Choosing the right graphics card can be a daunting task, especially when comparing models within the same generation. This detailed comparison of the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and the ATI Radeon HD 5870 aims to clarify their differences and help you decide which card best suits your gaming needs and budget. While both cards are part of ATI's (now AMD) successful HD 5000 series, they offer significantly different performance levels.
Performance: A Clear Winner Emerges
The ATI Radeon HD 5870 significantly outperforms the HD 5770 in almost every aspect. We're talking about a substantial performance gap, especially at higher resolutions and with demanding game settings. While the HD 5770 can handle many modern titles at medium to high settings at 1080p, the HD 5870 allows for consistently higher frame rates and the ability to max out settings in most games, even at higher resolutions like 1440p. This difference is primarily due to the 5870's superior core clock speed, memory bandwidth, and the sheer number of stream processors.
Key Performance Differences:
- Frame Rates: Expect a 30-50% or even greater increase in frame rates with the HD 5870 compared to the HD 5770, depending on the game and settings.
- Resolution: The HD 5770 struggles to maintain smooth performance at higher resolutions (1440p and above) whereas the HD 5870 handles them much more gracefully.
- Graphics Settings: The HD 5770 might require turning down graphical settings to achieve playable frame rates in demanding games, while the HD 5870 can often handle maximum settings without significant performance drops.
Features and Specifications: Subtle but Significant Variations
While the performance difference is substantial, there are also some nuanced differences in features and specifications:
ATI Radeon HD 5770:
- Memory: Typically 1GB GDDR5 (though some models existed with 512MB)
- Stream Processors: Fewer stream processors compared to the 5870, resulting in lower processing power.
- Power Consumption: Generally more power-efficient, leading to lower electricity bills.
- Price: Significantly cheaper than the 5870.
ATI Radeon HD 5870:
- Memory: Typically 1GB GDDR5 (though some models existed with 2GB). More memory can be beneficial for higher resolutions and textures.
- Stream Processors: A higher number of stream processors contributes to its superior performance.
- Power Consumption: Higher power consumption compared to the 5770, requiring a more robust power supply.
- Price: More expensive than the 5770.
The Verdict: Choosing the Right Card for You
The choice between the ATI Radeon HD 5770 and the HD 5870 depends heavily on your budget and gaming priorities.
-
Choose the HD 5770 if: You're on a tight budget, primarily play less demanding games, or are content with medium to high settings at 1080p.
-
Choose the HD 5870 if: You want top-tier performance, aim for maximum graphics settings at high resolutions (1080p and above), and have a higher budget to accommodate its higher cost and power requirements.
This comparison reflects the capabilities of these cards based on their original release specifications. Remember that technological advancements have made even higher-performing graphics cards readily available since then. However, this analysis remains valuable for understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of these two models.
