Any objections to PowerColor 5770?

yehuda

Member
Apr 15, 2006
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I spec out a gaming PC for a friend. Base specs are:

Intel Core i3-540
Gigabyte GA-P55-UD3L. It is an ATX board. I may install a USB 3 add-in card later on.
1 x Kingston DDR3-1333 2GB. I may uprade the RAM (buy a 4GB module) when it gets cheaper.

For graphics I think about getting this part:

PowerColor AX5770 1GBD5-H Radeon HD 5770 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

It's the cheapest where I live and is covered by 3 years of warranty. No compaints on Newegg, but as a SPCR forum member I've in the past seen complaints on this company that some of their cards do not have proper idle power savings or fan control.

Would this card be a safe buy?
 

GaiaHunter

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2008
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I had/have no problems with a 4850 power color pcs+.

If that is representative or not of the company, I don't know.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
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Can't really object, although we don't know what other cards are available to you. But if you're looking for a good balance of performance, power consumption, and price then the 5770 is usually a top card consideration.
 

yehuda

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Apr 15, 2006
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cusideabelincoln: I think the only other reasonable option is a 5750. I try to make room for the 5770 within the budget. For this chip, I have the alternatives of HIS 5770 1GB H577FK1GF or Connect3D 5770 1GB C3D-H5770-1GD5E, but other brands are more expensive.

Thanks.
 

brybir

Senior member
Jun 18, 2009
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I have had a powercolor 4850 for a while now and it has given me no problems. Granted that is just my experience but I have enjoyed it.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
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I don't think he's buying (or can buy) from newegg. He just gave us a link to see what model card he can get.
 

yehuda

Member
Apr 15, 2006
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Thanks all for sharing your positive experience with PowerColor.

I'm buying in Israel, so I pick from what is available here.

I don't see the $135 Sapphire card here, there is a 512MB edition with that nice cooler -- the 512MB cards are cheaper, but would it be a good idea to skimp on RAM here?

I see an XFX 5770 1GB with AMD's original shroud cooler (not egg shaped) that is also reasonably priced. Image here. Would that be a good option?

Thanks
 

nemesismk2

Diamond Member
Sep 29, 2001
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www.ultimatehardware.net
I have a Powercolor Radeon 4870, 4770 PCS and they both work very very well. Cool and quiet.

In the past i've had a few Powercolor video cards:-

Powercolor radeon 9700 pro, 9800 pro, 4730 (quickly upgraded to 4770), x1950 pro and x1950 xtx.
 
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brybir

Senior member
Jun 18, 2009
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Thanks all for sharing your positive experience with PowerColor.

I'm buying in Israel, so I pick from what is available here.

I don't see the $135 Sapphire card here, there is a 512MB edition with that nice cooler -- the 512MB cards are cheaper, but would it be a good idea to skimp on RAM here?

I see an XFX 5770 1GB with AMD's original shroud cooler (not egg shaped) that is also reasonably priced. Image here. Would that be a good option?

Thanks

I would NOT get the 512MB version. I have the 512MB version of the 4850, and while it is still a great gaming card, it is starting to show its age in newer games. I think it has been shown on this forum that 1GB is the best memory size, and certainly will be the standard over the next year or two.

If I were you, I would personally go for teh 5770 if the price is reasonable. Should get some extra performance, a better power profile and DX11 features as they continue to trickle into the market.
 

yehuda

Member
Apr 15, 2006
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Thanks, I am also leaning toward the 1GB edition. It is just that the third party coolers (and sometimes custom PCBs) are always source for confusion.

I guess that is inevitable in this market because it is the only way for board partners to cut costs, differentiate themselves from the competition or offer more value (other than giving away games). Sometimes it's a blessing, for example if you are looking for a passive cooler, but other times if you don't research before buying you can end up with a version that is unnecessarily loud.
 

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
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I've had a PowerColor 4870 for just over two years with no problems.

The only bad thing about PowerColor is they don't ever seem to update the BIOS. I think some other brands had 4870 updates that improved the automatic fan speed control, but without that I've ended up using a set of manual speed profiles instead.
 

Jhatfie

Senior member
Jan 20, 2004
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I have the 1GB PCS+ version of that card and it works great. Quiet and it overclocks well. I would not hesitate recommending it.
 

Dankk

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2008
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Absolutely buy the Powercolor. They appear to be reliable, and from what people say about that particular model, it should work great.