I'm feeling the upgrade itch again...

[Kursah]

I think at this point I'm gonna go with a cheaper but effective upgrade. If I could get a CPU/Mb/RAM upgrade that would truly be worth it for 3-400 I'd go for it. But at this point I'm really considering the HD5850 or 5870. And I want the upgrade to last like my 260 has. Granted the 260 does decent still, there are some newer games where it's starting to show a struggle even with the OC it has. Though I'm pushing AA and AF with max textures @ 1920x1080 so I'm not entirely suprised.

Now someone suggested I get a GTX 285, while it's powerful and drivers are solid, it's older DX10 tech, higher power consumption and hotter running than the ATI counterpart...plus I think it's way too expensive for what it is. Though I think the HD58xx's could use a good price drop, I'm about ready to give in and get a healthy performance upgrade graphics-wise on-top of DX11 support. Phsyx really bothers me not, I don't let my PC run when it's not in use so nill on folding at this point. But I am hesitant to go HD58xx because 6 months after release and there are STILL driver issues, black screens, grey lines, etc. But boy when they are performing well, they perform damn well. I'm actually considering grabbing an HD5870 in all honesty to have a card that'll last me a good bit longer than 5850 with the extra core power, higher clocks and further oc-ability. Here's one I am considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476&cm_re=hd_5870-_-14-150-476-_-Product

But I'm not sure if I really wanna spend that kinda cash...I suppose I could go an hd5850, which would still be a decent upgrade from what I have...just not sure atm. And from the sounds of things (we'll know after tomorrow's NV press conf. hopefully), Fermi isn't looking so good on release...I know my summer there will be games out that my card will have issues keeping playable at the settings I prefer if I'm already starting to see it a little now. I do have $50 in my PP account, so that does help the initial hit...just not sure what to do. I would like to get something soon, and was willing to wait, but the longer I wait the more bad news seems to arise than anything about fermi/gf100...which blows because the competition needs to be here, now, or even better, 6 months ago.

Edit: Also, I do much prefer a single gpu/single pcb setup, no dual gpu cf/sli nor dual gpu cards...less hassle, more gaming. That's where I'm willing to spend more on a single, more powerful card.

 

[afw]

I suggest you wait till FERMI is released (in another month) and see what it has to offer .... and also, AMD is sure to drop prices of the 5xxx series once FERMI is launched .. so you can look into the performance and prices and make a decision ..... ... good luck ...

 

[Kursah]

Yeah, I've already stated that before, and agree...and I'm trying to wait but growing impatient lol. We'll see what NV's conference meeting has in store tomorrow...but at this point looking for suggestions and seeing if anyone has had experience with the ZNFC (non-OE) cooled XFX 5870. It's tough to sort through all the BS about Fermi/GF100 at this point, but fwir, it'll be outta my price range, and I hope it get's released sooner than later just for the fact of making ATI drop prices if NV's performance pushes that point.

I'm just digging in more, I hope ATI's drivers improve some more, but at this point it looks like I'm going ATI...and I might drop down to a 5850, but not entirely certain yet. And I might wait till Fermi is released, not entirely certain there either in all honesty. I love my 260, great card, just running outta cahonas for the graphics level and res I like to play at.

 

[MKmods]

I think at this point I'm gonna go with a cheaper but effective upgrade. If I could get a CPU/Mb/RAM upgrade that would truly be worth it for 3-400 I'd go for it. But at this point I'm really considering the HD5850 or 5870. And I want the upgrade to last like my 260 has. Granted the 260 does decent still, there are some newer games where it's starting to show a struggle even with the OC it has. Though I'm pushing AA and AF with max textures @ 1920x1080 so I'm not entirely suprised.

Now someone suggested I get a GTX 285, while it's powerful and drivers are solid, it's older DX10 tech, higher power consumption and hotter running than the ATI counterpart...plus I think it's way too expensive for what it is. Though I think the HD58xx's could use a good price drop, I'm about ready to give in and get a healthy performance upgrade graphics-wise on-top of DX11 support. Phsyx really bothers me not, I don't let my PC run when it's not in use so nill on folding at this point. But I am hesitant to go HD58xx because 6 months after release and there are STILL driver issues, black screens, grey lines, etc. But boy when they are performing well, they perform damn well. I'm actually considering grabbing an HD5870 in all honesty to have a card that'll last me a good bit longer than 5850 with the extra core power, higher clocks and further oc-ability. Here's one I am considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476&cm_re=hd_5870-_-14-150-476-_-Product

But I'm not sure if I really wanna spend that kinda cash...I suppose I could go an hd5850, which would still be a decent upgrade from what I have...just not sure atm. And from the sounds of things (we'll know after tomorrow's NV press conf. hopefully), Fermi isn't looking so good on release...I know my summer there will be games out that my card will have issues keeping playable at the settings I prefer if I'm already starting to see it a little now. I do have $50 in my PP account, so that does help the initial hit...just not sure what to do. I would like to get something soon, and was willing to wait, but the longer I wait the more bad news seems to arise than anything about fermi/gf100...which blows because the competition needs to be here, now, or even better, 6 months ago.

Edit: Also, I do much prefer a single gpu/single pcb setup, no dual gpu cf/sli nor dual gpu cards...less hassle, more gaming. That's where I'm willing to spend more on a single, more powerful card.

check the open box at Newegg, the 5850s have been as low as $214 and the 5870s as low as $320..

I really wanted 5830s but if I can time it right Im picking up a cheap 5850..

If I had a 260 there is no way I would consider a 285..(especially this close to the new stuff)

 

[Kursah]

Yeah I've been keeping an eye out, haven't seen any pop up this weekend...probably did while I was out fishin!

I'm hoping to snag a good deal, I found a used hd5870 xfx on another forum for 350 shipped, but haven't heard back from the guy. I'm trying to stay patient, but dammit, I've got the itch to upgrade!

 

[MKmods]

there were 4 last week, this weekend no change but next week get ready... I am...

 

[valtopps]

heres what to do sell that crapy cpu and buy a q9650 they will do 4+ghz then buy a ssd for just the os. low cost, faster then the 920 set up you were going to do.

 

[Kursah]

Well due to someone needing a vid card, and giving me what I wanted outta my GTX260 on top of a couple other opportunities for some extra cash I ended up snagging an XFX HD 5870, the one with the new vapor-x/zalman style cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476

I'm pretty jacked to get it, especially since I'm only paying about $200 out of pocket after getting rid of a few things I didn't need and selling the 260. Sweet! That I can live with! Now here's to hoping for ever improving ATI drivers, it's been years since I've dealt with CCC or ATI, since my x1950xtx...but I have no qualms as long as my games play smooth and look great and judging by what I've read this new card should be around 2X faster than what I currently have...perfect. Now I just hope it'll last me a good 18 months-ish like my 260 has! The rest of the system will stay as-is, it performs fine and does the job...I will probably wait till summer before I upgrade in that area, unless I come into some serious money and have nothing else to spend it on!

 

[MKmods]

lol, now ur at the place where 99% of can only dream...

(when you get it please check back and let us know what the switch from 260 to 5870 is really like)

 

[Kursah]

I'll definitely report back and letcha know! I hope it ships out tomorrow, even if it does, I won't see it till Monday/Tuesday. But I can deal with a few more days easily. I'm really gonna miss this 260 though...been a champ from day one, very clockable on air, the AC GTX cooler kept it below 50C OC'd with 70F ambient temps...it ranks up there with my x850xt pe + AC ATI Silencer rv5 and 9600GT + AC S1 as all time favorite cards. Here's to hoping the new XFX does the same for me!

I also started a thread on [H], seems the card I got is a pretty new version, but it still seems the pcb is oe, and the cooler is the big difference, so here's to hoping it's a solid cooling solution that runs quieter too! I've grown used to not hearing the good ol' leaf blower in my rig, and hope to continue that trend!

I'll run a couple in-game benchmarks, I don't really keep much for benches around as I primarily use furmark and occt for stability testing these days, and really my rig's been at it's OC level on all aspects for quite some time w/o issue. I'll see if I can get some before and after stuff lined up in the next few days in prep and hopefully by mid next week have it all up here for you guys to see what the deal is overall.

 

[LifeOnMars]

Hey Kursah, I'll be interested to see how the q6600 pushes that card as I have the same processor. Difference being, I've been out of PCgaming for a while so I still have a huge catalogue of games to get through with my GTX 275 first. When I'm done it will be a dx11 card upgrade first and then see what mobo/processor setup i will need to push it. Provide some benchies if you could as i'm very interested. Enjoy the card mate

 

[MKmods]

I'll definitely report back and letcha know! I hope it ships out tomorrow, even if it does, I won't see it till Monday/Tuesday. But I can deal with a few more days easily. I'm really gonna miss this 260 though...been a champ from day one, very clockable on air, the AC GTX cooler kept it below 50C OC'd with 70F ambient temps...it ranks up there with my x850xt pe + AC ATI Silencer rv5 and 9600GT + AC S1 as all time favorite cards. Here's to hoping the new XFX does the same for me!

I also started a thread on [H], seems the card I got is a pretty new version, but it still seems the pcb is oe, and the cooler is the big difference, so here's to hoping it's a solid cooling solution that runs quieter too! I've grown used to not hearing the good ol' leaf blower in my rig, and hope to continue that trend!

I'll run a couple in-game benchmarks, I don't really keep much for benches around as I primarily use furmark and occt for stability testing these days, and really my rig's been at it's OC level on all aspects for quite some time w/o issue. I'll see if I can get some before and after stuff lined up in the next few days in prep and hopefully by mid next week have it all up here for you guys to see what the deal is overall.

benches dont do much for me, I would rather to know how "You" feel as far as noise, drivers, pict, gameplay...

 

[Kursah]

Fair enough, I've had a couple nights to mess with the card and my thoughts in performance increase: WOW!

Stock it blows my OC'd 260 outta the water. Gameplay seems smooth, really BC2 looks just as good but with smoother shadow edges and able to push more AA with HBAO enabled and still attain almost 2X the frames. My 260 would average around 35 with 4xaa, 16xaf hbao enabled...my 5870 averages around 70.

Beyond that, no game benches ran, i did run a couple on the 260 before I sent it off. So I may post those up someday if I get around to it. A couple issues with my particular card though:

No Voltage Control, it's a Rev2 pcb, similar to the Sapphire Vapor-X rev 2, the cooler looks similar and it has no voltage readings or control...bummer. But with the performance I see stock, I'm not too worried yet! The fan is also noisy beyond 50%, it moves a ton of air, I usually run 48-50%. Temps sit around 35C idle, and BC2 cranked up, I see right around 67C load. Furmark pushes the 73C mark iirc...didn't run that too long either, I was too interested in gaming at the time!

Either rate, the card is solid, drivers seem pretty good, no crashes, gsod's, grey lines, none of that...so far nothing but flawless operation and for a stock cooler, nice temps! Though having to move to MSI Afterburner after being used to EVGA Precision for so long I was VERY dissapointed to find that there's no Screenshot support in MSI's version...sorry, but that's just lame!