5870 1GB/2GB flashability-question

[2weiX]

Hi all,

I have three 6950s already, and am looking to buy a "cheap" fourth card.
I have my eyes on a couple of 5870s. which from the hardware comparison wiki seems to be the card of choice.

with my 6950s which are non-reference 1GB models i found out (too late!) that i cannot flash them to 6970s / shaders etc etc. i can only overclock the core to 840 and downclock the mem to 800.

is there a similar issue with the 5870s? ie. should i be buying the 2GB version since it is by default more accessible to OCing?


thanks in advance!

[Mousepotato]

I have 1GB 5870's and they hit 450-460 MH/s no problem, right out of the box.  That is, with the proper overclock.

[2weiX]

I have 1GB 5870's and they hit 450-460 MH/s no problem, right out of the box.  That is, with the proper overclock.

did you flash the BIOS to OC? or just use catalyst? clocktweak? RBE?

[deslok]

i've had no problems with a 5870 reaching 430(2gb eyfinity edition) i would gather that just like overclocking back when we could muck with the fsb (seems so far ago) less memory will result in easier overclocking. I used saphire trixx for overclocking mine.

[Mousepotato]

I have 1GB 5870's and they hit 450-460 MH/s no problem, right out of the box.  That is, with the proper overclock.

did you flash the BIOS to OC? or just use catalyst? clocktweak? RBE?

No re-flash necessary.  Just unbox, plug in, turn on and go.  I used AMD GPU Clock Tool to set the overclock and then MSI Afterburner for fan control.  I think re-flashing is only necessary for 6950s.

[2weiX]

same with 5830s?

I am seeing a super deal right now, however the stock core of that card is 800MHz, and most good hashrates ~300 are reached with 880 - 1030 MHz.

[deslok]

I have a sapphire 5830 I ordered from newegg  runs at 1025/300 easily.

[Mousepotato]

same with 5830s?

I am seeing a super deal right now, however the stock core of that card is 800MHz, and most good hashrates ~300 are reached with 880 - 1030 MHz.

It's hit or miss with the 5830s (well, any card really).  Some of them can OC to 1050 MHz without a problem.  Others choke on anything past 960 MHz.  YMMV