ahhh just dunno which one lol

blibbax · Jun 13, 2011, 06:51 PM

I'd go for whichever was cheaper, personally :P

KaotiK · Jun 13, 2011, 10:24 PM

true but the 5870 is only 7£ cheaper than the 6870... so.. haha

blibbax · Jun 14, 2011, 12:34 AM

Does one of them have a better bundle/cooler/warranty?

~~careboy~~ · Jun 15, 2011, 03:01 PM

All of these cards will be fine on that motherboard.

***craig5320*** · Jun 15, 2011, 03:49 PM

I'd go for the 560 link that was posted

Jun 3, 2011, 07:07 PM	#1
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	After a new card Hey guys, i know theres always tons of these threads but felt id make my own to. I currently have 2 4870, crossfired. But i want to upgrade, as im sure one is on tis way out (fan is make a terrible sqeek kind of noise? :S) i can pay up to about £150, is that enough for an upgrade? i was looking at the 5770 as its pretty cheap and seems to run all games on full as far as ive read.. i playu on a 1680x1050 res i7 cpu my power supply is a corsair 850w cheers

Jun 3, 2011, 08:09 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,772 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: After a new card In a card vs card comparison the 5770 is as fast if not a bit faster than a single 4870, yet uses less power, and generates less heat. However, it should be noted that you'd be pretty much doing what we call a "sideways" upgrade, which is spending money to get almost the same performance. Price wise you should be able to easily get an HD5770, even the higherend models like the Asus DCU or Powercolor PCS+ Vortex cards. If you look around, however, you might be able to get the lower end, non-overclocked/fancy cards, such as the bottom end Powercolor card for 1/2 what you've budgeted for, so you might even be able to get 2 cards for that amount. However, that said, why stop there? You could get yourself a single HD6870 which is even faster than a single HD5770 for less than or about the amount you've budgeted for (you should be able to get most non-fancy/overclocked cards for that price). This is almost the same price as the fancy/high-end versions of the HD5770. You could even get yourself an HD6850 too. It would still be faster, and you'd have money left over. Having said that, it should be noted that 2 x HD5770s in Crossfire would be faster than a single HD6870 (and HD6850), but buying the single HD6870 or HD6850 leaves you the option of buying a second card later on. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jun 3, 2011, 08:20 PM	Thread Starter #3
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card yea, id rather not go for 2 cards now as i dont think i have the room in the case. The 2 4870 i have now are so close together, the main card is running so hot :/ can you link me to one of those 6870 cards for around that price? ive checked scan.co.uk and some of em are near £300. maybe not the bext site to check

Jun 3, 2011, 09:51 PM	#4
A Desire to Game HardwareHeaven Hoosier Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 292 Rep Power: 33 System Specs	Re: After a new card Scan.co.uk: Sapphire HD6870 AMD / ATI Graphics Card - 1GB+ Free Shogun 2* - 11179-09-20G Scan.co.uk: XFX HD 5870 AMD / ATI Graphics Card - 1GB - HD-587X-ZNFC I would go with either of the cards above. The 5870 is actually faster than the 6870 but uses a little more power and is a tad bit noisier. It is actually cheaper on this site because it is previous gen. XFX has double lifetime warranty (make sure to register online) so if your fan makes a clicking noise or whatever, they will cover it. Sapphire is a good AMD/ATi brand that comes with a 3yr warranty I believe. Things could be different in the UK. __________________ Three is my new favorite number. (SATA III, USB 3.0, and triple channel memory)

Jun 3, 2011, 10:08 PM	Thread Starter #5
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card thanks for that, think il go for the 6870. The 4870's i have now are sapphire, i did have the XFX version but they opverheated really quickly. but like i said, theres not much room for 2 cards in my case, there really close together!

Jun 4, 2011, 07:23 PM	Thread Starter #6
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card one more question, all these cards will be fine on this motherboard?: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard [GA-EX58-UD3R]

Jun 4, 2011, 07:46 PM	#7
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,202 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: After a new card Yes, all of these cards will be fine on that motherboard. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jun 4, 2011, 10:09 PM	#8
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,772 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Re: After a new card That particular Sapphire HD6870 is very nice. Bought a couple for clients over the last few months as well as the VaporX edition, and they've all been solid so far. On the flip side, the other card to look at would be the Nvidia GTX560 (THIS one in particular on that Scan.co.uk site). Sorry... just had to throw the green in there. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Jun 13, 2011, 11:01 AM	Thread Starter #9
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card hey guys, gonna ask one more question if poss, between the 5870 and 6870, which is the best for gaming, as thats what i do. Ive been reading reviews everywhere anbd people say the 5870 is better cuz as a poster above said its faster? but with not much price difference i dunno whether to get the 6870 or not. Need to make sure i get the right one

Jun 13, 2011, 12:23 PM	#10
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,202 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: After a new card The 5870 is a slightly faster card in games. It does use slightly more power, however. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jun 13, 2011, 04:35 PM	Thread Starter #11
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card :\| dunno which to go for then lol, does the 5870 use more power than 2x 4870 crossfired?

Jun 13, 2011, 04:49 PM	#12
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,202 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: After a new card No. Performance comparisons and power consumption comparisons between 4870, 5870, 6870 and 4870X2: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6870/27.html http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/H...D_6870/29.html __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jun 13, 2011, 04:52 PM	#13
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,023 Rep Power: 181	Re: After a new card Also worth pointing out that as games begin to use more tessellation the 6870 will perform better.

Jun 13, 2011, 06:28 PM	Thread Starter #14
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card ahhh just dunno which one lol

Jun 13, 2011, 06:51 PM	#15
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,202 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: After a new card I'd go for whichever was cheaper, personally :P __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jun 13, 2011, 10:24 PM	Thread Starter #16
KaotiK HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 53 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card true but the 5870 is only 7£ cheaper than the 6870... so.. haha

Jun 14, 2011, 12:34 AM	#17
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,202 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: After a new card Does one of them have a better bundle/cooler/warranty? __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Jun 15, 2011, 03:01 PM	#18
~~careboy~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Re: After a new card All of these cards will be fine on that motherboard.

Jun 15, 2011, 03:49 PM	#19
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,555 Rep Power: 441 System Specs	Re: After a new card I'd go for the 560 link that was posted __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook