non reference and a reference 5850?

[Sgt Tackleberry]

hi guy's and girl's,

Can someone please help with my ati 5850's. I need to know what is a non reference and a reference 5850 card is and look's like as i want to put my 5850's underwater.
Here is a picture's of them, sorry that some of the picture are not my own but i dont want to take my gfx out of my case!.

I think the top two pictures of one of my 5850 is a non reference but i am not sure.

Any help would be gr8.

Thanks,
Sgt T

 

[MoodyB]

Afaik reference cards have the fan at the end, like the top 2 pics.

Non reference normally have the fan in the centre.

 

[Surveyor]

The top 2 pictures are a reference card and the bottom 2 non-reference.

If you want to watercool you need to remove the coolers and look at the PCB's as it's their layout which will determine if you can use a full cover block.

The non-reference card may have a different cooler but a reference PCB.

What are the exact models of the 2 cards.

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

The top 2 pictures are a reference card and the bottom 2 non-reference.

If you want to watercool you need to remove the coolers and look at the PCB's as it's their layout which will determine if you can use a full cover block.

The non-reference card may have a different cooler but a reference PCB.

What are the exact models of the 2 cards.

Where abouts will the model number be?.

 

[Surveyor]

Just need to know the model number which should be on the card or the box it came in.

For example:

SAPPHIRE VAPOR-X HD5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIE (11162-03-40R)

 

[Tealc]

From what I can see of the non-reference card it has components placed in differing locations around the PCI-E interface and around the area where the power connectors are. Whether the important areas such as RAM and VRM locations are the same though is another thing.

Basically don't buy a non-reference if you want to water cool or buy an aftermarket air cooler. It's a mistake I made buying a Vapor-x 4890 and then being stick with it..

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

From what I can see of the non-reference card it has components placed in differing locations around the PCI-E interface and around the area where the power connectors are. Whether the important areas such as RAM and VRM locations are the same though is another thing.

Basically don't buy a non-reference if you want to water cool or buy an aftermarket air cooler. It's a mistake I made buying a Vapor-x 4890 and then being stick with it..

So really with my non-reference I can't really water cool it?.

 

[Surveyor]

So really with my non-reference I can't really water cool it?.

It depends on the specific model.

If we don't know what model it is we can't even try and advise you.

If you can't get a full cover block for your card then you should be able to use one of these:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=WC-086-EK&groupid=962&catid=1520&subcat=

The RAM and the VRM's would then have to be cooled with heatsinks.

 

[Sgt Tackleberry]

Ok cool, I will be able to get the model number 2morrow. There was another thing I was thinking!, for what it's going to cost me to get two water blocks wold it be easier n better in the long run to sell my 5850's ad put my money what I was going to use to get water blocks towards a new n better gfx?.

 

[Surveyor]

Ok cool, I will be able to get the model number 2morrow. There was another thing I was thinking!, for what it's going to cost me to get two water blocks wold it be easier n better in the long run to sell my 5850's ad put my money what I was going to use to get water blocks towards a new n better gfx?.

The only way you can decide that is to look at some benchmarks and compare Crossfired 5850's with whatever you're thinking of buying.

This review has framerates for various setups including 5850 Crossfire:

http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6950-crossfirex-review/1

You'll be able to judge what you'd have to get to achieve any worthwhile improvement.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

Ok cool, I will be able to get the model number 2morrow. There was another thing I was thinking!, for what it's going to cost me to get two water blocks wold it be easier n better in the long run to sell my 5850's ad put my money what I was going to use to get water blocks towards a new n better gfx?.

Deffinately best to sell your 5850's and get a better GPU.. Then you can sell one of the 5850's to me...