Sapphire Radeon HD 5870 and HD 5850 Smile for the Camera

[newtekie1]

I'm getting it, but what I'm saying is your looking far too much into this, it doesn't matter either way. So why bring it up in every single post when the cards will be released and be awesome.

Also the 4850 is a cut down 4870, it's running GDDR3 instead, but the GPU isn't clocked as high and it has a weaker power setup on it, which would make me think that 4870's would be a higher binned chip, and if a chip didn't pass it moved down to a 4850, and if the chip didn't pass there it moved down to a 4830. That or if a chip failed as a 4870, but didn't fail on clocks, and failed on SPU's then it skipped 4850 and went right to the 4830.

And mentioning that, look how well 4830's OC for the most part, I don't even know if they are really binned down since their was good demand for them. So who's to say the 5850 is really a binned down product? It might be off the bat, but if it sells well I'm betting 5870 GPU's that are higher binned will get cut down and used.

Either way, your looking way to much into this, defective products or not ATI is obviously going to make profit on this and is happy with the turnover rate enough to bring it to the market now, so who cares.

No no no, your still missing the point. I know the HD4850 is weaker than the HD4870. I'm strickly talking about the core. Traditionally, ATi has used the same core configuration, but a weaker memory setup on their second from the top card. They have changed that and are now using a weaker core, with the same memory configuration.

HD 4890 comes with 120+ GB/s memory bandwidth, should something faster than that also have higher bandwidth?

Not necessarily. The HD2900XT comes with 100+ GB/s memory bandwidth, should something faster than that also have higher bandwidth...

Yet the next two generations after that had cards with less memory bandwidth, that were easily faster. Memory bandwidth doesn't need to increase with new cards. The HD5800 series might really benefit from it, or maybe ATi even removed the GDDR3 memory controller from the core, forcing GDDR5 use. If that was the case then cutting down the core was necesary. But we don't know, and that is why I'm asking.

 

[tkpenalty]

http://www.fudzilla.com/content/view/15535/65/ lol

 

[phanbuey]

I'm just trying to figure out why ATi is changing their strategy all of a sudden. I wouldn't be surprised if they are still having issues with 40nm, and that is part of the decision.

Yeah I definitely see that... it's either harvesting or that they didn't want the 5850 to cannibalize the 5870 - since both have GDDR5.

 

[Flyordie]

I shall be waiting for another company to release theirs... Can't go with Sapphire... After what their customer service did to that lady.. the sub-par build quality... but mainly just customer support is really bad with AthlonMicro...

 

[wahdangun]

...

Yet the next two generations after that had cards with less memory bandwidth, that were easily faster. Memory bandwidth doesn't need to increase with new cards. The HD5800 series might really benefit from it, or maybe ATi even removed the GDDR3 memory controller from the core, forcing GDDR5 use. If that was the case then cutting down the core was necesary. But we don't know, and that is why I'm asking.

there you go, you got the answer already. ati will use GDDR5 to all card, even for low end card (maybe to cut down complex PCB and thus cost saving)

and we don't have new type of ram, so they can't use old strategy. and they was forced to used cut down version instead. and i believe if they have developed GDDDR6 then they will use it for HD 5870 and use GDDR5 for HD 5850.

 

[phanbuey]

I shall be waiting for another company to release theirs... Can't go with Sapphire... After what their customer service did to that lady.. the sub-par build quality... but mainly just customer support is really bad with AthlonMicro...

you make it sound like they took her out back and ...

 

[1Kurgan1]

He didn't say it would have problems selling. From what I read hes been pretty positive about it by newtekie1 standards. He was just stating his curiosity about the manufacturing strategy and how it will effect all of us down the road. Not that ATI is doing anything wrong, cheap, or other wise bad. Just WHY the sudden change. Ever heard the term if its too good to be true then it probably is?

Also I think he's been repeating himself as a defense mechanism. Some people on this forum love to attack before they try and understand what someone is saying. Hence his repetitiveness. Also keep in mind we all are not the best at getting our point across and lets face it, most of us are social misfits.

Anyway I'm done defending newtekie1. If yall don't get it now then you need to ride the short bus to school.

I am sure there are issues, both companys went with rebranding on last gen, and I would assume the smaller the manufacturing costs the more we will see of it, most likely it's here to stay. Thats all I'm saying, I just don't see if affecting anyone down the line, unless they get a stock pile of cards that don't sell, which rebranding or not, that would hurt a company.

I understand what he's saying, I just don't think it's a huge issue.

No no no, your still missing the point. I know the HD4850 is weaker than the HD4870. I'm strickly talking about the core. Traditionally, ATi has used the same core configuration, but a weaker memory setup on their second from the top card. They have changed that and are now using a weaker core, with the same memory configuration.

The core on the 4850 is weaker, despite being full featured it's a binned down product. I think they went this route though to move away from DDR3, it would most likely be cheaper for their company to use 1 type of memory, where as the 4000 series was their bridge to doing so. Even 4850's started popping up with GDDR5. I'm not missing any points here I know what your saying things are changing, but thats the way the world works, especially in manufacturing processes where advancement is very fast.

I shall be waiting for another company to release theirs... Can't go with Sapphire... After what their customer service did to that lady.. the sub-par build quality... but mainly just customer support is really bad with AthlonMicro...

Did to what lady?

 

[A Cheese Danish]

Your talking about a videocard here right?

If not his dog better watch out!

Yes, I know I'm talking about a video card

 

[Steevo]

Where is my 2GB edition!!!!

 

[trt740]

any confirmation on prices?

 

[Roph]

It's the girlfriend's birthday on sept 23rd, and she sometimes plays on my computer, perhaps I could order a 5850 "for her"

And with AMD's recent track record, would it be surprising to find out that the extra shaders on the 5850 are unlockable?

 

[Vincy Boy]

It's the girlfriend's birthday on sept 23rd, and she sometimes plays on my computer, perhaps I could order a 5850 "for her"

And with AMD's recent track record, would it be surprising to find out that the extra shaders on the 5850 are unlockable?

Man after my own heart there.

 

[Velvet Wafer]

It's the girlfriend's birthday on sept 23rd, and she sometimes plays on my computer, perhaps I could order a 5850 "for her"

And with AMD's recent track record, would it be surprising to find out that the extra shaders on the 5850 are unlockable?

do you really think she will grant that? mine wouldnt

 

[p_o_s_pc]

lol the 5850 sticker looks better than the 5870 sticker, what the hell sapphire

Cool go faster line + a go faster sticker. As long as the card does well i'm happy .

ewwww


take the sticker off.

it looks so much better plain

Don't like the look of the 870.

The 850 looks much nicer, better CGI lass and more black, win!

What the hell guys. How many people stare at there card when its in the case? its not like you really even see the sticker anyways.

 

[Initialised]

Until this card the GTX295 (in stock trim with no stickers) was the best looking (and performing card. Lose the sticker and this one takes both crowns.

Itching to play with one of these puppies and see what they can do.

 

[Initialised]

What the hell guys. How many people stare at there card when its in the case? its not like you really even see the sticker anyways.

What you dont have a window and angle your case so it your graphics card is visible from the other side of the room?

The also look damn sexy on test benches:

 

[newtekie1]

there you go, you got the answer already. ati will use GDDR5 to all card, even for low end card (maybe to cut down complex PCB and thus cost saving)

and we don't have new type of ram, so they can't use old strategy. and they was forced to used cut down version instead. and i believe if they have developed GDDDR6 then they will use it for HD 5870 and use GDDR5 for HD 5850.

I don't have an answer, because we don't know for sure that the GDDR3 memory controller has been removed, only ATi knows that. Unless you have seen some news that I haven't.

I think at this point, removing the GDDR3 controller would be a bad move, as GDDR5 is still in relatively short supply compared to GDDR3. And I doubt they have removed it, though it is possible.

The core on the 4850 is weaker, despite being full featured it's a binned down product. I think they went this route though to move away from DDR3, it would most likely be cheaper for their company to use 1 type of memory, where as the 4000 series was their bridge to doing so. Even 4850's started popping up with GDDR5. I'm not missing any points here I know what your saying things are changing, but thats the way the world works, especially in manufacturing processes where advancement is very fast.

Of course it was weaker, but it wasn't cut down. I'm a weaker pitcher compared to a major league pitcher, but my arms haven't been cut off. There is a major difference between just not being able to clock as high, and having parts physically disabled. And traditionally ATi hasn't done this, so my question is still why?

 

[p_o_s_pc]

What you dont have a window and angle your case so it your graphics card is visible from the other side of the room?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3427142585_e1fc29f5bc_b.jpg

The also look damn sexy on test benches:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3466510037_8398c9b2c5_b.jpg

they do look sexy on the test bench. i don't have a window on this case but have all my other cases and never did i have it angled so it would shot the video card. I don't give a shit what my card looks like. The only reason i painted my cooler is cause other people care. To me it was fine just how it was

 

[WarEagleAU]

For all this back and forth, no one has brought out the main and most intriguing point: Ruby has dreds on the 5870!!!!

 

[p_o_s_pc]

For all this back and forth, no one has brought out the main and most intriguing point: Ruby has dreds on the 5870!!!!

i didn't even notice that. i think she looks sexy on the 5850

 

[Bo_Fox]

Did to what lady?

Wow, I can't believe that it's still hurting Sapphire right now, with this "awareness" going on..

To answer your Q, Kurgan, it's that lady over at [H]forums.. Sapphire customer service murdered her!!!


just kidding.. but it was a huge issue a year ago or 2..

 

[phanbuey]

No no no, your still missing the point. I know the HD4850 is weaker than the HD4870. I'm strickly talking about the core. Traditionally, ATi has used the same core configuration, but a weaker memory setup on their second from the top card. They have changed that and are now using a weaker core, with the same memory configuration.

what about 3870 and 3850 - they were literally identical cards... with the same memory interface... (although I think the 3850 was 256 memory standard and the 3870 was 512)

only DX 10 series with weaker memory config was the the 4xxx series. Usually they go with a weaker (manufacturing-wise) core and cheaper construction and power cuircuitry.

 

[Maban]

Would be nice to see a real 5850 and not just a shortened photoshopped 5870.

 

[PP Mguire]

Wow, was considering Sapphire 5870 but damn thats ugly. I think ill wait till the bette rlooking cards come out.

 

[Flyordie]

Wow, I can't believe that it's still hurting Sapphire right now, with this "awareness" going on..

To answer your Q, Kurgan, it's that lady over at [H]forums.. Sapphire customer service murdered her!!!


just kidding.. but it was a huge issue a year ago or 2..

i didn't even notice that. i think she looks sexy on the 5850

Did to what lady?

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1241346
--
Also, For those of you who said the gal on the cooler was sexy... welll....... what about this girl...