games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


AMD releases the Radeon HD 5800 series photo

If you follow PC hardware news, you may have been hearing about ATI's 5800 series for some time. Well, they're finally here, as yesterday AMD announced that the graphics cards are finally available for purchase. AMD is putting out two cards, the 5850 and the 5870, priced at $250 and $399 respectively.  If you haven't heard of these cards before, they're the first graphics cards designed from the ground up to support DirectX 11, so if you plan on gaming on a Windows 7 machine you'll want to look into these.

The benchmarks I've seen so far show the 5870 performing pretty impressively -- it tends to outperform NVIDIA's GTX 285 in most tests, and can hold it's own against the 295. While overall the 295 tends to get slightly better numbers, it's also currently $100 more expensive, and uses up a whole lot more power. That said, don't be surprised if NVIDIA drops the prices on the 200 series soon.

Any of you guys running Windows 7 planning on picking one of these up? Do you care at all about the lack of PhysX?


Continue: More PC stories





prev next

37 comments | showing # 1 to 37

Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:05
Gyrael
I'm surprised the still haven't lowered the 200 series' price.
PreacherMan89's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:07
PreacherMan89
Yeah, a price-drop would be nice. I'm stuck with a crappy GeForce 7200, lol. (Works fine on Windows 7, cant handle any decent games though.)
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:07
Jon B
I care about the lack of PhysX, for one. nVidia are really going to struggle to match this though.
Knives's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:09
Knives
I should get one considering my Nvidia 7800gtx is dying
Magnalon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:11
Magnalon
Finally, some PC love! I'm content with my card for now, but I think I might pick this one up at some point.
TewDee's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:12
TewDee
This is great news considering Nvidia doesn't care about DX11 and doesn't plan on supporting it soon...
DV2FOX's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:13
DV2FOX
Physx FTW...ATI doesnt has it,even if they have a lower price that doesnt justifies its total power..or whatever

Waiting for Nvidia's Price cuuuuut....keep us informed,Jonas
SecCom's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:24
SecCom
I grabbed the 4850 with 1GB of RAM and it still dominates any game I throw at it...and I bought that for under 200, which I'm sure its even cheaper now. Highly recommend that card if you are not one of those people who like to brag about their 3DMark scores.
N0R3M0RS3's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:26
N0R3M0RS3
I plan on trying to pick up one of the 300 series when nVidia releases them in December. I've always had issues with the ATI cards I've used. My SLI'd 8800GTs are starting to show their age...
brainderailment's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:26
brainderailment
I'm hoping BFG will release a new card so I can get my free card swap in before the 100 day limit.
TheDirtyHobo's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:29
TheDirtyHobo
This, or the 5890 when it applies, will be my upgrade in a year or two. I've got a 4870 right now, so I can still sit pretty for quite a while.
septan179's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:30
septan179
How many developers have adopted DirectX 10 besides Crytek?
runtheplacered's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:33
runtheplacered
@ septan179,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_games_with_DirectX_10_support
w4ffles's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 17:56
w4ffles
Many developers didn't bother with DX10 because there wasn't a big enough difference over DX9 to justify the new coding path. However, DX11 looks like it's going to bring a lot more in terms of speed and eye candy. Compute shaders on DX11 cards is a big selling point.

I go with whatever gives me the most bang for my buck, like the HIS HD4850 IceQ4 512MB I got for $80 after MIR.
Jon B's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 18:13
Jon B
Just as a little additive to w4ffles above, watch this video.
Arianol's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 18:17
Arianol
That's one badass looking GPU, I must say.
mrberns's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 18:39
mrberns
I'm more excited to grab a 4890 for a reduced price soon. I doubt I'll be investing in any directx11 hardware till I do a total rebuild, which won't be for a while.
TheNomadicTroll's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 18:45
TheNomadicTroll
Well hopefully dev. will get on DX11 and start pushing pc hardware again. Of course this is a hopeless dream since most dev. are just making games on a DX9 console (xbox 360).
Volomon's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 18:55
Volomon
Wait the lack of PhysX from hardware or software? On the video card, windows directx, windows 7, or video games? Confusored...also I was thinking about DX11 cards but I'm not sure if getting the first ones out of anything is a smart idea especially with PC gaming. Have to see what Nvidia puts out then have to see ATI's response.

@septan179 Most if not all current games have DX10. The few that don't are because of Xbox360 crossplatform. Did you ever hear my rant about out of date systems lowering the quality across all platforms? Which by the way wonder if Dragon Age will suffer. I mean once you fall out of graces with the Shader tech your auto screwed in PC gaming especially.
Halaster's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 19:15
Halaster
For me the lack of CUDA has a bigger impact than the lack of PhysX, though that would in the end effect my purchasing decision as well.

Those two features combined are a pretty big selling point for a nVidia card over an ATI card beyond just performance to performance comparison. If I can get an equivalent card with just a difference of say 5-10% in performance but also obtain both of those features it is really not a question. If the performance difference is more along the lines of 15-25% though I would easily give up PhysX, though would wrestle with CUDA.
gamadaya's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 19:26
gamadaya
That is a sexy card. Of course I would say wait for nVidia to show their 300 series, but that is still a sexy card. And it's good for everyone, regardless if you like nVidia or ATI, because you know nVidia isn't going to be launching any $600 cards anymore. I also heard a lot of people saying that this is worth upgrading to from the 8800 cards, and I agree. And it has insanely low power consumption when idling. Yeah, ATI isn't fucking around here.

@Volomon: But do games really suffer that much for lack of DX10? By most accounts, there is little noticeable difference, other than slightly better graphics and a lower framerate. And Far Cry 2 is the only game I can think of that really significantly benefited from DX10 in terms of fps and image quality (mostly) and that was on 360 and PS3.
jorge's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 19:28
jorge
I would never spend anywhere near $400 on a video card.
Arch649's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 19:43
Arch649
I payed $600 for my 8800GTX and it was worth every penny. I will be looking to upgrade once I start getting a cash flow again.
Diverse's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 19:43
Diverse
Running an HD 4870 now and I couldn't be happier with it. Don't really see a point to upgrade, but it's a possibility.
Methos's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 20:02
Methos
My 4850 also smokes any PC game I throw at it as well. I'm more curious about the 5770 and the 300 series of Geforce.
ajaxender's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 20:16
ajaxender
I dont care too much for the card itself, but rather in the progress of the GFX card competition, and what Nvidia will release in response. Nvidia have much, much better driver support, and stuff like PhysX too, so Amd/Ati will have to have a card series thats ahead by quite a large margin to make me want to switch.

I'll worry about DirectX 11 when games use it properly. If DX10 is anything to go by, itll be another year or two.
Crunshii's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 20:39
Crunshii
meh for some reason I don't like ATI cards. Had bad experience with drivers and such on my last laptop. Nvidia has always been there for me supplying both power and performance with 0 mistakes.

I'll wait for Nvidias model to be released.
Cyber Altair's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 20:48
Cyber Altair
Is this the one with the 7000 something resolution that can handle like 3 monitors at once and is like the Jesus of graphics cards cause I read about them on a GS article. Also PhsyX is owned by Nvidia so you need a standalone PshyX card if you own an AMD card.
CWal37's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 21:05
CWal37
I have no problems with my 4850. In fact, I love it. When I do upgrade I'll definitely be looking to ATi again.
KorJax's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 21:26
KorJax
ybfelix's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 21:48
ybfelix
Consoles have been around for a looooong time. Maybe PC developers should try squeeze more power out of existing specs, you know, like some console developers do?
triclops41's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 22:20
triclops41
I'm getting the asus 5850. The asus cards are overclocking like champs, making the 5850 almost the same as it's 120 more expensive brother, the 5870. Dx11 isn't the biggest reason these cards are great. Yes they can both do 3 monitors. And physx is cool, but almost no games use it so it's pretty worthless.
Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/24/2009 22:44
Gyrael
I bought a GTX260 on like December of last year for around 210$. They're at like 170-180 now.
matrixdude171's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/25/2009 00:36
matrixdude171
It's beautiful!
FUBAB107's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/25/2009 02:36
FUBAB107
I should pick this one up when i get a chance too
abydos's Avatar - Comment posted on 09/28/2009 21:30
abydos
Good news. I'll be upgrading my rig next year so they'll be even cheaper.
Raphael Nguyen's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/03/2009 18:14
Raphael Nguyen
Whether or not AMD's 5800 series is better/worse than NVIDIA's 200 series, I gotta say - if that image (in the post) is representative of them, the 5800s a stupid sexy.

-- Griffinhart
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos

    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex review
    Arkedo Series - 02 SWAP! review
    EyePet review
    more reviews
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    Monster Hunter Tri
    Hooking onto, under and above Just Cause 2
    PS3's 256-player MAG
    Rooms The Main Building
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 50693 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing
    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jim Sterling: Think L4D2 is an expansion? You're a f*cking idiot





















    More Destructoid Originals



     Popular now more






















    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief    		 Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor    		 Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor    		 Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor    		 Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman    		 Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
         		Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong
    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    		 support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    		 keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online     		seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap     		our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?



    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006