ATI 5870 Feedback please

[Infamous[fdn]]

I am in the market for a new video card and I'm strongly considering the ATI Sapphire 5870, however theres a large range of feedback regarding its crashing issue. With BF2 being a much older engine I am wondering how stable it is with PR. If your running an ATI 5 series card or have some knowledge about them can you post and give me some feedback as to how it performs and how stable it is with PR?

[Jaymz]

I'm running 0.9 on a brand new HIS 5870 and it runs perfectly with no issues. Coupled with the rest of my rig, it also tears apart Crysis, Dirt2 and the BFBC2 Beta with everything maxed out @ 1920x1080.

I highly recommend it. Just make sure you go with the HIS one or the Sapphire Vapor-X one since the other variants are meant to be a bit loud. Also, most importantly, make sure you have plenty of room. It's the size of a small keyboard....

Pic : http://www.techmaniak.com/wp-content/up ... 70x2-4.jpg

[Infamous[fdn]]

Thank you much for the reply and it's exactly what I wanted to hear

[Jaymz]

No problem.

Another groovy thing is that, towards the end of the year, the option will be there to go crossfire for what I assume is going to be a reasonable price. But even then....there'll probably be no need.

[Conman51]

I am also considering getting a laptop with one, noise doesn't bother me

I heard nvidia is coming out with the 3 series though, so that might be another choice for me

[Jaymz]

I am also considering getting a laptop with one, noise doesn't bother me

Apparently, the Mobility 5870 is the exact same as a desktop 5770.

source : techPowerUp! Forums - View Single Post - AMD Unveils World’s First DirectX 11 Compliant Mobile Graphics

In terms of laptop graphics, that is extremely impressive. But know this, the noise created by it won't be down to the card itself like on desktops, it'll be down to the cooling systems on the laptop you get.

[Spinkyone]

I am also considering getting a laptop with one, noise doesn't bother me

I heard nvidia is coming out with the 3 series though, so that might be another choice for me

This, I'd wait simply due to competition as the cards are still overpriced given their original RRP's and the Nvidia architecture will supposedly be superior (although more expensive) for DX11.

As for the card itself what case can you fit that in?! I think I need an extension built on mine or the front panel partly removed...

[Masaq]

Meh, I have the 5850 and to be honest, I'm disappointed.

It's a very hard-performing card, sure. 250+ frames on full highest for PR/BF2, for example.

BUT, dear god, the antialiasing is godawful. Even turned up pretty high, it's FAR jaggier than the 9800GTX I was using prior to upgrading. Even using latest drivers and clean reinstalls etc - I find it to be pretty poor. Textures look stunning, the edge of models look like steps. Only turning up to the very highest levels of AA (8x or 16x supersampling) make any difference; at which point performance takes a serious hit.

[Darkpowder]

I heard the same Masaq, interesting to hear that first-hand. Looks like ATI are letting down their best technology with their drivers once again.

[Masaq]

I almost sent it back and replaced it with a GTX285, but I figured as I was testing it on Rise of Flight (which has bad AA even on an NV chip), I figured I'd give it the benefit of the doubt and that everything would be okay on other games.

Sadly, not quite... I'm sure that drivers will improve over time, but for now they're pretty disappointing considering the quality of the hardware. I can provide a comparison shot if folks want to see, tho not sure how noticeable it'll be.

[Conman51]

Do you know if any of those problems happen with the 5870 regular or portable?

Also is there an estimate when the nvidia card that's supposed to be better to come out?

I'm hoping to get my laptop in a month or 2

[Infamous[fdn]]

I bought the 5870 Sapphire Vapor-x and have been running it for 5 days now. I have no regrets, its an excellent card and hasn't had any issues. The anti aliasing isn't anything to write home about; my 9800gtx did a better job in most games, but driver updates should eventually correct that. Aside from that its run great with PR, BFBC2 (beta), CoD6, ME2, Crysis, AVP, and others. I'm just glad to be back with ATI, I've always appreciated the extra level of detail their cards provided.

[Jaymz]

Good stuff. The Vapor-X one is what I wanted to get, but there's an insane amount of shortages on them so I got a HIS one instead.

[subazforce]

Masaq can you post screenshots of the issue your having? It would help on my research for a new system.

[Masaq]

Yeah sure, I'll post up in a day or two when I'm back at home; will try and grab some direct comparison shots between old screenies I took on my 9800GTX and the new card.

It's nothing so awful that I would really get rid of the card now, but it *is* disappointing when you consider that for the price I've paid I've received double the performance over my old chip but a reduction in image quality.

[subazforce]

thanks, i need to see it so i can make my decision on a few diff cards.

[Pesticide]

some screens would be much appreciated !! I am also currently looking to maybe upgrading my ati 4870. I just dont know if AA 8* and AF 16 are actually working, I dont notice a frame drop when i activate them.

To my horror forcing AA 8* edge in FH1 for bf1942 my framerate dropped to like 15 fps wtf ... .

What settings you guys use to play, any tweaks in the config files that can be used to make it look even more pretty then what is available in the video options of the game and ati catalyst ? I really would like to push my core i7 rig to its limit so I can enjoy PR at its fullest potential and looking as pretty as possible.

(do you use the ingame AA 8* , or force it to 8* edge in catalyst?)