AMD Readies Radeon HD 5830, Seals Upper-Mainstream Gaps (tpu+nordic)

[zalbard]

While it may sound "anti ATI", I don't agree that it is a good thing. Basically, the samples sent to reviewers directly from ATI will be capable of pulling in some ridiculous clock speeds because they are based off of HD 5870 PCBs. People will look at the resulting overclocks and get the wrong impression. It also pops the HD 5830 into a high-end PCB design that is out of its price league.

Are you saying that no reviewers are going to get retail samples? I am pretty sure all more or less serious IT sites will have to do the second review once they see what is actually hitting the shelves.
But yes, I agree, that's bad business.
No reference design is obviously a poor thing to do. But, on the other hand... there will finally be at least some difference between the brands but the sticker and the cardboard box...

[silvias]

The other problem with this is a matter of quality assurance. Instead of getting ATI-approved PCBs and whatnot, board partners are left to their own devices and we ALL know that can result in lower quality products making it into the market at launch. Yes, we will get some kick arse designs but there are always those who want to cut some small corners.

This is why I, as a less tech-savvy individual, rely on you reviewers to guide me to the right path when the time comes.

I was planning to get me a HD 5770 to replace my HD 4850 but it seems I have to play the waiting game just a bit longer. Any predictions when there's going to be reviews and a decent retail availability for some of these better designs?

[SKYMTL]

Are you saying that no reviewers are going to get retail samples? I am pretty sure all more or less serious IT sites will have to do the second review once they see what is actually hitting the shelves.
But yes, I agree, that's bad business.

I am sure there will be some sites reviewing retail samples. However, as stated, the cards sent directly from ATI are probably all based on HD 5870 PCBs. It is up to the board partners to send out samples in addition to ATI sending their own products.

[SKYMTL]

I was planning to get me a HD 5770 to replace my HD 4850 but it seems I have to play the waiting game just a bit longer. Any predictions when there's going to be reviews and a decent retail availability for some of these better designs?

I think there will be decent retail availability at or close to launch. The board partners know this could be a huge card for them depending on price / performance but I am not sure if there will be some delay due to the fact they have to design and certify their own cards.

[BeepBeep2]

This is why I, as a less tech-savvy individual, rely on you reviewers to guide me to the right path when the time comes.

I was planning to get me a HD 5770 to replace my HD 4850 but it seems I have to play the waiting game just a bit longer. Any predictions when there's going to be reviews and a decent retail availability for some of these better designs?

You can always mod it! And thats free, if it dies you can just buy the card you thought you might anyway. Look at my sig, the card does 830 core and 1140 (2280) ram benching...it's near the 5770's stock performance.

It's not too complicated either...there are guides everywhere.

[silvias]

I think there will be decent retail availability at or close to launch. The board partners know this could be a huge card for them depending on price / performance but I am not sure if there will be some delay due to the fact they have to design and certify their own cards.

Thanks for the info.

You can always mod it! And thats free, if it dies you can just buy the card you thought you might anyway. Look at my sig, the card does 830 core and 1140 (2280) ram benching...it's near the 5770's stock performance.

It's not too complicated either...there are guides everywhere.

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to take a look at those guides. I just hope they don't involve a soldering iron or it would be like inviting a disaster to happen, considering my soldering skills.

That's a pretty nice overclock you have there, by the way. I don't think I'll be getting anywhere near that, but I could give it a try.

[BeepBeep2]

Thanks for the info.

Thanks for the tip, I'll have to take a look at those guides. I just hope they don't involve a soldering iron or it would be like inviting a disaster to happen, considering my soldering skills.

That's a pretty nice overclock you have there, by the way. I don't think I'll be getting anywhere near that, but I could give it a try.

My mod is a pencil mod.

[KoHaN69]

I really hope the membus is 256-bit!! it has to be!!

[LaMpiR]

Anything about prices?