Getting the upgrade itch but am on a budget

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 10:43 pm

Sapphire HD 5850 for $279.99 shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102884

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:37 pm

normalicy wrote:Sapphire HD 5850 for $279.99 shipped

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102884

Thanks!

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sat Mar 27, 2010 11:58 pm

Thought you'd like that. Best deal I've seen in a few weeks. I personally am going to have to wait till it's below $200.... oh & to have $200.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:35 am

All done and it is on the way thanks all!

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 12:31 pm

Make sure your PSU that has two 6 pin power connectors and a bare minimum of 36 amps (40 would be better) combined on all the 12 volt rails.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 4:27 pm

I have a 3 year old Power Supply but I bought ahead of my needs in the past:

Silverstone Zeus SST-ST85ZF

Special Feature
Efficiency greater than 80% (max. 87%)
Quad +12V rail for superior performance
Quad PCI-E 6pin connectors (SLI ready)
Industrial class components
Support for ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS12V
Active PFC

Model No.
SST-ST85ZF

I think this will be ok, your thoughts FP?

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 5:46 pm

According to their own documentation, it can take 2 5870s. So I'm thinking you're good.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 7:47 pm

Excellent PSU. Four 12 volt rails total of 70 amps. No problem at all.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 7:54 pm

I am reading that these cards have created Grey Screens Of Death (GSOD) on New Egg User Reviews. FP, have you heard of or had any issues with your Sapphire?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:18 pm

Nope running fine on the 10.2 driver. Sapphire is ATI's own manufacturing company. They only use reference designs so if there was a problem with them ALL 5850s would have a problem. I wouldn't worry about it. People having issues probably have weak PSUs.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Sun Mar 28, 2010 9:43 pm

The grey screen issue was a driver issue. So far as I know, it was dealt with in the last revision.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 8:31 pm

My 5850 is due in tomorrow, so since its been a long time since I had an ATI (Can you say All In Wonder 9800Pro?) can you all share the best way today to eradicate my Nvidia drivers and install the ATI ones?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Mar 31, 2010 11:14 pm

Drivers uninstall themselves pretty cleanly nowadays. I would just uninstall the VNvidia driver, power off, then swap cards, power on and install the ATI driver.

That Sapphire is a stock card so you can download the ATI driver from their website instead of using the disc they send with it.

DaMaN · Post by **DaMaN** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:41 am

Thanks, FP. I was going to do the uninstall in Safe mode and run Drivesweeper then do the swap due to some disturbing stuff I read in various other forums but since you made the switch recently then I will go your route thanks!

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:27 am

Well I didn't switch, I ordered a new PC with ATI installed already.

I've just generally had little trouble uninstalling the old driver and then swapping the card out.