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GTX480, 5970, 5850 Crossfire, GTX295 - which?

Marvin

Marvin

Marvin

Soldato
Joined
27 Nov 2009
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Maidstone, Kent
Ok, so now that SLI doesn't work on my system, I'm getting rid of my GTX470s to buy a fast single Nvidia card, or AMD.

I'd be buying after market coolers in almost any case (probably 2 Thermalright HR03s for the 5850s, 2 Spitfires or HR03s for the 295 or 5970, a Prolimatech MK13 for the 480).

So, which should I go for? 295 because I should be able to find one cheap (I'm going to Uni at the end of the month, so I should at least have some money for that instead of invested in PC components), and it's generally as good as a 480.

480 because I don't have to worry about multi-GPU issues.

5970 because it's the best card out there, and 2 Spitfires or 2 HR03s on it would look awesome.

5850s because they're as close as possible to the performance of 2 GTX470s.

So which do people reckon?

Budget is £205 plus whatever my older GTX470 sells for (so around £400), but the less the better...
 
Definately wouldn't go Multi-GPU.
I would keep a 470 as it should be plenty fast enough and sell the other and then upgrade to a 6870 in month or so.
 
The single 470 is awesome value, failing that I would pick a single 5870 or 480 - I've read about too many CF issues on this forum.

5870 is slightly better vfm than 480 (480 is ~19% more expensive and has ~15% more performance), 480 seems to overclock better than 5870 though
 
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Are you sure the GTX470s you already got can't SLI on your system? Have you tried reinstalling the window?

Seem like a waste to sell the GTX470 for silly reason like that...but if it really can't get the SLI sorted, guess you would have much choice...

And do no consider GTX295, as I recall someone moved from a GTX295 to a single GTX470 (and overclocked it) says it overall feel smoother and the frame rate seem to be more consistent (while GTX295 give higher frame rate 'in number' than than the GTX470 benchmark, but the GTX470 feel smoother under actual gaming).
 
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Just so you know, a MK-13 won't be able to deal with a 480gtx, it's listed on their site as incompatible. I had fairly good results with them in SLI on 470s but they need fairly meaty fans to make them shine.

Have you given up on SLI? I know you were having issues with it not showing up but have you not found a solution yet? I think you've got the best setup with that once you get it working.

I didn't rate 5850 crossfire personally, (although I had it when the drivers were 9.12s and previous).
 
twist3d0n3 said:
stick with one 470 for now, it's plenty of power, and then when ATI (AMD) have their new gpu's out, have a think then :)
Click to expand...

Just wondering when the new ATI's are out, my BFG gtx 280 just packed in (damn liquidation of BFG means out of warranty) so was planning on getting either a 5970 or 5870.

But with these models being out over a year I'm not sure it's worth it if the new ATI cards are literally around the corner.

How soon will they be out any ideas guys?

Thanks in advance.
 
Arcane said:
Have you given up on SLI? I know you were having issues with it not showing up but have you not found a solution yet? I think you've got the best setup with that once you get it working.

I didn't rate 5850 crossfire personally, (although I had it when the drivers were 9.12s and previous).
Click to expand...

You saw the thread...

I installed a new copy of Windows, and Ubuntu, to withdraw Windows from the equation. I tested both cards in every which way, every fix, loads of drivers and anything else anyone could think of, and nothing fixed it.

Didn't know a MK13 was not 480 friendly, in which case I'd get a Spitfire + the VRM block.

From what people have said, I reckon a 480 is the way to go.

I could continue with a single 470, but if I felt it was enough power I wouldn't have bothered upgrading to SLI...

I liked the 460 SLI suggestion, gave me a good laugh.

To be honest, I'll probably stick with Nvidia (I never really had issues with ATI's drivers, but the only way I'll get the same power is through Crossfire, and it just isn't as good), so a 480 for me I think...

Just applied for a return under DSR for the new card, and have got my older up for sale.
 
Stock cooler, core at 845 24/7, can do 880 for benchmarking, I use a custom fan profile that gives 80c max temps with max 75% fan speed.
 
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