• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

5850 vs 470

Snow_Fox

Snow_Fox

Android Expert
So I'm getting a new computer. I've used an ati gfx card for the last few years (x1600 mobility).

I have no problem using ati or nvidia. I am far from a fanboy either way. I have been leaning towards a 5850 for a long time now (got a build coming up soon as i cash tax return check).

now that specs are out.. 470 seems to be 50$ more expensive (depending on the model of 5850) for a few frames more.

I have been debating this every since I read a review of 470. The 5850 seems to be the better deal, however, I am wondering if once 470 gets better drivers the performance will increase more. Atm I 'm having trouble justifying paying the extra 50$.

Idealistically I will be xfiring or sli'ing a few months after I get the card either way.
 
The Nvidia will run hot.
How are the temps in your rig?

I'm in the market to upgrade from my BFG Tech GTX260OCX.

I haven't decided if I want to jump ship to ATI or not.

Thus far I've been very happy with BFG Tech and their Nvidia cards.
 
I've tried ATI in the past, and had driver issues. My friend works for Powercolor in the tech department. We both worked for EVGA in the past (Nvida Partner), so he will give me an honest answer about which would be better. I'll ask him as soon as I can...

One comment about your system build...Have you considered bumping up to 8 gigs of ram? I know you may not use it right now, but with ram prices being as low as they are, you may want to consider it...
 
I've tried ATI in the past, and had driver issues. My friend works for an ATI partner in the tech department. We both worked for EVGA in the past (Nvida Partner), so he will give me an honest answer about which would be better. I'll ask him as soon as I can...

One comment about your system build...Have you considered bumping up to 8 gigs of ram? I know you may not use it right now, but with ram prices being as low as they are, you may want to consider it...
 
Looked at your list, let me know how the AMD runs. I am going to build my own desktop in the near future also. Im debating the Phenom II x4 955 or the intel core i5 or i7...
 
ATI has ironed out a lot of their driver issues, plus with 10.3 that's out performance has been boosted even more.

The 470 a lot of times is a tad bit faster, but the most is like a 6-8 fps difference that you won't notice in gameplay.

The 470 and 480 does run hot, but the exhaust blows all the hot air out of the case, so almost no heat has entered the case.

The 470 is also $50 more just for these 3 things that Nvidia stated the price difference for.
Physx- Not every game uses it
3d Surrond- Eyefinity
CUDA- Not every program uses CUDA.
The 470 also uses more power than the 5850.

As far as Crossfire and SLI goes, both scale pretty great now. If you're going to crossfire though, I would recommend that if you're going to do a multi gpu system, the 5970 and 2 470s both equal out to $699. You can't go wrong with either of those.

My issue with Fermi, is it was delayed so long, but doesn't have all that much spectacular performance over the 58xx series from ATI. Which, you would expect after months difference of release. But no.

As far as the case goes, there are plenty of other good choices out there that cost as much, or are cheaper. I've never heard anything good about NZXT cases.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133074

CPU, you're getting a BE cpu, but from the looks of it you aren't going to overclock. If you aren't going to overclock, grab a non BE with the c3 stepping, some memory with higher timings since you won't need to worry about the timings for ocing, and a cheaper mobo since you won't need to spend the money on parts like that if you aren't going to overclock it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom