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[Refreshment.01]

I'm using an air cooled launch model (Nov 09) Sapphire Radeon 5850 with no other modifications. 975MHz core (+34%)/ 1200MHz memory (+20%) @ 1.187v (+0.100v over stock). It outperforms the 6950 at stock in just about every 1080p 4xAA scenario.

Can the GPU handle that voltage increase? 0.1v over is quite high. How many months have you kept that overclock?

The 6950 doesnt have a lot of shading/texturing power over the 5850, its just clocked a little higher and there are games that got a boost from the VLIW4 compiler.

I most say i was surprised by your claims because i seem to remember the 6950 zipping a lot more wattage than the 5850, so ithough it was more powerful.

In that regard im really interested in a 7950 but i don't think my PSU could handle it, it's 550w one. And i don't think the 7870 will go as low as 120w like the rumor says since the 7770 is already at a 100w.

 

[1-D_FTW]

Can the GPU handle that voltage increase? 0.1v over is quite high. How many months have you kept that overclock?

I most say i was surprised by your claims because i seem to remember the 6950 zipping a lot more wattage than the 5850, so ithough it was more powerful.

In that regard im really interested in a 7950 but i don't think my PSU could handle it, it's 550w one. And i don't think the 7870 will go as low as 120w like the rumor says since the 7770 is already at a 100w.

Unless it's generic, 550w is a lot for non-uber cards. My GTX 460 has a TDP of 160. And I have a Q9400 @ 3.4 Ghz (that's slighlty over-volted). Most of my games use between 200 - 250 watts (although this figure would be around 50 watts higher if it wasn't an 80plus power supply). The only caveat would be if you have an AMD CPU that drinks power.

 

[Hazaro]

Can the GPU handle that voltage increase? 0.1v over is quite high. How many months have you kept that overclock?

I most say i was surprised by your claims because i seem to remember the 6950 zipping a lot more wattage than the 5850, so ithough it was more powerful.

In that regard im really interested in a 7950 but i don't think my PSU could handle it, it's 550w one. And i don't think the 7870 will go as low as 120w like the rumor says since the 7770 is already at a 100w.

0.1V above is fine.

550W can easily handle a single 7950. Now if it is a crap 550W that is another story.
I agree on 120W + 6950+ performance, but it may just be how they measured it. A 7770 in practice is like 65-75W. Under normal not 100% artificial stress it could easily be 120W

 

[StevieP]

Could be a very powerful HTPC enthusiast card if it can fit in the right form factor (7870).

The 5850 is the largest (9.5") card I can fit in my HTPC case. I have 2 of them in Crossfire and they're struggling with BF3 on Ultra if I turn AA up. I need a replacement card(s) that has a max length of 9.5". Will the 7870 be that card?

As for your point, some sites are stating the 7870 has a TDP of 120 watts. That's phenomenal performance/watt if true.

I think those rumours are incorrect.

 

[artist]

And i don't think the 7870 will go as low as 120w like the rumor says since the 7770 is already at a 100w.

Hi

 

[SapientWolf]

The 5850 is the largest (9.5") card I can fit in my HTPC case. I have 2 of them in Crossfire and they're struggling with BF3 on Ultra if I turn AA up. I need a replacement card(s) that has a max length of 9.5". Will the 7870 be that card?



I think those rumours are incorrect.

It's more of an implementation issue than a lack of GPU performance, but the MSAA in BF3 is too subtle to be worth it on an LCD monitor. You're better off with FXAA even with the blur.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-5.html

 

[Refreshment.01]

0.1V above is fine.

550W can easily handle a single 7950. Now if it is a crap 550W that is another story.
I agree on 120W + 6950+ performance, but it may just be how they measured it. A 7770 in practice is like 65-75W. Under normal not 100% artificial stress it could easily be 120W

I wish this was the case. It's a corsair 550w VX, i think is 80 certified.

Hi

5850: 130w
7950: 144w

What? Is that benchmark thrust worthy?

 

[artist]

5850: 130w
7950: 144w

What? Is that benchmark thrust worthy?

It is thrust worthy From TechPowerUp.

While I dont expect the 7870's TDP to be 120W, it wont be too far off from this value. The 7850 should easily be in that range.

 

[Hazaro]

I wish this was the case. It's a corsair 550w VX, i think is 80 certified.

5850: 130w
7950: 144w

What? Is that benchmark thrust worthy?

That should do ok. Might need some molex to PCI-E power adapters though.

My OC'd 2x 6950 and OC'd 2500K at 95% GPU load (with minor CPU load) is 398W draw from the wall, approx 340W direct draw.

 

[artist]

Just to throw out a few numbers ..

Turks XT - 40nm - 118mm2 - 800MHz core - 1GHz mem - TDP: 66W
Cape Verde XT - 28nm - 123mm2 - 1GHz core - 1.125GHz mem - TDP: 80W (almost linear increase from Turks XT, 66W @ 800Mhz = 82W @ 1GHz)

Barts XT - 40nm - 255mm2 - 900MHz core - 1.05GHz mem - TDP: 151W
Pitcairn XT - 28nm - ???mm2 - ???MHz core - ???GHz mem - TDP: ???W

Barts Pro - 40nm - 255mm2 - 775MHz core - 1GHz mem - TDP: 127W
Pitcairn Pro - 28nm - ???mm2 - ???MHz core - ???GHz mem - TDP: ???W

I expect Pitcairn's power consumption to be comparable with Barts, the only extra thing AMD need to take care of is the extra gig of VRAM.

 

[StevieP]

It's more of an implementation issue than a lack of GPU performance, but the MSAA in BF3 is too subtle to be worth it on an LCD monitor. You're better off with FXAA even with the blur.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063-5.html

FXAA makes me crazy. Seriously, I hate that stuff, I hate the blur.

And MSAA makes a pretty sizable difference. The game looks night and day for the 0x or 2x that I run it at, and the 4x or 8x that my brother runs it on his 580. (Cranking the AF on his as well).

I just want to know whethert the 7870 is a 9.5" card. It's certain the higher end cards from both manufacturers are going to be 11.5"ers

 

[artist]

I just want to know whethert the 7870 is a 9.5" card. It's certain the higher end cards from both manufacturers are going to be 11.5"ers

It'll come under 10"

 

[artist]

Clocked at 1150/1425.

 

[StevieP]

It'll come under 10"

I'm already pushing my case size with 9.5", though. Removing a hard drive cage on an HTPC is not an option

 

[Zombie James]

Clocked at 1150/1425.

What the hell kind of cooler is that? Can't be passive...

 

[Felix Lighter]

What the hell kind of cooler is that? Can't be passive...

It's for water cooling.

 

[Salacious Crumb]

What the hell kind of cooler is that? Can't be passive...

It's a water cooling block.

edit: Dam you Felix.

 

[Zombie James]

Ahh, thanks.

 

[artist]

I'm already pushing my case size with 9.5", though. Removing a hard drive cage on an HTPC is not an option

Putting a 78xx in an HTPC .. you're bonkers

 

[StevieP]

Putting a 78xx in an HTPC .. you're bonkers

It's basically my gaming PC now. I have a *full* tower case on my desktop, but my desktop isn't hooked up to my comfy couch + 120" 1080p screen lol.
Current setup has 5850's crossfired, but it's not good enough to max the high-end stuff (like BF3) out likely due to ram starvation. Just almost max out

5850s are 9.5" so they fit in my HTPC case. Barely.
Anything above that won't go.

 

[1-D_FTW]

I'm already pushing my case size with 9.5", though. Removing a hard drive cage on an HTPC is not an option

That's as large as I'll be able to go too. Any larger and I'll have to buy some more wood and redo the dimensions on my case.

It's a custom job that's small, but has incredible thermal flow. It's not as necessary as it was when I built the thing, because back then case design sucked. A lot of my principles have been incorporated as standard in the last couple years. Even so, it's built into some furniture, so it still has pluses to the design.

 

[Refreshment.01]

That should do ok. Might need some molex to PCI-E power adapters though.

My OC'd 2x 6950 and OC'd 2500K at 95% GPU load (with minor CPU load) is 398W draw from the wall, approx 340W direct draw.

Both cards at 95%? It is lower than one might expect. What PSU do you use?

It's basically my gaming PC now. I have a *full* tower case on my desktop, but my desktop isn't hooked up to my comfy couch + 120" 1080p screen lol.
Current setup has 5850's crossfired, but it's not good enough to max the high-end stuff (like BF3) out likely due to ram starvation. Just almost max out

5850s are 9.5" so they fit in my HTPC case. Barely.
Anything above that won't go.

I have great interest in making my next setup more compact. What board and case do you have and how are temps with 2 5850 inside?

That's as large as I'll be able to go too. Any larger and I'll have to buy some more wood and redo the dimensions on my case.

It's a custom job that's small, but has incredible thermal flow.

Would be great if you could share some pictures. I have to see this. Hope im not asking for too much.

 

[1-D_FTW]

Would be great if you could share some pictures. I have to see this. Hope im not asking for too much.

I've posted pictures once before.

I don't have any on my computer right now. And unless I pull the guts out, you can't really see anything (or the different compartments it has). It's a PITA to get inside it. I'll take pictures next time I'm inside in case it ever comes up again.

 

[Refreshment.01]

I've posted pictures once before.

I don't have any on my computer right now. And unless I pull the guts out, you can't really see anything (or the different compartments it has). It's a PITA to get inside it. I'll take pictures next time I'm inside in case it ever comes up again.

Understandable.

Did you made the design or did you actually made the handy work?

 

[1-D_FTW]

Understandable.

Did you made the design or did you actually made the handy work?

Designed it and made it. Was just sick of cases that were loud (thick wood and accoustic foam does wonders) and had mind blowingly dumb air flow.

 

[artist]

It's basically my gaming PC now. I have a *full* tower case on my desktop, but my desktop isn't hooked up to my comfy couch + 120" 1080p screen lol.
Current setup has 5850's crossfired, but it's not good enough to max the high-end stuff (like BF3) out likely due to ram starvation. Just almost max out

5850s are 9.5" so they fit in my HTPC case. Barely.
Anything above that won't go.

5850s? Crossfired?

*walks off*

Spoiler

I have a dinky 7600GT in mine :trollface

 

[luca_29_bg]

Clocked at 1150/1425.

i don't understand, in the specifications it's clocked at 1050...

http://www.powercolor.com/it/products_features.asp?id=394#Specification

what's the truth ?

 

[artist]

i don't understand, in the specifications it's clocked at 1050...

http://www.powercolor.com/it/products_features.asp?id=394#Specification

what's the truth ?

Press release states 1150 but spec list is 1050 as you pointed out: http://www.powercolor.com/Global/News.asp?id=1140

I guess we'll found out when some one buys one. *grin*

 

[luca_29_bg]

Press release states 1150 but spec list is 1050 as you pointed out: http://www.powercolor.com/Global/News.asp?id=1140

I guess we'll found out when some one buys one. *grin*

i really hope that toxic sapphire will be clocked at 1125 on air...

 

[gatti-man]

So I dont know if this has been talked about or not but Amazon.com has the Asus DireCU2 7970 for 579.99 out of stock but you can order 1. At that price I ordered one and will sell my 2 480GTX's. Im sure after I OC it the card will more than match my current performance.

 

[specialguy]

Press release states 1150 but spec list is 1050 as you pointed out: http://www.powercolor.com/Global/News.asp?id=1140

I guess we'll found out when some one buys one. *grin*

Well even if it's 1050 thats the highest factory overclock I know of yet, so it's progress. Water cooled though.

So far I have a feeling these alleged uber high factory overclocked cards we've heard about at 1100 and above are a pipe dream.

Really eager to see the 7800's, of which I might actually buy one. March 6 is the date...

 

[Hazaro]

Both cards at 95%? It is lower than one might expect. What PSU do you use?

Seasonic X750

 

[theignoramus]

I think it's kind of funny, after all of the rumors, ultimately the rumors I based my buying decision on, looks to be coming true. The main reason I decided to splurge on the 7970 when I did was because I was under the impression that Nvidia's high end cards wouldn't be released until Q3 or Q4 of this year.

yeah, I'm leaning towards this too, unless it's debunked next month.

 

[Jezbollah]

I have taken the plunge. Purchased a XFX Double Dissipation Edition Radeon HD 7970 to replace my trusty XFX GeForce 8800GTX. It served me well.

Cant wait to get it put in and play BF3 and SC2 on my 30" Dell monitor. If it fits that is...

 

[subversus]

I'm ashamed but I ordered the card. 7950 will arrive tommorow. AMD sucked in DX11 games (mostly) and this card has rectified that. Well, looking forward to playing Crysis 2 mods maxed out.

 

[Jezbollah]

Received and have installed my 7970 ( http://pic.twitter.com/qdZxDGhA )

Really looking forward to testing it now. Just did a Windows Performance assessment and my Graphics and Gaming Graphics went from a 6.1 to a 7.9

Battlefield 3 - here we go!

 

[subversus]

Wow, I have to say that 7950 kicks ass. Crysis 2 which was unplayable on 6950 runs at 60 fps. BF3 runs at 60 fps. Fuck Nvidia, I'm staying with AMD this time. We'll see what they bring to the table next year.

 

[K.Jack]

Crysis 2 which was unplayable on 6950 runs at 60 fps. BF3 runs at 60 fps.

How is that possible?

 

[Yoritomo]

Putting a 78xx in an HTPC .. you're bonkers

My next htpc will have a 580 in it. (HTPCs in our home get the old gaming parts from my gaming pc)

 

[SapientWolf]

How is that possible?

The DX11 patch was not kind to AMD, even with Crossfire.

 

[artist]

My next htpc will have a 580 in it. (HTPCs in our home get the old gaming parts from my gaming pc)

By HTPC, I mean one. Not one of those full towers that people use in their living rooms.

The DX11 patch was not kind to AMD, even with Crossfire.

Yup, The Way Its Meant To Be Played.

Spoiler

Sponsored by Nvidia

 

[Rufus]

Yup, The Way Its Meant To Be Played.

Spoiler

Sponsored by Nvidia

or: why NOT render an entire tesselated, invisible ocean even when the current level is nowhere near water?

 

[subversus]

or: why NOT render an entire tesselated, invisible ocean even when the current level is nowhere near water?

yeah, that's stupid. You can easily remove water in CE3 editor. it's a one click action.

but may be they feared it would introduce new bugs (I doubt that though). Also I'm not sure if it is rendered if you don't see this.

 

[Metal-Geo]

yeah, that's stupid. You can easily remove water in CE3 editor. it's a one click action.

but may be they feared it would introduce new bugs (I doubt that though). Also I'm not sure if it is rendered if you don't see this.

If you enable wireframe in Crysis 2 you can clearly see the water is still there.
I'm sure it's one of the reasons why DX11 runs pretty horrible on my crossfire setup.

Also, I got the worst of the worst framerates in the sewers. A place where you would expect the least amount of details to be rendered.

 

[LabouredSubterfuge]

If you enable wireframe in Crysis 2 you can clearly see the water is still there.
I'm sure it's one of the reasons why DX11 runs pretty horrible on my crossfire setup.

Also, I got the worst of the worst framerates in the sewers. A place where you would expect the least amount of details to be rendered.

I'm pretty sure someone in the PC Screenshot thread cleared this up and posted a post from a Crytek dev who explained that the water wasn't being rendered.

 

[DieH@rd]

The world's greatest virtual concrete slab.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21404/2

AKA, total waste of performance and deliberate action to destroy framerate on Radeons.

 

[hteng]

The world's greatest virtual concrete slab.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21404/2

AKA, total waste of performance and deliberate action to destroy framerate on Radeons.

hahaha wow, that's so evil of nvidia if true.

 

[subversus]

I'm pretty sure someone in the PC Screenshot thread cleared this up and posted a post from a Crytek dev who explained that the water wasn't being rendered.

it's not rendered AFAIK. I have been watching Crytek tutorials and I got to advanced water part yesterday. As far as I remember he said it's not rendered if you don't look at it or something like that.

 

[Rufus]

Even if the ocean isn't rendered, you still have stuff like this:
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21404/2

edit: gah, DieH@ard beat me to it.

 

[Xanadu]

The world's greatest virtual concrete slab.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21404/2

AKA, total waste of performance and deliberate action to destroy framerate on Radeons.

oh my god