why is there not a lot of recommendation for the 5850?

[HumblePie]

I currently have a 4870x2 in my main rig and a 4850 in my second system. I have no reason to upgrade yet for the current prices. I am basically waiting for the 5870x2, aka the 5970, and may upgrade the 4850 to a 5870. Maybe just push the 4870x2 down to the second system instead of making two purchases.

Either way, I'm in no rush to upgrade from my current setup. Not until that 5970 comes out.

 

[cbn]

That's why I'm holding on to my 4850 until there's a card that does what it did - offer the performance of the top of the line card from the previous generation but with modern features, and for a price of $199 or less. That will either be a price-dropped 5850, or a "5830" that doesn't cut out so many features from the high-end cards.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5850.html

While the 4850 matched the performance of the 9800 GTX, the 5850 soundly beats the 285 GTX.

On top of that the 5850 definitley overclocks better (just take a look at that xbit labs review to see what I am talking about)

 

[cbn]

I didn't go that far because similar price/performance (if not superior) can still be found with good deals on 4870s and GTX260s and what not, especially if one's budget strictly forbids anything above $200...

If only idle power consumption was better on 4870/4890.

 

[gizbug]

Way overpriced IMO.