GIGABYTE 5870 SOC Super Overclock Edition GV-R587SO-1GD Vs. 4890 Review

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GIGABYTE 5870 SOC Super Overclock Edition GV-R587SO-1GD Vs. 4890 Review






Special thanks to everyone @ GIGABYTE for providing today's test samples.

As we dive into Gigabyte's 5870 SOC (Super Overclock) Edition GV-R587SO-1GD, you may be aware that ATI's 6000 Series GPU's (Southern Islands) is possibly already in the works, leaving many of you to wonder what does 5870 still have to offer. I will be comparing last years top tier tech., a Sapphire 4890, to this years flagship 5870 offering from Gigabyte and we shall see how things compare. As for ATI's 6000 series cards, it is rumored that they may be released by the end of the year, but no one is quite sure as of yet and rumors are rampant. If you are looking into obtaining a new graphics card to improve your favorite game's satisfaction, and that hard earned cash is burning a hole in your pocket, or you have been bitten by the upgrade bug, then hopefully this will help you decide just how things stack up with your current card or previous generation models.


GIGABYTE's high quality ultra durable components, 2oz Copper PCB, custom cooling, and factory overclock make this non-reference model ooze quality. The card comes factory overclocked at 950Mhz Core speed / 5000Mhz (1250Mhz QDR) Memory speed, compared to the standard ATI 5870 specifications of 850Mhz core and 4800Mhz (1200Mhz QDR). It uses 1600 Streaming shader processors, 32 ROP's and 80 texture units. Additionally, included with the package is a custom overclocking & over-voltage utility. Gigabyte utilizes their own custom dual inclined 80mm cooling fans, and a copper heatpipe solution consisting of four 5mm heatpipes to direct heat away from the RV870 chip.



Super Overclock Micro-site
GIGABYTE Super Overclock

5870 Model Feature page
GIGABYTE Super Overclock

GV-R587SO-1GD Main Page
GV-R587SO-1GD - GIGABYTE


Specifications and Features:




Series: Radeon HD 5000 series
Chipset: Radeon HD 5870 (RV870 Cypress XT)
Interface: PCI Express 2.1 x16
Key Features: SOC
Core Clock: 950 MHz
Memory Clock: 5000MHz
Stream Processors: 1600 Stream Processing Units
Memory Type: GDDR5
DirectX: 11
D-sub/VGA: Via adapter
DVI: x2
DisplayPort: x1
HDMI: x1
Max Resolution: 2560 x 1600
HDCP ready

GIGABYTE Super Overclock Series Unique Features:
1. Powered by ATI Radeon HD 5870 SOC Editioin
2. GIGABYTE GPU Gauntlet™ Sorting Technology
3. Core Clock: 950MHz (std:850) / Memory Clock: 5000MHz (std:4800)
4. Integrated with 1024 MB / 256-bit GDDR5 video memory
5. GIGABYTE Ultra Durable VGA+ High Quality Components
6. GIGABYTE Anti-turbulence Inclined Dual Fan
7. GIGABYTE OC Guru – Graphic Card Smart Tuner
8. Dedicated Voltage Read Point Design
9. 17% better performance than standard HD 5870

GPU Gauntlet Sorting and How Gigabyte Does It.

First, GIGABYTE’s database analysis system evaluates the GPU core engine, shader engine and memory. If a processor doesn’t meet the pre-defined standard, it will not qualify for the Super Overclock Series.

In addition, GIGABYTE’s proprietary testing toolkit allows engineers to inspect and select the GPUs with the highest frequency. This program operates for 30 minutes and provides important data on the maximum overclocking ability when compared to a stock GPU. Once the Super Overclock point has been determined, engineers will boost the frequency to offer the highest factory default clock setting in the market.

Next, each Super Overclock Series GPU faces the Graphics benchmarks, FurMark and 3DMark Vantage, to measure performance and stability under an intense graphics load. A GPU that passes this stage will perform at a lower temperature and fan speed compared to a standard GPU. By choosing the cream of the crop, GIGABYTE ensures rich rendering of intricate 3D scenes and realistic physical effects such as water, gas, steam, fire, etc for a lifelike gaming adventure.

Last but not least, engineers test the power switching and stability. The GPUs with the best power efficiency and lowest power consumption qualify for the Super Overclock Series. And GIGABYTE understands that premium graphics cards should not sound like a cement truck rolling down the freeway, so a large cooling fan provides for a quiet computing environment.

Thanks to Ultra Durable VGA 5 quality components, 2 oz copper PCB, first tier memory, Japanese solid capacitors, ferrite core cokes and low RDS on MOSFET, the Super Overclock Series provides for top performance in graphics benchmarking. These high-quality components promise consumers 5%~10% lower GPU temperatures, 10-30% higher overclocking capability, and switching power loss that is reduced by 10-30%.

GIGABYTE’s innovative GPU Gauntlet™ Sorting process provides three main benefits:

1. Full-throttle Performance Tuning
Proprietary database analysis system helps engineers investigate GPU core, shader and memory. Super Overclock Series video card sets its factory overclocked at optimal stability point (Super OC point), which is an exact balance between high frequency and efficient power consumption, delivering top performance for power users.

2. Optimized Thermal Efficiency
With high-quality Gigabyte Ultra Durable VGA components, the processor selected by GPU Gauntlet™ Sorting boasts extra lower temperature by 5 to 10%. The guarantee fan speed at 1500 rpm in high-rated 3D and physics-accelerated games helps reduce noise for an absolutely quite environment.

3. Expert Power Switching
GPUs are examined and tested for the highest power efficiency and lowest power consumption using the FurMark and 3DMark Vantage benchmark. A Gigabyte GTX 260 Super Overclock Series graphics card delivers a 25% increase in performance compared to a standard GTX 260 card. And a Gigabyte GTX 260 Super Overclock Series card guarantees the same overclocking capability as a standard GTX 260 dual-fan video card, but with lower power consumption.