GTX 480 instead of 5850?

VisceralM

Member
Feb 1, 2005
92
0
0
Here's the deal. I have an overclocked 5850 that's probably faster than a stock 5870 when its working. The problem is, I'm sick to death of ATI for my own reasons and would like to switch over to Nvidia while getting a performance boost for no more than $200ish. Would a gtx 480 give me this? Is it even possible at that price point?
 

VisceralM

Member
Feb 1, 2005
92
0
0
nice, thanks! Are there any mid level Fermi cards due out soon I should perhaps wait on? I know there are some upper level monsters on the way...I'd spend a little more on a new mid level probably
 

Smoblikat

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2011
5,184
107
106
nice, thanks! Are there any mid level Fermi cards due out soon I should perhaps wait on? I know there are some upper level monsters on the way...I'd spend a little more on a new mid level probably

No. I dont think the 660 has been given a release date yet. The only other option is an HD7850............
 

VisceralM

Member
Feb 1, 2005
92
0
0
Thanks. AMD makes good cards, I just think I'm ready to move on from them. Sound like a 480 is a solid choice for the money for me.
 

BallaTheFeared

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2010
8,115
0
71
If you have a choice get a AMP! Or something with an aftermarket cooler.

The 470 I have on reference air is awesome, but not all cards were created equal.
 
Feb 19, 2009
10,457
10
76
If you have to get NV, wait a bit, do not waste $$ getting such old tech that uses twice as much power as your 5850.

Also, an OC 5850 is no slouch, its easily faster than stock 5870, at >950mhz core its essentially a 5870 +10% (which is what a stock 480 is around). So if u think a gtx560 is a worthwhile investment... go for it, your $$ to waste.

gtx660 is just around the corner tho.
 

Arkadrel

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2010
3,681
2
0
waste of money upg from a 5850 overclocked to a 480 isnt it?

its 7850 ~235$ or so or get something faster, like a 680/7970/7950/670.

A 7850 overcloked can match a 680, if you overclock it, which they apperently excel at.

IF you want to go nvidia, upg form a 5850, you should atleast get something with more performance than a 480 (so you actually have a noticeable performance boost in the upg).

That means getting a 670 or something for around ~400$.

5850 -> 480 upg is just throwing money away for no good reason.
 

Smoblikat

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2011
5,184
107
106
waste of money upg from a 5850 overclocked to a 480 isnt it?

its 7850 ~235$ or so or get something faster, like a 680/7970/7950/670.

A 7850 overcloked can match a 680, if you overclock it, which they apperently excel at.

IF you want to go nvidia, upg form a 5850, you should atleast get something with more performance than a 480 (so you actually have a noticeable performance boost in the upg).

That means getting a 670 or something for around ~400$.

5850 -> 480 upg is just throwing money away for no good reason.

Dont forget a GTX 480 can OC too! An OC 480 easily matches a 680.
 
Feb 19, 2009
10,457
10
76
A 7850 overcloked can match a 680, if you overclock it, which they apperently excel at.

I think u have a typo. An OC 7850 can match a 580 or exceed it depend on your clock speeds. (it's got NO hope of even coming close to a 680 hehe)

While using half the power, or around 1/3 the power vs an OC 580.

But in the market of $200 for NV, they have nothing but old junk tech. Just wait for gtx660.
 
Last edited:

njdevilsfan87

Platinum Member
Apr 19, 2007
2,328
249
106
Dont forget a GTX 480 can OC too! An OC 480 easily matches a 680.

I think you mean a 580.

I ended up with a 480 a little back for $160, and then I moved on to a 680. My 480 was overclocked to 850/2100, and the performance boost was noticeable. I actually use the 480 as my PhsyX card because I got tired of it sitting on my best so I just threw it back into the computer for that. I still haven't played a game that utilizes PhysX... but hopefully they go all out on the PhysX in PlanetSide 2... :D

Nvidia does better on the minimum frame-rates than AMD imo, and that translates into a smoother game play experience, even if your average might be a few less.

If you do go the 480 route, just be warned it's very hot and loud with the stock cooler. If you kind find a refurb or b-stock for less, go for that and then do a Antec 620 mod on it. The difference in noise (and overclockability) is well worth it.
 
Last edited:

Ventanni

Golden Member
Jul 25, 2011
1,432
142
106
Imho, it's not worth it for $200. It's definitely faster, but not $200 faster.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
OP, I think your best bet is to wait until GTX660 or even wait until GTX670 goes on sale. I am not even sure I'd recommend the 570 at this point due to its 1.28GB of VRAM. It all depends if you actually want a performance increase from a 5850 or not. In some newer games the 5850 tanks (Batman AC, Crysis 2, Civ5, etc.). In other games, it's roughly equal a GTX470 so it won't be much of an upgrade to get a 470 without overclocking it. At this point I don't see many reasons to get the 570/580 from an overclocked 5850 unless you heavily play BF3 and games with tessellation.

A 7850 overcloked can match a 680, if you overclock it, which they apperently excel at.

No.

Hey Silverforce11, remember how in the other thread I said the "mythical" HD7850 keeps getting hyped up to the most ludicrous levels? Here is the myth being spread again and again and again....

GTX680/HD7970 GE are >70% faster than HD7850 at 1080P. HD7850 cannot match a top card such as a 680 in performance (unless we cherry pick Dirt Showdown or something). It also can't even really match a GTX580 since the 580 itself has 20% overclocking headroom that ironically keeps getting ignored.....So it's non-sense. HD7850 is good for $200-250 over the GTX570 because the 570 only has 1.28GB of VRAM but it is no 8800GT reincarnate. Wow, honestly the 7850 is the most overhyped card this generation it seems.

It's also convenient how people omit the fact that HD7850 tanks in older games compared to the 580 and modern cards:

http://www.computerbase.de/artikel/grafikkarten/2012/test-amd-radeon-hd-7970-ghz-edition/29/

The hype behind 7850 has gotten out of control. Really, $175 GTX480 Overclocked to 580's speeds is about as fast as the 7850 can do. It's not the magical mythical 7000 series card. :whiste: HD7850 performs like a mid-range card and it's priced like one.
 
Last edited:

RaistlinZ

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2001
7,629
10
91
Newegg has them for $199.99 w/ free shipping. If you can sell your 5850 for about $100.00 it's not a bad upgrade. Just be ready for the heat and heavy power draw.

Everyone says wait for the 660. Well the 660 will likely come out at $299.99-329.99, IF you can even find it in stock once it's released.
 
Last edited:
Feb 19, 2009
10,457
10
76
It is "mythical" when its peak load is 1/3 that of an OC 480 or 580 while matching its performance.

7850 @ ~1.1ghz is enough to match a 580 generally. I never discount the fact that 480/580can be OC further as well, however the typical air cool results is 10-15% tops. Look at my post above quoting the typo of Ark.

power_peak.gif


What's amazing is NOT just the OC headroom on it, its the crazy low power use. Even OC it draws 20-30W extra. An OC 480/580 is like the 7970 OC, massive extra power use.

ps. If you look into the huge 7850 beast OC thread, you will see ppl do not claim such nonsense as matching top tier performance (no way 680/7970). Only that it matches 580 perf for cheap ($/w). This was the reason i bought the 7850 and it really did exceed my expectations. The cheap custom 7950 is also the reason why I bought a PCS+ 7950, and I hope i don't receive a dud that can't OC... but thats part of the fun with overclocking, its not a garanteed gain. But even if its a shit card, i'm expecting 1.1ghz from it, at those speeds its essentially a 7970 GE for much less power use.
 
Last edited:

Smoblikat

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2011
5,184
107
106
Newegg has them for $199.99 w/ free shipping. If you can sell your 5850 for about $100.00 it's not a bad upgrade. Just be ready for the heat and heavy power draw.

Everyone says wait for the 660. Well the 660 will likely come out at $299.99-329.99, IF you can even find it in stock once it's released.

The 480 uses 50 more watts than a 680.........its not some power hungry beast that sucks up entire 1kw PSU's, 680 = 200w, 580 = 250w, 480 = 250w.