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Is the 5870 worth the extra over 5850 ?

Shetlander

Shetlander

Shetlander

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Joined
12 Jul 2004
Posts
377
Location
Poole Dorset
Im looking to upgrade my graphics card from an 8800GT but not sure which way to go. Its going to have to last me a few years as its not something I change very often.
Im running Windows 7 so have DX11. Im using a 24" monitor at 2048 x 1152 and a secondary monitor at 1024 x 768. Im playing Crysis, Mass effect 2 etc.
So, my question is would a 5850 suffice or should I invest in a 5870 for a little bit extra longevity?
Ive seen this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-167-XF which looks a really good bargain compared to the price of the 5850 and its in stock. My other problem is I will have to buy a water block as my PC is watercooled.
 
probably not unless you wont miss the wonga ! but if i had the wonga i would get one as it is one hell of a card but i am more than happy with my Hd5850 :p
 
5850 is a fast card, realistically its fast enough, especially when overclocking it. However a 5870 is faster and as the tests in that thread show, will only get better as games that use the extra shader horsepower are released, a 5850 is not guranteed to hit any clocks, and you can always over clock the 5870.

It comes down to price really. here in aus there was only a 20% difference in price making the 5870 the easy winner for me. At 40% price difference the 5850 looks really attractive since its performance is still excellent.
 
Somplaces have a 5870 for 285

So if you were thinking of the vapor x at 270 you would be mad and should go 5870

if you are buying the cheapest 5850 it is the value option.
 
I was in the same mess last week 5850 or 5870 and in the end i took the risk and went for the 5870 havent looked back what a amazing card!
 
I managed to find an Asus 5850 in stock for £225 do ive bought that and used the additional money to buy an EK acetal & nickel block for it. Still worked out cheaper than the 5870 with AVP on overclockers. I was a bit put off by the length of the 5870 as it would overhang my mobo and run into my tubing. Weak excuse I know but I dont think I can justify all that power.
 
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