5750 1GB versus 4850 1GB

[blackrain]

I am looking to buy a budget video card for gaming for my HTPC. I am looking to get as much bang for my buck as possible. I plan on switching between a winXP drive (gaming) and a win7 x64 drive (HTPC).

While I have seen some comparisons between the 512mb version of the 4850 and the 5750, I haven't seen any benchmark comparisons looking at the 1GB version of the 4850.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2856/5

There is also talk about the 1GB version of the 4850 not giving much benefit and vice versa:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/Forums/showthread.php?t=202129


The prices are about the same, so I am not sure which way to go.

For example, which should I go with?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150482
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102859


I am tempted to go with the XFX 4850 because it is single slot. I have the Biostar TA790GX 128M, which has a horrible layout for an HTPC (something I didn't realize until it was too late). The master PCIE lies between the PCIE and PCI slots. A dual slot video card essentially prevents having a PCI card. Single slot might also be roomier and result in better air flow.

On the other hand, what a deal on the Sapphire 5750. The complaints are from November and it looks like the driver issues for x64 have been fixed.

What is the real practical benefit of DirectX 11? Is it that huge of a difference? When are we going to see those benefits? That would seem to be the only difference between 5750 and the 4850

 

[bunnyfubbles]

The 5700s will be a lot easier to cool and/or overclock, the 4850 really doesn't stand a chance, its really only the 4870 and 4890 that require second thought when comparing the 5700s.

One thing you might want to consider is keeping an eye out for a 5770, they can pretty regularly be found for just as low as the 5750s, or justifiably a tad more expensive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

 

[blackrain]

The 5700s will be a lot easier to cool and/or overclock, the 4850 really doesn't stand a chance, its really only the 4870 and 4890 that require second thought when comparing the 5700s.

One thing you might want to consider is keeping an eye out for a 5770, they can pretty regularly be found for just as low as the 5750s, or justifiably a tad more expensive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

I don't overclock. So the main benefit seems to be cooling. Which is good for my HTPC. There are a lot of good deals floating around right now on the 4850s though.

 

[Blastman]

Here's a comparison of the 4850 with 512 and 1GB memory … behardware

Basically, at resolutions of 1680x1050 or higher with 4AA, there will be a performance hit (not too huge) in a few odd games with the 512 ram model. Just run only 2AA.

 

[Leyawiin]

HD 5750. Its going to be a little bit faster most of the time plus quieter, cooler and physically smaller (if thats an issue in your HTPC case).

 

[blackrain]

HD 5750. Its going to be a little bit faster most of the time plus quieter, cooler and physically smaller (if thats an issue in your HTPC case).

So how is it possible that the 5750 is a little bit faster. Here are the basic specs compared:

XFX HD-575X-ZNFC:
Core Clock: 700
Steam Processors: 720
Effective Memory Clock: 1150MHz
128 bit

XFX HD-485X-ZDFC:
Core Clock: 625
Steam Processors: 800
Effective Memory Clock: 1990MHz
256 bit

So how is the 5750 keeping up with those 4850 specs? On paper, it seems that the 4850 should smoke the 5750. Does the GDDR5 make that much of a difference? Or am I totally missing something here?

 

[toyota]

So how is it possible that the 5750 is a little bit faster. Here are the basic specs compared:

XFX HD-575X-ZNFC:
Core Clock: 700
Steam Processors: 720
Effective Memory Clock: 1150MHz
128 bit

XFX HD-485X-ZDFC:
Core Clock: 625
Steam Processors: 800
Effective Memory Clock: 1990MHz
256 bit

So how is the 5750 keeping up with those 4850 specs? On paper, it seems that the 4850 should smoke the 5750. Does the GDDR5 make that much of a difference? Or am I totally missing something here?

do the math. the 5750 has faster everything. the memory is 4600 for the 5750 on 128bit so that would mean the 4850 would need 2300 just to match it on 256bit but its only 1990. the core on the 5750 is only slightly faster(700x720) but it is faster than the 4850(625x800). and the 5750 has the same number of ROPs but at a faster clockspeed.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Yeah, toyota is correct. GDDR5 can provide double the bandwidth of GDDR3 at the same clock speeds.

blackrain, your spec was just off a bit because the "effective" memory clock of the 5750 is more accurately described as 4600MHz. Clock for clock the GDDR5 of the 5750 is clocked at 1150MHz (4600MHz) and the GDDR3 of the 4850 is clocked at 995MHz (1990MHz). So even though the 4850 has a 256bit bus, its effective memory bandwidth is only 63.6GB/sec vs. the 5750 @ 76.8GB/sec.

So even though the 5750 has slightly fewer SPs and TMUs, the higher clock rate makes up that difference and the same number of ROPs at a higher clock rate as well as greater memory bandwidth is what gives the 5750 the definitive edge. Combine that with the fact that it should consume much less power and run cooler/quieter, it really becomes a pretty easy choice IMO.

 

[AzN]

It's pretty much the same line of performance. If you want cooler and more features go with 5750. If not save some cash and the 4850.

 

[Rhezuss]

Hey blackrain,

I'd go with the 5770 and like bunnyfubbles said, you can find some of them cheap. Just for your info, I found my Sapphire Vapor-X 5770 for 169CAD on newegg.ca.

I replace my HD 4850 512mb with this HD 5770 1gb. Didn't test it yet but I've done the Just Cause 2 benches and I get higher minimum FPS and smoother gameplay in that game with higher settings then my HD 4850.

If you have the $$ for the 5770 , go for it!

EDIT: Other infos - Idle temp on my HD 4850 was 40-43 celcius. On the HD 5770 it's now 30-33 celcius. Plus, the fan on the Vapor-X is a lot quieter than the "egg" fan on the HD 4850, at idle and on load. It's a lot less power hungry too. All in all, it's a winner IMO.

 

[blackrain]

I got the 5750 for $119. To hard to beat at that price. And I got a Sapphire 4850 to crossfire with one that I already have....to play around with.

 

[evolucion8]

Yeah, toyota is correct. GDDR5 can provide double the bandwidth of GDDR3 at the same clock speeds.

blackrain, your spec was just off a bit because the "effective" memory clock of the 5750 is more accurately described as 4600MHz. Clock for clock the GDDR5 of the 5750 is clocked at 1150MHz (4600MHz) and the GDDR3 of the 4850 is clocked at 995MHz (1990MHz). So even though the 4850 has a 256bit bus, its effective memory bandwidth is only 63.6GB/sec vs. the 5750 @ 76.8GB/sec.

So even though the 5750 has slightly fewer SPs and TMUs, the higher clock rate makes up that difference and the same number of ROPs at a higher clock rate as well as greater memory bandwidth is what gives the 5750 the definitive edge. Combine that with the fact that it should consume much less power and run cooler/quieter, it really becomes a pretty easy choice IMO.

They should perform very close, but also bear in mind that the HD 5x00 architecture is slower in a per clock basis compared to the HD 4x00 series, so there will be scenarios where the HD 4850 will match it, but due to its small frame buffer, it will trail the HD 5750 quite often. There's no reason to buy the HD 48501GB since they're so close in performance.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The 5700s will be a lot easier to cool and/or overclock, the 4850 really doesn't stand a chance, its really only the 4870 and 4890 that require second thought when comparing the 5700s.

One thing you might want to consider is keeping an eye out for a 5770, they can pretty regularly be found for just as low as the 5750s, or justifiably a tad more expensive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

Why does that say "PCI Express 2.1" in the description? I thought that we were still on PCI-E 2.0?

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Why does that say "PCI Express 2.1" in the description? I thought that we were still on PCI-E 2.0?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#PCI_Express_2.1

 

[Zap]

If you don't mind doing 512MB, there's a Hot Deals thread going on about a Sapphire 4850 512MB for around $70 or $80 after rebate.

 

[blackrain]

If you don't mind doing 512MB, there's a Hot Deals thread going on about a Sapphire 4850 512MB for around $70 or $80 after rebate.

I saw that and got one (to crossfire with its twin that I bought last year). I also bought the 5750 before the deal on the 4850 popped up. I just don't know which is going to give me better performance...the 2 4850s or the 5750. I prefer to have the better performing setup in my HTPC.

 

[Rhoxed]

I saw that and got one (to crossfire with its twin that I bought last year). I also bought the 5750 before the deal on the 4850 popped up. I just don't know which is going to give me better performance...the 2 4850s or the 5750. I prefer to have the better performing setup in my HTPC.

the 2 4850's will smoke the 5750

 

[blackrain]

the 2 4850's will smoke the 5750

Done!! The 4850 crossfire it is