4870 512MB CF (£70) 5770 CF 1GB (£160) or EAH5850 (£160)

[Gzero]

Having searched around this site for info on Crossfire configurations I have spotted a few posts of your where you seem to have really positive things to say. I also spotted a post where you stated that in future you would choose (more powerful) single GPU over dual GPU solution everytime.

In a knutshell, why the change of heart?

He is still saying that 1 powerful core > sli/cf anyday.

And I agree with him, drivers and badly programmed games can make sli/cf obsolete, whilst a decent single core is better supported.

 

[warup89]

I just played bc2 and it was buttery smooth on my card =]

 

[ComradeSader]

Having searched around this site for info on Crossfire configurations I have spotted a few posts of your where you seem to have really positive things to say. I also spotted a post where you stated that in future you would choose (more powerful) single GPU over dual GPU solution everytime.

In a knutshell, why the change of heart?

One card uses less power, runs colder, takes up less space and as the guy before me said, is better supported by most games compared to dual GPU setups, it also has upgrade potential that isn't complete replacement.

I switched from a 4890/4870CF setup (in which I did run into the occasional issue that required CF turned off and/or CF ran worse than a single card. Was very rare, but usually a driver update fixed) to a 5850 and hot damn was it worth it - I don't have to keep the side panel off in summer now

Besides, you grab a 5850 now, you can always CF it later on with up to a 5890 to easily keep up with the ATI 6/NV 4 series and all the latest games with DX11. And getting a second 5800 once those cards are out will be cheap as (like half the price, probably.. considering I payed $440AUS for my 4870 14 months back, now they're what, $200'ish?).

PS: 5 series OC's better if you're into that, especially ASUS cards with voltage tuner.

 

[MatTheCat]

One card uses less power, runs colder, takes up less space and as the guy before me said, is better supported by most games compared to dual GPU setups, it also has upgrade potential that isn't complete replacement.

I switched from a 4890/4870CF setup (in which I did run into the occasional issue that required CF turned off and/or CF ran worse than a single card. Was very rare, but usually a driver update fixed) to a 5850 and hot damn was it worth it - I don't have to keep the side panel off in summer now

Besides, you grab a 5850 now, you can always CF it later on with up to a 5890 to easily keep up with the ATI 6/NV 4 series and all the latest games with DX11. And getting a second 5800 once those cards are out will be cheap as (like half the price, probably.. considering I payed $440AUS for my 4870 14 months back, now they're what, $200'ish?).

PS: 5 series OC's better if you're into that, especially ASUS cards with voltage tuner.

You just might have swayed the decision! But aren't you getting notably less FPS in many games with the 5850? From the benches I have seen, the 4870*2 performs on a par with the 5870, minus the DX11.

EDIT: Any reason why I shouldn't choose this card:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-215-AS

Cheapest out of the lot...but an ASUS.

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

You just might have swayed the decision! But aren't you getting notably less FPS in many games with the 5850? From the benches I have seen, the 4870*2 performs on a par with the 5870, minus the DX11.

EDIT: Any reason why I shouldn't choose this card:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-215-AS

Cheapest out of the lot...but an ASUS.

Ironically that's one of the 5850s people want. Should clock to match a 5870 easily. Mine doesnt even break a sweat @ 900/4670. Playing BC2 I dont even hit 70c.

 

[MatTheCat]

Ironically that's one of the 5850s people want. Should clock to match a 5870 easily. Mine doesnt even break a sweat @ 900/4670. Playing BC2 I dont even hit 70c.

Cheers.

Convinced enough....card purchased!

Now to go on and flog my 20 month old HD4870 512MB for £200 on ebay!

 

[ComradeSader]

The exact card I've got lol. Yes you will lose some FPS compared to a 4870x2. FPS-wise, my change from the CF was a downgrade considering a 5850 is apparently = to 2x4890's. But they're pretty much the same power, and having that kind of FPS power in a single, less power consuming, colder card instead of two of the opposite is an upgrade in my book lol.

And you've always got the upgrade potential of 5800 series CF

Good purchase mate, hope you enjoy that kickass card

 

[HookeyStreet]

5850 all the way.

Whats the point in picking up another 4870 so your stuck with 2 of the bloody things that will be worth peanuts when the 6xxx and 4xx series arrive

EDIT: sorry, I didnt see that youve already gone for the 5850 lol

 

[MatTheCat]

5850 all the way.

Whats the point in picking up another 4870 so your stuck with 2 of the bloody things that will be worth peanuts when the 6xxx and 4xx series arrive

EDIT: sorry, I didnt see that youve already gone for the 5850 lol

Well,

The point would have been that for a mere (hypothetical £70), I could have a CF setup that practically matches the 5870 for frame rates in most mainstream games....and of course significantly beats a single 5850 albeit without DX11 support. However, by spending £230 (or £160 if I sell my HD4870 for £70), I am getting a DX11 card that only beats my current card by around 10-15 Frames in a typical benchmark test, and gets soundly beaten by a CF 4870 setup.

Although I have now purchased the 5850 and my HD4870 is on Ebay, I am still not %100 convinced I have done the right thing. So really, it is by no means a clear cut decision like many people are making out. I was surprised by the few votes that the CF 5770 option got as two of them = 5870 performance for same price as lone 5850.....but of course, having 5850 gives option of cheap CF in future in order to bring rig up to real DX11 standards whenever that time may come (2011?).

 

[bobzilla2009]

well, tbh upgrading by one solitary generation never really gets huge boosts unless you go for the top end of the newer generation. But the hd5850 will definitely serve you well, and can overclock really well it can approach hd5870 stock levels! and sometimes beat it iirc. Plus i assume they'll drop to sub-£200 when fermi becomes available, so crossfiring in a year would be a nice boost

 

[MatTheCat]

well, tbh upgrading by one solitary generation never really gets huge boosts unless you go for the top end of the newer generation. But the hd5850 will definitely serve you well, and can overclock really well it can approach hd5870 stock levels! and sometimes beat it iirc. Plus i assume they'll drop to sub-£200 when fermi becomes available, so crossfiring in a year would be a nice boost

I'll tell you what as well, the performance is a lot better than is being indicated across the benchmark reviews, many of them using i7 CPUs! Mind you, they tend not to overclock when they benchmark.

I sincerely hope that the price does not drop to sub-£200 when FERMI becomes available as that date is only 1 week away! I reasoned that although FERMI was due out on 26th, it will be only the high end models and going by past history, Nvidia's cards have always been very expensive compared with the performance that they provide. This time around things are seeming more reasonable at Nvidia's end with prices starting from $350. However, by the time that SP has had 17.% VAT added to it; in addition to the early retail outlets ramping the price way up above the recommended retail price, due to both low availablity and age old 'Rip-Off Britain' traditions, FERMI cards could be quite a bit more expensive than anticipated......they always are (at least in UK).

So heres hoping that I dont wake up in the middle of next week and find out that I could have got my card £40 cheaper had I just waited 10 more days!

Now, should the 5850 be sub £200 in perhaps Nov 2010, or maybe even sub £150 come March 2011, then I could see crossfire configuration becoming very tempting.

 

[nt300]

6 monts ago I would say buy another HD 4870 512Mb but now I say buy the HD 5850. You now rather buy this card then maybe later on get another when price goes down for crossfire supprt.

 

[MatTheCat]

6 monts ago I would say buy another HD 4870 512Mb but now I say buy the HD 5850. You now rather buy this card then maybe later on get another when price goes down for crossfire supprt.

This is the worst advice ever!

6 months ago I would have paid just £180 for an HD5850, but now they cost £230 min!

Surely 6 months ago was the right time to buy a HD5850, which I could have been gaming on instead of my old 4870.