Categories




Review Contents:

Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review

by Michael "SKYMTL" Hoenig     |     January 19, 2010




Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review







Welcome to a brave new world. A world in which ATI’s DX11 cards have finally started showing up at retailers in sufficient quantities to satisfy backorders while those annoying “In Stock Soon” tags have finally been replaced by “In Stock” monikers. This means that you can actually buy a HD 5850 or HD 5870 right now and expect near-immediate reception without having to wait for weeks or even months for one to ship. Is every last product from all of the board partners in stock? Not yet. The simple fact is that ATI still has some production issues but they are being gradually ironed out. All in all, Team Red now still has sole ownership of the DX11 marketplace and they are finally in a position to sit back and watch their products sell at breakneck speed.

The HD 5700-series on the other hand doesn’t seem to have had any of the shortages seen with the HD 5800-series but according to our retailer contacts this is due to two factors: one being that these lower-end cards are readily available from their distributors. The other reason for nearly uninterrupted stock of the HD 5750 and HD 5770 is the fact that they are simply not as popular as their higher-end brethren with two of our contacts actually stating the HD 5850 was selling more units than the two lower end cards combined. This is definitely a head-scratcher considering the amazing value the HD 5700 series represents but it does shine a positive light on people’s expectations and confidence in the PC as a viable gaming platform.

Sales figures aside, we have been putting this review off for some time due to the fact that one of the cards –the Sapphire HD 5850- was next to impossible to find and the few stores that had it available were simply fleecing customers with ultra high pricing. Now that we can actually go out and buy this card, the decision was made to put this review live and add in a Sapphire HD 5770 for good measure. While both of these cards obviously come from different ends of the price spectrum, they offer up some great performance for your hard earned dollars.

The most interesting aspect of this review will be the fact that over $100 separates one from the other which is quite significant in terms of graphics card pricing. With ATI planning on releasing a card which bridges the gap between the current HD 5800 series and HD 5700 series in a few weeks, this things could get even more interesting. We should also put all our cards on the table and state that we are in the process of switching to a new and updated testing suite so we will be using the 9.11 drivers for this review.

It should go without saying that $100 is a significant amount of money. Does this monetary difference equate a massive gap in performance between the HD 5850 and HD 5770? Let’s find out.

 
Digg this Post!Share on Twitter
 
 

Latest Reviews in Video Cards
September 2, 2010
It is rare for more than two graphics chips to be launched at the same time.  However, NVIDIA is bucking this trend by introducing SEVEN new GPUs into the market with immediate availability.  They ran...
August 29, 2010
Multi monitor gaming setups are expensive but through the need for an active DisplayPort connector on at least one monitor, ATI's Eyefinity was additionally limiting for potential customers.  Prior to...
August 23, 2010
Mafia II is the latest blockbuster from 2K Games which has incorporated a number of features which bring a more interactive experience to gamers.  In this article, we see if these "Graphics Plus" tech...
LinkBacks (?)
LinkBack to this Thread: http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum/hardware-canucks-reviews/27980-sapphire-hd-5850-1gb-sapphire-hd-5770-1gb-review.html
Posted By Date
Review of Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 PCIe, Review Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1GB GDDR5 PCIe - PCI-Express - Page 2 of 3 July 7, 2010 06:59 AM
Updated $1000 build-Any changes for my advantage? - Tech Support Forum June 18, 2010 01:08 PM
Sistemi toplad?m son kez bakarm?s?n?z? | PC Labs Bilgi A?? June 14, 2010 10:13 AM
Najisplatljivija grafi?ka kartica do 1500 kuna (Grafi?ke kartice) @ Bug Online Forum June 7, 2010 04:40 AM
some questions about the HD5770 vs. HD 5850. - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net June 2, 2010 04:16 PM
ati or nvidia>>gts 260 or 5770 or anything else... May 25, 2010 01:14 PM
Graphics Cards | techETA - Part 4 May 22, 2010 06:55 PM
SAPPHIRE HD5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIE (Game Edition) May 18, 2010 12:29 PM
Review of Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIe 21162-00-50R, Review Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIe 21162-00-50R - PCI-Express - Page 2 of 3 May 17, 2010 10:58 AM
[Problème] Magasin qui vend une HD5770 May 11, 2010 06:09 PM
P:Sapphire HD5850,garancija,full retail,box - PC Ekspert Forum April 30, 2010 10:48 AM
Best ATI Card for this situation - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net April 29, 2010 06:04 PM
[BBG aanschaf] Game- en high-end Gamesysteem maart 2010 - Complete Systemen & Laptops - GoT April 25, 2010 05:33 PM
Upgrade or Sidegrade? (VERY limited budget question) - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net April 18, 2010 09:49 PM
Data.BG ?????? > ????????: "????? ?????????? ?? ?????" Vol.3 April 13, 2010 10:52 AM
Advise needed in Graphic card April 3, 2010 04:16 AM
PANTIP.COM :HARDWARE [HM2897388] HD 5770 HD5850 ÃÙ»ÃèÒ§µèÒ§¡Ñ¹ÁÒ¡äËÁ¤ÃѺ March 26, 2010 01:53 AM
Kupovina graficke - Stranica 60 - PC Ekspert Forum March 17, 2010 01:13 PM
ATi 5770 vs 4890 - PC Ekspert Forum March 17, 2010 11:55 AM
Review of Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1GB PCIe, Review Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1GB PCIe - PCI-Express - Page 2 of 2 March 9, 2010 12:43 AM
PC Perspective - Powercolor offers a deal you can refuse on an overclocked 5770 March 8, 2010 12:27 PM
Kupovina graficke - Stranica 58 - PC Ekspert Forum March 3, 2010 08:17 AM
ATI Radeon HD 5770/5750 - Stranica 7 - PC Ekspert Forum March 3, 2010 07:14 AM
Grafikkarten durchsuchen | 3DCenter.org February 26, 2010 06:26 AM
SAPPHIRE- Graphic Card- SAPPHIRE HD5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIE (Game Edition) February 25, 2010 01:36 PM
Sapphire HD 5770 and 5850 provide gaming thrills February 17, 2010 03:10 PM
????????: "????? ?????????? ?? ?????" Vol.3 - Data.BG ?????? February 14, 2010 04:53 AM
SAPPHIRE RADEON HD 5850 1 | Graphics Cards compare prices - Prices4all.co.uk February 12, 2010 01:15 PM
Annuaire des tests de cartes graphiques   HD 5850 February 12, 2010 10:42 AM
ATI Radeon HD 4890 - Stranica 23 - PC Ekspert Forum February 11, 2010 11:23 PM
SAPPHIRE- PRODUCT- SAPPHIRE HD5850 1GB GDDR5 PCIE (Game Edition) February 11, 2010 07:00 PM
Untitled document February 8, 2010 12:21 PM
Annuaire des tests de cartes graphiques   February 6, 2010 09:31 PM
Hardware Canucks : Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & HD 5770 1GB - Centrale[3D] February 3, 2010 12:13 PM
JonnyGURU - February 2, 2010 11:21 PM
Grafikkarten durchsuchen | 3DCenter.org February 1, 2010 01:19 PM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB January 29, 2010 10:25 PM
NCIX.com - Canada's Premier Computer Store - Great Technology, Service and Selection. January 29, 2010 04:48 PM
NCIX.com - Buy Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 725MHZ 1GB 4.0GHZ GDDR5 PCI-E 2XDVI HDMI Display Port DirectX 11 Video Card - 21162-00-50R In Canada. January 29, 2010 10:09 AM
News aggregator | TechConnect Network January 29, 2010 05:19 AM
The breadbox - The Tech Report January 29, 2010 03:29 AM
ATI Radeon HD 5770/5750 - Stranica 5 - PC Ekspert Forum January 28, 2010 11:31 PM
techETA Graphics Cards January 27, 2010 02:43 AM
PCSTATS.com - PC Hardware Reviews and Guides - Get The 'Stats and Stay Informed! January 26, 2010 04:58 AM
Techgage - Home January 25, 2010 11:52 PM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB - PCSTATS.com January 25, 2010 06:57 PM
techETA January 24, 2010 09:32 PM
News Archives - Blue's News January 23, 2010 04:48 PM
ãÍÊÇÑ ÌÏÇ Ýì ÇÎÊíÇÑ ÇáßÇÑÊ æãÍÊÇÌ ãÓÇÚÏå ÚÇÌáå æ ÖÑæÑíå - ãæÞÚ ÇáÏí Ýí Ïí ÇáÚÑÈí - DVD4ARAB.MAKTOOB.COM January 23, 2010 01:23 PM
Elite Bastards - Thursday news round up January 23, 2010 09:47 AM
Centrale[3D] - Toute la 3D January 22, 2010 11:07 PM
NT Compatible News - January 15, 2010 January 22, 2010 06:54 PM
Hardware Roundup - HotHardware January 22, 2010 04:06 PM
JonnyGURU.com - Enermax Modu87+ 700W Review January 22, 2010 10:47 AM
News Archives | [H]ard|OCP January 22, 2010 09:49 AM
Hardware Reviews - Blue's News Story January 22, 2010 01:23 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review January 21, 2010 10:18 PM
News des 21. Januar 2010 | 3DCenter.org January 21, 2010 07:09 PM
SAPPHIRE- View Reviews January 21, 2010 06:55 PM
PC Perspective - News January 21, 2010 05:11 PM
3DCenter.org | 3D-Grafikkarten-Benchmarking, Downloads, News & Reviews January 21, 2010 01:33 PM
Elite Bastards - News January 21, 2010 12:01 PM
PC Perspective - The #1 Choice for PC Hardware Reviews and Information January 21, 2010 11:26 AM
News, News and More News For You! January 21, 2010 10:01 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review @ Hardware Canucks - TestFreaks Forum - Geeky discussions about Consumer Electronics January 21, 2010 09:17 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review January 21, 2010 09:10 AM
[H]ard|OCP - HardOCP Computer Hardware Reviews and News January 21, 2010 02:54 AM
Kupovina graficke - Stranica 52 - PC Ekspert Forum January 21, 2010 12:13 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review @ Hardware Canucks January 20, 2010 08:20 PM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review January 20, 2010 07:35 PM
Sapphire fan club - Page 9 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net January 20, 2010 05:25 PM
[H]ard|OCP - [H]ardware Round-Up II January 20, 2010 03:35 PM
[ABT]Fermi GF-100 NDA Ends Tomorrow at 9 PM – Sunday, 1/17/2010 - Page 41 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net January 20, 2010 03:07 PM
[H]ard|OCP - HardOCP Computer Hardware Reviews and News January 20, 2010 02:55 PM
News around the web: 10 Alternatives to the iTunes Store - TechSpot News January 20, 2010 02:44 PM
DailyTech - 1/20/2010 Daily Hardware Reviews January 20, 2010 01:47 PM
SAPPHIRE- HOME January 20, 2010 12:39 PM
techPowerUp! :: Review Database January 20, 2010 12:32 PM
TechConnect Magazine - Techconnect Review Round-up 20/1/10 January 20, 2010 11:15 AM
techPowerUp! - The latest in hardware and gaming January 20, 2010 10:27 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review January 20, 2010 10:24 AM
Daily Reviews Summary 01/20/10 January 20, 2010 10:19 AM
OCTools - Reinventing the Tools of OC January 20, 2010 09:44 AM
XSReviews.co.uk - Trusted Hardware Reviews - News | Review - Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB January 20, 2010 07:56 AM
{TLR} The Lone Rangers Clan Forum • View topic - My Possbile New PC January 20, 2010 07:42 AM
Blue's News - All the carnage that's fit to post! January 20, 2010 07:30 AM
[TweakNews] Computer Hardware and Consumer Electronics news and comprehensive reviews. January 20, 2010 07:27 AM
MADSHRIMPS - Hardware Reviews ,Crazy Projects, Modding Tutorials and Overclocking January 20, 2010 04:45 AM
[ABT]Fermi GF-100 NDA Ends Tomorrow at 9 PM – Sunday, 1/17/2010 - Page 39 - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net January 20, 2010 03:44 AM
NT Compatible - Daily Windows News and Information January 20, 2010 03:03 AM
Futuremark - News - Newsarticle January 20, 2010 02:43 AM
Top news stories - The Tech Report January 20, 2010 02:40 AM
Sapphire HD 5850 1GB & Sapphire HD 5770 1GB Review January 20, 2010 02:32 AM
Sapphire Radeon HD 5770 1GB & HD 5850 1GB Review - Futuremark / YouGamers Forums January 20, 2010 01:54 AM
National Cheese Lover's Day Shortbread - The Tech Report January 19, 2010 11:52 PM
Hardware Round-Up (20/01/10) January 19, 2010 11:29 PM
News at Overclockers Online January 19, 2010 10:55 PM
Wednesday Morning Roundup :: TweakTown January 19, 2010 10:14 PM
Overclockers Online January 19, 2010 06:58 PM