Why are 5850 so rare?

[grue]

It's the best card in terms of MH/$, but it seems to be super rare. any idea why? I can't imagine all of them being bought by miners.

[1715195404]

1715195404

[rezin777]

It's the best card in terms of MH/$, but it seems to be super rare. any idea why? I can't imagine all of them being bought by miners.

Miners certainly have a part to play in the availability of AMD cards. Also, 5xxx is the previous generation technology, the 6xxx series is the newest and easier to find.

[Convery]

It's the best card in terms of MH/$, but it seems to be super rare. any idea why? I can't imagine all of them being bought by miners.

As it's also one of the best $/performance cards they are attractive. Also, as Sapphire advertised their 'remake' of the 5850 it got more attention..

[Kluge]

It's the best card in terms of MH/$, but it seems to be super rare. any idea why? I can't imagine all of them being bought by miners.

They weren't rare a week ago and before.  

Yes, I think they really were bought out primarily by miners. I know I purchased 8 just a week ago.  

[Sonata]

Sold out within a matter of days since people found out about their hashes.

[grndzero]

Not everyone can afford $800-1200 for a 5970, if they could even find them. 2 x 5850's give the same performance at 1/3-1/2 the price.

[mouser98]

Maybe 5850's should be the new world's currency

[SlaveInDebt]

Just imagine the amount of 58xx's that will be flooding the used market once 7series comes out with more SP's and better TDP.
I can already see my for sale thread with twelve 58xx's 

[grue]

Just imagine the amount of 58xx's that will be flooding the used market once 7series comes out with more SP's and better TDP.
I can already see my for sale thread with twelve 58xx's 

I doubt that will happen, just look at the 6xxx series, much more expensive than the 5xxx series, in terms of MH/$

[SlaveInDebt]

Just imagine the amount of 58xx's that will be flooding the used market once 7series comes out with more SP's and better TDP.
I can already see my for sale thread with twelve 58xx's 

I doubt that will happen, just look at the 6xxx series, much more expensive than the 5xxx series, in terms of MH/$

The reason the 6series are no better than the 5series is due to foundries being stuck on 40nm. This is why you don't see an increase in SP's in the 6 series over 5series because of limited die space due to being on the same node. Integer performance derived from the number of SP's is key for mining.
ATI/AMD focused on improving where they could with the 6series by restructuring the SP layout to gain improvements in area's the 5series lacked FP/DX11 performance while leaving its integer(SP) performance the same roughly.

Once the new node is available for production at 28nm we will see 1920+ SP's on a single die while using the 6series improved SP layout within the same TDP. New nodes bring improved performance and power efficiency.

[TradersEdgeDice]

I think I bought the last one. 

:-)

[rezin777]

Just imagine the amount of 58xx's that will be flooding the used market once 7series comes out with more SP's and better TDP.
I can already see my for sale thread with twelve 58xx's 

I doubt that will happen, just look at the 6xxx series, much more expensive than the 5xxx series, in terms of MH/$

The reason the 6series are no better than the 5series is due to foundries being stuck on 40nm. This is why you don't see an increase in SP's in the 6 series over 5series because of limited die space due to being on the same node. Integer performance derived from the number of SP's is key for mining.
ATI/AMD focused on improving where they could with the 6series by restructuring the SP layout to gain improvements in area's the 5series lacked FP/DX11 performance while leaving its integer(SP) performance the same roughly.

Once the new node is available for production at 28nm we will see 1920+ SP's on a single die while using the 6series improved SP layout within the same TDP. New nodes bring improved performance and power efficiency.

I'm excited. Have you heard any news about AMD's progress with this?

[kjj]

I'm excited. Have you heard any news about AMD's progress with this?

Check here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Islands_(GPU_family)

Personally, I wouldn't hold my breath until the press has seen demo cards.  The problem with shooting for a Christmas release is that if you miss, you really miss.  On the other hand, if this is merely a die shrink, maybe they can pull it off on time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radeon

October 2005 (R520) -> May 2007 (R600) = 17 months
May 2007 -> June 2008 (R700) = 13 months
June 2008 -> September 2009 (Evergreen) = 15 months
September 2009 -> October 2010 (Northern Islands) = 13 months

[SlaveInDebt]

Just imagine the amount of 58xx's that will be flooding the used market once 7series comes out with more SP's and better TDP.
I can already see my for sale thread with twelve 58xx's 

I doubt that will happen, just look at the 6xxx series, much more expensive than the 5xxx series, in terms of MH/$

The reason the 6series are no better than the 5series is due to foundries being stuck on 40nm. This is why you don't see an increase in SP's in the 6 series over 5series because of limited die space due to being on the same node. Integer performance derived from the number of SP's is key for mining.
ATI/AMD focused on improving where they could with the 6series by restructuring the SP layout to gain improvements in area's the 5series lacked FP/DX11 performance while leaving its integer(SP) performance the same roughly.

Once the new node is available for production at 28nm we will see 1920+ SP's on a single die while using the 6series improved SP layout within the same TDP. New nodes bring improved performance and power efficiency.

I'm excited. Have you heard any news about AMD's progress with this?

TSMC just tapped out 28nm. It's rumored we may see mobile 7series first in 4Q this year with desktop following behind in 1Q '11.
2Q is the latest date expected so still quiet some time. 6series was to use 28nm but TSMC didnt get production out in time, had they would be looking at ~1920 SP's units now.
I wont be surprised to see 2304 SP's on the top single GPU 7series using todays 6series SP layout.