hd 5770 cf , hd 5850 or hd 5870

Hi all,

I'm upgrading my graphics card in about 2 weeks, and I'm not sure what one(s) to get. The choices are:

-hd 5770 crossfire (1gb version) €264.70 delivered from pixmania.ie http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/4129647...-gb-gddr5.html PIXMANIA RADEON HD 5770 ?
-hd 5850 €251 delivered dabs.ie
-hd 5870 €350 delivered for standard dabs.ie or €420 delivered *Vapor x edition* komplett.ie

The prices from dabs and komplett will probably change as none are in stock except for the vapor x hd 5870 in komplett. The pixmania hd 5770's is a special offer @ the moment.

I'm leaning towards the crossfired hd 5770's as they seem to have the same performance as the hd 5870. I was also thinking of going for a hd 5850 and buying another when the next gen graphics cards come out (hd 6000 series). From all the reviews that I looked up the corsair vx550w has plently power for even the hd 5850 cf, correct me if I'm wrong! The hd 5870 :drool: is very tempting also. I've always wanted to try crossfire cause I've never done it before and thats another reason for my leaning towards the hd 5770's.

I tend to change graphics cards quite frequently so crossfire down the road may never happen.

SO basically what do you think I should do?

{some "e" letters may be missing, my keyboard is acting up:angst:}

Another thing: does the hd 5770 come with a dirt 2 coupon?

TBH i have never really seen the point of a dual card solution when there is a single card available of similar performance. Crossfire / SLI is only ever as good as the drivers, if the game you want to play isn't supported then you have wasted your money on one of the cards.

For this reason i have gone for a 5850.

Depending on the resolution you play at a single 5770 might suffice??

I'd go for the 5850 unless you need the extra 3D power or have money to burn.

its a hell of a price jump from the 5850 to the 5870 so again i'd agree with mac and say the 5850.

crossfire and sli does make little sense unless you do it the way i am planning and thats in a few months pick up a second card cheap to go with mine to help at high res but i wouldnt buy two new as the cost of two you can usually get one new better card

ya the hd 5850 is a good deal. The crossfire hd 5770's cost nearly the same though and offer hd 5870 performance, but as u say it depends on drivers and the game.

I currently have a hd 4870 and game @ 1920x1080

tbh the money side of things doesnt matter but I'd rather get the best performance/€
My hd 4870 will be going on ebay soon enough so the upgrade will probably only cost about €180 if I go for the hd 5850 or the hd 5770 cf.

Unless you have the money burning a hole in your pocket I'd also plump for the HD 5850.

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Originally Posted by dk-spec

ya the hd 5850 is a good deal. The crossfire hd 5770's cost nearly the same though and offer hd 5870 performance, but as u say it depends on drivers and the game.

I currently have a hd 4870 and game @ 1920x1080

tbh the money side of things doesnt matter but I'd rather get the best performance/€
My hd 4870 will be going on ebay soon enough so the upgrade will probably only cost about €180 if I go for the hd 5850 or the hd 5770 cf.

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Going for 5770's severely limits your upgrade potential in the future. By going for the 5850 you get arguably equivalent performance to 5770 in Crossfire at a very similar cost, but you leave yourself open to an easy upgrade in future without spending too much more. The scaling of 3+ cards in Crossfire is still limited AFAIK (ie. If you choose the 5770 Crossfire route now).

Given similar spending and performance, always go for a single GPU solution. It keeps performance between games much more consistent. I went for the 5970 because a single 5870 didn't give me the performance I desired. If I could get 5970 performance on a single GPU card, even for a little more money I would absolutely take it.

Tomshardware tested CF5770. They compare it to a single 5850 and some other cards. In crysis 5850 wins in left4dead CF5770 win. Here is the link to Crysis page, just in case:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...70,2446-7.html

Indeed, I would look at upgradability vs time to own a card. If you take 2x5770 they might be a good choice for a while, but you'd loose upgradability. Take one 5850 for a short time and ad another one - very well. But, if you take a 5850 for a longer you might find yourself in a dillema to add the 2nd or to rather buy a 6000series. See for example ati4850 - it appeared in june 2008, if I am right. Now its eol. Lifetime = 1,5years. So, keeping only one 5850 for over 1 year - I don't know. On the other hand my supremely weak and old card - oh, shame on me (8600GT OC) - is still in my family rig and does some Crysis and CoD MW2 gaming for me and my son. I was myself thinking to upgrade mobo and buy a 5850 and then later add another one. Taking into account my 8600 "experience" (sorry) I think I might do just that.

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Originally Posted by Freelance

But, if you take a 5850 for a longer you might find yourself in a dillema to add the 2nd or to rather buy a 6000series.

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Thats exactly what would happen, I got my hd 4870 with the intention of adding a second, then along came the hd 5000 series.
I just came back from holidays today and ordered 2 vapor-x hd 5770's. No hd 5870's were in stock. I ordered a RAZER DeathAdder Re-Spawn mouse and a RAZER Lycosa Mirror keyboard as well. Hopefully I'll be happy with the hd 5770's

Good Luck and have fun gaming, especially with the two 5770, ahhh:) :drool:

i think a lot of the 5770 reviews were done with older drivers, CF performance has improved since then so it should be even sweeter for you :)

i just ordered the xfx 5850 xxx on today only for £230ish with £24 off from scan am hoping this will last me for a while

Ordered the Sapphire 5850 today from scan myself for £218. Hope its good! Considering im coming from an old 8800GTS.

I'd say 4th option, wait for the 4830 to come out and consider getting two of thoes in crossfire, depending on price and performance.

However the important thing to consider is screen size/number
Someone over on the ebuyer forums is already selling his two 5770's because he found they where not "cutting it" for him on his eyefinity setup.

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{some "e" letters may be missing, my keyboard is acting up}

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How about a new keyboard first :P

Eyefinity is a serious hog though,especially when you consider most people will go 3 screens with it.....2 screens just sucks in most games.

one single 5850 will always play better than 5770cf..ofcoz if u r rich, go for 5870 XD