Poll: To sell my 5850 and buy a 2gb card or to buy a 5850 and xfire?

[jasper1605]

I'm going to be running an eyefinity set up w/ 5760x1200 res and I've already noticed that at 3840 my solo 5850 doesn't want to hold up very well.

As the title implies, what would you recommend (please explain too: I would like to learn a bit)?

Thanks

[erocker]

Neither. Perhaps this new Barts card will do better with Eyefinity. Wait it out a little.

[yogurt_21]

on one side you get extra memory, on the other you get extra horsepower I like horsepower myself.

though depending on what app you're using it could be seeing crossfire as 1gb and duplicating it or actually see it as 2gb.

[cadaveca]

I have 2x5870, still not fast enough.


Let's wait for real news about the new chippery. If I was you, I'd sell 5850 now, use crappy gpu for a couple of months, then take a look at the market....becuase right now you need at least three 5850's, and they don't scale so well in multi-gpu.

First-gen Eyefinity is a failure. 30FPS is best you can expect(single card give more "smooth" experience that dual, even though FPS says a different story).

But, I must say, 30FPS from one card is pretty good, first gen. I hope second gen can do 60FPS + 4xAA.


Not very many of us are using Eyefinity here..but you've seen my setup. Personally, I'd not be listening to anyone but those that have a config like yours is intended to be.


My whole system is gonna get listed very soon.

[jasper1605]

Originally Posted by yogurt_21

on one side you get extra memory, on the other you get extra horsepower I like horsepower myself.

though depending on what app you're using it could be seeing crossfire as 1gb and duplicating it or actually see it as 2gb.

what would horsepower affect directly? The FPS?
And would the memory more affect the settings like AA and resolution?
(sry for being not smart w/ this; it's still my first computer lol)

Edit to Cadaveca: how would the second gen improve so much on eyefinity? Is it something to do w/ the architectures of the card?

[cadaveca]

I have my ideas, but we will see in a little bit. It's too close to release for me to be guessing any more.


But suffice it to say yhat I'll more than likely have some new cards soon, and will be able to give my impressions soon. I would be nice if I didn't cost me an arm and a leg to keep bringing this stuff to ya guys, but they don't give me stuff for free, so you'll ahve to wait a couple of months, at least.

[solaris54]

JUst bought Sapphire 5850 2GB to run my 30" monitor probably buy another one and run in Crossfire as the prices drop.

[JTS]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

I have 2x5870, still not fast enough.




First-gen Eyefinity is a failure.

Yep. Same deal with my OC'ed 5970 - simply not enough grunt for smooth + eye candy.

A few titles can be cranked up and retain good performance and IQ, but mostly the performance and IQ hit just isn't worth it.

[Wyverex]

As someone already said, you should wait for Barts and Cayman reviews before deciding anything.
If the 6000 series doesn't prove to be worth it, then add another HD 5850 for crossfire action.

As for 2 GB issue, sure, for such a high resolution (3 monitors), more video memory would probably come in handy, but what you'll lack first and foremost is horsepower.

Just wait and see what next month or two bring us. Worst case scenario, the HD 5850 will drop it's price so the 2nd card will be cheaper



A bit of (unprofessional) explanations:
horsepower = the computing power of your GPU(s) = improves your FPS unless you're bottlenecked by something
video memory = no performance gains from a lot of memory, but can become an bottleneck in some cases (such as high resolution and/or high texture quality and/or high AA)

[Thrackan]

Well, I just read that the new series will be unveiled next week, so you don't have to wait long. My guess is a 6XXX series 2GB card will be good stuffs for Eyefinity setups as that's currently AMD's main trump card.

[Enmity]

you'll have to wait till the end of november until you see a reference amd card with over 1gb from what ive seen, perhaps the caymans released end of nov will have over 1gb, im not sure on that, but from what ive seen of the barts being released next week, they're only 1gb for both the 6870 and 6850.

[mdsx1950]

Sell the 5850 and buy a 2GB 6990

[jasper1605]

Originally Posted by mdsx1950

Sell the 5850 and buy a 2GB 6990

Better yet, I'll sell it and buy 2 of them!

[mdsx1950]

Originally Posted by jasper1605

Better yet, I'll sell it and buy 2 of them!

That's what i plan on doing.

[CDdude55]

Sell the 5850 and pick up one of the upcoming 6 series cards and in the future, pick up a second for some crossfire action.

[cheezburger]

cayman xt will bliss your soul! no need to throw money on 5850 anymore.

[phobias23]

hd5800 series great cards, but why to worry about when the hd6000 are almost there.
wait, dont waste money and see what monster comes out! then decided if xfire or not.

[solaris54]

Yes and sell me those old outdated 5 series cards to me

[jasper1605]

Originally Posted by CDdude55

Sell the 5850 and pick up one of the upcoming 6 series cards and in the future, pick up a second for some crossfire action.

that was the plan with my 5850 lol. Darn this tech world always wanting to come out with newer faster things haha.

[nt300]

Yes but this time it will cost cheaper to buy the HD 6870 card. I think its about $250.00.

[mrsemi]

Wait for everyone to buy the new 6 series and buy two more 5850's dirt cheap.

Honestly, I'm running eyefinity on 19's granted but two 5850's run it perfectly. I'm still hoping to pick up a 3rd when the 6 series rolls in. Total overkill but I doubt I'll need to buy another video card for a few years after that, probably still wouldn't with 2.

[mastrdrver]

........or if there is no improvement to Eyefinity pick up two 5870 E6 cards.

There are two listed on Newegg right now under $400. No telling what will happen to the price once the 6xxx cards come out.