My graphicscard likes it colourful now

**naut** · 11-09-2010, 06:47

Here's the article. The HD6850 is not worth it. The HD6870 is the only mid-level option you should consider from ATI, I'm an ATI fanboy myself, and I'd have to say the offerings below 5870 or 6870 aren't worth it. Overall, bang for buck, HD6870 or EVGA 460GTX or Palit 460GTX Sonic Platinum (800MHz core speed, 32ROPs, 1600MHz shader domain, 24*C Idle/55*C Full, 42dBa, nice card). If you are worried about the service life of the EVGA card they've been offering 10 year warranties if you register your card on their website. So.... IMHO that's a pretty sweet deal. Runs at 30*C Idle/56*C Full, 37dBa.

But, on the ATI side I'd only consider the HD6870 or higher and for nVidia, an overclocked 460GTX (EVGA or Palit Sonic Platinum) or higher. In fact I'd consider the Palit Sonic Platinum over the ATI HD5870 even, it's the card I'm getting for the rig I'm building this summer. It pumps out about the same level of performance as a 470GTX for US$100 cheaper.

**Husar** · 11-09-2010, 07:32

Well, I wasn't considering the 6850, the 6870 seems to score consistently, high, some averages from a german review where it seems quite on par or even better than the GTX 470 and a review on HardOCP (conclusion page) where it also scores consistently higher than a stock GTX 460.

The EVGA GTX 460 FTW seems to score really high, but also costs > 200€ and uses 49 Watts more under load than a stock GTX 460, which is already relatively high compared with an HD 6870.

So yeah, I'm not a big fan of overclocking I guess.

**LeftEyeNine** · 11-09-2010, 08:27

6870 isn't better than my 5870, that's what I saw all around.

Taking this into consideration you may want to wait for the next step up the 6xxx ladder. And in that case, you may still be using your GTX 260 for Physx effects.

Here is the Physx mod that allowed me to benefit from Physx for a year now.

**Husar** · 11-09-2010, 10:20

I know LEN, but I guess the better ones will cost 300€ and up and that is definitely too much for forced upgrade, will look at the PhysX thing

**LeftEyeNine** · 11-09-2010, 10:46

Simply, 6870 is a no-no. Get a 5870 for now and start saving, I say.

**Husar** · 11-09-2010, 11:55

Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

Simply, 6870 is a no-no. Get a 5870 for now and start saving, I say.

Too expensive, I'm already saving money for something 10000x more important and 200 is already a bit much to pay now, but I'm willing if the performance is worth it compared to a stock GTX 460 or even slower card.

**Husar** · 11-09-2010, 18:29

Ooops, called the shop and it turns out it was still under warranty, so I brought it back and will have to wait for the result now, could take a few weeks I suppose but it doesn't cost a thing.