470 or 5850?

[feerof]

Originally Posted by Full Speed

I almost got a 470 instead of the 5850 I have now. 3D was the main reason I wanted to go for it. If you want to go 3D I'd go all the way, with the shutter glasses and everything. I went for the 5850 because of the cost of a 3D monitor, a 470, and that 3D kit. I feel a little regret, but if I did spend all of that money I'd probably regret that a lot more. If you don't mind spending the money on it, I'd go for it. Also, 3D doesn't give me headaches or anything, but I know a lot of people who do get them.

This was probably the biggest turning point of considering getting a 470 or not. I'm definitely not going to get it since it is agreeable that 3d gaming is going to be expensive.

Originally Posted by ilya

If you're really just getting a card to game with, I'd say go for the 5850, if Folding is important and you can afford ~5-15 bucks a month on your power bill+potential aftermarket cooling costs, (depends on your pricing/usage) get the 470.

Thank you, i needed something that translated to how much it would cost per month if i were to fold constantly.

I will shifting my eyes towards the 5850 and completely forget about the 470 =P... now I need to know which manufacturer I should go for... (i want/PREFER to go for a reference design and no red or green pcb)

so far I have picked out the following:

ASUS DirectCU HD5850 - i REALLY like this one for some reason (mainly aesthetics)

XFX HD5850 XXX -

Sapphire HD5850 -

Diamond HD5850 -

Gigabyte HD 5850 - i don't mind this one

Powercolor HD 5850 -

Thanks

[Teaplant]

Uh you don't really know that much about this stuff do you...

All reference ATI 5850s (the ones with the batman shroud with a single fan and running at 725/1000) are all identical besides warranty and a few freebies like Dirt 2 or stickers. Half of the cards you've listed (like the Gigabyte and Asus) are not reference cards.

It doesn't matter which brand you get when it comes to reference designs - the only thing that honestly matters is how much warranty do you want and do you want Dirt 2.

[Lpfan4ever]

Go with the XFX. It's reference design, but it's overclocked, and about the same price as everything else. Double lifetime warranty is a plus too. Upon double checking though, the XFX is out of stock. If you feel like you could wait a bit, I'd say go for that.

[feerof]

Originally Posted by Teaplant

Uh you don't really know that much about this stuff do you...

oppsies, what a good slip up =P, i should say i prefer reference designs, but yes i didn't really do my research

And nevermind, i think i've figured out which one I would want to buy, thanks guys

[magictorch]

I'd definitely go with the reference design too.

Ive heard that they tend to OC a bit better than many of the cheaper non-reference 5850's. Anyway the 5850 is good value for sure and pretty powerful. Great to be able to get strong gaming cards for these prices.

I remember how much the performance cards were about 3-5 years ago-pretty scary

Originally Posted by lpfan4ever

Go with the XFX. It's reference design, but it's overclocked, and about the same price as everything else. Double lifetime warranty is a plus too. Upon double checking though, the XFX is out of stock. If you feel like you could wait a bit, I'd say go for that.

[headsh0t]

It's gonna be hard to find a reference card at retail. I'm only seeing mostly non-reference 5850's now. The reason why they tend to OC higher magictorch is because you are able to overvolt the card using the Volterra chips. I think the only reference design one that was linked was the XFX one and possibly that Diamond one. I doubt if they're going to bring more stock in for that XFX one, maybe though. I would just try and find the cheapest non-reference card. You can still OC it you just can't overvolt...

Here's a really good price on a brand new 5850: Xfx Radeon Hd 5850 1gb Ddr5 | HD-583X-ZAFV | Canada's best price

Not sure if you can get NCIX to pricematch, but hopefully! If you live in Mississauga you could pick it up lol. If not here's the cheapest price I found from a major e-tailer: Newegg.ca - XFX HD-585X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

[belgolas]

Either card is a good choice. As far as physx Mafia 2 looks pretty sweet. As far as 3D yes it is expensive to get a decent monitor and glasses but it is worth it in my opinion if you have the dough.

Either card will be a good choice.

[lKashl]

Easy decision, 5850 all the way :) Here are the reasons:
3D- Nvidia go on and on about this, stereoscopic glasses cost a bomb and they cause headaches and eye fatigue and then you need a compatible monitor which is just as overpriced as a GTX470. If you really want 3D Zalman are releasing a new 3D solution with monitors that, according to reviewers, are alot better since the depth is actually outside the monitor and it uses relatively inexpensive glasses.
PhysX- Has hardly any compatible games and really isn't worth the price premium, unless one of the few compatible games happens to be your favourite
Eyefinity- Way better than 3D
Power consumption and heat- The 5850 uses less power and runs alot cooler than a GTX470
Price: The 5850 is cheaper
Overclocking: An overclocked 5850 will EASILY outperform a stock GTX470 and even kills of a 5870 (if you're willing to go extreme). Heres a link "Hidden Threat": ATI Radeon HD 5850 Graphics Card Review - X-bit labs

Have fun deciding!

EDIT: Btw, I have a Powercolour 5850 based on ATI's reference model, i can confirm its a decent card, good overclocking headroom with decent temps and great stability

[feerof]

Originally Posted by lKashl

Easy decision, 5850 all the way :) Here are the reasons:
3D- Nvidia go on and on about this, stereoscopic glasses cost a bomb and they cause headaches and eye fatigue and then you need a compatible monitor which is just as overpriced as a GTX470. If you really want 3D Zalman are releasing a new 3D solution with monitors that, according to reviewers, are alot better since the depth is actually outside the monitor and it uses relatively inexpensive glasses.
PhysX- Has hardly any compatible games and really isn't worth the price premium, unless one of the few compatible games happens to be your favourite
Eyefinity- Way better than 3D
Power consumption and heat- The 5850 uses less power and runs alot cooler than a GTX470
Price: The 5850 is cheaper
Overclocking: An overclocked 5850 will EASILY outperform a stock GTX470 and even kills of a 5870 (if you're willing to go extreme). Heres a link "Hidden Threat": ATI Radeon HD 5850 Graphics Card Review - X-bit labs

Have fun deciding!

EDIT: Btw, I have a Powercolour 5850 based on ATI's reference model, i can confirm its a decent card, good overclocking headroom with decent temps and great stability

sweettt.... i think i'll go for the powercooler one for sure now =P

[Digikid]

XFX are the better ones IMHO with a MUCH superior warranty and product. Go with XFX.

But yes....5850 for sure!!!!!