Is a Vapor-X 5870 a sensible upgrade from a passive 4850 on i7 920 stock ?

[Koalaboy]

As Subject.

I have a stock i7 920 which I don't want to overclock, and 12GB RAM on Windows 7 x64.

Currently I have a passive 4850, but the performance is starting to be a bit low and the passive cooling - isn't - and so I've had a few overheats lately.

I'm looking at the Sapphire 5870 Vapor-X, as this looks to be quiet, cool and not too demanding on power, and should offer a substantial performance increase.

Any thoughts or alternative suggestions welcomed - I'd like Physx, but I'm not sure I want the added heat/noise/wattage from the NVidia cards and I notice I can currently run the Mafia 2 demo with 'medium' physx with a 'reasonable' hit to performance.

Thanks.

 

[95thrifles]

given your needs/wants tehn yeah sounds like 5870 vapor x is best option, unless you want to look into WC which will be much more expensive, but you could WC everything for added quietness

 

[Porcelina]

Having experience with the Sapphire 5850 Toxic, I would say that you are on the right track. As far as I understand, the Vapour-X comes like the Toxic without the manufacturing overclock, and the heat and power consumption of the card has really impressed me. I am by no means playing the most gfx intensive games, but nothing I have thrown at it has fazed it at all.

The Sapphire exotic cards seem to be a really good fit for people who want a lot of graphical power but want to retain low heat, low power consumption and low noise. I would say you are definitely on the right track.

 

[matthab]

I have a Saphire Vapor-x and im impressed it performs very well and runs very cool. I overcloked mine and granted it cant go as far as the asus boards but it remains quiet while overclocked and doesnt get to hot.

 

[Koalaboy]

Thanks.

For once, it seems I'm looking in the right direction

I have considered WC, but didn't want to much messing around - I can't really afford too much extra at the moment either.

Edit: It seems I'm getting reboots as the 4850 is hitting 120 degrees

 

[Vindaloo2]

I,ve got a Saphire 5870 vapour x. Highly recommend it.

 

[Marine-RX179]

5870 is a good card Vapor-X or not, however they are not exactly that great in terms of value, as it's around 50% higher in price comparing to 5850 (average £200 vs £300), despite it's only around 10-15% faster. So unless you can find one at £280 or less, I think may be you should consider the 5850 (£200) or GTX470 (£220) instead and may be go Crossfire/Sli in the future when they cards price drop.

Comparion between 5850 and 5870:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/164?vs=162

Comparion between GTX470 and 5870:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/160?vs=162

Comparison between 5850 and GTX470:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/164?vs=160

Comparison between 5870 and GTX480 (£350) just for your reference:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/162?vs=158

Yes the Nvidia cards will be hotter and louder, but it really depends on how you weight between temp and noise, performance and price. If you absolutely prefer value for money and lower temp and noise, you could probably pick up a HIS iCooler 5850 for around £200. But if don't mind the heat and the possibility of louder, the GTX470 compariable performance to a 5870. Not saying the GTX470 is faster than the 5870, but you'd be able to get it at £50-£80 cheaper than a 5870.

...or if you can wait, wait for the HD6000 series and GTX475/485 and see what they have to offer.

 

[cainer]

As far as I understand, the Vapour-X comes like the Toxic without the manufacturing overclock

my vapour x 5870's are factory overclocked to 875/1250, not much above stock but a little