GTX 470 or ATI 5850?

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
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I am thinking about buying the Zotac GTX 470 just because I can get it locally right now for $50 then a 5850 but the GTX 470 included 3 games (Mafia 2, Just Cause 2 and Dirt 2)

I know the 470 is the Power Eater but to be honest I don't really care. My 700w should be fine with 50a on the 12 volt rail.

I just built my computer 3 weeks ago and went with a 5770 but have decided I want to get back into gaming more than Casual so I have put it on Ebay. I wish I just bought a bigger card to start.

I spent about twice my budget as the SSD's were not originally part of the plan, and since I've gone this far I figure I may as well top it off with a high end card.

Which would you prefer? The 5870 is a little out of my budget
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
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Its actually 90 more but has 40 dollar rebate. Just wanted to see what people opinions were about price vs performance difference
 

4ghz

Member
Sep 11, 2010
165
1
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GTX 470 is about 10% faster then a 5850. If that extra 10% is worth the extra noise and power usage to you then go for the 470. Personally if you can sli I'd get two of the Galaxy gtx 465 on sale at newegg for $158ish each after $65 rebate. Sell the 4 games it will come with and you're looking at maybe $265 final price for both cards. But depending on the make of your power supply it might not be able to handle it.
 
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RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
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If you are ok with the additional noise and power consumption, 470 is pretty much faster than the 5850 in most games up to 1920x1200, perhaps other than in Crysis and in BF:BC2. One area where 5850 can catch up is 2560x1600.

If you don't feel like waiting for HD6000 series (around November), then the 470 delivers better performance than the 5850 (esp in DX11 games and in minimum framerates). Your other alternative is a GTX460 card which you can overclock yourself.

Also, if you do intend to overclock the card, then GTX470 @ 800 is going to be unmatched by the overclocked 5850.
 

Cookie Monster

Diamond Member
May 7, 2005
5,161
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Because of driver improvements, the GTX470 is more along the lines of HD5870 performance (think its slower overall though for the GTX470). Power consumption isn't as bad since it will be similar to a GTX285.

I guess its really up to you. On one hand, you get faster performance/3 games while going with a HD5850 would mean saving $50 for less performance. The latter consumes less power (if thats important to you), doesn't expel much heat and is alot less noisey.
 

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
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Being you don't have an SLI board that's not going to figure in. Since power consumption isn't an issue it comes down to heat and fan noise. If you have a well ventilated room and case and for whatever reason the extra noise won't bother you (headphones), get the GTX 470. Its just as quiet at idle as the HD 5850.
 

3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
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Pull the 5770 off of ebay and use it for another month and wait for the 6000 series.

I notice you are using an matx board (no crossfire/SLI for those who suggested it). If you are running with a small case as well the 470 wouldn't be a good idea for cooling.
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
3
81
I have a 120mm fan in front and a 120mm in back of the case. Its a big case. I just realized I actually had wrong board in my gamer sig and just updated it. It is a ATX board but is still not SLI, which I kinda want to avoid.

My power supply should be ok with the 470?

Noise and heat are not huge issues for me as it's in a basement and I'm in Canada :)

I wanted to keep the games too.

I'm leaning towards the 470 as long as my power supply is ok and the zotac 470 is reliable.
 
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MagickMan

Diamond Member
Aug 11, 2008
7,537
3
76
Cancel the auction > wait a couple months > buy much faster card > sell the 5770

the end
 

3DVagabond

Lifer
Aug 10, 2009
11,951
204
106
I wouldn't wait 2 1/2 months for a card. Mabe more?

Happy's time line?

P.S. I know you are talking about Cayman, not Barts. I think you are being a bit pessimistic though (or optimistic, depending on you allegiance :p). Besides, a lot of speculation thinks that Barts is going to be in the 5850 performance league, for a couple hundred bucks.
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
3
81
I don't really want to wait.

I think I'll go with the 470 and be happy.

It will be my first Nvidia card since a Geforce 2 GTS
 

Kenmitch

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,505
2,248
136
I just built my computer 3 weeks ago and went with a 5770 but have decided I want to get back into gaming more than Casual so I have put it on Ebay. I wish I just bought a bigger card to start.

Can't you just return it? Or did you buy used?

as long as nobody is bidding..:\
Na,
I wouldn't wait 2 1/2 months for a card. Mabe more?

Huh....How long have you been chugging along just waiting for that magic $200 card now? Or did you pick something up and just didn't change the sig?
 

bryanW1995

Lifer
May 22, 2007
11,144
32
91
I have a 120mm fan in front and a 120mm in back of the case. Its a big case. I just realized I actually had wrong board in my gamer sig and just updated it. It is a ATX board but is still not SLI, which I kinda want to avoid.

My power supply should be ok with the 470?

Noise and heat are not huge issues for me as it's in a basement and I'm in Canada :)

I wanted to keep the games too.

I'm leaning towards the 470 as long as my power supply is ok and the zotac 470 is reliable.

I would wait a month to see what amd 6000 series has to offer. you'll get a better deal on gtx 470 then if you still want to go that route, so either way you win.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Key piece of advice is to set up a manual fan profile. Without it, a GTX470 runs into the 90*C on Auto fan setting.

For example, set fan speed 40% @ 50*C and connect the dot to 75% @ 80*C.
 

happy medium

Lifer
Jun 8, 2003
14,387
480
126
Huh....How long have you been chugging along just waiting for that magic $200 card now? Or did you pick something up and just didn't change the sig?

Im out of work/slow and my youngest kid needs a car and my other ones going to college..again.
Sucks. :(
 

jacktesterson

Diamond Member
Sep 28, 2001
5,493
3
81
Can't you just return it? Or did you buy used?



Huh....How long have you been chugging along just waiting for that magic $200 card now? Or did you pick something up and just didn't change the sig?


Unfortunately my wife through the damn retail box out it came in