gaming at 1920x1080 what do I need

VulgarDisplay

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2009
6,193
2
76
This is the same dilemna I currently have. I can't decide between the gtx470 and the hd5870 at 1920x1080.

The gtx470 has about the same or better minimum framerates as the hd5870 at 1920x1080 when AA and other image quality settings are increased. It's also $50 cheaper (last time I checked).

On the ATi side of the coin you get more overclocking headroom, and a less power hungry and quiet card.

That price war I was waiting for hasn't happened yet which is quite upsetting.
 

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,001
126
I have a 5870 and game at 1920x1200. I am very happy with it's performance. But if you overclock I'd get a 5850 and bump the voltage and push the core as far as you can. It'll chew up 1080P while being the cheapest of the bunch and being much more well mannered (power/heat).
 

Makaveli

Diamond Member
Feb 8, 2002
4,715
1,049
136
All 3 of those cards are good this is a tough choice.

What about availability can you purchase all 3 close to you, any mail in rebates?
 

Dark Shroud

Golden Member
Mar 26, 2010
1,576
1
0
Just get a 5850 now and in a few months you can get a second 5850 for crossfire when more FERMI cards are released as well as official news on Southern Isles.

Seriously Nvidia screwed us all price wise this round.
 

fffblackmage

Platinum Member
Dec 28, 2007
2,548
0
76
You need a 1080p monitor to game at 1920x1080.

Sarcasm aside... I'd go with the 5850 out of those three you listed.
 

zod96

Platinum Member
May 28, 2007
2,858
66
91
Central Computer be me has the Sapphire 5870 for $389 not a bad price...
 

Xarick

Golden Member
May 17, 2006
1,199
1
76
I am still in need of help. Considering GTX 470 by zotac for $360 shipped or a 5870 for $400. Not sure I want to pay the extra $40. I only have a single gpu solution. 5850 is $300, but I am wondering if it can keep up all settings maxed. I don't plan on OCing it.
 

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,001
126
I am still in need of help. Considering GTX 470 by zotac for $360 shipped or a 5870 for $400. Not sure I want to pay the extra $40. I only have a single gpu solution. 5850 is $300, but I am wondering if it can keep up all settings maxed. I don't plan on OCing it.

The 5850 really shines when it's overclocked. It'd be a crime to buy one and leave it at the stock settings. ;) The 470 is a solid card from the benches I've seen... at least at that price it is. The 5870 is also a great choice and probably worth the extra money. But, it's just a question of if you want the extra HP or save the money.

But, either way, buying a 5850 or 5870 and not overclocking it should be outlawed! ;)
 

Attic

Diamond Member
Jan 9, 2010
4,282
2
76
At that res, if you are not into overclocking, you should take the extra perfomance of the 5870 given you want to be using all the eye candy and picking up the best frames possible.

This is not the best generation from nVidia to be picking up, not like the 8800GTS/8800GTX series. AMD has the better price/performance this round and i'd reccomend you take advantage of it.
 

MisterDonut

Senior member
Dec 8, 2009
920
0
0
Just get a 5850 now and in a few months you can get a second 5850 for crossfire when more FERMI cards are released as well as official news on Southern Isles.

Seriously Nvidia screwed us all price wise this round.

And you're surprised? :D. 5850 or bust
 

bigriggg

Member
Nov 7, 2009
69
0
0
Yeah, I have a 5850, and I would get that. I have a 1400x900 monitor, but am either upgrading to a 1080 or 1200 next month.... To me the extra money for the 5870 doesnt makes sense to get. Plus if you get an XFX card, its double lifetime warranty, so you can overclock it and not worry....
 

badb0y

Diamond Member
Feb 22, 2010
4,015
30
91
Im contemplating the 470. The only thing holding me back is the heat.
Not a bad choice if you can get it at MSRP. The noise/heat is mostly a GTX 480 problem, 470s are actually not that bad but if you compare it with the HD 5000 series it looks pretty shitty.

Also look into HD 5850, it's a tad bit slower but can be as cheap as $269.99.
 

Xarick

Golden Member
May 17, 2006
1,199
1
76
I havent seen any 5850s that low unless you count the BCB ones. To me BCB is like a mail in rebate which I just dont like getting into. The 5850s are all about $300 and oddly lately seem to be increasing in price again.
 

Alex@Nosound

Member
Apr 23, 2010
64
0
0
Im contemplating the 470. The only thing holding me back is the heat.
Surprisingly the retails samples usually run around 80c load @ around 50% fan speed which is not that hot if you compare them to previous generation cards, that would pass 90c easily.
 

SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,001
126
Surprisingly the retails samples usually run around 80c load @ around 50% fan speed which is not that hot if you compare them to previous generation cards, that would pass 90c easily.

Heat and temperature aren't the same thing though. A GPU can run at 95C and put out less heat than another running at 75C.
 

tincart

Senior member
Apr 15, 2010
630
1
0
I'm running a 4890 @ 1Ghz core and I can play pretty much everything at 1920 x 1080 (there are obvious exceptions). Stands to reason that the next-gen cards should be able to as well.